Friendly Bits

This page will show you how to convert your computer into a (Public) HotSpot.

The goal you want to achieve here is:

1. take a computer connected to the Internet (via a Local Area Network  or an ADSL connection) and with a wireless card;
2. convert this computer into a HotSpot so that wireless enabled devices can connect to the Internet via your computer.

In other words you want to make your computer able to share its Internet connection across Wi-Fi.

Windows XP and Wi-Fi

Windows XP provides both wireless adapter drivers and their related client software (i.e. the software required to configure and use Wi-Fi). In other words Windows XP makes it possible to plug in a wireless adapter and begin surfing the net in a seamless way, without installing any additional software. In alternative you can install and use the software supplied with the wireless card or that you have downloaded from the card vendor’s website.

This page explains how to convert your computer into a HotSpot by using the standard Windows XP drivers and client software.

1. Make sure the wireless card is on

Before trying anything, you should make sure the wireless card is on.

Wireless Network Icon

If your wireless card is on, you should see an icon like this one in your task bar.

2. Make sure Windows XP controls the wireless subsystem

This page contains instructions on how to connect to a HotSpot using the standard Windows XP drivers and client software (and not any vendor specific driver or software). So you have to make sure that your computer uses the standard wireless support provided by Windows XP.

1. 

   Once you see this dialog, press the button “Properties”.

2. Select the tab “Wireless Networks” and

   

   make sure the “Use Windows…” option is checked.

3. Create a wireless network

First of all you need to create the wireless network where your computer will appear as an HotSpot. 

1. Right click on the Wireless Network Icon and select “Status”

   

   Once you see this dialog, press the button “Properties”.

2. Select the tab “Wireless Networks” and

   

   press the button “Add…”.

3. You’ll see the following dialog. 

   

4. Enter a name for the network (SSID), e.g. MMN.
5. Protect your network with encription via the WEP key.
6. Make sure it is you, and not the computer to provide the Network key.
7. Enter your Network key, it must be 10 figures exadecimal number, e.g. “abcdeabcde”.
8. Press the button “OK” and you should see the following dialog and

   

   press the button “OK” to close it.

4. Convert your computer into a HotSpot

Now that you have created your Wireless Network, you can continue and actually convert your computer into a HotSpot.

1. Right click on the icon “My Network Places” and select properties.
2. Select the network you use to get connected to the Interent and that you want to share – any network will do but please do not use the “Wireless Network Connection”. For instance, in the following example

   

   the “Local Area Connection” has been selected.

3. Right click on the network you have chosen and select properties. Select the tab “Advanced” and

   

   make sure the option “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection” is checked. Press the button “OK” to close the dialog.

5. Check the result

If everythig goes well, you shoud be able to check the status of your computer/HotSpot.

1. Right click on the icon “My Network Places” and select properties.
   You should see the following window       

   

   showing the network you selected, the one which attached to the Internet, as a shared network (with hand).

2. Right click on the Wireless Network Icon and select “View Available Wireless Networks”.
   You should see the following window       

   

   showing the newly created wireless network and your computer connected to it, but as a transmitter, as a HotSpot. 

Now you can use any other wireless enabled device to connect to your newly created wireless network, i.e. to your computer (pardon HotSpot).