The setup instructions below will allow you to connect your personal computer to the Wells network and the Internet using the Ethernet jacks that are available in every residence hall room. Before proceeding further, make sure your anti-virus software has been installed so your machine doesn't get infected with nasty worms that may be lurking on the network! 
FIRST IDENTIFY THE ETHERNET PORT ON YOUR COMPUTER
The first step is to determine if your machine has an Ethernet port (RJ45).   Many new desktop PC's on the market come with an Ethernet port from the factory since the same port is also used with cable modem and DSL service. Other PC's may have a Modem installed or they may have no port at all.  If your PC has no port or only a modem (a port using the smaller RJ-11 jack) you will not be able to use the campus network until you add Ethernet capability to your machine. 

ADD A PORT IF YOU NEED TO
If you need to purchase an Ethernet card, such cards and cables are available at the college bookshop.  If you are not sure you want to install your own card, some electronics retailers will install a network card for you.

NOTE: If you are ordering a new computer, most PC companies will install and configure the card correctly at the factory.  Just be sure to specify a PC with an Ethernet card installed - not just a modem.

NEXT, FIND YOUR ROOM JACK
On your wall plate, the RJ-45 Ethernet jack will be slightly larger than a typical phone jack and will usually be orange or red. Rooms with more than one occupant will either have multiple wall plates or multiple jacks on the same wall plate. On most wall plates, you will see a slightly smaller white jack to the right.  The smaller RJ-11 jack is for phone service.  For a detailed description of Wells phone service, click HERE

THEN, CONFIGURE YOUR COMPUTER
On some new computers,  just plugging the cord in the Ethernet jack will auto configure the computer for Ethernet using DHCP.  On other systems, you may need to perform steps similar to the instructions below. 

The following network setup instructions are available:

Windows 95/98/Me
Windows 2000
Windows XP

Other types of systems will have similar ways of being set up.

FINALLY - REGISTER YOUR COMPUTER USING BLUESOCKET
Usually, when you open up your browser, you will be automatically connected to a screen that has a blue input box on the top-left of the screen  (similar to this image).  Occasionally, we see that a computer that cannot register with the Bluesocket system.  If your browser is not redirected to the Bluesocket screen within 60 seconds, follow the network setup instructions above.   If you need to install hardware that can't authenticate such as a Wi-Fi router, feel free to call for assistance. 

Due to spyware, malware and viruses, there are sometimes issues with a student owned computer that are beyond our ability to solve in a timely manner.  If this is the case, we reserve the right to limit service to establishing only that you have a working network jack.  If you need major service, there are several computer shops in Auburn and Ithaca that offer pay services such as repairing hardware and removing malware.  Before taking your computer somewhere for service, you may want to re-check the network setup instructions and the NETWORK ADVISORY page for free advice.
 

Additional optional configuration:

Advanced users may want to use their own email clients such as Netscape or Outlook Express to connect directly to our servers rather than using the web based services. If so, we have provided a link to the settings below. 

see: POP3 Settings