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-based computer for LAN and mobile environments. When you start your Windows-based laptop computer in a mobile environment that does not have LAN connectivity, the "Preparing network connections" portion of startup takes an unusually long time while Windows is trying to establish LAN connectivity. However, the "Welcome to Windows" dialog box is eventually displayed after this process times out.

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How to Create a Hardware Profile

NOTE: The modem should be active in each hardware profile for dial-in or dial-out connectivity.

1.	Click Start, point to Settings, 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) profile is selected.
3.	Click Copy, type a profile name such as Out of Office, and then click OK.
4.	Click the Out of Office profile, click Properties, click to select the This is a portable computer check box, and then click to select the best description for the profile. In this case, click The computer is undocked.
5.	If you want to be able to choose 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 enable you to choose either the "Docked Profile", "Undocked Profile" or the "Out of Office" profiles when you start your computer.
6.	Click OK, click the Docked Profile or the 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" 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 enable you to add new hardware profiles from this menu. If you choose this option, a new hardware profile is created with standard settings, such as standard VGA screen resolution. However, this profile is not saved on the list. Because of this, it is recommended that you choose one of the two existing hardware profiles.
2.	When the hardware profile is loaded for the first time, it is identical to 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.
3.	Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, double-click System, and then click the Hardware tab.
4.	Click Device Manager, and then locate and double-click the network adapter with the green network adapter icon.
5.	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.
6.	The Device Manager dialog box should display a red X across the network adapter to show it is disabled. NOTE: Modem connectivity is active in both profiles for dialing the corporate network or an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
7.	Restart your computer, and then choose the appropriate profile.

A third profile may be added to configure your Windows-based laptop computer for other environments. To accomplish this, create a new profile by following the steps listed earlier in 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:

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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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Logon 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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