Windows XP Pro: The Missing Manual, Second Edition

The Network Setup Wizard

Once you’ve set up the networking equipment, you have to inform Windows XP Pro about what you’ve been up to. You also have to configure your computers to share their files, folders, printers, modems, Internet connections, and so on. Fortunately, the Network Setup Wizard handles this duty for you. (You must have an Administrator account to run this wizard.)

To launch the wizard, choose Start→Control Panel, and then open Network Connections. In the task pane at the left side of the window (Figure 18-2), click the link that says, “Set up a home or small office network.”

Tip

If you’ve chosen to hide your task pane, you can choose Start→All Programs→Accessories→ Communications→Network Setup Wizard instead.

A welcome message appears; click Next. The remaining screens of the wizard are as follows.

“Before you continue”

The screen contains a link called “checklist for creating a network.” If you click it, you see a help page that guides you through the steps of setting up a network. It incorporates much of the information you’ve read so far in this chapter.

It also reminds you that if you plan to use Internet Connection Sharing, described earlier, you should ensure that your gateway Windows XP machine can get online before proceeding with the wizard. When you’re finished reading the checklist, close its window and then click Next.

“Select a connection method”

The next wizard window starts the process of setting up Internet Connection Sharing (see Figure 18-2 ...