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Connection Instructions

Configuring DHCP for CSM Networking - Windows 95/98

Note: This help sheet applies only to machines that will use a dynamic IP address (e.g., if you are using a laptop on the main campus, machines in residence halls, mines park, Greek houses, and most of the main campus). If you are connecting using a static IP address then you need to instead consult the Windows 95/98 Static TCP/IP connection instruction sheet.

This help sheet has been developed for students living in CSM Residences and faculty/staff members on the main campus who wish to set up a network connection on their PC running Windows 95/98. It describes the basic steps necessary to establish communication between your PC and the Internet using TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). As a general rule, unless specific instructions are included in this document, Windows 95/98 default settings are fine.

While DCHP will always work for on-campus networking, you must register your MAC address if you wish to connect to the internet.

  1. Configure your Network Interface Card (NIC)
    2.
    1. From the "Start" button, select "Settings," then "Control Panel."
    2. Open the "Network" icon.
    3. If your NIC is "plug and play," Windows 95/98 should automatically detect its presence and configure it properly. If your NIC does not appear under the "Configuration" tab, you will need to add it:
      1. Choose the "Add. . ." button, then choose the "adapter" network component.
      2. Select the manufacturer from the list on the left, and the card model from the list on the right.
      3. If your NIC is not listed, choose "Have disk. . ." and use the floppy disc or CD-ROM that came with your NIC to add the software necessary to run your adapter.
    4. Choose the "OK" button when finished.

  2. Configure TCP/IP on your machine
    3.
    1. From the "Start" button, select "Settings," then "Control Panel."
    2. Open the "Network" icon.
    3. If "TCP/IP -> (your NIC adapter)" is not a selection under the network components list, you must add it.
      1. To add "TCP/IP", Choose the "Configuration" tab and then choose the "Add
        2. " button.
      2. Select "Protocol" from the list, then the "Add
        3. " button.
      3. Select "Microsoft" from the list of manufacturers and "TCP/IP" from the list of network protocols, then choose the "OK" button.
    4. Highlight the "TCP/IP" item from the network component list, then choose "Properties".
      1. Under the "IP Address" tab, choose "Automatically detect my IP address"
      2. Under the "WINS Configuration" tab, have "Disable WINS Resolution" selected.
      3. You can ignore all other tabs.
    5. Choose the "OK" button to accept these settings (often the "OK" button is hidden under the "Start" bar at the bottom of the screen-simply put your cursor on the top bar of the dialog box, click and hold the left mouse button and move the entire box up slightly).
    6. Choose the "OK" button for the network settings.
      7. Close all applications and reboot your PC for the new settings to take effect.

  3. Troubleshooting

    4. If you have followed the installation instructions and still cannot connect to the CSM network, try the following common solutions before seeking additional help:
    1. Ensure that your network cable is plugged in to your network card and the correct port on the wall. Of course, you'll also need to make sure that your port has already been activated.
    2. Most network cards will default to automatically detect the network speed. Sometimes, this doesn't work, and you need to manually set the speed. In the "Network" window, under the "network components" section, your NIC will be listed. Select your NIC and choose the "Properties" button. Under the "Advanced" tab, you can change your NIC settings. Find the setting that determines your connection speed, and manually set the speed to 100Mbps. (Sometimes you will have to option to choose between "100MbpsFull" and "100MbpsHalf." You should choose "100MbpsFull".) 100MbpsFull will work almost everywhere on campus. If that doesn't solve the problem, change the speed to10MbpsHalf. 10MbpsHalf will work everywhere on campus.
    3. Sometimes a previous dial-up connection (such as AOL) that is still present can cause problems with your CSM network connection. If you are having problems connecting and you have settings for a dial-up connection in "network components" section of the "Network" window, it may help to remove the old dial-up connection. This can be done by selecting all adapters and settings associated with the dial-up connection and clicking "Remove."

Having completed all of the above steps, you should now be able to utilize software that requires a TCP/IP connection (e.g., telnet, ftp, web browsers, etc.). Windows 95/98 has many of these packages built-in and you may use those or other programs you have purchased or obtained as freeware/shareware.

For additional documentation, visit http://www.mines.edu/academic/computer/networking/connecting

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Questions and comments -- open a ticket at helpdesk.mines.edu
Last Modified: August 21, 2007