Network Card Installation
Important
These instructions are only required if you are installing an internal network card that was purchased from Start Communications. Most newer computers already come with a network card installed and these instructions are not required for most users.
Step 1.
First you must install the network card into a free PCI slot in your computer. Be sure that your computer is completely turned off and unplugged, then open the case and insert the modem into a free slot into which it correctly fits, tighten the screws, put your computer case back on, plug it in and turn your computer back on.
* Please note that computer equipment can be damaged by static, liquids or forceful movement so be careful when your case is open. Start Communications is not responsible if you damage your system while attempting to install your equipment so please take extra care. If you are unfamiliar with the internals of your computer you may want to seek assistance or call Start Communications for a low-cost professional installation.
Windows Users
- If you are using Windows, then it should automatically detect the network card. Some newer versions of Windows will automatically install the network card without any prompting, if so and this is the first time you have installed a network card in your machine, then you are done the installation of the network card and please see the related instructions on how to connect your network card to your new High-Speed Internet modem.
Non-Windows Users
- If you are not using Windows you will need to make sure that the network card is setup to use DHCP or if that is not available please contact us for manual parameter settings.
Step 2.
If the network card did not automatically install you will see a screen that looks similar to the one below. Click Next to begin the driver installation.
Step 3.
Choose the default "Search" option and click Next.
Step 4.
Uncheck all the boxes with the exception of "Specify a location" which must be checked. Insert the software driver disk that came with your network card, click on the Browse button and select your floppy disk drive. Then select the folder that matches your version of windows, click OK and then on Next again.
Step 5.
Windows should then locate the applicable driver, click Next to install it.
Step 6.
The driver will then be installed, click on Finish to complete the process, after which you will be prompted to reboot your machine, select Yes and your machine will reboot to initialize the card.
Step 7.
If this is not the first time you have installed a network card there may be some settings left over from your previous configuration. You can reset them to the correct settings, or check them, by performing the following quick steps:
- Click Start, then Settings, then Control Panel, and double-click on Network.
- Double-click on TCP/IP for your network card.
- Click on Obtain an IP address automatically.
- Click OK and then OK again, you may be asked to reboot after makes the changes.
