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34

Notes

• If your web browser is configured to use a web proxy server, set the web browser

proxy setting so that the browser does not use a proxy server for the Access Point
IP address. (The factory default Access Point IP address is 192.168.11.1.)

• Depending on the firmware version of the Access Point, the Access Point setup

page may differ from the following screen.

7

Set up the Access Point following the onscreen instructions.

z

 Hints

• For details on how to set up the Access Point, see the manuals provided with

5GHz Wireless LAN Access Point PCWA-A500.

• To use the online help, click the question mark icon on the page.

WARNING

If you change the Network Name (SSID) or WEP settings for the Access Point,
communication between the Access Point and the computer will be lost because the
Access Point and computer settings do not match. If this occurs, change the
computer settings to match those you set for the Access Point.

8

When you have made all of your desired settings changes
for the Access Point, close the Access Point setup page
browser window, return to the Wireless Connection Easy
Setup Wizard, then click Next.

Summary of Contents for PCWA-C500 - Wireless Lan Pc Card

Page 1: ...Operating Instructions 5GHz Wireless LAN PC Card PCWA C500 4 657 719 11 1 2002 Sony Corporation ...

Page 2: ...etween the equipment and receiver Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected Consult the dealer or an experienced radio TV technician for help This device compiles with Part 15 of the FCC Rules Operation is subject to the following two conditions 1 This device may not cause harmful interference and 2 this device must accept any interfer...

Page 3: ...ations may be changed without notice Program 2001 2002 Sony Corporation 2000 2001 Atheros Communications Inc All Rights Reserved Documentation 2002 Sony Corporation Sony VAIO and the VAIO logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation Microsoft Windows and Windows Me are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States of America and other countries MMX and Pentium are registered trade...

Page 4: ... 14 Software setup About the software provided 15 Verifying driver installation 15 Uninstalling the Wireless LAN PC Card driver 23 Removing the Wireless Panel 26 Wireless LAN connection Initial settings for constructing a wireless LAN 29 Windows Me or Windows 2000 29 Windows XP 37 Viewing communication status 45 Viewing the signal reception level 45 Viewing detailed network information 46 Using Wi...

Page 5: ...s LAN PC Card Peer to Peer Network connection mode or you can connect to a network through an optional wireless network access point the 5GHz Wireless LAN Access Point PCWA A500 Access Point Network connection mode For details on connection modes see the explanations on the following pages Note You can register and switch between various network settings such as between Access Point Network and Pe...

Page 6: ...6 With Windows XP Available networks ...

Page 7: ...e with the Access Point and share files with other computers via the Access Point Furthermore if you connect the Access Point to a DSL modem cable modem or ISDN router you can access the Internet from various places in the house POWER MESSAGE WIRELESS NETWORK 1 NETWORK 2 Note The above illustration shows the Access Point connected to an Ethernet LAN providing network access to two wireless mobile ...

Page 8: ...er to another Because Peer to Peer Network connection mode is less prone to electronic interference than Access Point Network connection mode making it effective over a greater bandwidth it is recommended that you use Peer to Peer mode when using high bit rate movie streaming applications Note Poor radio conditions can cause interruptions of movie playback over wireless connections A system for si...

Page 9: ...l Display High color 16 bit color or greater 800 480 resolution or greater Notes Sony cannot assure trouble free operation for all computers satisfying the specified system requirements Except for Sony VAIO personal computers upgraded with the regular Windows XP upgrade service package provided by Sony Sony cannot assure trouble free operation in environments using upgraded operating systems The 5...

Page 10: ...dows you are using Read this guide before using the Wireless LAN PC Card 5GHz Wireless LAN PC Card PCWA C500 Operating Instructions this manual This manual contains instructions for installing the Wireless LAN PC Card and detailed information about related settings Refer to this manual if there is something you cannot find in the Quick Start Guide Wireless Panel Online Help This is the Online Help...

Page 11: ...s Warranty Card Other printed matter Supplied software and Wireless LAN PC Card driver The CD ROM supplied with this product contains the driver software for your Wireless LAN PC Card and the Wireless Panel utility software To use the Wireless LAN PC Card you must first install the driver and utility software Refer to the Quick Start Guide for instructions on installing the Wireless LAN PC Card dr...

Page 12: ...progress The rate of flashing changes with the amount of data flow Blinking slowly in unison Standby Data transfer is possible however no data is being sent or received Alternating slow blinking Connection not established There is no problem with the Wireless LAN PC Card but connection has not been established OFF Power not supplied ...

Page 13: ...r remove it from the computer Some computers offer a PC card slot protector to prevent damage to the PC card slot while it is not in use 2 Insert the Wireless LAN PC Card in the PC card slot Note If you have an upper and a lower PC card slot use the upper slot for the Wireless LAN PC Card If you insert the card into the lower slot the card s antenna may block the upper slot See also Notice for use...

Page 14: ...slot use the upper slot for the Wireless LAN PC Card If you insert the card into the lower slot the card s antenna may block the upper slot If you insert the Wireless LAN PC Card into a slot other than the one you usually use the computer treats the card as a new device and automatically begins installing device drivers for it Completing the driver installation makes it possible to use the Wireles...

Page 15: ... the Quick Start Guide for instructions on how to install the Wireless LAN PC Card driver and the Wireless Panel utility software Notes To install the Wireless LAN PC Card software on computers running Windows 2000 or Windows XP log on to Windows 2000 as one of the Administrators or to Windows XP using an account with computer administrator privileges You cannot install the software or modify its ...

Page 16: ... 11a Wireless LAN Adapter The Sony 802 11a Wireless LAN Adapter Properties dialog box appears Note The Wireless LAN PC Card is not working properly if the following occurs The Sony 802 11a Wireless LAN Adapter is represented in the Device Manager list by a yellow question mark or exclamation point c Click Sony 802 11a Wireless LAN Adapter and click Remove to uninstall the Wireless LAN PC Card driv...

Page 17: ...this case repeat steps 1 to 5 and click Sony 802 11a Wireless LAN Adapter Then click Remove to uninstall the Wireless LAN PC Card driver Next restart the computer and reinstall the Wireless LAN PC Card driver 8 Click OK You are returned to the System Properties dialog box 9 Click OK to close the System Properties dialog box You are returned to the Control Panel 10 Click to close the Control Panel ...

Page 18: ...ble in this hardware profile check box Windows 2000 1 From the Start menu point to Settings then select Control Panel The Control Panel appears 2 Double click System The System Properties dialog box appears 3 Click the Hardware tab then click Device Manager The Device Manager window appears 4 From the View menu select Devices by type 5 Double click Network adapters ...

Page 19: ...1a Wireless LAN Adapter and click Remove to uninstall the Wireless LAN PC Card driver Then reinstall the Wireless LAN PC Card driver Double clicking Network adapters does not display the Sony 802 11a Wireless LAN Adapter c Remove the Wireless LAN PC Card from the computer and reinsert it Then reinstall the Wireless LAN PC Card driver Double clicking Other devices displays the Sony 802 11a Wireless...

Page 20: ...the Device Manager window You are returned to the System Properties dialog box 10 Click OK to close the System Properties dialog box You are returned to the Control Panel 11 Click to colose the Control Panel The Control Panel closes When using a computer with an Ethernet interface other than a Wireless LAN PC Card it is recommended that you disable the Ethernet interface to avoid any unexpected di...

Page 21: ...ppears z Hint If the System icon is not displayed click Switch to Classic View 3 Click the Hardware tab then click Device Manager The Device Manager window appears 4 From the View menu select Devices by type 5 Double click Network adapters 6 Double click Sony 802 11a Wireless LAN Adapter The Sony 802 11a Wireless LAN Adapter Properties dialog box appears ...

Page 22: ... 11a Wireless LAN Adapter and click Uninstall to delete the Wireless LAN PC Card driver Then reinstall the Wireless LAN PC Card driver 7 Confirm that the message This device is working properly is displayed under Device status Note If the message This device is working properly is not displayed the Wireless LAN PC Card is not working properly In this case repeat steps 1 to 5 and right click Sony 8...

Page 23: ...select the network card you want to disable 3 From the File menu select Disable Uninstalling the Wireless LAN PC Card driver To uninstall the Wireless LAN PC Card driver perform the following steps z Hint Refer to the Quick Start Guide for instructions on how to install the Wireless LAN PC Card driver Windows Me Note Close all programs before uninstalling the dirvier 1 From the Start menu point to...

Page 24: ...s completes removal of the driver Windows 2000 Notes Log on to Windows 2000 as one of the Administrators Close all programs before uninstalling the dirvier 1 From the Start menu point to Settings then select Control Panel The Control Panel appears 2 Double click System The System Properties dialog box appears 3 Click the Hardware tab then click Device Manager The Device Manager window appears 4 Fr...

Page 25: ... Panel 10 Click to close the Control Panel The Control Panel closes Windows XP Notes Log on to Windows XP using an account with computer administrator privileges Close all programs before uninstalling the dirvier 1 From the start menu select Control Panel The Control Panel appears 2 Double click System The System Properties dialog box appears z Hint If the System icon is not displayed select Switc...

Page 26: ...ialog box 9 Click OK to close the System Properties dialog box You are returned to the Control Panel 10 Click to close the Control Panel The Control Panel closes Removing the Wireless Panel To remove the Wireless Panel perform the following steps z Hint Refer to the Quick Start Guide for instructions on how to install the Wireless Panel Windows Me Note Close all programs before removing the Wirele...

Page 27: ...click No and keep shared files Windows 2000 Notes Log on to Windows 2000 as one of the Administrators Close all programs before removing the Wireless Panel 1 From the Start menu point to Settings then select Control Panel The Control Panel appears 2 Double click Add Remove Programs Add Remove Programs appears 3 Click 5GHz Wireless LAN then click Change Remove The Confirm File Deletion dialog box a...

Page 28: ...l appears 2 Click Add or Remove Programs If the Control Panel is set to Classic View double click Add or Remove Programs Add or Remove Programs appears 3 Click 5GHz Wireless LAN then click Change Remove The Confirm File Deletion dialog box appears 4 Click OK The program is removed and the InstallShield Wizard dialog box appears Note If the ReadOnly File Detected dialog box appears click Yes to del...

Page 29: ... later use the Wireless Panel utility to change the connection mode that you select with the wizard To start the wizard at any time other than immediately after installation of the Wireless Panel double click InitSetup exe in the folder where you installed the Wireless Panel The default location is C Program Files Sony 5GHz Wireless LAN Setting up the 5GHz Wireless LAN PC Card PCWA C500 in Access ...

Page 30: ...pears 2 Select Access Point Network and click Next The Network Setup panel appears 3 Configure Nickname Network and WEP Items to be configured Nickname This is the nickname for the network You can enter up to 20 ASCII characters alphanumeric characters and may include symbols for the Nickname ...

Page 31: ...ct to WEP WEP is an encryption function that prevents unauthorized access to wireless networks When Access Point is shipped the WEP function is disabled When connecting to an Access Point that is set to the factory default settings you will need to clear the check mark from this checkbox By default this check box is not selected For security reasons it is strongly recommend that you select Change ...

Page 32: ...here WEP is enabled You can select from 40 bits or 104 bits Generally the longer the bit length the better the security Key This is the password required when connecting to networks where WEP is enabled The number of characters you can enter differs depending on the ASCII Hex and Length settings For more information refer to following table ASCII Hex 40 bits 104 bits ASCII 5 characters 13 characte...

Page 33: ...ettings check box and click Next 2 Click Finish when the Completing the Wireless Connection Easy Setup Wizard panel appears This completes all the necessary basic configuration for connecting to a wireless network access point When you want to change the Access Point settings follow the instructions below If you change the Access Point settings Note To use an Access Point to connect to the Interne...

Page 34: ...o set up the Access Point see the manuals provided with 5GHz Wireless LAN Access Point PCWA A500 To use the online help click the question mark icon on the page WARNING If you change the Network Name SSID or WEP settings for the Access Point communication between the Access Point and the computer will be lost because the Access Point and computer settings do not match If this occurs change the com...

Page 35: ...on for information on sharing files and printers over networks 12 Click Next The Completing the Wireless Connection Easy Setup Wizard panel appears 13 Click Finish This completes all of the necessary settings Setting up the Wireless LAN PC Card in Peer to Peer Network connection mode 1 When the Wireless Connection Easy Setup Wizard starts select Peer to Peer Network on the Connection mode panel an...

Page 36: ...everal minutes 5 When the Completing the Wireless Connection Easy Setup Wizard panel appears click Finish 6 Configure each computer to be included on this peer to peer wireless network with the settings you entered above This completes all of the necessary settings Note Refer to the Windows Help or your Windows documentation for information on sharing files over networks ...

Page 37: ...s Panel icon Received Signal Level indicator on the task bar The Wireless Panel main screen appears z Hint For details on the Received Signal Level indicator see Viewing communication status on page 45 2 Click the Network List button on the Wireless Panel The Network Connections window appears 3 When the computer is connected to a wireless network Right click Wireless Connection where the asterisk...

Page 38: ...onsult your network administrator for information about the Network Name 5 If the WEP function is enabled for the Access Point enter the WEP key in the Network key field z Hint WEP is an encryption function that prevents unauthorized access to wireless networks and the WEP key is a password required to decode encrypted transmissions When Access Point is shipped the WEP function is disabled For sec...

Page 39: ... you must change the Access Point factory default settings 7 Click AP Setting on the Wireless Panel Your web browser starts and displays the Access Point setup page Notes If your web browser is configured to use a web proxy server set the web browser proxy setting so that the browser does not use a proxy server for the Access Point IP address The factory default Access Point IP address is 192 168 ...

Page 40: ...nections icon on the taskbar and select View Available Wireless Networks from the shortcut menu The Connect to Wireless Network dialog box appears 10 If you have enabled the WEP function of the Access Point on step 8 enter the WEP key in the Network key field 11 Click Connect This completes all of the necessary settings Setting up the Wireless LAN PC Card in Peer to Peer Network connection mode 1 ...

Page 41: ...e shortcut menu When the computer is not connected to a wireless network In this case Wireless Network connection in the Network Connections window is indicated with an X Double click the Received Signal Level indicator on the taskbar to display the Wireless Panel and click Network List to display the Network Connections window Then double click Wireless Connection where the asterisk represents a ...

Page 42: ...42 5 Click the Wireless Networks tab ...

Page 43: ... ID used to identify wireless networks and is also referred to as the SSID When connecting to a Peer to Peer network enter the same name for all computers connected to that network You can enter up to 32 ASCII characters alphanumeric characters and may include symbols for the Network name When connecting to an existing network consult your network administrator for information about the Network na...

Page 44: ...strator to get the proper key The number of characters entered in the Network key field differs according to the Key format and Key length settings See the table below ASCII Hex 40 bits 104 bits ASCII 5 characters 13 characters Hex 10 digits 26 digits z Hint When roaming between multiple access points set the same Network name SSID and same WEP key for all of the access points being used 10 Click ...

Page 45: ...Received Signal Level indicator on the taskbar Communication status indicator icons for the Access Point Excellent Good Intermediate Acceptable Poor Out of range No card The wireless LAN PC card is not installed was not properly recognized or has been disabled Peer to Peer Communicating in Peer to Peer Network connection mode Received Signal Level indicator ...

Page 46: ...led information about the network your computer is connected to Double click the Received Signal Level indicator on the taskbar The Wireless Panel main screen appears indicating the status of the network that your computer is connected to For details on each item on the main screen see page 48 ...

Page 47: ...operating system other than Windows XP Wireless Panel is also used to set up computers or switch between connection settings Notes To use Wireless Panel to configure a computer running Windows 2000 log on as one of the Administrators You cannot configure the system when logged on with any other account With Windows XP the operating system s built in wireless networking software rather than Wireles...

Page 48: ...ears displaying the status of the network that your computer is connected to z Hints For details on the Received Signal Level indicator see Viewing communication status on page 45 Move the mouse pointer over each item of the Wireless Panel to display a short description of that item There are three tabs on the main screen of the Wireless Panel Status tab page 49 AP Scan tab page 51 Signal Log tab ...

Page 49: ...3 characters the first 12 characters are displayed and remaining characters are denoted by an ellipsis Note Nickname is not displayed when the Wireless Panel is running on Windows XP Network Name Unique ID for Wireless Network Also called SSID or ESSID If the Network Name is longer than 13 characters the first 12 characters are displayed and remaining characters are denoted by an ellipsis WEP Indi...

Page 50: ...My Computer IP Address Indicates the computer s IP address 3 Network List button Add a network name to or remove a network name from the network list 4 Renew IP button On computers configured to acquire their IP addresses from a central server release the current IP address and obtain a new one Notes This function is not be used when the IP address is fixed This button is not displayed when you ar...

Page 51: ...anel For networks not registered in Wireless Panel this column is blank Note Nickname is not displayed when you are using Windows XP Network Name Unique ID for each Wireless Network Mode Indicates the connection mode for the network AP Network is displayed if the network uses an Access Point and Peer to Peer is displayed if the network consists only of computers connecting directly without an Acce...

Page 52: ...the Wireless Network Registration dialog box by double clicking a network from the list Windows XP When the computer is connected to a wireless network Clicking the Network List button displays the Network Connections window Then if you want to add or remove networks right click Wireless Connection where the asterisk represents a number This number varies according to conditions and select View Av...

Page 53: ...hen you are using Windows Me 4 AP Setup button View the status or change the setting of the Access Point by accessing the Access Point s internal configuration web server When using the Peer to Peer Network connection mode which does not use an Access Point this button cannot be used Note The AP Setup button can only be used when you are using the Sony 5GHz Wireless LAN Access Point PCWA A500 ...

Page 54: ...ansmission rate and the blue line the signal level strength 2 Wide Plot button Narrow Plot button This button toggles between the Wide Plot and the Narrow Plot display modes When in Narrow Plot mode click the Wide Plot button to increase the width of the window When in Wide Plot mode click the Narrow Plot button to return the window to its original narrow size 1 2 ...

Page 55: ... to frequent vibration Locations where the transmission of radio waves may be obstructed by metal plates or concrete walls Operation If the Wireless LAN PC Card is moved directly from a cold location to a warm locations or if it is placed in a very damp environment moisture may condense on the parts inside The Wireless LAN PC Card may not operate properly if moisture condensation occurs Cleaning C...

Page 56: ...section describes how to get help and support from Sony as well as troubleshooting tips for your Wireless LAN PC Card About Sony s Support Options Sony provides several support options for your Wireless LAN PC Card This Operating Instructions explains how to use your Wireless LAN PC Card Quick Start Guide explains how to install the Wireless LAN PC Card Wireless LAN PC Card driver and the Wireless...

Page 57: ...quency used for wireless communications Wireless communications are available only among client computers and Access Points that use the same channel Client A computer connected to a LAN Local Area Network Also may be called a client computer DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol DHCP lets network administrators centrally manage and automate assignment of client computer IP addresses DNS Domain...

Page 58: ...l The formal specifications that define the procedures for computers to follow when transmitting and receiving data TCP IP Transmission Control Protocol Internet Protocol TCP IP is the network communications protocol that is used to communicate over the Internet TCP is a connection oriented protocol for establishing reliable sequenced data transfer TCP ensures that data reaches its destination IP ...

Page 59: ...is not properly set up Set it up properly c No other computers are logged onto the wireless LAN c The Access Point is not connected Follow the instructions in the Access Point Operating Instructions to connect it properly c The Wireless LAN PC Card is not properly inserted into your computer See the instructions on page 13 of this manual to insert it properly c Communication between the Access Poi...

Page 60: ... For further information about how to reset the Access Point see the Access Point Operating Instructions c When using a Wireless LAN PC Card in Peer to Peer Connection Mode delete the network settings registered on each computer connected to the network then reconfigure the computer s wireless network settings c The actual communication distance depends on the installation site and surrounding con...

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Page 64: ...k service provides you with answers to commonly asked questions You can use this automated service to request a list of available topics and then select the topics you want to receive To contact the Sony fax back service call 1 877 760 7669 The Sony Customer Information Services Center offers information about your Access Point Wireless LAN PC Card and other Sony products that work with your compu...

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