In the Workgroup text box, enter the name of your workgroup. It could be your family’s

Part II ✦ Planning and Setting Up Networking — Hardware and Software • Second, everyone needs to enter a password. Windows 2000 and XP expect to see a password and will not authenticate unless there is a password. • Then make sure that the users and passwords are entered into the Windows 2000 andor XP computers. You open the Control Panel and double-click Users and Passwords. Add a new user and the password to match those the user enters on his or her own computer. ✦ Beyond authentication issues, if you still cannot see other computers in the Network Neighborhood or My Network Places, you can look for a few other things to solve that problem: • First make sure all the computers have the same setting for Workgroup, whether it’s your family name, a pet’s name, or even the word workgroup. All computers must have the same setting. • Second, make sure all computers have the same protocol, Client for Microsoft Networks, and the same services: file and printer sharing. • Third, make sure each computer name is unique; you can use each family mem- ber’s first name as their computer name, for example. Windows 2000 and XP support some computer names that are not compatible with Windows 98 or Me. If your computer names are not similar in length, for example, rename the computers and try again. ✦ If you’re using Windows XP’s built-in Internet Connection Firewall, you have to do some tweaking to enable file sharing through the firewall. See Chapter 16 for more information. If you are having networking problems, be sure to consider you might have a problem with a network interface card NIC or cable. Using Portables on Your Network Portable computers include tablets, notebooks, and handheld computers. If your notebook or tablet uses the Windows 98, 2000, or XP operating system, you need only install the hardware and configure the software as you would with a desktop computer. Even Macintosh notebooks PowerBooks connect to a network easily. If you want to add a handheld computer to your network, the process is a bit different. Using notebooks or laptops on the network You can attach notebooks or laptops to the network by using the same cabling types — Ethernet, phone lines, wireless connections, and so on — and you use similar networking hardware on these portable computers as well. Of course, there are some exceptions. For example, you must use a PC Card PCMCIA network interface card on a portable computer. Check your notebook’s documentation for other changes or problems. Today, laptops and notebooks are pretty much the same thing. In past years, notebooks were smaller and lighter in weight than laptops, but the name is now used interchangeably for both. Note Tip Tip Chapter 11 ✦ Accessing the Network with Various Operating Systems Operating systems for notebooks If you’re using Windows 98, 2000, or XP on your laptop or notebook, you’ll have no trouble configuring the networking software. You just follow the steps for installing and configuring the software on a desktop computer. Apple also makes notebook computers that use various operating systems, including Mac OS 8, 9, and X. Connecting these to the network is very similar to connecting any Mac computer. For information about adding the networking hardware to a notebook or laptop computer, see Chapter 9. For more about configuring software for network use, see Chapter 10. Hardware for notebooks and laptops When using a notebook on the network, remember that you usually insert a PC Card into the network adapter slot on the notebook. Older laptops may not have the appropriate sockets connections for the PC Cards. If that is the case, you need to plug a direct cable between the laptop and your desktop computer to connect them. You can purchase an adapter cable, called a pigtail, that plugs into the portable computer and then fits an RJ-45 or other network- ing connector. You can also use a universal serial bus USB adapter. See Chapter 10 for more information. Make sure you do not insert or remove a PC Card when the computer is turned on unless you use the software included with the notebook to enable you to remove the card check your computer’s documentation. You could damage the card andor the slot. Generally, when you install a PC Card, it will configure itself when you turn the computer on. A PC Ethernet adapter costs between 40 and 130 for a notebook computer. Be careful when buying your network card. If you buy a bargain card, you first must check to see that it’s certified as compatible with your operating system. Many cheaper cards might not be XP-compatible, for example. Wireless cards are in the same cost range; Macintosh cards can be a bit more expensive. Mac PowerBooks and iBooks generally come with wireless capability built in. Often they have slots for PC Cards as well, depending on the type of notebook you buy. You also want to avoid the higher-end combo cards for your notebook or laptop, if possible. Combo cards include a modem and network card in a single unit, and they are notorious for compatibility nightmares. Most notebooks and laptops use Windows-compatible or a Mac operating system that enables easy configuration of the network. Check to make sure the computer has slots for networking andor wireless capabilities. Looking at handheld computers Handheld computers and pocket PCs are popular with teens, as well as with businesspeople. You can carry your handheld in your pocket and use it anytime: at work, at home, or on the road. Tip Cross- Reference