Use Windows Wireless Zero Configuration
The Windows Wireless Zero Configuration service in Windows XP, also known as "WLAN AutoConfig" in Windows Vista and 7, gives computers the ability to view the wireless networks that are available to the computer for connection. Many times, Windows-based laptops have this feature enabled by default because they have been manufactured with a wireless network card. In some cases, you may have to manually turn on the Windows Wireless Zero Configuration service if your upgraded wireless network card did not come with a network connection utility or if you prefer to use the Windows service instead of the one given to you by the wireless card manufacturer.
Instructions
1. Click the "Start" button in Windows XP or the Windows logo button in Windows 7 and Vista. Click "Run" in Windows XP, type "services.msc" and press "Enter." In Vista and 7, type "services" in the Start Menu's "Search" box and press "Enter."
2. Scroll to the bottom of the list and locate "Wireless Zero Configuration" in the name column if using Windows XP or "WLAN AutoConfig" if using Windows 7 or Vista. Double-click either "Wireless Zero Configuration" or "WLAN AutoConfig" to open its "Properties" window.
3. Click the "General" tab of the "Wireless Zero Configuration" or "WLAN AutoConfig" service. Click the "Startup type" drop-down menu and click "Automatic" to have the service started automatically when the operating system loads. Click the "Start" button. Click "Apply" and then "OK." Close the "Services" console window.
4. Click the "Start" button if using Windows XP. Click "Control Panel." Click "Network and Internet Connections" and then "Network Connections." Right-click the active network connection icon and/or the icon that displays the name of your wireless adapter card. Click "Properties." Select the "Wireless Networks" tab. Click the "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings" box to place a check mark. Click "OK." Close "Network Connections" and then the Control Panel.
5. Click the Windows logo button if using Windows Vista or 7. Type "cmd" in the "Search" box and press "Enter." In the Command Prompt window, type "netsh wlan show settings" and press "Enter." Look at the last line of the "Wireless LAN Settings" entry to see if the message "Auto configuration logic is enabled on interface " or "Auto configuration logic is disabled on interface" appears. If the entry notes that it is "disabled," type, "set autoconfig enabled=yes interface="Interface name" and press "Enter." Close the Command Prompt window.
Tags: Wireless Zero, Wireless Zero Configuration, Zero Configuration, press Enter, using Windows