before installing the driver, insert the adapter in the computer and plug in the cable. when microsoft windows xp discovers the new adapter, it attempts to find an acceptable windows driver already installed with the operating system. one of the following happens at this point:

    windows xp finds a windows driver and installs this driver without any user intervention. however, this windows driver may not be most current one. this scenario is called installation scenario a. if you do not see the found new hardware wizard window, follow the instructions below for installation scenario a.

    windows xp does not find a windows driver and displays the found new hardware wizard window. this scenario is called installation scenario b. if you see the found new hardware wizard window, follow the instructions below for installation scenario b.

    installation scenario a

    windows xp finds an acceptable windows driver that gives provides only basic functionality. the driver installation occurs without prompting you for any information or action.

    at this point, it is important to update the driver. updating the driver ensures that you have access to all the adapter features.

    installation scenario b

    windows xp cannot find an acceptable windows driver. the found new hardware wizard window displays.

    1 if you are installing drivers from the intel cd, insert the intel cd in the cd-rom drive.

    2 in the found new hardware wizard screen, click next.

    3 the necessary files are copied to your computer. the wizard displays a completed message.

    4 click finish.

    5 if you want to use the intel? proset software to configure advanced settings, set up teams and vlans, and use other features, start the autorun located on the cd. click install software on the autorun screen.

    if windows does not detect the adapter, click troubleshooting in the table of contents.

    tip for installing drivers more easily in the future

    when you install drivers next time, follow the instructions below instead of the instructions for scenario a and b. they make driver installation easy.

    do not install the adapter hardware yet. wait until instruction 4 before installing the hardware.

    1 do not install the adapter hardware.

    2 insert the intel cd in the cd-rom drive. the autorun program on the intel cd starts.

    3 if you want to install intel proset when you install the driver, click install software. otherwise, click install base driver. a message box appears asking if you want to continue. you can use intel proset software to configure advanced settings, set up teams and vlans, and use other features.

    4 click ok. the current driver for the adapter is installed on your hard drive.

    5 shut down the computer and install the adapter hardware.

    6 power up the computer. the adapter is automatically installed with the correct driver.