Micro Star MS6978 Wireless Lan Box (USB Adapter) User Manual 8801

Micro Star International Co Ltd Wireless Lan Box (USB Adapter) 8801

users manual

1User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX1. Introduction1.1 WLAN BOX1.2 System RequirementsInstallation of the WLAN BOX, you will need:1. Desktop/Notebook PC compatible computer with USB interfaceand CD-ROM drive.2. Windows® 98SE/ME/2000/XP operating system.3. Minimum 5M bytes free disk space for installing the WLANBOX driver and utility program.The MS-6978 WLAN BOX is a standard USB Adapter which fitsinto any USB Interface. It has two LED indicators and an inte-grated internal diversity antenna.Now our WLAN BOX combines the advantage of USB Adapter andWireless LAN, which overcomes the limitations of wired networks.It provides fast, simple, mobile and reliable access, and is designedfor computers with Microsoft Windows® 98SE, ME, 2000, and XP.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION INTERFERENCE STATEMENT This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: -- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. -- Increase the separation between 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. CAUTION: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the grantee of this device could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
2User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOXUnpack the package and check all the items carefully. If any itemcontained is damaged or missing, please contact your local dealer assoon as possible. Also, keep the box and packing materials in caseyou need to ship the unit in the future.Your WLAN BOX package should contain the following items:1.3 Package ContentUser’s ManualMS-6978 WLAN BOXUSB CableSoftware CDLMKPWR
3User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX1.4 Connecting to PCConnecting this A-connector tothe USB connector of yourDesktop/Notebook PC.Connecting this B-typeconnector to the WLANBOX.LMKPWRMSI Reminds You...We strongly recommend that the WLAN BOX should putvertically while using to get better performance instead oflaying horizontally.
4User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX2. Driver and Utility InstallationDuring the installation, Windows® 98SE/ME/2000 may need tocopy Windows system files from the Windows® 98SE/ME/2000/XP installation disk/CD. Therefore please prepare a copy of theWindows® 98SE/ME/2000 installation disk/CD at hand beforeinstalling the driver if possible.Installation Procedure:1. Insert the WLAN BOX installation CD into your CD-ROMdrive, and then the setup program should start automatically. Ifit doesn’t start, click the Start button at the Taskbar and thenselect Run. Enter E:\setup.exe if E is your CD-drive.2. Then click Next to read the License Agreement and click Yes to2.1 Installation for Windows® 98SE/ME/2000This part provides the procedure to install drivers and the utility.Each installation procedure comes with a drawing and instruction.Follow the instruction step by step to finish installation. Pleasenote that the WLAN BOX should be connected into your PCafter the installation of driver and utility is finished.
5User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOXagree with and continue, or No to end the installation. Thenspecify the location that you want the software installed in yourcomputer.3. Then click Next to start installation, then click Finish to continueas you are notified the installation has been completed.
6User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX4. InstallShield Wizard may ask you to restart your computer.Choose Ye s and click Finish to restart your PC.5. After restarting your PC, you will find a icon indicated MSIWireless LAN on your taskbar. Just double-click on it forconfiguration. “MSI Wireless LAN “iconMSI Reminds You...This icon will not appear in Windows® XP operating systemenvironment. Windows® XP uses “Wireless NetworkConnection” interface to control the device instead.
7User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX2.2 Installation for Windows® XPInstallation Procedure:1. The first 3 procedues will be the same as in Windows® 98SE/ME/2000. Please refer to step 1 to 3 at page 4 to 5.2. Insert your MS-6978 WLAN BOX software into your computer,and the following window will appear. Choose Install the software automatically (Recommended) andclick Next.
8User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX3. The Found New Hradware Wizard will start searching for MSIPC2PC WLAN Card. Click Next to continue.4. Please wait for the system to install the software of the newhardware. It may take few minutes.
9User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX5. The new hardware installation is complete. Click Finish to closethe wizard.6. After the hardware installation finished, click on the WirelessNetwork Connection icon in the right bottom of system bar,then click View Available Wireless Network.
10User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX7. The Connect to Wireless Network window appears. Choose whichnetwork you’d like to join in Available networks: list, then clickConnect.8. The connection is available if you see the following pop-up nearthe Wireless Network Connection icon in the right bottom ofsystem bar.MSI Reminds You...Please note you can only connect to one network eachtime. If you want to connect to another network, pleaseselect the desired network then click the Connect buttonagain.
11User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOXAdvanced settingsYou may do some advanced settings with the following steps:1. Right click on the Wireless Network Connection icon and chooseView available wireless networks, then click Connect to wirelessNetwork.2. The Connect to Wireless Network window appears. ClickAdvanced.
12User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX3. Click on the Configure button to configure the status of existednetworks, or click on the Add button to add a new network.2. The Wireless Networks tab appears. All the available networkswill show in the Available Networks fields, and you can clickRefresh button to refresh or search for the available networks. You may also choose the networks you prefer in the Preferrednetworks and use the Move up/Move down button to set thepriority of your preferred networks.
13User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX4. The window below will appear to let you add, configure or setencryption for the network.
14User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX4. Click Advanced button in the Wireless Network ConnectionProperties, and the window below will appear. You can set thedesired option according your preference or situation.hAny available network (access point preferred) --- Any availablenetwork detected can be selected.hAccess point (infrastructure) networks only --- Only access point(infrastructure) networks can be accessed and connected.hComputer-to-computer (ad hoc) networks only --- Only ad hocnetworks within the range of your computer can be accessed andconnected.hAutomatically connect to non-preferred networks --- Check thisbox to automatically connect to available networks that do notappear in the Preferred networks list.
15User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX2.3 Uninstallation for Windows® 98SE/ME/2000/XPIf you want to uninstall PC2PC Wireless LAN Software, pleasefollow the steps as below:Uninstall Procedure:1. From the right bottom corner of system bar, right-click on theicon, and a window will appear as below. Please note thisprocedure is only for Windows® 98SE/ME/2000. Click Exit.MSI Reminds You...We strongly recommend to uninstall the older version firstbefore you install updated driver.
16User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX3. The software will be removed automatically.2. Select Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs.Choose PC2PC Wireless LAN Software in the Install/Uninstalllist.Then click Add/Remove, and click OK.
17User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX3. Configure the Configuration Utility forWindows® 98SE/ME/2000MSI Wireless LAN Monitor Utility is a powerful application whichhelps you to configure MSI PC2PC WLAN Card, change Adapterinformation about link, configuration and encryption, show theinformation of utility/driver/firmwave version, and monitor thestatistics of the communication.3.1 MonitorThe Monitor screen provides information of the current linkbetween the MSI PC2PC WLAN Card and the wireless Access Point.You need to click Change first to adjust the settings, then clickSubmit to save your changes.
18User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOXOperating Mode:h Ad-Hoc --- this is non-standard peer-to-peer mode of operationand needs no Access Point. When wireless clients are operated inthis mode, all wireless clients require the same channel numberand SSID. When “Ad-Hoc” mode is selected, the utility willprovide a selection for channel setting.h Infrastructure --- this mode of operation needs the use of anAccess Point. In this mode, all wireless communicatins betweencomputers have to be via the Access Point.You may consult to your Network Administrator if you are notfamiliar with the settings described above.Channel:Specify the operating radio frequency channel in “Ad-Hoc” mode,which should be set to the same channel as the other points in thewireless network.SSID:Means Service Set Identifier, an unique name shared among allpoints in a wireless network. It must be identical for all points in thenetwork. MS-6978 will be able to connect to an Access Point withthe same SSID.Tx Rate:This field sets the current transmitting rate of the USB Adapter.There are four fixed rates: 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, and 11Mbps. The Tx Rate should be set to Auto rate to optimizeperformance and range, which will adjust the transfer speed for bestperformance and longest range automatically.Radio:Set to On to activate the radio.Status:It shows status information about the radio link.h Signal Strengh --- This bar shows the received signal strengthlevel. The higher the blue bar is, the more power the radio signal
19User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOXMSI Reminds You...These two bars are available only in “Infrastructure”Operating Mode.is received by the USB Adapter.h Link Quality --- This bar shows the measured signal level andconnection status. The higher the blue bar is, the better the radiosignal is received by the USB Adapter.
20User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX3.2 StatisticsThis option shows the available statistic information, includingData Packets, Management Packets and Rejected Packets. PressClear to renew this statistics list.
21User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX3.3 Site SurveyBy choosing this Site Survey option in any of the two modes, all thechannels can be scanned in order to find all the access points withinthe range of your card.It includes the information about BSSID (Basic Service SetIdentification) and SSID of the access point(s), the signal strengh,the channel where the access point(s) operates, and whether or notWEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption is used. You maypress Re-Scan button to update this list. If you want to associatewith any of the Access Point(s), double click on the desired one,and the system will bring you back to the Monitor screen to showyou the parameters of the connection newly established.
22User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX3.4 EncryptionBy choosing this option in any of the two modes, you can set fordifferent WEP keys and specify which one of them to use.Encryption:You may enable or disable encryption function in this option.Key #1 ~ Key #4:If you enable encryption, you may choose any of the availableWEP keys in these fields in 64-bit or 128-bit WEB keys.h 64 Bit --- There will be 10 hexadecimal digital.h 128 Bit --- There will be 26 hexadecimal digital.
23User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOXWEP Key to use:The key you choose should be the same for each point on thenetwork.WEP mode:This field let you set the WEP mode. The setting options areMandatory and Optional.h Mandatory --- If you choose this mode, not only WEP will beused, but also any other station needs to use WEP encryption inorder to establish a communication with your station.h Optional --- In Optional mode, your station can communicatewith every other station regardless if they use WEP or not.MSI Reminds You...The WEP keys must be in HEX format.Authenication Type:MS-6978 supports two types of authentication: Open System,Shared Key.h Open System --- It is the authentication algorithm used by MS-6978, which is also the default selection. If the Access Point isused Open System authentication, then the wireless adapter willneed to be set to the same authentication type.h Shared Key --- It is available only when WEP encrption isenabled on MS-6978. Shared Key authentication supportsauthentication of hosts as either a member of a group with ashared secret key or a member of those who don’t have a sharedsecret key. The use of WEP privacy mechanism is required toshare the key without transmitting the secret key in the open inShared Key authenication.Finally click Submit to save the changes.
24User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX3.5 AdvancedIn this option you can change advanced configuration settings,such as Preamble Type, Fregmentation Threshold, RTS/CTSThreshold.Preamble Type:You may set the length of preamble in this field. Setting options:Long, Short, Auto.h Long --- It is set to 144 bits.h Short --- It is set to 72 bits.hAuto ---MS-6978 supports an auto-detection feature, itautomatically selects the Preamble Type depending on the AccessPoint Preamble Type if this option is selected.
25User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOXFragmentation Threshold:You may set the length of the fragment in this field. Please notethat each fragment should not be larger than the FragmentationThreshold.RTS/CTS Threshold:You may set the length threshold. Only when the length of theMPDU is greater than the length threshold, an USB adapter uses aRTS/CTS exchange for directed frames.MSI Reminds You...Changing the settings here is not recommended unlessyou are familiar with those advanced configurations.
26User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX3.6 InfoThe Info screen shows the information about MSI PC2PC WLANcard, including Driver, Firewave, Application and MAC Address.Click the MSI hyperlink and it will bring you to MSI website formore information and technical support of this product.
27User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX4. Connecting to a NetworkThis part describes how to prepare for connection to network andsome basic outline of networking basics, including sharing files,printing from an computer on the network, or accessing the Interneton multiple computers with one connection.The following in Control Panel -> Network -> Configuration isrequired for all computers if you want to connect to a network:1. Check Client for Microsoft Network is installed.2. Check TCP/IP -> MSI PC2PC WLAN Card is installed.3. Check File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks.4.1 Computer IdentificationPlease verify that each computer has a unique name and commonworkgroup name, if you had previously given your Windows 98SE/ME/2000 computers names.1. On your Desktop, right-click the icon My Network Places selectProperties from the context menu.
28User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX2. Click the Identification tab in the dialog box.3. In the Computer name box, type a unique, identifying name forthis particular computer. This will be the name of this computerused by other computers on your network to communicate with.Each computer’s name must be unique on a particular network toavoid confusion. Please note that the computer’s name shouldnot be more than 15 characters without space.4. Type the workgroup name which this computer will belong to inthe Workgroup box. All the computers on your network shouldhave an identical Workgroup name.5. The Computer Description box is optional. You may enter adescription that helps to identify this computer on your network.
29User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOXThen click Close.6. Repeat this process for each computer on your network to ensurethat they all have unique “Computer Name” and identical“Workgroup”.4.2 How to install TCP/IPBy default, Windows® 98SE/ME/2000 will install TCP/IPautomatically.1. Go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel. Double-click on the Network.
30User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX2. If you do see the TCP/IP network as the following screen, pleseselect the MSI PC2PC WLAN Card, and click Add.Select Protocal, and click Add.
31User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX3. Select Microsort, then scroll down to select TCP/IP. Now the TCP/IP for MSI PC2PC WLAN Card will be available.Now the TCP/IP installation is finished.4.3 Configuring a Dynamic IP AddressWhen the drivers are installed, the default setting here is set toobtain IP dynamically through a DHCP server. If you’d like checkor change the settings, please follow the steps below:1. Go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel.
32User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX2. Double-click on Network.3. Click on TCP/IP and then click Properties.
33User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX4. When the TCP/IP Properties window appears, choose IP Addresstab and select Obtain an IP Address Automatically.5. When the Network properties window comes back up, click OK.Then click Yes to reboot the computer.4.4 Configuring a Static IP Address1. Go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel.
34User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX2. Double-click on Network.3. Click on TCP/IP and then click Properties.
35User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX4. When the TCP/IP Properties window appears, choose IP Addresstab and select Specify an IP Address.5. Enter an IP address into the empty field. Suggested IP Range is172.16.0.2 to 172.16.0.254, and suggested Subnet Mask is 255.255.255.0 Then click OK. When the Network Properties windowcomes back up, click OK. Then click Yes to reboot the computer.MSI Reminds You...IP Addresses must be signed uniquely to each networkadapter .
36User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX4.5 Checking TCP/IP Address of the MSI PC2PC WLANCardFor Window® 98SE/ME:1. Go to Start -> Run.2. Enter command in the Open: box. Click OK.3. A DOS prompt window appears.4. Enter winipcfg in the Open box. Click OK.5. The IP Configuration screen will be displayed, and the IP addresswill be displayed in the IP Address box. Please make sure theconfiguration of IP Address, Subnet Mask and Default Gatewayis correct.
37User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX6. Click on More Info to display additional IP information.
38User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOXFor Window® 2000/XP:1. Go to Start -> Run..2. Enter command in the Open box. Click OK.3. A DOS prompt window appears.4. Enter ipconfig /all to display IP information.
39User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX4.6 Checking the Connection by Pinging1. Go to Start -> Run..2. Enter command in the Open box. Click OK.3. A DOS prompt window appears.4. Type ping 172.16.0.1, which is the the IP address of the Gatewayin this case , and press Enter key.Then you’ll get replies if the pinging is successful.
40User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX4.7 Sharing FilesYou may now open and save files on other computer once yourcomputers are connected together on a network. You will also beable to specify particular folders or disk drives to “share” and evenpassword to protect them. Please verify that each computer has aunique name and common workgroup name, if you had previouslygiven your Windows® 98SE/ME/2000computers names. Follw the steps below toshare specific files and folders with othercomputers on your network.1. On your Desktop, right-click the MyNetwork Places icon and selectProperties from the context menu.2. You will configure your computersnetwork settings in this dialog mostly. Itis also available through the Network iconin the Control Panel.3. Click the File and Print Sharing button.
41User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX4. Click to put a check mark next to I want to be able to give othersacccess to my files.5. Then click OK on the File and Print Sharing dialog box.6. Click OK on the Network dialog box.7. Provide the Windows® 98SE/2000/ME CD or direct Windows tothe proper location of the installation files if prompted. Thenreboot if prompted.8. Now you can identify a particular folder or disk drive to share,which means you can share a folder that both you and yourfamily member/colleaque needs toaccess occassionally. You can also shareyour CD-ROM drive for others to use ifyour other computer does not have CD-ROM. Both of these processes are thesame. Only the disk drives and foldersthat you specifically identify as sharedwill be accessible to other computers onyour network.9. Locate the disk drive or folder you wantto share in Windows Explorer or theMy Computer icon on your desktop.10. Right-click on the disk drive or folderand select Sharing.
42User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX11. Select Share As: to set the parameters for sharing this particulardisk drive or folder.12. The Share Name: box is used to identify the disk drive or folderyou are sharing to other computers on the network, which canbe helpful as more resources on your network for others.13. The Comment: box is optional, which can be used to furtherdescribe the disk drive or folder for others on the network.14. Access Type: allows you to designate how much someone elsecan do with this disk drive or folder. Read-Only only allowsothers to look at or open the files on the disk drive or in thefolder. Full allows others to read, write, open, save, copy,move, and even delete files on the disk or in the folder. Dependson Password gives other computers access conditional on thepassword they provide.15. Passwords: allow you to apply a level of security to your shareddisk drives and folders. Any other computer (user) will be asked
43User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOXto enter the password you designate here before accessing thedisk drive or folder. Two passwords are used to give two levelsof security (or access) to others on the network using theDepends on Password setting. Leaving the Password boxesempty will give everyone on the network access to the diskdrive or folder.16. Click OK to continue. You will be prompted to enter thepassword(s) you provided for verification. Type the password(s) just as you entered them again.17. Now you may access this disk drive or folder from anothercomputer on your network. You may do so by double-clickingthe My Network Places icon on your desktop or inside WindowsExplorer.18. Navigate to the computer with the shared disk drive or folder(recognized by the Computer Name you provided) and double-click. Now you should see the disk drive or folder, and double-click. If you specified a password when sharing this disk drive orfolder, you will be asked for the password.19. You can access a disk drive or folder shared over the networkfrom most Windows® 98/ME/2000 applications. You can mapthese disk drives and folers to a drive letter on another computerto make this process easier. For example, on a computer whereyou are accessing a shared folder from another computer, insideWindows Explorer right-click and select Map Network Drive.Now you are able to assign an available drive letter. CheckingReconnect at logon allows Windows to map this network driveeach time when you start your computer.
44User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX4.8 Use Windows® XP as Access PointWindows® XP provides an feature in the Control Panel to help tolink two networks..1. In the Control Panel, select Network Connections and the windowbelow will appear.2. Select Wireless Network Connection and Local Area Connectionsimultaneously, and right click to select Bridge Connections.
45User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX3. Then go to Start -> Run. Enter cmd in the Open box, the clickOK. A DOS prompt window appears.4. Then type net bridge show adapter.5. Then type netsh bridge set adapter X forcecompatmode=enable,where X is your ethernet identifier.6. Then type netsh bridge set adapter Y forcecompatmode=enable,where Y is your wireless identifier.
46User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX7. Right click the Wireless Network Connection icon in the rightbottom of system bar, choose View Available Wireless Network---> Advanced. You will get Wireless Network ConnectionProperties window. Click Add button to add a new wireless networkconnection.
47User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX8. Enter the namae for this new network in the Network name(SSID):, and put a check mark next to This is a computer-to-computer (ad-hoc) network; wireless access point are not used.In this case, this computer will function as an access point, whileother computers can use this network name (which is “aaa” inthe picture below) to connect to. Once they connect successfully,they could access the ethernet LAN via Network Neighborhood.
48User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX5. TroubleshootingThis part describes the problems and corresponding solutions ofdriver installation.To check if the wireless network adapter drivers are loaded properly:1. Go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel.2. Double-click on System.
49User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX3. Click on the Device Manager Tab.4. Click on the “+” symbol in front of Network Adapters.5. Highlight MSI PC2PC WLAN Card.6. Click on Properties.
50User’s Guide MS-6978 WLAN BOX7. Check under Device Status to see if the MSI PC2PC WLAN Cardis working properly.
51User’s GuideMS-6978 WLAN BOX6. Technical SupportMicro-Star International provides free technical support. If a problemarises with your system and no solution can be obtained from thisuser’s manual, please contact your place of purchase or localdistributor. Alternatively, please try the following help resourcesfor further guidance.Visit the MSI website for FAQ, technical guide, driver andsoftware updates, and other information: http://www.msi.com.tw/Contact our technical staff at: support@msi.com.tw

Navigation menu