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Setting up wired Ethernet network hardware

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Chapter 5: Networking Your Computer Setting up wired Ethernet network hardware Making sure your broadband connection works Important If you do not have a broadband connection already installed, make the necessary arrangements with your ISP. Be sure to find out how soon after the installation the line will be activated. Broadband Internet settings differ from ISP to ISP. Before you begin setting up your network, you should contact your ISP for any specific instructions they have for setting up a network. Before you change anything about your home setup, make sure that your broadband connection is working correctly. To test the connection, log onto the Internet using your current setup. If the connection is not working, contact your Internet service provider. Installing Ethernet cards and drivers After you have determined the type of Ethernet you are using for your network, you need to install Ethernet cards and drivers on the computers that do not have Ethernet already installed. Use the documentation that comes with your Ethernet cards for instructions on installing the card and any required drivers. Plug your Ethernet cable into your computer's jack and the router or the cable or DSL modem at this point, if you have not already done so. Connecting network cables We recommend using category 5 (Cat 5), unshielded, twisted-pair cable (about 1/4-inch diameter with a thin outer-jacket, containing eight color-coded wires), and equipment compatible with this type of cable. This type of cable is equipped with RJ-45 connectors (like a large telephone jack connector, but with eight pins) on each end. Cat 5 cables are available in two different types; straight-through cables, used to connect computers to a router, and crossover cables, used to connect two computers. To determine which type of cable you have, hold both ends of the cable with the connectors facing away from you and with the spring clip on the bottom. For straight-through cable, the wires on both connectors are attached to copper pins in the same order (same colors, left to right). For a crossover cable, the wires on each connector are attached to the copper pins in a different order (different colors, left to right). Setting up a network using a router If you are setting up a network for more than two computers and you will be connecting your network to a high-speed Broadband Internet connection (cable or DSL modem), we recommend the use of a router. A router lets you access the Internet connection from any network computer. The router can assign IP addresses to the computers on the network and can provide firewall protection for your network as well. 46

Section	Page
Getting Help	7
Thank you for purchasing our computer!	8
Using the eMachines Web site	8
Using Help and Support	8
To start Help and Support:	8
Contacting eMachines	9
Getting help for Windows Media Center	9
To access Media Center help:	9
Using online help	9
Using Windows	11
Using the Windows desktop	12
Using the Start menu	13
To use the Start menu:	13
Adding icons to the desktop	14
To add icons to the desktop:	14
Identifying window items	14
Working with files and folders	16
Viewing drives	16
To view the drives, folders, and files on your computer:	16
Creating folders	16
To create a folder:	17
Copying and moving files and folders	17
To copy a file or folder to another folder:	17
To move a file or folder to another folder:	17
Deleting files and folders	18
To delete files or folders:	18
To recover files or folders from the Recycle Bin:	18
To empty the Recycle Bin:	19
Searching for files	19
Using the Windows Search	19
To find files and folders using the Search:	19
Using advanced search options	20
Browsing for files and folders	20
To browse for a file:	20
Working with documents	21
Creating a new document	21
To create a new document:	21
Saving a document	21
To save a document:	21
Opening a document	22
To open a document:	22
Printing a document	22
To print a document:	22
Shortcuts	23
Using the Internet and Faxing	25
Learning about the Internet	26
Setting up an Internet account	26
Accessing your Internet account	27
Using the World Wide Web	27
Connecting to a Web site	27
To connect to a Web site:	27
Downloading files	28
To download files or programs from a Web site:	28
Using e-mail	28
Sending e-mail	28
To send e-mail using Windows Mail:	28
Checking your e-mail	29
To check your e-mail using Windows Mail:	29
Using Windows Fax and Scan	29
Sending a fax	29
To send a fax:	29
Setting up your cover page template	32
To set up your fax cover page template:	32
Faxing a scanned document or from programs	33
To fax a scanned document or to fax directly from programs:	33
Canceling a fax	33
To cancel a fax that has not been sent:	33
Receiving and viewing a fax	34
To receive and view a fax:	34
Playing and Creating Media Files	35
Playing music and movies	36
Playing audio and video files	36
To play a file using Windows Media Player:	36
Playing optical discs	37
Playing an optical disc using Windows Media Player	37
To play an optical disc:	37
Creating audio files and music libraries	39
Creating music files	39
Recording audio files	39
To record an audio file:	39
Creating WMA and MP3 music files	40
To create WMA or MP3 files:	40
Building a music library	41
Editing track information	41
To edit track information:	41
Creating music CDs and video DVDs	42
Creating a music CD	42
Creating a music CD using Windows Media Player	42
To create a music CD using Windows Media Player:	42
Creating a video DVD	43
Creating a video DVD using Windows DVD Maker	43
To create a video DVD using Windows DVD Maker:	43
Creating and copying data discs	45
Creating a data disc	45
To create a data disc:	45
Using Windows Media Center	46
Starting Windows Media Center	46
To start Windows Media Center:	46
Using the Media Center remote control	48
Networking Your Computer	49
Introduction to Networking	50
Networking terms you should know	50
Ethernet networking	50
Wired Ethernet networking	50
Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet	50
Using a router	50
Example router-based Ethernet network	50
Equipment you need for a router-based Ethernet network	51
Determining if an Ethernet card is already installed on your computer	51
To determine if an Ethernet card is already installed on your computer:	51
Setting up wired Ethernet network hardware	52
Making sure your broadband connection works	52
Installing Ethernet cards and drivers	52
Connecting network cables	52
Setting up a network using a router	52
To set up a network using a router:	53
Wireless Ethernet networking	53
Wireless Ethernet standards	54
Using an access point	54
Equipment you need for an access point-based network	54
Determining if a wireless Ethernet device is already installed on your computer	55
To determine if an Ethernet card is already installed on your computer:	55
Setting up wireless Ethernet network hardware	55
Making sure your broadband connection works	55
Installing wireless cards and drivers	55
Setting up your access point	55
Establishing your Ethernet network connection	55
Naming the computers and the workgroup	55
To identify this computer on the network:	55
Configuring the TCP/IP protocol	56
Using a DHCP server	56
Configuring your router	56
Connecting to a wireless Ethernet network	56
Connecting to your network	56
To connect to your wireless Ethernet network:	57
Wireless security	58
Testing your network	58
Adding a printer to your network	58
Sharing resources	58
Sharing drives and printers	58
Sharing drives or folders	59
To share drives or folders:	59
Un-sharing drives and folders	59
To un-share drives or folders:	59
Sharing printers	60
To share printers:	60
Using the network	60
Viewing shared drives and folders	60
To view shared drives and folders:	60
Creating a shortcut to a network drive	60
To map a network drive:	60
Opening files across the network	60
To open files across the network:	60
Copying files across the network	61
To copy files across the network:	61
Printing files across the network	61
To print files across the network:	61
Bluetooth networking	61
To install a Bluetooth enabled device:	61
To install a Bluetooth printer:	61
To connect to a Bluetooth personal area network:	61
Protecting your computer	63
Hardware security	64
Kensington lock slot	64
Data security	64
Startup and hard drive password	64
Windows user accounts	64
Protecting your computer from viruses	65
Using Norton 360	65
Removing viruses and spyware	65
To scan for and remove viruses and spyware:	65
Updating your virus and spyware definitions	67
To update your virus and spyware definitions:	67
Using Windows Security Center	68
Modifying security settings	68
To modify security settings:	68
Security updates	69
Windows Update	69
To update Windows:	69
Scheduling automatic updates	70
To schedule automatic updates:	70
BigFix	70
Customizing Windows	71
Changing screen settings	72
Changing color depth and screen resolution	72
To change the color depth or screen resolution:	72
Changing the appearance of windows and backgrounds	73
To change window colors and effects:	73
To change the Windows desktop background:	73
Selecting a screen saver	74
To select a screen saver:	74
Changing gadgets	75
To add a gadget:	75
To configure a gadget:	75
Using a gadget’s control panel	76
To use a gadget’s control panel:	76
Configuring the gadget Sidebar	76
To change Sidebar properties:	76
Setting up multiple monitors	77
To use a projector or additional monitor:	77
Changing system sounds	78
To change system sounds:	78
Changing mouse settings	79
To change your mouse settings:	79
Adding and modifying user accounts	79
User account tips	79
To add, delete, or modify user accounts:	80
To switch between user accounts:	80
Changing power-saving settings	81
Changing the power plan	81
To change the power plan:	81
Changing accessibility settings	83
Using the Ease of Access Center	83
To use the Ease of Access Center:	83
Using voice recognition	84
To set up voice recognition:	84
Setting up parental controls	84
Filtering Internet access	85
To set up Internet filtering:	85
Scheduling computer and Internet use	86
To schedule the times a user can access the Internet:	86
Restricting game access	86
To restrict games by game ratings:	86
To restrict specific games:	87
Restricting specific programs	88
To restrict specific programs:	88
Creating activity reports	88
To create a report of a user’s computer and Internet use:	88
Notices	89
All Rights Reserved	89
Trademark acknowledgments	89
A	91
B	91
C	91
D	91
E	91
F	91
G	92
H	92
I	92
K	92
L	92
M	92
N	92
O	93
P	93
R	93
S	93
T	93
U	94
V	94

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Chapter 5: Networking Your Computer

Setting up wired Ethernet network hardware

Making sure your broadband connection works

Before you change anything about your home setup, make sure that your broadband connection

is working correctly. To test the connection, log onto the Internet using your current setup. If the

connection is not working, contact your Internet service provider.

Installing Ethernet cards and drivers

After you have determined the type of Ethernet you are using for your network, you need to install

Ethernet cards and drivers on the computers that do not have Ethernet already installed. Use the

documentation that comes with your Ethernet cards for instructions on installing the card and any

required drivers.

Plug your Ethernet cable into your computer’s jack and the router or the cable or DSL modem at

this point, if you have not already done so.

Connecting network cables

We recommend using category 5 (

Cat 5

), unshielded, twisted-pair cable (about 1/4-inch diameter

with a thin outer-jacket, containing eight color-coded wires), and equipment compatible with this

type of cable. This type of cable is equipped with RJ-45 connectors (like a large telephone jack

connector, but with eight pins) on each end.

Cat 5 cables are available in two different types; straight-through cables, used to connect

computers to a router, and crossover cables, used to connect two computers.

To determine which type of cable you have, hold both ends of the cable with the connectors facing

away from you and with the spring clip on the bottom. For straight-through cable, the wires on

both connectors are attached to copper pins in the same order (same colors, left to right). For a

crossover cable, the wires on each connector are attached to the copper pins in a different order

(different colors, left to right).

Setting up a network using a router

If you are setting up a network for more than two computers and you will be connecting your

network to a high-speed Broadband Internet connection (cable or DSL modem), we recommend

the use of a router. A router lets you access the Internet connection from any network computer.

The router can assign IP addresses to the computers on the network and can provide firewall

protection for your network as well.

Important

If you do not have a broadband connection already installed, make the necessary arrangements with your ISP. Be

sure to find out how soon after the installation the line will be activated.

Broadband Internet settings differ from ISP to ISP. Before you begin setting up your network, you should contact your ISP

for any specific instructions they have for setting up a network