Setup network on Vista can make your life much easier because after you set up a network, you can use this connection to share files, folders, printers, and access to the Internet with other users.
The most common way to connect a network is to use a wired Ethernet connection, involving UTP cables and switch.
You can also set up a wireless network for desktop computer which required wireless router and an USB (Universal Serial Bus) adapter. The laptop normally has a build-in wireless adapter.
To configure wireless network in Vista
1. Turn on each PC that you have attached to the network.
2. From the Start button, click Network.
3. From the Network dialog box displayed, click the Network and Sharing Center button.
4. In the resulting Network and Sharing Center window, click the Set up a connection or network link (left hand panel).
5. From the Set up a connection or network dialog box, choose Set up a wireless router or access point option and then click Next button.
6. The next window - Set up a home or small business network describes what the wizard will do; click Next button.
7. A progress windows displays while Windows Vista detects your network hardware and settings. There are three options:
Vista detects your network hardware and configures it automatically; you are done.
Vista detects your hardware but requires you to configure it manually. So, select the Configure this device manually option and complete the required information to finish the setup.
Vista did not detect any wireless network hardware, click the Create wireless network settings and save to a USB flash drive. Enter a name for your network (SSID) and passphrase then follow the onscreen instructions, which involve disconnecting the Flash drive and plugging it into a wireless access point. You can then use the drive to configure each computer on the network as directed.
8. Finally, click the Finish button to complete the wireless network setup.
So, it's not difficult to setup network on Vista if you follows the 8 steps here closely. If you wish to know how to setup network in Windows XP, follow the links below:
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