Humanities and Social Sciences Library

Laptop Docking

The Humanities and Social Sciences Library offers as a free service the opportunity to connect your laptop to the Internet via the Library's Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN). Docking stations are available in the The Deborah, Jonathan F. P., Samuel Priest, and Adam R. Rose Main Reading Room. No reservations are necessary.

You will need to configure your laptop in order to use the Internet. Please read through these instructions and attempt to configure your laptop first, but if you are experiencing difficulty, assistance is available on-site by appointment (please see a staff member to make the appointment). Technical assistance is available only for Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT/2000 operating systems. However, access for devices using other Microsoft operating systems is available.

• Required Laptop Hardware Configuration
• Required Laptop Software Configuration
• For Windows 95 and 98 Users
• For Windows NT and Windows 2000 Users
• For Apple Macintosh PowerBook or iBook Users
• Limitations and Disclaimers

Required Laptop Hardware Configuration

You must have a Network Interface Card that is properly installed. Your laptop may already have, or you may need to obtain, a 10BaseT Ethernet adapter with an RJ-45 female connector and cable suitable for your laptop model. The accompanying software drivers for your adapter must be properly installed and configured.

Required Laptop Software Configuration

If you are a PC/Windows user, TCP/IP protocol should already be installed on your computer. You will also need to install any Internet-related software you wish to use, such as a Web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer or Netscape). Browsers and other Internet tools are often pre-installed on new laptops. Ethernet access requires only that your TCP client package be configured to obtain addresses from a server.

The procedures to install and configure TCP/IP and required software vary by operating system. Following are typical steps for configuration:

• Open the "Network" icon in the Control Panel and find your way to the Protocol settings to add TCP/IP
• Set IP address to obtain an IP address automatically
• Leave all other fields blank
• Restart the device for the changes to take effect and open your browser

For Windows 95 and 98 Users

Once you have configured your software and are using the Library's Ethernet connection, use the following steps to verify that you have an active connection to the Internet:

Go to Start, Run, and type WINIPCFG and then click on OK

• The IP configuration windows will appear
• Click on the More Info button
• If you are having an IP conflict, you may click on the Release All button (releases the current IP), and then click on the Renew All button (renews current IP)

For Windows NT and Windows 2000 Users

Once you have configured your software and are using the Library's Ethernet connection, use the following steps to verify that you have an active connection to the Internet:

• Go to Start, Run, and type CMD and then click on OK
• A command prompt window will appear
• Type one of the following within the command prompt window:
  • ipconfig/all Displays the full configuration information
  • ipconfig/release Releases the IP address
  • ipconfig/renew Renews the IP address

For Apple Macintosh PowerBook or iBook Users

Your laptop must have the MacTCP Control Panel installed. This control panel comes with recent versions of the system software and should be pre-installed. If you have other MacTCP configurations that you would like to save, MacTCP Switcher is a useful utility for storing several different setups.

For more details on configuring your MacTCP, see the instructions for Mac OS X and OS 9.x users.

Limitations and Disclaimers

• Assistance will be offered by staff of the New York Public Library's Information Technology Group on an appointment basis. To request an appointment, please speak with a staff member.
• Laptop owners may use the connections during all hours the Library is open.
• Operating systems and software packages other than Microsoft Windows may be used, but no assistance in configuration or troubleshooting will be provided.
• Due to insurance limitations and warranties, Library staff cannot install Ethernet network interface cards on users' laptops.
• If you would like to purchase an Ethernet card to connect through the Library's network, local computer stores sell and install these products.
• The Library does not download, provide, or install any software for laptop users.
• No guarantee is provided that a laptop will be able to make a successful connection, even if the above software configurations are installed, since many factors (including other software packages on the laptop) may interfere with a connection.
• The Library assumes no responsibility for any alterations or interference with a laptop's configuration, operation, or data files resulting from connection to the Library's network.
• The Library assumes no responsibility for damage, theft, or loss of any kind to a user's equipment, software, data files, or other personal property brought into or used at the Library's facilities.