Microsoft KB Archive/323338

= HOW TO: Create Hardware Profiles on Windows Server 2003-Based Portable Computers =

PSS ID Number: 323338

Article Last Modified on 3/1/2004

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Datacenter Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Premium Edition

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This article was previously published under Q323338





For a Microsoft Windows 2000 version of this article, see 225810.

IN THIS TASK

 * SUMMARY
 * ** How to Create a Hardware Profile
 * How to Start a Computer with Multiple Hardware Profiles
 * Additional Profile Examples
 * *** Office Logon with LAN Connectivity
 * Log On from Elsewhere in the Office
 * LAN Connectivity Away from the Office



SUMMARY
Hardware profiles can be used to start your computer in environments with and without local area network (LAN) connectivity. This article describes how to use hardware profiles to configure a Windows Server 2003-based computer for LAN and mobile environments.

When you start your Windows Server 2003-based portable computer in a mobile environment that does not have LAN connectivity, the &quot;Preparing network connections&quot; portion of startup takes an unusually long time while Windows tries to establish LAN connectivity. However, the Welcome to Windows dialog box eventually appears after this process times out.

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How to Create a Hardware Profile
NOTE: Make sure that the modem is active in each hardware profile for dial-in or dial-out connectivity.
 * 1) Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click System.
 * 2) Click Hardware, and then click Hardware Profiles.

Note that under Available Hardware Profiles, either the Docked Profile or the Undocked Profile (Current) setting is selected.
 * 1) Click Copy, type a profile name, such as Out of Office, and then click OK.
 * 2) Click the Out of Office profile, click Properties, click to select the This is a portable computer check box, and then click the best description for the profile. In this case, click The computer is undocked.
 * 3) If you want to be able to select this profile when the computer starts, click to select the Always include this profile as an option when Windows starts check box.

NOTE: This is how you can configure your computer to permit you to select either the Docked Profile, Undocked Profile, or the Out of Office profiles when you start your computer.
 * 1) Click OK, click Docked Profile or Undocked Profile (Current) profile, and then click Rename. Type a name, such as In Office, and then click OK. The available list shows the In Office and the Out of Office profiles. Click OK, and then restart your computer.

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How to Start a Computer with Multiple Hardware Profiles

 * 1) The Startup menu adds the Hardware Profile/Configuration Recovery menu with the In Office, Out of Office, and (possibly) the New Hardware Profile profiles. Click Out of Office, and then press ENTER.

NOTE: New Hardware Profile may be added to the list to permit you to add new hardware profiles from this menu. If you select this option, a new hardware profile is created with standard settings, such as standard VGA screen resolution. However, this profile is not saved to the list. Because of this, Microsoft recommends that you select one of the two existing hardware profiles.
 * 1) When the hardware profile is loaded for the first time, it is exactly the same as the first profile, with network connectivity intact. If you receive any profile error messages when you log on to Windows, click OK or Continue to accept them and continue.
 * 2) Click Start, click Control Panel, double-click System, and then click the Hardware tab.
 * 3) Click Device Manager, and then locate and double-click the network adapter with the green network adapter icon.
 * 4) Under Device Usage, click Do not use this device in the current hardware profile (disable), and then click OK.

NOTE: The Do not use this device in any hardware profiles (disable) profile disables all LAN connectivity.
 * 1) The Device Manager dialog box should display a red X across the network adapter to show that it is disabled.

NOTE: Modem connectivity is active in both profiles for dialing the corporate network or an Internet service provider (ISP).
 * 1) Restart your computer, and then select the appropriate profile.

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Additional Profile Examples
You can add a third profile to configure your Windows Server 2003-based portable computer for other environments. To do this, create a new profile by following the steps in the &quot;How to Create a Hardware Profile&quot; section of this article, and then name the hardware profile according to your environment. For example, the following hardware profiles describe the network adapter type that is being used for LAN connectivity.

Office Logon with LAN Connectivity
This profile can be named In Office - Docking Station, with the following configuration:
 * Network adapter on the docking station enabled for normal office LAN connectivity and domain logon.
 * PC Card network adapter disabled.
 * Modem enabled.

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Log On from Elsewhere in the Office
This profile can be named In Office - PC Card Network Adapter, with the following configuration:
 * Network adapter on the docking station disabled.
 * PC Card network adapter enabled for LAN connectivity and domain logon in conference rooms or other company locations.
 * Modem enabled.

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LAN Connectivity Away from the Office
This profile can be named Out of Office, with the following configuration:
 * Network adapter on the docking station disabled.
 * PC Card network adapter disabled.
 * Modem enabled for dial-up connectivity from home or out-of-town locations.

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