the instructions in this chapter will help you configure each of your computers so they will be able to communicate with the router. each pc must be set to obtain an ip address (or tcp/ip) address automatically (called dhcp). computers use ip addresses to communicate with each other across a network or the internet.

    these instructions apply only to windows 98, millennium, 2000, or xp computers. by default, windows 98, 2000, millennium, and xp have tcp/ip installed and are set to obtain an ip address automatically. if you have not made any changes to your pc’s default network settings, then proceed to “chapter 6: setting up and configuring the router.”

    find out which operating system your computer is running, such as windows 98, millennium, 2000, or xp. if you’re not sure, you can find out by clicking the start button. on the left side of the taskbar, it will say which operating system your computer is using.

    you may need to do this for each computer you are connecting to the router.

    the next few pages tell you, step by step, how to configure your network settings based on the type of windows operating system you are using. make sure that an ethernet card or adapter has been successfully installed in each pc you will configure. once you’ve configured your computers, proceed to “chapter 6: setting up and configuring the router.”