Northern Illinois University

Information Technology Services

Windows XP Wireless utility

  1. Right click on the wireless network icon (the computer with a red x in the corner and wireless lines) in the system tray.

    System tray with a disconnect wireless network adapter icon
  2. Click 'View Available Wireless Networks'.

    Context menu of disconnected wireless network adapter
  3. Select a wireless network from the list of the available wireless networks. The access point name is the name of the building. If no access points show up in the list, then the laptop is out of the range of an access point or the wireless adapter is turned off. The method for turning on and off the wireless radio varies from vendor to vendor. It might be done via software or hardware. For example, on new Dell laptop Fn Key + F2 turns on and off the wireless radio.
  4. Click 'Connect'.

    Wireless survey screen
  5. Wait for the connection process to complete.

    Establishing Connection
  6. The wireless association should be complete, and you can attempt to connect with the VPN client or WPA.