Chapter 15. Working with devices and networks
Hardware devices, such as printers, scanners, cameras, and so on, must be connected to your computer before they can be used. The first time you connect a device, a device driver is installed to let the hardware communicate with the computer and vice versa. Windows 8.1 makes installation of these device drivers easy, because it has a library of drivers available, and if Windows can’t find the right one for your device, it’ll go online to find it. Usually, all you have to do is connect the device, plug it in, and turn it on. Installation is automatic.
In addition to connecting to other devices, you can connect your computer to other computers to network them. You can connect to both wired and wireless networks, and to private and public ones. If you have a home network, you can join it to share printers, files, an Internet connection, media, and more. If you have access to a free, public network, you can use it to connect to the Internet.
Adding a device
If you have a device, perhaps a printer or camera, that you want to use with your computer, you first need to establish a connection between the two. Generally, you’ll use a USB cable or, in rarer situations, a FireWire cable. Follow the directions included with the device to make the physical connection, and plug the device into a wall outlet if applicable (or install fresh or charged batteries) before you continue here. If the device also came with an installation CD, put that CD in the CD drive bay.
Add a device
With the device physically connected to the computer and plugged into a wall outlet, turn on the device.
Wait to see whether the device installs on its own.
On the Start screen, type view devices and printers.
In the results, click View Devices And Printers.
Verify that the device installed properly. (It should not have an exclamation point beside it.)
Tip
If the device’s icon has an exclamation point beside it in step 5, refer to the next section, Troubleshooting device installations, to apply a fix.
Troubleshooting device installations
If a device doesn’t install properly, it’s almost always because a compatible device driver could not be found for it. A device driver enables the computer to communicate with the device and vice versa. To fix installation problems (and to fix problems that occur after a successful installation), you’ll want to work through the available troubleshooting wizards. If the wizard can’t solve the problem, you’ll have to visit the website of the device manufacturer and search for a device driver that will (and install it using the instructions you’ll find there).
Troubleshoot device installations
On the Start screen, type view devices and printers.
In the results, click View Devices And Printers.
Click the problematic device’s icon. (If installation was unsuccessful, the device name might not be correct.)
Click Troubleshoot.
Wait while the wizard offers a solution; click Apply This Fix if applicable.
Tip
Control Panel offers an entire section named Hardware And Sound. There you can troubleshoot and configure all kinds of devices, including monitors and displays, pen and touch settings, power options, sound devices, and more.
Caution
If you work through the troubleshooting wizard and apply a fix but the problem persists, you’ll have to get a compatible device driver from the manufacturer’s website. Make sure that you know the exact make and model of your device, and that you get a driver created for Windows 8-based computers. If there is not driver for Windows 8, try a driver that is compatible with Windows 7.
Connecting to a Bluetooth device
Bluetooth is a technology that allows you to connect two compatible Bluetooth-enabled devices wirelessly. Making a Bluetooth connection is called pairing. Bluetooth technology is used for short-range communications between the two compatible devices, such as when you connect a tablet to a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse or connect a desktop PC to wireless speakers. To connect to a Bluetooth device, Bluetooth must be enabled on your computer or tablet and the device itself must be turned on and “discoverable”. (Not all computers and devices come with built-in Bluetooth technology.)
Make your computer discoverable
At the Start screen, type Bluetooth.
Click Bluetooth Settings in the results.
If applicable, move the slider for Bluetooth from Off to On.
Caution
When you don’t need to connect to a Bluetooth device, it’s a good idea to turn Bluetooth off, especially if you’re using a tablet or laptop. Your device will deplete its battery reserves more quickly if Bluetooth is left enabled, because it’ll always be looking for a device to pair with. Also, there’s a risk that someone might use a device like a tablet or phone to tap into your computer’s contents or settings.
Connect to Bluetooth devices
To connect your computer to your Bluetooth device, the Bluetooth device (a keyboard, mouse, sound device, and so on) must be turned on. Most devices also require you to press a “pair” button to make the device itself discoverable. Because devices differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, you’ll have to refer to your specific device documentation to find out how to do this. When you’ve enabled your Bluetooth device and readied it for pairing, the two devices should be ready to pair. (You might be prompted to input a pairing code: again, this depends on the device, the manufacturer, and the device type.)
At the Start screen, type Bluetooth.
Click Bluetooth Settings in the results.
Click Ready To Pair.
Click Pair. (If prompted, type the pairing code and perform any other required tasks.)
To disconnect at any time, click the Bluetooth device that is connected and click Remove Device.
Connecting to a private network
A private network is one that you trust. It’s a network that includes computers you want to share files, media, and devices with, and can include various media devices, such as an Xbox 360. Most of the time, a private network is your home network, although it can also be a network at your place of business. However, it is not a network that you find in a coffee shop or library; that’s a public network. In this example, you’ll connect to a personal wireless network.
Connect to a private network
Click the Windows logo key+I to open the Settings charm; click the Network button.
If necessary, move the slider under Wi-Fi from Off to On.
Click the network name.
If desired, click Connect Automatically.
Click Connect.
If prompted, type the network security key, press an applicable WPS button, or perform any other required task, and click Next.
Note that you are connected.
Tip
Homegroups are networks of computers that are Windows 7 -based and Windows 8-based, of which the purpose is to make sharing resources easier than manually configuring sharing. If you connect a private network that has previously been configured as a homegroup, you will likely be prompted to join that homegroup to have sharing configured automatically. If you don’t yet have a homegroup set up and are prompted to create one, you can work through the wizard that appears to do so.
Tip
If you opt use Ethernet to connect to a device such as a router, switch, or hub, you won’t need to enable Wi-Fi and join the network as outlined in these steps. Usually, you’ll just be connected. However, you will likely be prompted regarding what to share or if you want to join a homegroup, so continue to the next section if that’s the case.
Sharing with a homegroup
The first time you connect to any network, you are prompted regarding what you’d like to share, if anything. If it’s a private network you trust, like one in your home, you’ll probably want to share your music, photos, documents, printers, and so on. (You won’t want to share anything on a public network.) You might be able to complete this part of sharing without much effort at the time you make the network connection.
However, the best way to configure sharing for the long term is to create or join a homegroup. A homegroup automatically shares what you want shared, and keeps private what you want private. When you create a homegroup, other computers and people who are authorized to use your network can join it. Here, you’ll learn to create a homegroup; however, if during this process you find there is already a homegroup to join, do that instead.
Although there are lots of ways to share data, the easiest is to create or join a homegroup. If, as you work through the steps here, you find that you can join a homegroup that already exists, do that instead.
Create a homegroup
On the Start screen, type homegroup.
Click HomeGroup Settings.
For each of the following options, perform the described action:
Move the sliders for the various options for sharing from Off to On, as desired.
Write down the password; type the password when prompted when you want to join other computers to the homegroup.
Troubleshooting network connectivity
Sometimes (and often for no obvious reason), you’ll lose network connectivity. A lot of things can cause this, including but not limited to a network address conflict, a bad physical connection, a disconnected or damaged Ethernet cable, a disabled device like a router or gateway, or even a network outage from your Internet service provider. Sometimes it’s because the Wi-Fi feature of your device has been turned off. It’s difficult to troubleshoot these types of problems when you don’t know where to start. That’s where the troubleshooting wizards come in handy.
Troubleshoot network connectivity
On the Start screen, type network and sharing.
Click Find And Fix Networking And Connection Problems.
Click Next to start the troubleshooting wizard.
Let the troubleshooter run, and make choices when presented with them.
Caution
If the troubleshooter prompts you to restart your network, turn every network device off, including modems routers, and gateways. Then, turn them back on in the following order, giving each item time to completely initialize before turning on the next: Cable or satellite modems or routers, gateways, networked computers.
Apply the solution if you think it’s a valid one. (In this scenario, you might not use an Ethernet cable to connect to your network, making it an invalid option.)
Click Check To See If The Problem Is Fixed, if you applied the fix.
If the solution isn’t valid, click Skip This Step.
If a valid solution is presented, opt to try the repairs.
Click Close when the problem is resolved.
Connecting to a public network
A public network is one that you find in a coffee shop, library, hotel lobby, and so on. You connect to these networks as you would to any other, from the Network icon in the Settings charm. Usually, you don’t have to input a network security key, although you might have to purchase a cup of coffee or sign up for a library card.
Connect to a public network
Click the Windows logo key+I to open the Settings charm; click the Network button.
Click the network name.
If desired, click Connect Automatically.
Click Connect.
Changing network settings
After you’re connected to a network, you might decide to change the network settings. One common change is to reconfigure initial settings, such as whether to share or not to share while connected to it. Another is to mark a connection as a metered connection and to show estimated data usage, which is useful if you’re connecting to the Internet via a cellular connection that has a monthly data limit.
Change network settings
Use the Windows key+I to open the Settings charm, and click Change PC Settings.
If you see a Back arrow, click it.
Click Network.
Click the connection to manage.
To mark the network you’re connected to as private, configure Find Devices And Content to Off. To mark the network you’re connected to as public, configure Find Devices And Content to On.
To mark the network connection as a metered connection, such as one you’d subscribe to with a cellular data plan, under Set As Metered Connection, move the setting from Off to On.
To show estimated data usage in the Networks list (from the Settings tab), under Show My Estimated Data Usage In The Networks List, move the setting from Off to On.
Tip
If you need to be connected to the Internet even when there’s no private or public Wi-Fi or local Ethernet network to connect to, your device will have to have the appropriate 3G/4G hardware installed and you’ll have to sign up for a data plan from an Internet service provider, or, you’ll have to be able to tether your phone to your device using a cell phone and plan that you already own and pay for. Additionally, your phone and/or laptop or tablet must support such a connection.
Using Airplane Mode
If you’ve flown anywhere in the past five years, you’ve probably heard the pilot or flight attendant tell you to turn off all electronic devices. However, they usually tell you later that it’s okay to turn your devices back on, provided you disable all network functionality. When this is the case, you enable Airplane Mode.
