Q&A for How to Configure Your PC to a Local Area Network

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What is subnet mask in IP addresses?

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert
Mitch Harris is a Consumer Technology Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.

Mitch Harris

Consumer Technology Expert

Expert Answer

A subnet mask separates where the inside of the network is and where the outside world is.

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Question

What should I do if any website is not opening?

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert
Mitch Harris is a Consumer Technology Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.

Mitch Harris

Consumer Technology Expert

Expert Answer

Make sure that you've entered a DNS server—if you haven't, you'll receive an error related to DNS and you won't be able to access any webpages. You can enter Google's free server with "8 8 8 8" or "8 8 4 4". If you use Comcast, enter "7 5 7 5 7 5 7 5" or "7 5 7 5 7 6 7 6".

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Question

How do I connect a printer to a LAN?

Community Answer

Properly configure the IP of the printer, and connect it to your switch or router -- preferably a router (it will assign an IP that is compatible to your network). Make sure the port you are using is open.

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Question

How can I recover my Wifi password?

Community Answer

Go to the help desk of your provider and enter your account details and they will help you recover it.

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Question

What is the IP address?

Community Answer

A unique string of numbers separated by full stops that identifies each computer using the Internet Protocol to communicate over a network.

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Question

My computer is connected to the internet by WiFi, but cannot pull up a site. What should I do?

Community Answer

Try rebooting your WiFi router and your computer. If that doesn't work, try contacting your ISP.

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Question

We get an error message that says "unidentified network." The cable, switch, and router are working. What should I do?

Community Answer

Try resetting the modem/router.

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Question

I have an intermittent connection with my television. How do I stabilize it?

Community Answer

Try using another cable or if you are using WiFi, try placing your router in a better location.

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Question

How do I assign an IP address to my desktop?

Community Answer

The best way would be to set a static IP address on your router. Check the manufacturer's website for directions specific to your device. An alternative is to set a static IP through your OS. However, this can create network collisions if another PC on your network has the same IP address.

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How do I configure my PC to connect it to the network?

Community Answer

Either wireless or wired, make sure you have connected it to the network by your Ethernet cable or by wifi.. 1st. A router will automatically do configurations for you as long as it is on the network, if not, use a switch, and configure manually. settings>network and internet>ethernet>change adapter settings>choose the right network you are connected to>rightclick>properties>ipv4 settings>static ip addressing. make sure the default gateway are the same on all pcs, and the subnet mask, then save and okay.

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