This page contains the procedures to configure network interface cards (NIC) for all of the Windows operating systems for both automatic IP address (DHCP) and static IP address.
If you need drivers for either the Netgear or CNET NICs, click here
How to configure network interface card for Windows 95/98/ME
For NIC drivers, click here
1. Click on Start, then Settings, and Control Panel
2. Double click on the Network icon
3. Double click on the TCP/IP properties listing for your network card
4. Place a dot beside of "Specify an IP address" and enter the IP address and subnet mask
5. Click on the Gateway tab. Enter the gateway IP address and click the Add button
6. Click on the DNS Configuration tab
7.Put a dot by "Enable" and enter the DNS IP addresses
8. Click OK and click OK again. Windows will prompt you to restart. Click Yes.
Note: To configure the network card for DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) follow steps 1 through 3 above, place a dot beside "Obtain IP address automatically" and remove any gateway IP address that may be installed. It's OK to leave the DNS IP addresses under the DNS Configuration tab.
How to configure network interface card for Windows 2000
For NIC drivers, click here
1. Click on Start, then Settings and Control Panel
2. Double click on the Network and Dial-up Connections icon
3.Double click on the Local Area Connection icon that corresponds to your network card
Note: if you have multiple Local Area Connection icons, single click on each one and on the left side of the page you'll see the brand name of the card and its status.
4. This shows the Local Area Connection status. Click on the Properties button
5. Double click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
6. For static IP address, place a dot beside "Specify an IP address" and enter the IP address, subnet mask, and Default Gateway. For DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), place a dot beside of "Obtain IP address automatically".
7. If not already so, place a dot beside "Use the following DNS server addresses" and enter the primary and secondary DNS addresses
8. Click OK and then click OK again
How to configure network interface card for Windows XP
1. Click on Start and Control Panel
2. If the Control Panel is in Classic View, double click on Network Connections. If the Control Panel is in Category View, click on the Network and Internet Connections category. Click on the Network Connections icon under the heading "or Pick a Control Panel icon"
3. Double click on the Local Area Connection icon that corresponds to your network card
Note: if you have multiple Local Area Connection icons, single click on each one and on the left side of the page, under "Details", you'll see the brand name of the card and its status
4. This shows the Local Area Connection status. Click on the Properties button
5. Double click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
6. For static IP address, place a dot beside "Specify an IP address" and enter the IP address, subnet mask, and Default Gateway. For DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), place a dot beside of "Obtain IP address automatically"
7. If not already so, place a dot beside "Use the following DNS server addresses" and enter the primary and secondary DNS addresses
8. Click OK and then click OK again