Absolute Beginners Guide to Tablet PCs

2017-07-07 02:10:07

Now that you know what a wireless network is, and how to find where public hot spots are, let's get you connected. First thing, of course, is to make sure your machine is ready for wireless.

If your Tablet PC has built-in Wi-Fi capability, all you need is an access point to connect to. If your Tablet PC is not Wi-Fi ready, purchase a Wi-Fi adapter that will work with your Tablet PC and follow the instructions to install it in your machine.

Once you have the required equipment on the Tablet PC side, you will want to find a wireless network to connect to. If your office has a wireless access point, ask your IT staff how to connect. If you've set up a wireless network at home or are ready to get connected at your favorite coffee house, try to connect there.

Once you have the information about where you're going to connect, if it's not already on, turn on your wireless networking. Some Tablet PCs don't have a switch, but others do. (If you're not immediately connected, read on.)

Making Sure Your Wireless Connection is Enabled

If you know you are in range of an access point but you aren't connecting, make sure your Tablet PC's wireless networking features are enabled. To do this, you can go to Start, right-tap on My Network Places, and then tap on Properties. The Network Connections window, shown in Figure 10.3, opens.

Figure 10.3. The Network Connections window.

In the Network Connections window, right-tap Wireless Network Connection. If you have the option to enable, you need to do so. If, however, Disable is an option, do nothing here.

Setting Wireless Connection Properties

Once you are sure that your wireless network connection is enabled, you will want to check the properties of the connection. With the Network Connections window open, right-click Wireless Network Connection and choose Properties to open the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box, similar to the one shown in Figure 10.4.

Figure 10.4. The Network Connection Properties dialog box for wireless networks.

In this dialog box, tap the Show icon in notification area when connected check box to select it. Doing so configures Windows XP to display a network connection icon in your system tray whenever you are connected to a wireless network. It also configures your Tablet PC to notify you when you're in range of a wireless network.

Now that you've checked the box, click on the Wireless Networks tab in the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box (see Figure 10.5). In this tab, you can configure secure wireless networks by specifying security parameters such as WEP keys and SSID.

Figure 10.5. The Wireless Networks tab lets you define networks and their specific settings.

Tip

Enable the notification icon so that you are aware of opportunities to connect when you are in range of Wi-Fi networks.

Notice that I have multiple Wi-Fi networks defined. The circle around the antenna on the 1604 network in the top box indicates that I am currently attached to that network. If you don't see an antenna with a circle, be patient. You still may have some minor configuring to do before you can get connected.

If you have configured your access point for a secure connection (see the section later in this chapter called "Securing Your Wireless Network"), you will need to specifically identify the network that you have made secure. To do so, click the Add button in the Wireless Networks tab to add a network definition to the list of preferred networks. Doing so opens the Wireless Network Properties dialog box; if it's not already displayed, click the Association tab, shown in Figure 10.6.

Figure 10.6. The Wireless Network dialog box's Association tab, where you define the security characteristics of your Wi-Fi network.

The Association tab is where you enter the SSID and other characteristics of your Wi-Fi connection. Follow these steps to configure your network connection:

Enter the SSID of the access point you want to connect to.

Choose the network authentication type. This is usually Open.

Choose whether you have WEP enabled or disabled.

If WEP is enabled, enter the network key twice. This will be a series of alphanumeric characters.

If you use a key other than the key index of 1, change it.

Check the The key is provided for me automatically check box if the key is provided automatically, in which case you will not need to enter the keys above.

Finally, check the This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network... check box if the connection is to other computers or devices, instead of to a wireless access point.

After you have entered the requested information in the Association tab, click on the Wireless Network Properties dialog box's Authentication tab, shown in Figure 10.7.

Figure 10.7. The Authentication tab lets you configure advanced security settings for your Wi-Fi connection.

If your access point supports and uses IEEE 802.1x authentication, enable it here by checking the top check box. For most networks, this will be disabled.

Getting in Range of an Access Point

Now that you have configured your wireless network connection, you can try to get connected. When your Tablet PC picks up a signal and you get connected, you will see a status balloon like the one shown in Figure 10.8.

Figure 10.8. You see this status balloon when you are connected to a wireless access point. "1604" is the SSID of my access point it will be different for you.

Notice that when your Tablet PC first connects, it says there is no signal. But if it's connected, there must be one, so be patient. After a few moments, hover your cursor over the wireless network icon in the system tray and you will see a message similar to the one shown in Figure 10.9.

Figure 10.9. When you're connected, you can hover your cursor over the wireless network connection icon to see the status of your connection.

Your signal strength will vary based on several factors, but even a Very Low strength indication can work well. If you ever get out of range or there is a disruption in your connection, you will see a status balloon like the one shown in Figure 10.10.

Figure 10.10. When you have a disruption in your connection, you will be notified by a status balloon.

If you have access to multiple Wi-Fi networks, you may see a dialog box similar to the one in Figure 10.11.

Figure 10.11. When you have multiple connection options for Wi-Fi networks, you may be prompted to choose one.

Once you connect to a wireless network, you should automatically be able to gain access to the Internet. If you are accessing a pay-for-use access point (such as one in a public place), the first time you connect to the Internet you may be asked to pay for your connection. After disconnection, you may be required to pay another fee, depending on the service provider.

Note

Wireless access speeds can be affected by many factors, including signal strength, walls and objects between your Tablet PC and the access point, and more. If you have a hard time connecting, you may need a signal booster to enhance your wireless signal.

Checking Wireless Network Status

If you want to check the status of your wireless network, you can double-click the Wireless Network icon in your system tray, or right-click it and choose Status. When you do this, you will see the dialog box shown in Figure 10.12.

Figure 10.12. The Status dialog box shows what's going on with your connection. You can access additional information by clicking the Support tab and the Properties button.

This dialog box shows whether you are connected, how long you have been connected, the speed of your connection, signal strength, and the amount of data that has been sent and received by your Tablet PC.

If you want to see additional information about your link, click on the Support tab. You will then see a dialog box similar to the one shown in Figure 10.13.

Figure 10.13. The Support dialog box shows the TCP/IP characteristics of your connection.

If you click the Details button, you will see even more detailed information, such as a DNS server list, gateway, and other information you probably won't need unless you're troubleshooting your connection.

Back on the General tab, you can click the Properties button to open the Wireless Network Connections dialog box shown in Figure 10.11. There, you can click the Advanced button to open the Advanced dialog box, shown in Figure 10.14. This dialog box enables you to specify whether your Tablet PC can connect to ad-hoc networks, and whether it will automatically connect to non-preferred networks (that is, networks that you have not specifically defined).

Figure 10.14. The Advanced button lets you enable access to unsecure and ad-hoc wireless devices.

If you are still not able to connect to a wireless network that you know exists and is working correctly, you will probably need to contact your IT staff, or the technical support of the company providing the access point. Going any further here is beyond the scope of this book.