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Connect to a Network: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection User Guide

• Connect to a wireless network
• First Time Connection
• Other Wireless Managers

Connect to a wireless network

You can connect to a wireless network with one of the following methods.

• Automatic Connection: If an existing profile matches an available network, you are automatically connected to that wireless network.
• Configure a new profile: Select a wireless network from the list of wireless networks in the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window. Click Connect. If you successfully connect, a profile is created in the Profiles list for future use.
• Connect to a profile in the Profiles list: You can select a profile from the Profiles list. To activate it, click Profiles on the Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless main window. Select the profile in the Profiles list. Click Connect. This allows you to connect to a network that is lower in the list (if it is available).
• Right-click the Taskbar icon located in the lower right corner of your Windows Desktop. Right click Connect to Profiles. A list of previously configured profiles is listed. Select a profile.

First Time Connection

Intel PROSet/Wireless automatically detects wireless networks that are within range of your wireless adapter. When a network is found, a desktop alert notification displays: Wireless networks found. See Taskbar Icons for more information.

1. Double-click the desktop alert to open the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window.
2. Select a network from the wireless networks list.
3. Click Connect. If the network does not require security authentication, a desktop alert notifies you that you are connected to the network. Refer to Intel PROSet/Wireless Main Window and Taskbar for more information about the taskbar menu and icons.

If you need to add security authentication:

1. The Profile Wizard opens and guides you through the configuration process.
2. Specify a Profile Name. The Profile Name is your name for this network. It can be anything that helps you identify this network. For example, My Home Network, Coffee Shop on A Street.
3. Click Next. The Profile Wizard then attempts to detect the network settings of this network.
4. Continue through the Profile Wizard until completion. Refer to Profile Management and Security Settings for more information.
5. Click OK to connect to the wireless network.

If you ignore the Wireless networks found desktop alert, Intel PROSet/Wireless displays a message that prompts: Do you want to connect to a wireless network? Click Yes. The Intel PROSet/Wireless main window opens. Follow the instructions above to connect to a wireless network.

In addition to the Taskbar icon, Intel PROSet/Wireless also displays connection status and available networks. Refer to Intel PROSet/Wireless Main Window for more information.

Other Wireless Managers

If the Intel PROSet/Wireless detects another software application trying to communicate with the wireless device, you are notified of this behavior.

Microsoft Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration

To switch from Intel PROSet/Wireless to the Microsoft Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration, use either of the following methods:

• From the Taskbar Menu:

Click Use Windows to manage Wi-Fi to switch to Microsoft Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration. Select this option to disable Intel PROSet/Wireless as your current wireless manager. You can then configure Microsoft Windows XP as your wireless manager.

NOTE: Any wireless profiles created in Intel PROSet/Wireless are not visible in Microsoft Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration. If you want to use your Intel wireless profiles you need to select Use Intel PROSet/Wireless to manage Wi-Fi from the Taskbar menu.

• From Intel PROSet/Wireless:

From, the Advanced menu, click Use Windows to manage Wi-Fi in the Intel PROSet/Wireless application. When you are finished using the Microsoft Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration, you can switch back to Intel PROSet/Wireless. Click Enable Intel PROSet/Wireless on the Intel PROSet/Wireless main window.

To enable Intel PROSet/Wireless as your wireless manager, click Use Intel PROSet/Wireless to manage Wi-Fi from the Taskbar menu.

Third Party Wireless Software

If you use software provided by a hotspot location (coffee shop, airport terminal), Intel PROSet/Wireless notifies you and then disables itself. It cannot manage the wireless device when another wireless manager communicates with the wireless device. To take advantage of the Intel PROSet/Wireless features, you want to disable or remove this software when you leave the hotspot.

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