Before you begin, you will need to know what mode you are operating in. Windows XP incorporates two distinct visual effects that can sometimes make following directions difficult when you do not know which mode you are in. Windows XP utilizes a default mode that uses bold colors to outline windows in blue (or a color of your choosing), or classic mode that mimics the layout of Windows 2000. 

You know you are in Windows XP default mode when the Start button looks like this: 

You know you are in Classic mode when the Start button looks like this: 

1. In order to proceed with the secure wireless configuration, you will need to know what type of wireless network card your computer is using. If you are running Windows XP in default mode, click on Start and select Control Panel. If you are running Windows XP in Classic mode, click on Start, Settings and select Control Panel.

   

2. The Control Panel window is open and it should look similar to the screen shot below. Circled in yellow is the option to Switch to Classic View. Please select this option now.

   

3. In Classic View, locate the icon/category Network Connections highlighted in yellow and double click to open it.

   

4. With the Network Connections window open, locate the Wireless Network Connection under the LAN or High-Speed Internet category. Right Click Once on the Wireless Network Connection and select Properties.

   

5. The General tab will be open by default. Directly under the General tab, you will see the category Connect using. For example, in the screen shot below you see the Dell Wireless 1450 Dual Band network card is being used. Make note of the network adapter installed in your computer, because you will need this information to determine which procedures to follow to set up your secure wireless access. Click OK and close all previous windows.

   

6. Check to see if your wireless adapter is listed below:
   
   
   • Intel PROSet/Wireless 2100
   • Intel PROSet/Wireless 2200BG
   • Intel PROSet/Wireless 2915ABG
   • Intel PROSet/Wireless 3945ABG
   • Dell Wireless 1350 WLAN MiniPCI Card
   • Dell Wireless 1350 WLAN PC Card
   • Dell Wireless 1370 WLAN MiniPCI Card
   • Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN ExpressCard
   • Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN MiniCard
   • Dell Wireless 1450 WLAN MiniPCI Card
   • Dell Wireless 1450 Dual-Band WLAN MiniPCI Card
   • Dell Wireless 1470 Dual-Band WLAN MiniPCI Card
   • Dell Wireless 1490 Dual-Band WLAN MiniPCI Card
   • Dell Wireless 1500 Draft 802.11n WLAN Mini Card

   These are the most popular adapters used by current manufacturers. If your adapter is listed, step-by-step instructions are provided that will help you to configure your computer to access the umd-secure wireless network. (PROSet Instructions / Dell Wireless Instructions)

   If you do not see your wireless adapter on the list, you will have to locate the updated software for the network adapter installed in your computer. You can accomplish this by visiting the manufacturer’s Web site and searching for updated software and drivers for the network card installed in the computer. Once you have downloaded and installed the latest software, please visit Generic Configuration Parameters to view the settings you will need to input for a successful configuration.