Help with LAN autodetect settings

Hi,

I have a very basic question on settings for my broadband router.

I use a Dell C840, 2 MHz, 1GB RAM, XP SP2 with Zone Alarm Pro firewall and NOD32 AV and I have installed a Netgear router to connect via Ethernet to my broadband (replacing my old, flaky USB modem).

After installing and connecting using the Netgear wizard, I was checking the OS configuration and I came across the “LAN settings” button in the “Connection” tab of the “Internet Options” in the Control Panel. I am not using a proxy server, so that box is obviously unchecked, but can anyone explain what the two check boxes in the “Automatic configuration” part of the “LAN Settings” panel are for?

At the moment, the “Automatically detect settings” and the “Use automatic configuration script” boxes are both unchecked. What are these two boxes for and should either be checked?

I have spoken to someone else who also runs a Netgear router, but with Windows Me and his “Automatically detect settings” box is checked, yet we both appear to be able to connect OK to our broadband services.

Can anyone please explain what these boxes are for and how they should be set?