eMachines W3615 eMachines Desktop PC User Guide - Page 54

Creating an Ethernet network - specifications

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Chapter 5: Networking Your Computer Creating an Ethernet network 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. 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 will 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. Naming the computers and the workgroup Important You must give each computer on the network a unique Computer Name and the same Workgroup Name. To identify this computer on the network: 1 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Performance and Maintenance. The Performance and Maintenance window opens. 2 Click/Double-click System. The System Properties dialog box opens. 3 Click Computer Name. 4 Click Change. The Computer Name Changes dialog box opens. 5 Type a unique computer name in the Computer name box. This name identifies the computer to other users on the network. Use a computer name of up to 15 characters with no blank spaces. Each computer name must be unique on your network. All-numeric computer names are not allowed. Names must contain some letters. 6 Type a name for your workgroup in the Workgroup box. Use a workgroup name of up to 15 characters with no blank spaces. The workgroup name must be the same for all computers in your network workgroup, and the name must be different than any computer name on your network. 7 Click OK to close the Computer Name Changes dialog box. 48

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Chapter 5: Networking Your Computer
48
Creating an Ethernet network
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.
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.
Naming the computers and the workgroup
To identify this computer on the network:
1
Click
Start
, then click
Control Panel
. The
Control Panel
window opens. If your Control Panel
is in Category View, click
Performance and Maintenance
. The
Performance and
Maintenance
window opens.
2
Click/Double-click
System
. The
System Properties
dialog box opens.
3
Click
Computer Name
.
4
Click
Change
. The
Computer Name Changes
dialog box opens.
5
Type a unique computer name in the
Computer name
box. This name identifies the
computer to other users on the network. Use a computer name of up to 15 characters with
no blank spaces. Each computer name must be unique on your network. All-numeric
computer names are not allowed. Names must contain some letters.
6
Type a name for your workgroup in the
Workgroup
box. Use a workgroup name of up to
15 characters with no blank spaces. The workgroup name must be the same for all computers
in your network workgroup, and the name must be different than any computer name on
your network.
7
Click
OK
to close the
Computer Name Changes
dialog box.
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 will 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.
Important
You must give each computer on the network a unique Computer Name and the same
Workgroup Name.