• I don't seem to have an ethernet card. What do I do now?

  You can buy an ethernet card at any local retailer that sells computer equipment. However, it is recommended that you purchase an ethernet card through the supplier of your computer and have them install it as to not void you computers warranty.

• I don't seem to have an ethernet card and I own a laptop. What do I do now?

  Contact technical support for the brand of laptop that you own and they may be able to install one for you. Also, some laptops have a special slot called a PCMCIA slot that can be used to plug in an ethernet card. Technical support for your brand of laptop should know if your laptop has one of these slots. Once you have found out that you have this slot, you can purchase an ethernet card for it at any local computer equipment dealer.

• I have an ethernet card, but I don't have a cable for it. Where can I get one?

  An ethernet cable can be purchased at any retailer that sales computer equipment or accessories.

• My ethernet card is installed and I have plugged in the ethernet cable, but I still can't get on the internet. What's wrong?

  This problem can be caused by a large number of things and this guide cannot possible cover them all, but if you go though the following steps, you may be able to get an idea of what's causing the problem before contacting Housing.

  1. Step 1

     Open Internet Explorer. Click on the Tools tab and then click on Internet Options. Click on the Connections tab. Click on the Lan Settings button. If the "Automatically detect settings" box is unchecked, check it and close internet explorer. Restart internet explorer and see if you can browse Tech's web site.(If you can browse Tech's web site and logon to Boss, but can't go anywhere else on the internet, skip down to step 4)

  2. Step 2

     Click on the Start button. Click on Control Panel. Click on System. Click the "Devices" tab. If there is an "X" or an (!) by anything under the Network adapters heading, click on the adapter and click properties. If the device is disabled, click the "Enable Device" button. If it says that no drivers are installed for this device, find the disc that came with your computer's ethernet card and install the drivers from it. If it says anything else, contact Housing with the information.

  3. Step 3

     Even if your ethernet cable is brand new, ask a neighbor with an ethernet cable that you know works to let you use it to test your ethernet connection. If you can get on the internet using your neighbors cable but not yours, you may need to buy another ethernet cable.

  4. Step 4

     If you can view Louisiana Tech's web site and logon to boss, but can't go anywhere else on the internet, your IP may have been banned from the network for some reason. Call the Computing Center (2893) and ask for Daniel Schales in order to get un banned.

  5. Step 5

     If by this point you still do not have an ethernet connection, contact Housing or fill out a work order and someone will be sent to solve your problem as quickly as possible.

  6. Step 6

     Optionally, you can connect to the internet through Louisiana Tech's phone services. Refer to win9xDialerSetup.pdf.

For further support, you may want to try the computing center's troubleshooting guide.