Windows XP Wireless User Guide

    You received this guide because you ordered a Gateway wireless Ethernet PC add-on card. The information in this guide tells you how to set up and access a wireless network.

    Warning

    Radio frequency wireless communication can interfere with equipment on commercial aircraft. Current aviation regulations require wireless devices to be turned off while traveling in an airplane. IEEE 802.11b (also known as wireless Ethernet or WiFi) communication devices are examples of devices that provide wireless communication.

      Important

      See "Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information" in your user's guide for general wireless regulatory and safety guidelines.

      Setting up wireless Ethernet networking

        The first time you start your wireless Ethernet-enabled notebook, your system automatically installs the wireless Ethernet drivers. Immediately following the initial startup, you may be instructed to run the Network Setup Wizard.

        Important

        The following procedure uses the Windows XP Network Setup Wizard. The example screens show those screens that typically appear in the course of using the wizard. Your network situation may differ from that used in this example, and therefore you may encounter additional screens or screens with different selections. Make sure you read each screen in the wizard and make your selections based on your particular network situation.

        To run the Network Setup Wizard:

          1. Click on the Network Setup Wizard icon on the Windows XP taskbar.
            -OR-
            Click Start, then select Control Panel, Network and Internet Connections, then Set up or change your home or small office network. The Network Setup Wizard opens.

          1. Click Next to continue through the wizard.

          2. Click Next. The following screen opens.
          1. Click to select the Ignore disconnected network hardware checkbox, then click Next. The following screen opens.
          1. Select the method that the notebook accesses the Internet, then click Next. If you do not see the method you want, click Other for a list of additional methods, make a selection, then click Next. The following screen opens.
          1. Select Let me choose the connections to my network, then click Next. The following screen opens.
          1. Click to select the Wireless Network Connection checkbox, then click Next. The following screen opens.
          1. Enter a description of the computer and the name by which the computer will be identified on the network, then click Next. The following screen opens.

          1. Enter the name of the workgroup this notebook belongs to. This name is usually assigned by the network system administrator and identifies which group of computers this notebook is most likely to communicate with. Click Next. A summary of the network settings you have chosen appears.

          2. Click Next to apply the network settings. The following screen opens.

          1. If you are setting up a wireless Ethernet network on other computers, you may want to use the Network Setup Wizard to do so. Select a method for installing and configuring the network on your other computers, then click Next.

          2. Click Finish.

             

        Turning your wireless Ethernet on or off

          There are times, such as when you are flying in an aircraft, when you should turn off your wireless Ethernet network. You can also turn off wireless Ethernet to conserve battery power on your notebook.

        To turn wireless Ethernet on or off:

          1. Click Start, then select Control Panel.

          2. Click Network and Internet Connections. The Network and Internet Connections window opens.

          3. Click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens.

          4. Right-click Wireless Network Connection.

          5. Select Enable to turn on wireless Ethernet or Disable to turn off wireless Ethernet.

             

        Creating a wireless Ethernet network

          After you have turned on wireless Ethernet networks, you may want to create a new wireless Ethernet network. You can create either an access point or peer-to-peer wireless Ethernet network.

        Access Point

          An access point is a device that allows you to both join a wireless network and access a wired network at the same time. You can create an access point wireless network if you purchased an RG1000 or equivalent access point. The figure below shows an example of an access point network.

        To create an access point wireless Ethernet network:

          1. Click Start , then select Control Panel.

          2. Click Network and Internet Connections. The Network and Internet Connections window opens.

          3. Click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens.

          4. Right-click Wireless Network Connection.

          5. Select View Available Wireless Networks. The Connect to Wireless Network dialog box opens.

          1. Select Advanced. The Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box opens.

          2. Click the Wireless Networks tab.
          1. Click Add. The Wireless Network Properties dialog box opens.

          1. Enter the name of the network. For an access point network, we recommend entering the name of the access point device followed by the SSID name found on the back of the access point. Example: RG1000 1ff60a.

          2. Click the Data encryption (WEP enabled) check box.

          3. Click to clear the The key is provided for me automatically check box.

          4. Enter the network key. This key must be the last five digits of the network name. Example: ff60a.

          5. Select ASCII characters from the Key format list.

          6. Select 40 bits (5 characters) from the Key length list.

          7. Select 0 from the Key index (advanced) list.

          8. Make sure that the Network Authentication (Shared mode) check box is not selected.

          9. Make sure that the This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network check box is not selected.

          10. Click OK to close the Wireless Network Properties dialog box.

          11. Click the General tab.

          1. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), then click Properties. The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box opens.

          2. Click the General tab.
          1. If you are using a DHCP server, click Obtain an IP address automatically.
            - OR -
            If you are not using a DHCP server, click Use the following IP address and enter the IP Address and Subnet Mask.

          Important

          If you are required to enter an IP Address and Subnet Mask, ask your network system administrator for the correct values.

            1. Click OK to close the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box.

            2. Click OK to close the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box.

               

          Peer-to-peer (ad hoc)

            Use a peer-to-peer (ad hoc) network if you are setting up or joining a temporary or permanent computer-to-computer network for sharing files and peripheral devices. This type of network does not include an access point into a wired network.

          To create a peer-to-peer wireless Ethernet network:

            1. Click Start, then select Control Panel.

            2. Click Network and Internet Connections. The Network and Internet Connections window opens.

            3. Click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens.

            4. Right-click Wireless Network Connection.

            5. Select View Available Wireless Networks. The Connect to Wireless Network dialog box opens.

            1. Select Advanced. The Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box opens.

            2. Click the Wireless Networks tab.
            1. Click Add. The Wireless Network Properties dialog box opens.

            1. Enter the name of the network. For a peer-to-peer network, this can be any network name not already in use. Example: Adhoc.

            2. Click the This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network check box.

            3. If an encryption key has been agreed to by the other members of your network, enter this value.

            4. Click OK to close the Wireless Network Properties dialog box.

            5. Click the General tab.

            1. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), then click Properties. The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box opens.

            2. Click the General tab.

            1. Click Use the following IP address.

            2. Enter an IP Address and Subnet Mask for each wireless computer on your ad hoc network. The IP Address for computer 1 should end with a 1 and the IP Address for computer 2 should end with a 2.

            1. Click OK to close the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box.

            2. Click OK to close the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box.

               

          Connecting to a wireless Ethernet network

          To connect to an existing wireless Ethernet network:

            1. Click Start, then select Control Panel.

            2. Click Network and Internet Connections. The Network and Internet Connections window opens.

            3. Click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens.

            4. Right-click Wireless Network Connection.

            5. Select View Available Wireless Networks. The Connect to Wireless Network dialog box opens.
            1. Select the network you want to connect to, then click Connect.

               

          Checking network signal strength

            If your wireless Ethernet network is running slower than you expect, you should check your network signal strength.

          To check signal strength of your wireless Ethernet network:

            1. Click Start, then select Control Panel.

            2. Click Network and Internet Connections. The Network and Internet Connections window opens.

            3. Click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens.

            4. Right-click Wireless Network Connection.

            5. Select Status. The Wireless Network Connection Status dialog box opens. The meter registers the signal strength for wireless Ethernet on your notebook if other computers with the same network name are within range of your notebook.

               

            Important

            Signal strength is affected by the distance between your wireless network devices, by radio interference, and interference from natural obstructions such as walls, floors, and doors.

            More information

              For more information about networking your home or office, discuss your particular needs with your Gateway Country store representative. In addition, several books and Internet sites are dedicated to networking. Refer to these sources for more information about networking your home or office with wireless Ethernet.

            Technical Support

              Refer to your user's guide for Gateway Technical Support information.

            Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information

              Refer to your user's guide for important safety, regulatory, and legal information related to wireless networking.

              Copyright © 2001 Gateway, Inc. All rights reserved. Gateway, Gateway Country, the Gateway stylized logo, and the black-and-white spot design are trademarks or registered trademarks of Gateway, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.