Belkin F6D4050V2 Belkin Enhanced Wireless USB Adapter User Manual part 1

Belkin International, Inc. Belkin Enhanced Wireless USB Adapter part 1

Contents

User manual part 1

Enhanced Wireless
USB Adapter
User Manual
8820-00050 F6D4050
i
Enhanced Wireless USB Adapter
SECTIONS 123456Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 Using the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility .............. 19
Accessing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility from
the Windows System Tray...................................19
Network Status ...........................................20
Available Networks ........................................20
Network Status and Solution Tips ............................21
Managing Wireless Network Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Connecting to a Secure Wi-Fi Network ........................22
5 Troubleshooting ....................................... 29
6 Information ........................................... 36
1 Introduction ........................................... 1
Benefits of a Home Network..................................1
Advantages of a Wireless Network ............................1
Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware for
Optimal Performance .......................................2
2 Overview .............................................. 5
Product Features...........................................5
Applications and Advantages .................................5
Product Specifications ..................................... 6
System Requirements .......................................6
Package Contents ..........................................6
3 Installing and Setting up the Adapter...................... 7
A — Installation Process for Windows Vista .....................7
B — Installation Process for Windows Operating
Systems other than Windows Vista . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
C — Configuration........................................ 18
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INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the Belkin Enhanced Wireless USB Adapter. Now you can take advantage of this great new technology
and gain the freedom to network your home and office computers wirelessly. This Adapter allows you to connect a notebook
computer to your network. Please be sure to read through this User Manual completely, and pay special attention to the section
entitled “Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware for Optimal Performance”.
Benefits of a Home Network
Your Belkin Home Network will allow you to:
• Share one high-speed Internet connection with all the computers in
your home
• Share resources, such as files, and hard drives among all the
connected computers in your home
• Share a single printer with the entire family
• Share documents, music, video, and digital pictures
• Store, retrieve, and copy files from one computer to another
• Simultaneously play games online, check Internet email, and chat
Advantages of a Wireless Network
• Mobility –you’ll no longer need a dedicated “computer room”—
now you can work on a networked laptop or desktop computer
anywhere within your wireless range
• Easy installation – Belkin Easy Installation Wizards make
setup simple
• Flexibility – set up and access printers, computers, and other
networking devices from anywhere in your home
• Easy expansion – the wide range of Belkin networking products let
you expand your network to include devices such as printers and
gaming consoles
• No cabling required – you can spare the expense and hassle of
retrofitting Ethernet cabling throughout the home or office
• Widespread industry acceptance – choose from a wide range of
interoperable networking products
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Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware for
Optimal Performance
Your wireless connection will be stronger the closer your computer is
to your wireless router (or access point). Typical indoor operating range
for your wireless devices is between 100 and 200 feet. In the same
way, your wireless connection and performance will degrade somewhat
as the distance between your wireless router (or access point) and
connected devices increases. This may or may not be noticeable to
you. As you move farther from your wireless router (or access point),
connection speed may decrease. Factors that can weaken signals
simply by getting in the way of your network’s radio waves are metal
appliances or obstructions, and walls.
If you have concerns about your network’s performance that might be
related to range or obstruction factors, try moving the computer to a
position between five and 10 feet from the wireless router (or access
point) in order to see if distance is the problem. If difficulties persist
even at close range, please contact Belkin Technical Support.
Note: While some of the items listed below can affect network
performance, they will not prohibit your wireless network from
functioning; if you are concerned that your network is not operating at
its maximum effectiveness, this checklist may help.
1. Placement of your Wireless Router (or Access Point)
Place your wireless router (or access point), the central connection point
of your network, as close as possible to the center of your wireless
network devices.
To achieve the best wireless network coverage for your “wireless
clients,” (i.e., computers enabled by Belkin Adapters or Cards):
• Ensure that your wireless router’s (or access point’s) antennas
are parallel to each other, and are positioned vertically (toward
the ceiling). If your wireless router (or access point) itself is
positioned vertically, point the antennas as much as possible in an
upward direction.
• In multistory homes, place the wireless router (or access point)
on a floor that is as close to the center of the home as possible.
This may mean placing the wireless router (or access point) on an
upper floor.
• Try not to place the wireless router (or access point) near a
cordless 2.4GHz phone.
2. Avoid Obstacles and Interference
Avoid placing your wireless router (or access point) near devices that
may emit radio “noise”, such as microwave ovens. Other objects that
can inhibit wireless communication can include:
• Refrigerators
• Washers and/or dryers
• Metal cabinets
• Large aquariums
• Metallic-based, UV-tinted windows
If your wireless signal seems weak in some spots, make sure that
objects such as these are not blocking the signal’s path between your
computers and wireless router (or access point).
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INTRODUCTION
4. Choose the “Quietest” Channel for your Wireless Network
In locations where homes or offices are close together, such as
apartment buildings or office complexes, there may be wireless
networks nearby that can conflict with yours. Use the Site Survey
capabilities of your Belkin Wireless Networking Utility to locate any other
wireless networks, and move your wireless router (or access point) and
computers to a channel as far away from other networks as possible.
Experiment with more than one of the available channels in order to
find the clearest connection and avoid interference from neighboring
cordless phones or other wireless devices.
For more Belkin wireless networking products, use the detailed Site
Survey and wireless channel information included in your User Manual.
3. Cordless Phone Placement
If the performance of your wireless network is impaired after attending
to the above issues, and you have a cordless phone:
• Try moving cordless phones away from the wireless router (or
access point) and your wireless-enabled computers.
• Unplug and remove the battery from any cordless phone that
operates on the 2.4GHz band (check manufacturer’s information). If
this fixes the problem, your phone may be interfering.
• If your phone supports channel selection, change the channel on
the phone to the farthest channel from your wireless network as
possible. For example, change the phone to channel 1 and move
your wireless router (or access point) to channel 11. (Your channel
selection will vary depending on your region.) See your phone’s
user manual for detailed instructions.
• If necessary, consider switching to a 900MHz or 5GHz
cordless phone.
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INTRODUCTION
5. Secure Connections, VPNs, and AOL
Secure connections typically require a user name and password, and
are used where security is important. Secure connections include:
• Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections, often used to connect
remotely to an office network
• The “Bring Your Own Access” program from America Online (AOL),
which lets you use AOL through broadband provided by another
cable or DSL service
• Most online banking websites
• Many commercial websites that require a user name and password
to access your account
Secure connections can be interrupted by a computer’s power
management setting, which causes it to “go to sleep.” The simplest
solution to avoid this is to simply reconnect by re-running the VPN or
AOL software, or by re-logging into the secure website.
A second alternative is to change your computer’s power management
settings so it does not go to sleep; however, this may not be appropriate
for portable computers. To change your power management setting in
Windows, see the “Power Options” item in the Control Panel.
If you continue to have difficulty with Secure Connections, VPNs, and
AOL, please review steps 1–4 in the previous pages to be sure you have
addressed these issues.
These guidelines should allow you to cover the maximum possible area
with your wireless router. Should you need to cover an even wider area,
we suggest the Belkin Wireless Range Extender/Access Point.
For more information regarding our networking products, visit our
website at www.belkin.com/networking or call Belkin Technical Support.
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OVERVIEW
2
Product Features
The Adapter complies with the IEEE 802.11g specification to communicate with other 802.11g-compliant wireless devices at up to 54Mbps*. The
Adapter is also compatible with draft-802.11n devices at 150Mbps as well as 802.11b products at 11Mbps. The Adapter operates on the same 2.4GHz
frequency band as 802.11b/g Wi-Fi® products.
• Connection rates of up to 150Mbps*
Provides immediate high-speed wireless connectivity at home, work,
and hotspot locations without compromising the use of existing
802.11b/g products
• Compatibility with 802.11b/g products
The Adapter is backward-compatible with existing Wi-Fi (IEEE
802.11b/g) products
• Difficult-to-wire environments
Enables networking in buildings with solid or finished walls, or open
areas where wiring is difficult to install
• Frequently changing environments
Adapts easily in offices or environments that frequently rearrange or
change locations
• SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) networking needs
Provides the easy and quick, small network installation SOHO
users need
• 2.4GHz ISM (Industrial, Science, and Medical) band operation
• Integrated easy-to-use Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
• USB 2.0 interface, for operation in virtually any computer with a
USB 2.0 bus-power port
• WPA, WPA2, 64-bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), or
128-bit encryption
• Wireless access to networked resources
• Data rate of up to 150Mbps* (draft 802.11n), 54Mbps (802.11g), or
11Mbps (802.11b)
• Easy installation and use
• LED power and network link/activity indicator
Applications and Advantages
• Wireless roaming with a laptop around the home or office
Offers the freedom of networking without cables
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OVERVIEW
Product Specifications
Host Interface: USB 2.0
Operating Temperature: 32–140 degrees F (0–60 degrees C)
Storage Temperature: -4–176 degrees F (-20–80 degrees C)
Humidity: Max. 90% (non-condensing)
Typical Operating Range: Up to 1,000 ft.**
*NOTE: The standard transmission rate—150Mbps—is the physical data
rate. Actual data throughput will be lower.
**Wireless performance may vary depending on the
networking environment.
(a) Protective Cap
The cap is provided to protect the USB connector during
transportation. Remove the cap before inserting the Adapter to your
computer’s USB port.
(b) Power/Activity LED
Lights when the Adapter is powered on and flashes when it is active.
(c) USB Connector
Part of the Adapter that fits into your computer’s USB port.
System Requirements
• PC-compatible laptop with one available USB 2.0
bus-power port
• Windows® 2000, XP with SP2, or Vista®***
Package Contents
• Enhanced Wireless USB Adapter
• Quick Installation Guide
• CD with Installation Software and User Manual
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INSTALLING AND SETTING UP THE ADAPTER
3
A. Installation Process for Windows Vista
***NOTE: For information on updated drivers, please visit the Belkin
website at www.belkin.com/support.
IMPORTANT: INSTALL THE SOFTWARE BEFORE INSERTING
THE ADAPTER.
A.1 Insert the Installation Software CD into your CD-ROM drive.
A.2 Click “Next” to begin the installation process.
Note: If the Belkin Wireless Card Installer screen does not appear
within 20 seconds, access your CD-ROM by double-clicking on the
“My Computer” icon; then double-click on the CD-ROM drive into
which the installation CD has been placed. If the Installer does not start
automatically, double-click on the icon named “Installer.exe”.
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A.3 The InstallShield Wizard will start the installation process. A.4 A window may appear showing the message, “Windows can’t verify
the publisher of this driver software”. This DOES NOT indicate a
problem. Our software has been fully tested and is compatible with
this operating system. Click on “Install this driver software anyway”
to continue.
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A.5 When prompted, plug in your Adapter.
A.6 When the installation completes, you will see the following pop-up
message on your Windows taskbar.
A.7 Click “Finish” to restart your computer.
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A.8 To connect to the Internet, open the Network and Sharing Center
by first opening the Control Panel from the “Start” menu.
A.9 In the Control Panel, click on “View network status and tasks”.
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A.10 In the Network and Sharing Center, click on “Connect to
a network”.
A.11 In the next screen, select an available wireless network and
click “Connect”.
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A.12 Your Adapter will attempt to connect to the selected network. A.13 Depending on the security settings of your wireless network, you
may be prompted to enter a network security key or a passphrase.
Click “Connect” after you have done so.
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A.14 After connecting to the network, you can choose to save this
network and connect automatically when your Adapter is in range.
A.15 The Network and Sharing Center now indicates the network
connection that you have just established. The links on the left of
the window allow you to configure your network connections.
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B. Installation Process for Windows Operating
Systems other than Windows Vista
IMPORTANT: INSTALL THE SOFTWARE BEFORE INSERTING
THE ADAPTER.
B.1 Insert the Installation Software CD into your CD-ROM drive.
B.2 The Belkin Wireless Card Installer screen will automatically appear
within up to 20 seconds. Click “Install Software” or “Next” to start
the installation.
Note: If the Belkin Wireless Card Installer screen does not appear
within 20 seconds, access your CD-ROM by double-clicking on the “My
Computer” icon; then double-click on the CD-ROM drive into which the
installation CD has been placed. Then, double-click on the icon named
“Installer.exe”.
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B.3 Select a destination folder for the software installation by clicking
“Browse”; or, simply click “Next” to install to the default location.
B.4 A Setup Status screen lets you know where you are in the
setup process.
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B.5 A window may appear showing the message, “The software you
are installing…” This DOES NOT indicate a problem. Our software
has been fully tested and is compatible with this operating system.
Click on “Continue Anyway” to continue.
B.6 When prompted, plug in your Adapter.
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B.7 The Found New Hardware Wizard might appear in 3–15 seconds. If
it does, select “Install the software automatically” and click “Next”
to install the software.
B.8 Click “Finish” to restart your computer.
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C. Configuration
Using the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility
C.1 After restarting your computer, double-click the Belkin Wireless
Networking Utility icon on the desktop screen.
C.2 The Belkin Wireless Networking Utility screen will appear.
Note: The Belkin Wireless Networking Utility icon can also be found
on the system tray.
C.3 Select a network to which to connect from the “Available
Networks” list and click “Connect”.
Note: In order to see your available networks, you must be near a
working wireless router or access point.
Installation is now complete.

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