So you want GalaxyExpress but you don't know if you're equipped. Here is a simple guide to help you check your computer for the necessary Ethernet or USB capabilities.
GalaxyExpress works with either an Ethernet or USB connection. To see if you have the necessary connections, we suggest you follow the steps below:
Step
1 - Check for a NIC/Ethernet card and driver.
Step 2 - If you
don't have a NIC/Ethernet card, then check for a USB connection.
Step 3 - If you
have neither a NIC/Ethernet card or USB connection, see how easily you can
add a NIC/Ethernet card to your system.
Once you have verified that you have
a port and its associated driver, you are all set to go. You don't need to
perform the other steps. If you need additional assistance or would prefer
to speak to a GalaxyExpress representative, please call 1-800-365-6988.
Step
1 - Checking for an Ethernet Card/Driver
The easiest way to determine if you already have a
NIC/Ethernet card is to look at the back of your computer. Whether you own
a Macintosh or PC, you should see something that looks similar to a phone
jack, but larger. See the illustration below.
If you see this card, you're probably in business. The jack on the back of the NIC card looks like a telephone jack but is slightly larger. If you do not have a NIC/Ethernet card, click here to proceed to step two and check for a USB connection.
PC with Windows 95/98/Millennium/NT
PC with Windows 2000 Professional
PC with Windows XP
Macintosh (OS 8.1 or higher)
Macintosh OSX
PC
with Windows 95/98/Millennium/NT
1. From the taskbar, click
"Start." Then Choose "Settings" and "Control
Panel." The "Control Panel" window will open.
2. Double click the "Network" icon. The "Network" window will open.
3. Click the "Configuration" tab (Windows NT: "Adapters" tab).
The large window in the "Configuration" tab should contain the name of your Ethernet card. It will most likely contain the words Ethernet adapter, LAN adapter or Etherlink.
4. If your Ethernet card is listed,
you're good to go.
If you have an Ethernet card but the driver is not installed, contact your
computer manufacturer or the retailer where you purchased the system. You
may also be able to download the driver from your computer manufacturer's
web site.
PC
with Windows 2000 Professional
1. From the taskbar, click
"Start." Then Choose "Settings" and "Control
Panel." The "Control Panel" window will open.
2. Double click the "Network and Dial-up Connections" icon. The "Network and Dial-up Connections" window will open.
If you receive an error message, you do not have an Ethernet card driver installed. Contact your computer manufacturer or the retailer where you purchased the system. You may also be able to download the driver from your computer manufacturer's web site.
3. Single click the "Local Area Connection" icon.
Read the left side of the window to verify this icon is for your Ethernet card. If you see more than one "Local Area Connection" icon, check each one until you find the one for your Ethernet card. It will most likely contain the words Ethernet adapter, LAN adapter or Etherlink.
If you do not see one for your Ethernet card, your driver is not installed. Contact your computer manufacturer or the retailer where you purchased the system. You may also be able to download the driver from your computer manufacturer's web site.
4. Right click the correct "Local Area Connection" icon.
5. Left click on "Properties"
from the pull-down menu.
The "Local Area Connection Properties" window will open.
6. Verify that the "Connect using" box contains the name of your Ethernet card. It will most likely contain the words Ethernet adapter, LAN adapter or Etherlink.
7. If your Ethernet card is listed, you're good to go.
If you have an Ethernet card but the
driver is not installed, contact your computer manufacturer or the
retailer where you purchased the system. You may also be able to download
the driver from your computer manufacturer's web site.
Windows
XP:
1. Click on "Start".
2. Click on "Control Panel"
3. Click on "Classic view" in the
left hand column.
If "Classic View" does not appear, you are already in
"Classic View" - Skip to step 4.
4. Double Click on the "System" icon.
5. Click on the "Hardware" tab.
6. Click the "Device Manager" button.
7. Look for an entry called "Network Adapters".
If "Network Adapters" appears in the list, click the "+" sign next to it and look for an entry that includes the word "Ethernet". If you see "Ethernet" listed, you have a network card and driver.
If "Network Adapters" does not appear on the list at all, you DO NOT have a network card and driver. If "Network Adapters" appears, but has no "+" sign, you DO NOT have a network card and driver. If "Network Adapters appears, but the word "Ethernet" is not visible after clicking the "+" sign, you DO NOT have a network card and driver.
If you have a NIC/Ethernet card but
the driver is not installed, contact your computer manufacturer or the
retailer where you purchased your system. You may also be able to download
the driver from your computer manufacturer's web site.
Macintosh
(OS 8.6 or higher)
Ethernet cards are built into all iMac, G3 Power
Macs and G3 PowerBooks. To find out if your card is available, or to
activate it, follow these steps:
1. Click your "Apple" icon. Then Choose "Control Panels" and "Extensions Manager."
2. Look for your Ethernet card in the extensions list. It will most likely contain the words Apple Ethernet NB or Apple Enet. Make sure it is checked.
3. If you changed any settings, restart your system. If not, you're good to go.
If you do not find an available
Ethernet card in your extensions list, click here to
proceed to how to add a NIC/Ethernet card to your system (step 3).
Macintosh
OSX:
1. Click on the "Apple Menu"
2. Click on "System Preferences…"
3. Click on "Network"
4. Click on the pull-down box labeled "Show:" and see if the
word "Ethernet" appears in ANY of the available selections.
If it does, you have an Ethernet card. If it does not appear, you do not
have an Ethernet card. Click here to proceed to
"How to add a NIC/Ethernet card and driver" to your system (step
3).
Step 2 - Checking for a USB Connection
Checking
for USB Port
If you own a PC, you may choose to
connect your new GalaxyExpress modem via your USB port. Again,
the easiest way to determine if your computer is equipped with the proper
USB connection is to check the back of your computer. See the illustration
below for details.
If you do not have a USB port, click here to find out about adding a NIC/Ethernet card to your system (step 3).
Checking
for USB Driver
After you've determined you have a USB
port, you need to make sure the proper drivers are installed. Here's how:
1. Right click on "My Computer" on your desktop.
2. Left click on "Properties" from the pull-down menu. The
"System Properties" window will open.
3. Click on the "Device Manager" tab.
If you see "Universal Serial Bus Controller" (probably toward
the bottom of the Device Manager screen), you're in business. Please note
that using your USB connection requires the addition of a USB adapter to
connect the DSL modem to your USB port. You can purchase this modem-to-USB
adapter at a computer retailer or as part of your online order for $24.99.
If you have a USB port but the driver is not installed, contact your
computer manufacturer or the retailer where you purchased the system. You
may also be able to download the driver from your computer manufacturer's
web site.
Step 3 - How to
Add a NIC/Ethernet Card and Driver
If you were unable to locate a NIC/Ethernet card or
USB connection in steps 1 and 2 above, you can easily add a NIC/Ethernet
card to your system. You have three options:
1. You can purchase a "10baseT" Ethernet card
at a computer retailer.
Installation of the NIC/Ethernet card is simple and fast. It is similar to
installing a printer or scanner.