Exploring Your Computer’s Features

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Setting up for communications

Using the Ethernet LAN Port

When your computer starts, Windows attempts to contact a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server. If the computer is not connected to a network, it may pause a few minutes as it waits for a reply. To avoid this delay, you can reconfigure Windows to disable the LAN port.

To disable the LAN port:

1Click Start, Control Panel, Performance and Maintenance, and then System.

2Click the Hardware tab, and then Device Manager.

3Select the appropriate network adapter.

4Click Actions.

5Select the Properties icon.

6Select the Do not use this device (disable) option from the Device usage drop-down.

7Click OK.

Your LAN port is now disabled.

To enable the Ethernet LAN port, repeat steps one through four. Select the Use this device (enable) check box, and click OK.