Accessing Network, Internet, Printing at Home

Norwood does not provide Internet access at home, but you can use your own home network or Internet Service Provider (ISP). If your ISP requires special software you are welcome to install it on the Norwood laptop.

Norwood laptops all have built in wireless, ethernet ports, and modem ports.

Directions for connecting to wireless network, cable modems, and dial-up accounts are below...

How to connect a wireless network for Norwood laptops

Depending on how your home network was set up, you may or may not need to enter a password to connect to it. Usually you get a little notification [in the lower right part of the screen] that a wireless network was detected [when you are in range] and then if you click on that balloon [or click on the wireless network icon] you’ll have the option to connect to available networks. At that point you may have to enter the password which you created for your home network. If you hired someone to set up your home network you might need to get them back to the house to help add this computer to your network. If you have a secured wireless network, you’ll need to enter the WEP key. If your network is locked down with MAC address filtering, you’ll need to add the MAC address of the laptop’s wireless card to the approved list of addresses on your wireless access point. You usually access the wireless access point configuration through its web browser address.

How to connect a cable modem or wired home network for Norwood laptops

Connect the laptop to the cable modem hub/router with a network cable. The laptop will then automatically be assigned a network address and should have internet access.

How to set up a dial-up Internet connection for Norwood laptops

After you have an Internet Service Provider (ISP), you will need to set up a connection on your laptop.

If you are installing AOL as your ISP, you use the AOL CD, and follow the directions for the installer, but don't make it the "default Internet connection."

For other ISP's you just need to get the username, password, and phone number, then follow these directions:

Click on the Start Menu... Settings... Control Panel

In the Control Panel, click on "Network and Internet Connections"

Click on "Network Connections"

Click on the words on the left, "Create a new connection"

This launches the New Connection Wizard. Click on the button for "Next"

"Connect to the Internet" should be chosen by default; click "Next"

Choose to "Set up my connection manually," then click "Next"

Choose to "Connect using a dial-up modem," then click "Next"

Type a name for this connection (e.g. "My NetZero Account") then click "Next"

Type the phone number for your ISP, then click "Next"

"Anyone's Use" should be selected, then click "Next"

Type the username and password for your account with your ISP. Uncheck the box for "Make this the default Internet connection," then click "Next"

Click the button for "Finish."

You have now set up the Internet connection. You have to plug your phone line into the computer before connecting to the Internet. All Norwood laptops have a phone jack; it is usually on the back of the computer next to the network jack.


Please note: the technology department cannot provide technical support for the ISP if there are connection problems that are related to the ISP.