Connecting to the Internet: Ethernet (Dorms)

Equipment

In order to connect your computer to the Earlham network, you must have an Ethernet card and at least CAT5 RJ-45 patch cable. Computers purchased within the last five years should be Ethernet ready. If you need to buy an Ethernet card or cable, they are available from ECS. Ethernet cables can also be purchased in the bookstore.

Setup

Connect one end of the cable into the computer and the other end into the data jack. Turn on the computer.

Registration

Open a web browser (Netscape, IE, Safari, Firefox, etc.) You should see the Online Registration Service form.

Login using your college e-mail username (without the "@earlham.edu") and your password. On the left frame, "Register This Computer" should turn red, click it. If the "Register This Computer" does not turn red, right click in the left frame (or hold the Command key and click if using a Mac) and choose the "Reload" or "Refresh" option from the menu that appears.

The following Registration Confirmation page will be displayed. Please read carefully and click on the red agree link.

Your registration is complete. Please follow the instructions on the next page displayed. You must wait a minimum of 10 minutes before restarting your computer.

You are now ready to set up Impulse.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I open my web browser, but I don't automatically see the Ethernet registration page?

If you are on a PC, open up the Control Panel. Click "Internet Options." Now click the Connections tab. If you have connections listed under "Dial-up and Virtual Private Network settings," make sure "Never dial a connection" is selected below. Now click LAN settings. Make sure that "Automatically detect settings" is the only checked setting. Click "OK" and then click "OK" again.

What if the Ethernet registration page tells me I have an invalid username and password?

Make sure you are only using the part of your e-mail username before the @earlham.edu (it should be exactly the same as logging on in the public labs). Also, make sure CAPS LOCK on the keyboard is not turned on.

What if I get an "Error: Unexpected Condition" message when registering for Ethernet?

Check your username and password. If the error persists, there are probably too many people trying to register at the same time. Wait an hour and try again.

What if I don't seem to get any Internet connection at all?

Have a roommate or someone you know with a laptop that is able to connect to the campus network try to plug in to the network port in your room. If they can get on, it is a problem with your machine. If they can't get on, either, call the Help Desk at extension 2000 and report the number of the port that is not functioning.

What if I still can't get it to work?

Call the Help Desk at ext. 2000 and make an appointment for Tech Time. Tech Time is available Monday through Friday.