Turn Windows Into A WiFi Hotspot & Share Your Internet Connection

You’ve got an Internet connection via a network cable, but you want to have your other computers and devices get Internet connections wirelessly. Can you do this? Can you make your Windows computer run like a WiFi router?

The short answer is a qualified, ‘Yes.’ The key component in this process is making sure that your Windows computer has a wireless network card. If you have that installed properly, then you can turn your Windows computer into a WiFi hotspot and share your Internet connection.

How Does This All Work?

Ad-Hoc Wireless Connection via Windows Menus

Ad-hoc is a Latin phrase meaning ‘for this’. It is meant to describe something that is set up for this particular purpose only. Often it is something of a temporary nature with minimal setup, planning, or support. There are two ways to set up an ad-hoc wireless network in Windows: one is through the graphical menus, and the other is through the command line interface. Let’s take a look at the graphical menus first.


Click on your Start Menu, then Control Panel, then Network and Sharing Center. You’ll see the following window:

Now click on  Set up a new connection or network. When the new window opens, scroll down until you see Set up a wireless ad hoc (computer-to-computer) network. Highlight that option by clicking once on it, then click the Next button.

You’ll now see a window that explains what an ad-hoc wireless network is and it tells you a few things about it. The most important thing to note is that any devices using the ad-hoc wireless network must be within 30 feet of each other, in any direction. Consider that as a maximum upper limit, as so many other things can affect the range of a wireless signal. Expect maybe half of that.


The second most important thing to note is that if you create an ad-hoc wireless connection, any wireless connection you have to a device right now will be dropped. So, if you think you can connect wirelessly to one network and share that network wirelessly with others – you can’t. It’s one or the other. Click the Next  button to move on to the next window.

This window is where you set the name of your network and what kind of security it has on it. It is recommended to use the WPA2-Personal choice for Security type. This gives you the best security you can get with an ad-hoc connection like this. Use a password that you don’t mind giving to other people. Don’t recycle a password you use for other things like Facebook or banking. You’ll soon regret that, if you do. If you intend to set up an ad-hoc wireless network again in the future, you can check the box that reads Save this network and click the Next button.

Congratulations! You’ve just created an ad-hoc wireless network! Share it with your friends and family as you see fit.

The problems with this kind of connection aren’t many, but it isn’t the most universal solution. People with Windows 7 or earlier trying to connect with non-Windows devices have had some difficulties and have had to investigate deeply to find out how to configure their non-Windows devices in order to connect.

Sometimes, the issue is that the device isn’t compatible with the type of security or encryption that your ad-hoc wireless network is set up to use. Sometimes, it’s a matter of the firewall on the host computer blocking the devices from connecting. Sometimes, you can solve the problem by assigning static IP addresses to your connecting devices. Sometimes, it doesn’t seem like there’s a good reason at all why it won’t work.
From the research I’ve done, it appears that Windows 8 and newer have less issues like this. We have previously explained what you can try if you are having issues with Windows 8 and WiFi.

The Verdict On This Method

The positive is that this is an easy connection to set up and quick to disable. This method is best suited for allowing short and temporary connection of devices you know that will work.

Ad-Hoc Wireless Connection via Command Line or Batch File

You can also create and disable an ad-hoc wireless network using the command line. When you can do something through the command line in Windows, you can also write a batch file to do the same thing. This is especially useful for tasks that you would repeatedly perform.

To do this via the command line, you need to open the Command Prompt. The quickest way to do that is to click on the Start Menu then type cmd in the Search programs and files field. When it finds the Command Prompt program, right click on it and select Run as Administrator, unless you are the administrator.

First, you must initialize the hosted network mode. This is the command: netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=YourSSID key=YourPassword keyusage=persistent where you change YourSSID to whatever you want to name the network, and YourPassword to whatever password you want on the network.

Second, you must turn the network on: netsh wlan start hostednetwork

Third, when you want to close out the network, use the command: netsh wlan stop hostednetwork

Pretty simple. If you want to create a batch file for this, open up Notepad and copy and paste the following into it. Again, change YourSSID to whatever you want to name the network, and Your Password to whatever password you want on the network.

@echo off
CLS
:MENU
ECHO.
ECHO…………………………………………
ECHO.
ECHO Press 1, 2, or 3 to select your task, or 4 to Exit.
ECHO…………………………………………
ECHO.
ECHO 1 – Set Wifi Sharing Attributes
ECHO 2 – Start WiFi Sharing
ECHO 3 – Stop WiFi Sharing
ECHO 4 – Exit
ECHO.
SET /P M=Type 1, 2, 3, or 4, then press ENTER:
IF %M%==1 GOTO SET
IF %M%==2 GOTO START
IF %M%==3 GOTO STOP
IF %M%==4 GOTO EOF
:SET
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=YourSSID key=YourPassword keyusage=persistent
GOTO MENU
:START
netsh wlan start hostednetwork
GOTO MENU
:STOP
netsh wlan stop hostednetwork
GOTO MENU

Save the file to your desktop as something like AdHocNetwork.bat. Make sure it doesn’t have the .txt extension. Now, when you want to create an ad-hoc network, all you have to do is run the batch file (as Administrator) and follow the menu prompts. It’ll look like this:

The Verdict On This Method

The same pros and cons apply to this as to the other ad-hoc network you created through the Windows method. It’s  great for setting up a short and temporary connection of devices, but automated and quicker to set up.

The Software Approach : http://www.jaf-tech.blogspot.com/2014/02/turn-your-laptop-into-wi-fi-hotspot.html

Share Files and Printers between Windows 7 and XP

If you have a home network and are running Windows 7 and have XP on other PC(s) you might want to share files between them.  Today we will look at the steps to share files and hardware devices like a printer.

Sharing Files In Windows 7 and XP
Sharing folders between two Windows 7 machines with the new HomeGroup feature is an easy process, but the HomeGroup feature is not compatible with Vista or XP.  For this tutorial we are using Windows 7 x64 RC1 and XP Professional SP3 connected through a basic Linksys home wireless router.

First make sure both machines are members of the same Workgroup which by default is named Workgroup.

On the Windows 7 machine go into Control Panel \ All Control Panel Items \ Network and Sharing Center then click on Change advanced sharing settings.

You will want to verify the following settings under Advanced Sharing Settings for the Home or Work and Public profile.

If you want any user to have access the public shares turn off password protection.  This is located in Advanced Sharing Settings toward the bottom of the list.

If you want to keep it enabled make sure there is a log in account for the other XP machines and they have a password.

Now if you go into Network in Windows 7 you should see your XP machine and the Windows 7 as well which in this case is Mysticgeek-PC.

To share the printer on the Windows 7 machine go into Devices and Printers from the Start menu and double click on the printer icon.

Next double click on “Customize your printer”.

In the Properties screen click on the Sharing Tab and check the box to share the printer and type in its share name.

If your XP machine is an x86 OS you can install Additional Drivers before setting up the XP machine.

To find the shared folders and devices double click on the Windows 7 machine icon under Network.  Here you can see the printer connected to my Windows 7 machine is shared and also the Users Folder.

Continue into the Users folder and Public to see the shared folders, here I also created a folder called XP Share just to keep everything in central location.

Over on your XP machine open up My Network Places to find the Windows 7 (mysticgeek-pc) shared folder.

Double click on the Share folder to find a list of shared folders in the Public folder on Windows 7.  If you have password protection enabled you will need to type in the username and password of the user account on the Windows 7 machine first.

Setup XP With Shared Printer

To set up the shared printer in XP you will need to go into Printers and Faxes from the Start menu and kick off the Add Printer Wizard.

Now select “A network printer, or a printer attached to another computer” then hit Next.

Next select “Connect to this printer…” and type in the path for the printer connected to the Windows 7 machine and click next.  

Now click Yes to the confirmation message.

Then click Finish the printer to install and complete the Wizard.

In some cases you will need to install the x86 XP drivers for the shared printer because the Windows 7 drivers are not compatible with XP.  When everything is installed open up Printers and Faxes to find the shared printer

This should help you get started with sharing your files and other devices with your Windows 7 machine.  When I first started I was able to see the printer on XP right away because I had a HomeGroup set up, but once I deleted it I needed to share the printer like you would for a workgroup.  You might also have to do a couple restarts of the XP machine for it to see the shared resources on Windows 7.  If you have had any experiences with sharing between Windows 7 and XP leave us a comment!

More about printer sharing: http://kbsupport.cusa.canon.com/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1011&PARTITION_ID=1&secureFlag=false&TIMEZONE_OFFSET=&CMD=VIEW_ARTICLE&ARTICLE_ID=32394

How to Choose a Mobile Internet Dongle That Suits Your Needs

Along with web access on our phones and public Internet hotspots, there is another option for those who need reliable Internet while they’re out and about. Many cell phone service providers now offer direct web access via a small USB device, commonly referred to as a “dongle.” Here are some tips to make the most of these handy devices.

1. Consider your bandwidth usage needs. If you will only be using the dongle to check your e-mail at cafes or other locations, it may not be necessary to subscribe to a data-heavy plan. On the other hand, if you will be downloading movies, TV shows, or large amounts of image files, you will need to spend more money to maintain a good and reliable connection speed.

2. Decide on a payment and subscription option. Some providers offer pay-as-you-go options for users who will not regularly need a prescribed amount of bandwidth. This gives you the comfort of knowing you can access the Internet at any time as well as the flexibility to only use what you need. You will not be expected to use a certain amount per month. If you anticipate needing to plug in your dongle on a daily or weekly basis, you will receive better rates for the bandwidth by subscribing to a plan.

3. Choose a provider that has proven success in your area. Just as cell phone coverage differs by provider from region to region, dongle Internet access can be complicated, as well. Conduct some research by talking to friends who use dongles and by looking up reviews for their mobile Internet services in your area.

4. Before signing a contract and purchasing your USB mobile Internet device, “test-drive” it in the store to make sure it works with your hardware. You wouldn’t buy a new car without making sure the brakes work, so don’t be afraid to bring your laptop along to the provider’s store to make sure the device works for you. If you will be using it to download large files, try downloading a sample file with the dongle plugged in to ensure you will be able to get the bandwidth you need.

Finally, take your time when shopping for mobile Internet devices as many providers will run seasonal sales or specials. With a little extra research, you will be guaranteed good mobile broadband access at a reasonable price.

How to Set Up an Ad Hoc Network on Windows Platforms

Anyone who has ever had a frustrating time finding an Internet connection has probably come across the option to create an ad hoc network. What does this mean? Ad hoc networks create a temporary wireless connection between computers or devices so that files or Internet connection can be shared. They are an excellent option when a router and established wireless network are unavailable. If your normal wireless network is experiencing problems, creating a temporary ad hoc network is a good solution until your regular connection is restored.  It is also possible to connect the computers without an external wireless connection. This option would be used to share files between the machines.


1. From the Start menu, select “Connect to” and then “Set up a connection or network.” You can also access this menu from the Control Panel.

2. Choose “Set up a wireless ad hoc (computer-to-computer) network.” If you would like to control the number of users or the network’s security, you can require networked computers to have a password in order to access the ad hoc network.

3.  Connect other devices to the ad hoc network. On the remaining computers or devices connecting to the ad hoc network, click on “View available wireless connections” from the network options.

4. Select the recently created ad hoc network from the list of available networks. Click the “Connect” option. It will appear in the same list as other wireless networks. If necessary, enter the password or other security information.

If prompted to enter a network key, type the same key as was used on the first computer.

At this stage, the connection should be complete and you should see it indicated on your taskbar.

Note: Ad hoc networks are automatically deleted when the person who set up the network disconnects or after everyone using the network disconnects.

What Are IP Addresses in Home Networking

Every device on a home network must be uniquely identified with an IP (Internet Protocol) address. An IP address consists of four sets of numbers from 0 to 255, separated by a decimal, such as:

192.168.1.200

Although the numbers in an IP address may appear random, there is a method to the madness. Each of the four numbers that comprise an IP address is known as an octet because it consists of 8 bits. With 8 bits, there are 256 possible combinations from 0 to 255.

IP addresses are assigned to organizations by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). That’s right, organizations. So how do you, an individual, get your very own IP address? Your Internet service provider (ISP) can lease a permanent IP address to you, but that isn’t really necessary, unless you’re running your own Web or e-mail server on your home network.

More often, your ISP dynamically assigns an IP address to you from a pool of addresses that IANA has assigned to your ISP. If your high-speed Internet connection is more or less always connected, you essentially get a permanent IP address anyway.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that you’ll always get that same IP address (for example, if your router is reset or your ISP has a timeout set on your connection you may get a different IP address assigned), so if you’re running your own Web or e-mail server, you’ll need to get a permanent IP address from your ISP and manually configure it on your server.

Your ISP will give you only one IP address, and that one address is assigned to your modem or router. You still need to assign a unique IP address to each of your network devices. Fortunately, IANA reserves three ranges of IP addresses for private use:

10.0.0.1 to 10.255.255.254
172.16.0.1 to 172.31.255.254
192.168.0.1 to 192.168.255.254

These IP addresses are never routed over the Internet, so you can use them on your home network as you see fit. But IP addressing can get very complicated very fast, so it’s best to keep your IP numbering scheme as simple as possible.

The easiest way to do this is to make the first three groups (or octets) of numbers in your IP address the same, and focus only on the last group. In the last group, start numbering the routers, computers, and other devices on your network from 1 to 254. For example, if you have a variety of devices on your network, you might assign them IP addresses.

Because private IP addresses cannot be routed over the Internet, your router or firewall must translate your private IP addresses to a public IP address (or IP addresses), which can be sent over the Internet. This is known as Network Address Translation (NAT) or Port Address Translation (PAT).

NAT translates a private IP address (such as 192.168.1.2) to a public IP address (such as 71.156.85.214). PAT translates a range of private IP addresses (such as 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.254) to a single public IP address. Most home routers and firewalls sold today are preconfigured to perform NAT, or you can easily enable it, usually through a check box option or setup wizard depending on your router or firewall model.

Although NAT and PAT are distinctly different, the overall function (that is, translating IP addresses) is the same. Many router and firewall vendors do not distinguish between NAT and PAT in the user interface and simply refer to the address translation function as NAT.

What Kind of Cables Should I Use in my Home Network

A key component in wired home networks is — wires! More correctly, cables. Twisted-pair Ethernet cable is the most common type of home network wiring used today (and for the foreseeable future). Twisted-pair Ethernet cables are used to connect:

• DSL/cable routers or modems to computers
• DSL/cable routers or modems to wireless access points
• DSL/cable routers or modems to hubs or switches
• Computers to hubs or switches
• Computers to other computers
• Other devices (such as network printers) to computers, hubs, or switches

What’s the difference between a wire and a cable? A wire is a single conductor (typically copper) that may be solid or stranded. Two or more insulated wires grouped together in a sleeve or jacket (typically plastic) form a cable. (If each wire is not insulated, then it is technically still a wire.)

When purchasing network cables, you will most likely need Cat5e (or Cat6), UTP straight-through Ethernet cables with RJ-45 connectors. (RJ stands for registered jack.)

Twisted pairs and RJ-45 connectors
Twisted-pair Ethernet cables consist of eight copper insulated wires in a plastic sleeve. Two wires are twisted together in a pair for a total of four pairs, and then the four pairs are twisted together to form the cable. The twists and pairs affect certain performance characteristics of the cable, such as crosstalk, attenuation, and electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Crosstalk occurs when an electrical signal transmitted over one wire negatively affects the electrical signal transmitted over another wire. Attenuation is the gradual loss of intensity of an electrical signal as it travels over the wire. EMI is noise (unwanted electrical signals) that is generated between the wires by the various electrical signals that are transmitted.

A clear plastic jack, known as an RJ-45 connector, is attached to both ends of the twisted-pair Ethernet cable. An RJ-45 connector looks very similar to a telephone jack (which is known as an RJ-11 connector).

Twisted-pair Ethernet cable with RJ-45 connectors.


Twisted-pair Ethernet cabling is commonly referred to as simply Ethernet, Cat5, or UTP cable. Technically, Ethernet is a wiring and signaling standard that covers many types of cabling technologies; Cat5 is one category of several available categories; and UTP is one of two possible types. However, these terms are commonly understood to refer to twisted-pair Ethernet cabling.

Categories of twisted-pair cables
There are several categories of twisted-pair cabling, but only three that are commonly used for Ethernet networks: Category 5 (Cat5), Category 5e (Cat5e, or Cat5 Enhanced), and Category 6 (Cat6). The performance characteristics of Cat5, Cat5e, and Cat6 are as follows:

• Cat5: Supports speeds up to 100 Mbps at 100 MHz, with a maximum cable length of 328 feet (100 meters).
• Cat 5e: Supports speeds up to 1,000 Mbps (or 1 Gbps) at 100 MHz, with a maximum cable length of 328 feet (100 meters).
• Cat6: Supports speeds up to 1,000 Mbps (or 1 Gbps) at 250 MHz, with a maximum cable length of 295 feet (90 meters).

Unshielded versus shielded cables
Twisted-pair Ethernet cabling can also be unshielded (common) or shielded (not so common). Unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cabling is used in both large enterprise networks and small home networks. It is relatively inexpensive and much more flexible than shielded twisted-pair (STP) cabling.

STP cabling is more expensive and less pliable than UTP cabling. It is used in industrial environments and other noisy environments that are prone to high electromagnetic interference (EMI). The individual pairs of wires in STP cables are wrapped in foil or other metal shielding, and an outer metal shielding may also cover the entire group of twisted pairs (beneath the outer sleeve).

Straight-through versus crossover cables
In most cases, you will use straight-through twisted-pair Ethernet cables to connect the devices on your network. Crossover cables are sometimes required to directly connect two computers together (if one of them has a network adapter that is more than a few years old), to connect very cheap (or old) network switches that do not have an uplink port, or to connect some types of specialized network devices.

The difference between a straight-through and crossover cable is subtle but important. Two of the four pairs in a crossover cable are attached to the RJ-45 connector in a different order than in a straight-through cable, such that the transmitting and receiving wires are reversed.

Length and color of networking cables
When choosing cables for your network, you also need to consider length and color:

Length: Twisted-pair Ethernet cables come in standard lengths such as 3, 5, 7, and 10 feet. Longer lengths are available, and you can also have custom cable lengths made. The distance between your various network devices and your network switch or router will determine the length you need. Don't forget to include enough length to run cables along walls, under rugs, and around corners as necessary.

Color: Twisted-pair Ethernet cables come in all sorts of colors. This decision can be based purely on your individual tastes and preference. Blue is perhaps the most common, but you might also consider white, gray, or some other color that doesn’t clash with your walls and carpet. Finally, you may want to stick with a single color for all the cables on your network.

The Best Way to Troubleshoot Computers and Networks

So what is the best way to troubleshoot computers and/or networks? I think everyone has their own strategy for troubleshooting, but what if you’re new to IT and don’t know where to start?

Well, it’s time to bust out your books from school and start putting the theory you learned to good use. Do you remember learning about the OSI model and the 7 layers? Let’s see how you can use the OSI model or a custom strategy to help you troubleshoot your computers and/or network.

Troubleshooting with the OSI Model
The OSI Model is a way of dividing network framework into 7 layers to help create a visual model of networking and protocols. Each layer has its own function and supports the layer under it and/or above it. From top to bottom the layers are:

• Application
• Presentation
• Session
• Transport
• Network
• Data-link
• Physical

When troubleshooting, it’s best to start from the top or the bottom and work your way through the layers.


For instance, if you notice that a cable is unplugged while you are troubleshooting, you want to start at the physical layer and work your way up. If the user reports they have a problem with a Word document you probably want to start at the Application layer.



Layered Troubleshooting


• Application Layer
This layer is used as a means of communication between the operating system, the application, and the end user. So basically how programs talk to your operating system.

An example of this could be a program that doesn’t function like it normally would, or if you get error messages when you run your program, or maybe it won’t let you save your work. This would be an application layer issue and that is where you should start your troubleshooting efforts.

Some of the protocols used at this layer are SMB, FTP, AFP, TELNET, SMTP, and DNS.

• Presentation Layer
The Presentation layer is used to create a standard for communication between the application and network formats. In other words, this is the translator.

This layer handles encryption, data compression and a few other things. An example of this layer is your wireless router at home using WEP, WPA or another type of encryption. The Presentation layer is translating the encryption on your wireless network.

• Session Layer
The Session layer is used to create and manage sessions across a network.

An example of this would be Remote Desktop. If a user reported they were unable to connect to your application server using Remote Desktop, then you might want to start your efforts at this layer.

NetBIOS and RPC are some of the protocols used on this layer.

• Transport Layer
Think of the Transport layer as a taxi driver. His or her job is to get you where you need to go and to make sure you arrive safely.

The Transport layer provides flow control and error handling on a network. Like the taxi driver making sure you arrive safely, the Transport layer makes sure that all transmissions were successful. If you get into a wreck in the taxi, that’s an error by the taxi driver!

The Transport layer also makes sure that all packets and transmissions are error free. Some of the protocols used on this layer are TCP, NetBIOS, RARP, ARP, and NetBEUI.

• Network Layer
This layer handles network addressing and routing. It translates IP addresses into MAC addresses, or computer names to MAC addresses. In a nutshell you would be troubleshooting mostly routers on the Network layer.

• Data-link Layer
The Data-Link layer is used to turn packets into bits, and vice versa. This layer also transmits data across a physical network link. Common devices on this layer are hubs, switches, NICs, and bridges.

• Physical Layer
I personally start at the physical layer most of the time because that is where I tend to find the majority of the issues. "The cleaning person knocked a cable lose" or "I moved my tower to the other side of my desk".

The physical layer includes making a physical connection, physical cabling, or even a radio link.

It is good to be familiar with the OSI model and what protocols and equipment work on each layer. This helps you troubleshoot the root of the problem and gives you a very logical approach to troubleshooting.



Other Troubleshooting Methods
That’s just one of the ways to troubleshoot your computers or networks, but there are many other ways to go about it. How about making up your own troubleshooting steps for your specific environment?

Here are some ideas for your own troubleshooting steps.

Figure out the real problem — This always seems to elude IT people when getting phone calls from users. "My computer is broken" or "My printer doesn’t print" are the typical issues users report, so digging around for clues to figure out more information is always a good idea. We need to get as much information from the users as possible so that we can determine the point of failure.

Create a plan to resolve the problem — Now that we have more info from the users we can move forward and create a plan of action. Decide the best ways to go about implementing your plan of action and make sure to explore all possibilities to come up with the best solution.

Implement — This is where the rubber meets the road and you will need to put you plan into action.

Revisit and revise — Revisit the user after implementing your strategy and make sure the issue is resolved. If not, revise your plan of action accordingly.

Document — Document the final resolution for the issue for future reference.


Conclusion
There are many different ways to troubleshoot your computers and networks. You can use the 7 layer approach or create your own way of troubleshooting. There might even be a separate way of troubleshooting for your specific environment.

What other ways can you think of to troubleshoot computers and networks?

How do You Repair an Ethernet Cable with a Broken Locking Clip

Anyone who has dealt with Ethernet cables knows what it is like when a locking clip breaks and the cable constantly pops loose afterwards. Is there an easy DIY way to fix the cable, or is it simply better to replace it?

I have a 10 meter long Ethernet cable. One plug has the little locking clip missing, just like the part outlined in the red ellipse in the following picture

How can I fix it? Is this something I should even attempt to fix myself, or is it better to replace the cable?

Is there an easy DIY fix that T… can employ, or should the cable be replaced with a new one instead?

The Answer
If you don’t want to replace the cable or install a new jack, you have a few options:

1. Glue it into a coupler or a short extension like the ones shown below (with the coupler you will need another short run of cable on the other side):

2. Repair it with a zip tie. Use this guide for instructions:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Repair-a-Broken-Ethernet-Plug/

It’s entirely possible to cut off the plug and install a new one, but you will need a crimping tool. It’s about $15. The thing is, your local store will probably charge you more than $15 for a cable – even if you buy it online, it’ll probably be close to that when you take shipping into account. Therefore, it’s cost-effective in my opinion, even if you only need it occasionally (and those pieces tend to break somewhat frequently, in my experience).

More help about making ethernet cable, click here. 

Also, if you ever need to run large amounts of cable, it’s much cheaper to buy it in bulk and cut it yourself.

Don’t forget to match the plug type to the wire type – stranded or solid (in your case, the wire is almost certainly stranded).

How to Set Up a Wireless Hotspot - From Ethernet (Windows 7)

Hello, in this article  I will be showing you how to set up your own wireless access point using Windows 7's "Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter" .You will need a pre-existing wired (ethernet) internet connection to set up the wireless hotspot.

Some of you may now be wondering "Why would I want to set up a wireless hotspot when my laptop is already connected to the internet?"

OK just imagine this situation:

Just say you were staying at a hotel on a business trip and the hotel offered free internet access via ethernet (not wireless). If you wanted to connect an Ipad or similar device, you would need to either set up your own router (and come on, how many of you honestly can say they would bring a router with you on business trips?) OR you could follow this guide and setup your own wireless access point, thereby making the connection available to any WiFi capable device.

A Network Interface Card is a card used by your computer or laptop to communicate over a network. There are multiple types of NIC cards that connect to different technologys such as Ethernet or Wireless. Most laptops only have one NIC (Network Interface Card). This lack of multiple Network Interface Cards makes it impossible for a user to have an internet connection whilst sharing a hotspot. Thankfully due to virtualisation, you can "split" your NIC into "two" hardware and while one is connected to the internet, the other can be sharing this internet connection with your other WiFi capable devices.

Anyway enough information, lets get to the steps to do this

Step 1: Step 1: Enabling the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter.

This step will guide you through enabling the "Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter": From my knowledge the "Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter" is not compatible with all wireless cards but if it yours is compatible, and you follow my guide, it will work.

To enable the Virtual adapter open the "Run" dialogue ("Windows key"+ "R")

Then open the Command Prompt (type in "cmd" and click "Enter")

Once CMD is open type in the following command:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=Hotspot key=Password keyUsage=persistent

Where "Hotspot" is the SSID (the name of your connection) and "Password" is the password locking the connection.

Once this is done, you have enabled the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter!

Step 2: Step 2: Configuring the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter.

This step will guide you through configuring your newly set-up Microsoft Virtual WiF

i Miniport Adapter.

This step will walk you through the process of creating a wireless hotspot using a pre-existing wired (ethernet)  internet connection.

To begin with, if it has not already been done, plug in an ethernet cable into your PC's Ethernet port. Then Navigate to "Network Connections" (From the Network and Sharing Center click on the "Change Adapter Settings" link in the top left hand corner. Enable the virtual adapter, if it is not already enabled, by right clicking on the adapter and pressing enable.  Once you have internet connectivity via the Ethernet cable and the virtual adapter is enabled, right click on the "Local Area Connection" button and click "Properties". Once the dialogue box pops up, click on the "Sharing" tab. From here click the check box labeled "Allow other Network Users to connect through this Computer's Internet Connection". Click on the Drop down box "Home networking connection" labeled "Select a private network connection" and select the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter which should be labeled "Wireless Network Connection 2". Click "OK" and the "Local Area Connection" button should now say "Shared".

Step 3: Step 3: Starting and Stopping the Wireless hotspot.

This final step will guide you through starting and stopping the wireless hotspot (access point).

It's time to go back to CMD.

Open a new CMD window ("Windows Key" + "R") and type in the following command:

netsh wlan start hostednetwork

CMD should confirm by saying "The hosted network started."

If you navigate back to the "Network Connections" window, you will notice the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter should now have your SSID listed with full reception!

Now. To disable (turn off the hotspot), it is best to:

Open a new CMD window ("Windows Key" + "R") and type in the following command:

netsh wlan stop hostednetwork

CMD should confirm by saying "The hosted network stopped."

And thats it! Your wireless hotspot will have started with the SSID (Name) and password you set! Try connecting to it with a different WiFi compatible device.

Thanks for reading and I hoped you learned from this as much as I did.