How to check your computer’s connection with your router using a command prompt:

1. Click Start and Run. In the Open field, type cmd. Press the Enter key or click the OK button.
2. In the command prompt, type ping 192.168.1.1 (or replace 192.168.1.1 with the correct IP address of your router) and press the Enter key.

• If you get a reply, the computer is communicating with the Router.
• If you do NOT get a reply, check the cable, the switch in between the computer and the router, and make sure Obtain an IP address automatically is selected in the TCP/IP settings for your Ethernet adapter.

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How to build a Home Network/Small-Office Home-Office (SOHO) Computer Network series:

Start of series: What is a Local Area Network (LAN)?

Previous topic: How to check your computer's TCP/IP settings:

Please visit http://www.netgies.com for a complete list of topics and the latest series.
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How to check your computer’s TCP/IP settings:

1. Click Start and Control Panel.
2. Click the Network and Internet Connections icon and then the Network Connections
3. Right-click the Local Area Connection that is associated with the Ethernet adapter you are using, and select the Properties option.
4. In the This connection uses the following items box, highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and click the Properties button. Make sure that Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically are selected (in most cases, you don’t need to manually set the TCP/IP settings of your computer).
5. Click the OK button in the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window, and click the OK button in the Local Area Connection Properties window.
6. Restart the computer if asked.

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How to build a Home Network/Small-Office Home-Office (SOHO) Computer Network series:

Start of series: What is a Local Area Network (LAN)?

Next topic: How to check your computer's connection with your router using a command prompt:

Previous topic: How to troubleshoot an internet connection problem:

Please visit http://www.netgies.com for a complete list of topics and the latest series.
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How to configure your Windows XP computer for home or small office networking using the Network Setup Wizard:

(How to configure your Windows XP computer to connect to the Internet through a router)

1. Log-on as a member of the Administrators group (if Windows XP is newly installed and you have not created new accounts yet, chances are you’re logged on as an administrator).
2. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
   
   
   
   
3. Click Network and Internet Connections.
   
   
   
   
4. Under or pick a Control icon, click Network Setup Wizard.
   
   
   
   
5. The Network Setup Wizard starts. On the Welcome page, click Next.
   
   
   
   
6. On the Before you continue page, click Next.
   
   
   
   
7. If the wizard informs you that it has found disconnected hardware, make sure your network adapter is connected. If you’re sure everything has already been properly connected, select Ignore disconnected network hardware. Otherwise, connect your network cables, and leave the check box cleared. Then click Next.
8. Since your computer is connected to a router, click This computer connects to the Internet through a residential gateway. Then click Next.
   
   
   
   
9. If the Select your Internet connection page appears, click Next.
10. On the Give this computer a description and name page, type a computer description (such as “Joe’s computer” or you can leave it blank) and computer name (such as “Joe” or “Computer1” - computer name must be unique in your network). Click Next.
    
    
    
    
11. On the Name your network page, type Workgroup. Then click Next.
    
    
    
    
12. If you have files or a printer that you want to share with other computers on your home network, select Turn on file and printer sharing. Otherwise, leave Turn off file and printer sharing selected. Then click Next.
    
    
    
    
13. On the Ready to apply network settings page, click Next.
14. The Network Setup Wizard sets up your computer. On the You’re almost done page, click Just finish the wizard. Then click Next.
    
    
    
    
15. On the Completing the Network Setup Wizard page, click Finish.
    
    
    
    
16. When prompted to restart your computer, save any open files, and then click Yes.
    
    
    
    
17. You may repeat the above steps to bring all computers in your Home or SOHO network.

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How to build a Home Network/Small-Office Home-Office (SOHO) Computer Network series:

Start of series: What is a Local Area Network (LAN)?

Next topic: How to configure a Linksys BEFSX41 router

Previous topic: Examples of a simple wired LAN setup.

Please visit http://www.netgies.com for a complete list of topics and the latest series.
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