Dell Insp 640 M Manual

							Setting Up a Network71
Setting Up a Network
Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem
Before you connect your computer to a network that is not wireless, the computer must have a 
network adapter installed and a network cable connected to it.
To connect a network cable:
1
Connect the network cable to the network adapter connector on the right side of your computer.
 NOTE: Insert the cable connector until it clicks into place, and then gently pull the cable to ensure that it is 
securely attached.
2Connect the other end of the network cable to a network connection device or a network wall 
connector.
 NOTE: Do not use a network cable with a telephone wall connector.
Network Setup Wizard
The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides a Network Setup Wizard to guide you 
through the process of sharing files, printers, or an Internet connection between computers in a 
home or small office.
1
Click the Start button, point to Programs→ Accessories→ Communications, and then click 
Network Setup Wizard.
2On the welcome screen, click Next. 
						

							72Setting Up a Network
3Click Checklist for creating a network.
 NOTE: Selecting the connection method labeled This computer connects directly to the Internet enables the 
integrated firewall provided with Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2).
4Complete the checklist.
5Return to the Network Setup Wizard and follow the instructions on the screen.
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
A WLAN is a series of interconnected computers that communicate with each other over the air waves 
rather than through a network cable connected to each computer. In a WLAN, a radio communications 
device called an access point or wireless router connects network computers and provides network access. 
The access point or wireless router and the wireless network card in the computer communicate by 
broadcasting data from their antennas over the air waves.
What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection
Before you can set up a WLAN, you need:
 High-speed (broadband) Internet access (such as cable or DSL)
 A broadband modem that is connected and working
 A wireless router or access point
 A wireless network card for each computer that you want to connect to your WLAN
 A network cable with the network (RJ-45) connector 
Checking Your Wireless Network Card
Depending on what you selected when you purchased your computer, the computer has a variety of 
configurations. To confirm that your computer has a wireless network card and to determine the type of 
card, use one of the following:
 The Start button and the Connect To option
 Your order confirmation
Start Button and Connect To Option
1Click the Start button.
2Po i n t  t o  Connect To, and then click Show all connections.
If Wireless Network Connection does not appear under LAN or High-Speed Internet, you may not have 
a wireless network card. 
						

							Setting Up a Network73
If Wireless Network Connection appears, you have a wireless network card. To view detailed information 
about the wireless network card:
1
Right-click Wireless Network Connection. 
2Click Properties. The Wireless Network Connection Properties window appears. The wireless network 
card’s name and model number are listed on the 
General tab.
 NOTE: If your computer is set to the Classic Start menu option, you can view network connections by clicking the 
Start button, pointing to Settings, and then pointing to Network Connections. If Wireless Network Connection does 
not appear, you may not have a wireless network card. 
Order Confirmation
The order confirmation that you received when you ordered your computer lists the hardware and 
software that shipped with your computer.
Setting Up a New WLAN
Connecting a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem
1Contact your Internet service provider (ISP) to obtain specific information about the connection 
requirements for your broadband modem.
2Ensure that you have wired Internet access through your broadband modem before you attempt to set 
up a wireless Internet connection. See Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem on 
page 71.
3Install any software required for your wireless router. Your wireless router may have been shipped with 
an installation CD. Such CDs usually contain installation and troubleshooting information. Install the 
required software according to the manufacturers instructions. 
4Shut down your computer and any other wireless-enabled computers in the vicinity through the Start 
menu. 
5Disconnect your broadband modem power cable from the electrical outlet.
6Disconnect the network cable from the computer and the modem.
 NOTE: Wait for a minimum of 5 minutes after disconnecting your broadband modem before you continue with the 
network setup.
7Disconnect the AC adapter cable from your wireless router to ensure that there is no power connected 
to the router.
8Insert a network cable into the network (RJ-45) connector on the unpowered broadband modem.
9Connect the other end of the network cable into the Internet network (RJ-45) connector on the 
unpowered wireless router.
10Ensure that no network or USB cables, other than the network cable connecting the modem and the 
wireless router, are connected to the broadband modem.
 NOTE: Restart your wireless equipment in the order described below to prevent a potential connection failure. 
						

							74Setting Up a Network
11Tu r n  o n  only your broadband modem and wait for at least 2 minutes for the broadband modem to 
stabilize. After 2 minutes, proceed to step 12.
12Turn on your wireless router and wait for at least 2 minutes for the wireless router to stabilize. After 
2 minutes, proceed to the step 13.
13Start your computer and wait until the boot process completes.
14See the documentation that came with your wireless router to do the following in order to set up the 
wireless router:
 Establish communication between your computer and your wireless router.
 Configure your wireless router to communicate with your broadband router.
 Find out your wireless router’s broadcast name. The technical term for the name of your router’s 
broadcast name is Service Set Identifier (SSID) or network name.
15If necessary, configure your wireless network card to connect to the wireless network. See Connecting 
to a Wireless Local Area Network on page 74.
Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network
 NOTE: Before you connect to a WLAN, ensure that you have followed the instructions in Wireless Local Area 
Network (WLAN) on page 72.
 
NOTE: The following networking instructions do not apply to internal cards with Bluetooth® wireless technology 
or mobile broadband networks.
This section provides general procedures for connecting to a network via wireless technology. Specific 
network names and configuration details vary. See Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) on page 72
 
for more information about how to prepare for connecting your computer to a WLAN. 
Your wireless network card requires specific software and drivers for connecting to a network. The 
software is already installed. 
 NOTE: If the software is removed or corrupted, follow the instructions in the user documentation for your wireless 
network card. Verify the type of wireless network card installed in your computer and then search for that name on 
the Dell Support website at support.dell.com. For information on the type of wireless network card that is installed 
in your computer, see Checking Your Wireless Network Card on page 72.
Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager
Depending on the software installed on your computer, different wireless configuration utilities may 
manage your network devices:
 Your wireless network card’s configuration utility
 The Windows XP operating system 
						

							Setting Up a Network75
To determine which wireless configuration utility is managing your wireless network card:
1
Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2Double-click Network Connections.
3Right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon, and then click View Available Wireless Networks.
If the Choose a wireless network window states Windows cannot configure this connection, the wireless 
network card’s configuration utility is managing the wireless network card.
If the Choose a wireless network window states Click an item in the list below to connect to a wireless 
network in range or to get more information, the Windows XP operating system is managing the 
wireless network card.
For specific information about the wireless configuration utility installed on your computer, see your 
wireless network documentation in the Windows Help and Support Center. 
To access the Help and Support Center:
1
Click the Start button and click Help and Support.
2Under Pick a Help topic, click Dell User and System Guides.
3Under Device Guides, select the documentation for your wireless network card.
Completing the Connection to the WLAN
When you turn on your computer and a network (for which your computer is not configured) is detected 
in the area, a pop-up appears near the wireless communications icon in the notification area (in the 
lower-right corner of the Windows desktop). 
Follow the instructions provided in any utility prompts that appear on your screen.
Once you have configured your computer for the wireless network that you selected, another pop-up 
notifies you that your computer is connected to that network. 
Thereafter, whenever you log on to your computer within the range of the wireless network that you 
selected, the same pop-up notifies you of the wireless network connection. 
 NOTE: If you select a secure network, you must enter a WEP or WPA key when prompted. Network security 
settings are unique to your network. Dell cannot provide this information. 
 
NOTE: Your computer can take up to 1 minute to connect to the network. 
Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card
 NOTE: If you are unable to connect to a wireless network, ensure that you have all the components for 
establishing a WLAN (see What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection on page 72), and then verify that your 
wireless network card is enabled by pressing . 
You can turn your computer’s wireless networking function on and off by pressing the  key 
combination. If the wireless networking function is turned on, press  to disable it. If the 
wireless networking function is turned off, press  to enable it. 
						

							76Setting Up a Network
Monitoring the Status of Wireless Network Connections Through Dell™ QuickSet
The wireless activity indicator provides an easy way to monitor the status of your computer’s wireless 
devices. Right-click the Dell QuickSet icon in your taskbar to select or deselect Wireless Activity 
Indicator Off to turn the wireless activity indicator on or off. 
The wireless activity indicator indicates whether your computer’s wireless devices are enabled or 
disabled. When you turn the wireless networking function on or off, the wireless activity indicator 
changes to display the status. 
For more information about the wireless activity indicator, see the Dell QuickSet Help file. For 
information about QuickSet and how to access the Dell QuickSet Help file, see Dell™ QuickSet 
Features on page 131.
Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)
Much like a WLAN, a Mobile Broadband network (also known as a WWAN) is a series of interconnected 
computers that communicate with each other through wireless technology. However, a Mobile 
Broadband network uses cellular technology and therefore provides Internet access in the same varied 
locations from which cellular telephone service is available. Your computer can maintain the Mobile 
Broadband network connection regardless of its physical location, as long as the computer remains in the 
service area of your cellular service provider.
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection
 NOTE: Depending on your computer, you can use either a Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or Mini-Card, but not 
both, to establish a Mobile Broadband network connection.
To set up a Mobile Broadband network connection, you need: 
 A Mobile Broadband ExpressCard or Mini-Card (depending on your computer’s configuration)
For instructions on using ExpressCards, see Using ExpressCards on page 65. 
 The Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility (already installed on your computer if you purchased the card 
when you purchased your computer, or on the CD that accompanied your card if purchased separately 
from your computer)
If the utility is corrupted or deleted from your computer, see the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility 
user’s guide for instructions. The user’s guide is available through the Windows Help and Support 
Center (or on the CD that accompanied your card if you purchased it separately from your computer). 
To access the Help and Support Center, see Windows Help and Support Center on page 13.
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network
 NOTE: These instructions only apply to Mobile Broadband ExpressCards or Mini-Cards. They do not apply to 
internal cards with Bluetooth® wireless technology or WLAN Mini-Cards. 
						

							Setting Up a Network77
 NOTE: Before you connect to the Internet, you must activate mobile broadband service through your cellular 
service provider. For instructions and for additional information about using the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility, 
see the users guide available through the Windows Help and Support Center. To access the Help and Support 
Center, see Windows Help and Support Center on page 13. The users guide is also available on the Dell Support 
website at support.dell.com and on the CD included with your Mobile Broadband card if you purchased the card 
separately from your computer.
Use the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility to establish and manage a Mobile Broadband network 
connection to the Internet:
1
Click the Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility icon, , in the Windows taskbar, to run the utility.
2Click Connect. 
 NOTE: The Connect button changes to the Disconnect button. 
3Follow the instructions on the screen to manage the network connection with the utility.
Bluetooth Network
Setting up your Bluetooth Connection
Bluetooth-equipped systems will display the Bluetooth icon in the system tray. If you have Bluetooth, 
double-click on the Bluetooth icon. Depending on the Bluetooth software on your computer you may be 
required to follow a number of steps that the Bluetooth software will guide you through in order to 
complete your Bluetooth setup. This procedure will take approximately 5 minutes or less. Upon 
completion your system will be ready to establish and use Bluetooth connections. If after double-clicking 
the Bluetooth icon you are not prompted by the Bluetooth software to follow a series of steps, then your 
Bluetooth system is already fully configured and ready to use.
Connecting to a Bluetooth Network
Systems that are equipped with a Bluetooth internal card may connect to other Bluetooth devices such 
as keyboards and mice, stereo headsets, cameras, PDAs, and printers. This requires a few simple steps to 
establish a connection to the device. These steps vary depending on the Bluetooth software on your 
computer. For details on establishing Bluetooth connections please open your Bluetooth software by 
double-clicking on the Bluetooth icon in the system tray. Select Help on the main menu for a detailed 
description of how to use your Bluetooth internal networking card. 
						

							78Setting Up a Network 
						

							Securing Your Computer79
Securing Your Computer
Security Cable Lock
 NOTE: Your computer does not ship with a security cable lock.
A security cable lock is a commercially available antitheft device. To use the lock, attach it to the 
security cable slot on your Dell™ computer. For more information, see the instructions included 
with the device.
 NOTICE: Before you buy an antitheft device, ensure that it will work with the security cable slot on your 
computer.
Passwords
Passwords prevent unauthorized access to your computer. When you first start your computer, you 
must assign a primary password at the prompt. If you do not enter a password within 2 minutes, the 
computer returns to its previous operating state.
When using passwords, observe the following guidelines:
 Choose a password that you can remember, but not one that is easy to guess. For example, do not 
use the names of family members or pets for passwords.
 It is recommended that you do not write down your password. If you do write it down, however, 
ensure that the password is stored in a secure place. 
						

							80Securing Your Computer
 Do not share your password with other people.
 Ensure that people are not watching you when you type your password.
 NOTICE: Passwords provide a high level of security for data in your computer or hard drive. However, they are not 
foolproof. If you require more security, obtain and use additional forms of protection, such as smart cards, data 
encryption programs, or PC Cards (or Mini-Cards) with encryption features. 
To add or change passwords, access User Accounts from the Control Panel. 
If you forget any of your passwords, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell on page 135). For your 
protection, Dell technical support staff will ask you for proof of your identity to ensure that only an 
authorized person can use the computer.
Computer Tracking Software
Computer tracking software may enable you to locate your computer if it is lost or stolen. The software is 
optional and may be purchased when you order your Dell™ computer, or you can contact your Dell sales 
representative for information about this security feature.
 NOTE: Computer tracking software may not be available in certain countries.
 
NOTE: If you have computer tracking software and your computer is lost or stolen, you must contact the company 
that provides the tracking service to report the missing computer.
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen
 Call a law enforcement agency to report the lost or stolen computer. Include the Service Tag in your 
description of the computer. Ask that a case number be assigned and write down the number, along 
with the name, address, and phone number of the law enforcement agency. If possible, obtain the 
name of the investigating officer.
 NOTE: If you know where the computer was lost or stolen, call a law enforcement agency in that area. If you do not 
know, call a law enforcement agency where you live.
 If the computer belongs to a company, notify the security office of the company.
 Contact Dell customer service to report the missing computer. Provide the computer Service Tag, the 
case number, and the name, address, and phone number of the law enforcement agency to which you 
reported the missing computer. If possible, give the name of the investigating officer.
The Dell customer service representative will log your report under the computer Service Tag and record 
the computer as missing or stolen. If someone calls Dell for technical assistance and gives your Service 
Tag, the computer is identified automatically as missing or stolen. The representative will attempt to get 
the phone number and address of the caller. Dell will then contact the law enforcement agency to which 
you reported the missing computer.