3: Implementing, Managing and Troubleshooting Hardware Devices and Drivers

Table of Contents

1. Disk Management
2. Disk Management Functions
3. Troubleshooting Disks and Volumes
4. Backup and Restore
5. CD-ROM and DVD Devices
6. Removable Media
7. Display Devices
8. Mobile Computer Hardware
9. Input and Output Devices
   1. Managing Printers and Print Jobs
   2. Cameras and Scanners
   3. Multimedia Devices
   4. Mouse and Keyboard
   5. Smart Cards
   6. Modems
   7. Handheld Devices
   8. ActiveSync
   9. Network Adapters
   10. Wireless Devices
10. Updating Drivers
11. Multiple CPUs

Wireless Devices

Windows XP Professional supports the IEEE standard 802.11 for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), including support for roaming. This enables the operating system to detect a move to a new wireless access point and forces re-authentication to permit network access at the new location.

Windows XP uses Wireless Auto Configuration (also known as zero client configuration) to configure and use IEEE 802.11 authentication automatically on the wireless network. Wireless Auto Configuration selects the wireless network to which to attempt connection dynamically, based either on your preferences or on default settings and will automatically connect to a more preferred wireless network if it becomes available. If none of the preferred networks are found, Wireless Auto Configuration configures the wireless adapter so that there is no accidental connection until the wireless client roams within range of a preferred network.

WLAN networking settings can be configured by opening the Network Connections window from Control Panel, right-clicking the wireless connection to be modified and selecting Properties.

From the wireless connection's Properties dialog box, you can enable or disable the automatic wireless configuration, set up or disable IEEE 802.11 authentication, and specify a connection to a wireless network with or without a Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) Network Key.

Next: Updating Drivers