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Dell TrueMobile 1180 User Manual

Internal 802.11b pc card
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Dell™ TrueMobile™ 1180 Internal 802.11b
PC Card User's Guide
Introduction
Completing the Setup
Using the Dell™ TrueMobile™ 1180 Wireless Utility
Specifications
Regulatory Information
Troubleshooting
Glossary
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2000–2003 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.
The copying or reproducing of any material in this document in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of
Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden.
The trademarks Dell, Latitude, Inspiron, the DELL logo, and TrueMobile are trademarks of Dell Computer
Corporation. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and
names or their products. Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Initial Release: January 2003
DL1180-UG101-R

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Summary of Contents for Dell TrueMobile 1180

  • Page 1 Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own. Initial Release: January 2003...

  • Page 2: Before You Begin

    Things you should know When you start your computer, your Dell™ TrueMobile™ 1180 internal 802.11b PC Card detects certain wireless networks that are within range. Before you can connect to these and other wireless networks, you must configure a profile for each network using the information you obtained from your network administrator.
  • Page 3 Back to top Back to Contents Please read copyright and trademark information.
  • Page 4 802.11b PC Card already installed and set up at the factory, follow the network profile configuration instructions provided below. If this is not the case, first verify that the Dell TrueMobile 1180 card has been properly installed in your computer according to the installation instructions.
  • Page 5 You can configure a network profile for networks that are listed in the Available networks list as well as networks that are not listed. When you have completed configuring a network profile, the network name and icon appear at the top of the Preferred networks list.
  • Page 6 1. After opening the utility, select the network from the Available networks list and click Configure. 2. Click OK in the Wireless Network Properties box. 3. The network name and icon appear at the top of the Preferred networks list. Wait up to one minute for the network connection to be made.
  • Page 7 Configuring a profile for a listed network that requires a WEP key (Windows 2000 environment) 1. After opening the utility, select the network from the Available networks list and click Configure.
  • Page 8 2. Select the Data encryption (WEP enabled) box. 3. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box. 4. Type the network key in the Network key box. NOTE—You do not need to select the Key format or the Key length before typing the network key. These settings automatically change to the appropriate setting as you type the network key.
  • Page 9 6. The network name and icon appear at the top of the Preferred networks list. Wait up to one minute for the network connection to be made. Your computer is connected to the selected network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that network.
  • Page 10 Configuring a profile for a network that is not listed and does not require a WEP key (Windows 2000 environment) 1. After opening the utility, click Add.
  • Page 11 2. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box. 3. Click OK.
  • Page 12 4. The network name and icon appear at the top of the Preferred networks list. Wait up to one minute for the network connection to be made. Your computer is connected to the added network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that network.
  • Page 13 Configuring a profile for a network that is not listed and requires a WEP key (Windows 2000 environment) 1. After opening the utility, click Add.
  • Page 14 2. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box. 3. Select the Data encryption (WEP enabled) box. 4. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box. 5. Type the network key in the Network key box. NOTE—You do not need to select the Key format or the Key length before typing the network key.
  • Page 15 7. The network name and icon appear at the top of the Preferred networks list. Wait up to one minute for the network connection to be made. Your computer is connected to the added network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that network.
  • Page 16 802.11b PC Card already installed and set up at the factory, follow the network profile configuration instructions provided below. If this is not the case, first verify that the Dell TrueMobile 1180 card has been properly installed in your computer according to the installation instructions.
  • Page 17 Classic View of Control Panel, go to the next step. 3. Double-click the Network Connections icon. 4. Right-click Dell TrueMobile 1180 Internal 802.11b PC Card in the LAN or High-Speed Internet area and click Properties. 5. If the Wireless Networks tab is not on top, Click the Wireless Networks tab.
  • Page 18 Configuring a profile for a listed network that does not require a WEP key Configuring a profile for a listed network that requires a WEP key Configuring a profile for an network that is not listed and does not require a WEP key Configuring a profile for an network that is not listed and requires a WEP key Configuring a profile for a listed network that does not require a WEP key (Windows XP environment)
  • Page 19 Configuring a profile for a listed network that requires a WEP key (Windows XP environment) 1. After opening the utility, select the network from the Available networks list and click Configure.
  • Page 20 2. In the Wireless Network Properties box, select the Data encryption (WEP enabled) box. 3. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box. 4. Type the network key in the Network key box. NOTE—You do not need to select the Key format or the Key length before typing the network key. These settings automatically change to the appropriate setting as you type the network key.
  • Page 21 6. The network name and icon appear at the top of the Preferred networks list. Wait up to one minute for the network connection to be made. Your computer is connected to the selected network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that network.
  • Page 22 Configuring a profile for a network that is not listed and does not require a WEP key (Windows XP environment) 1. After opening the utility, click Add.
  • Page 23 2. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box. 3. Click OK.
  • Page 24 4. The network name and icon appear at the top of the Preferred networks list. Wait up to one minute for the network connection to be made. Your computer is connected to the added network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that network.
  • Page 25 Configuring a profile for a network that is not listed and requires a WEP key (Windows XP environment) 1. After opening the utility, click Add.
  • Page 26 2. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box. 3. Select the Data encryption (WEP enabled) box. 4. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box. 5. Type the network key in the Network key box. NOTE—You do not need to select the Key format or the Key length before typing the network key.
  • Page 27 7. The network name and icon appear at the top of the Preferred networks list. Wait up to one minute for the network connection to be made. Your computer is connected to the added network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that network.
  • Page 28 Back to top Back to Contents Please read copyright and trademark information.
  • Page 29 Wireless Networks tab in the Wireless Configuration box that appears when the utility is open. To open the utility in the Windows® 2000 environment 1. From the desktop, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel. 2. Double-click the TrueMobile 1180 wireless utility icon...
  • Page 30 2. If you are looking at the Category View of Control Panel, click Switch to Classic View. If you are looking at the Classic View of Control Panel, go to the next step. 3. Double-click the Network Connections icon. 4. Right-click Dell TrueMobile 1180 Internal 802.11b PC Card in the LAN or High-Speed Internet area and click Properties.
  • Page 31 Adding a new network to the list of preferred networks Your computer automatically connects to the network at the top of the Preferred networks list. You must configure a network profile for each network that you want to add to the Preferred networks list. To add a new network to the list of preferred networks in the Windows 2000 environment, first check to see if the new network is listed in the Available networks list of the Wireless Networks tab of the utility.
  • Page 32 1. Open the TrueMobile 1180 wireless utility. a. From the desktop, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel. b. Double-click the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility icon. 2. Click the Link Status tab in the Wireless Configuration box.
  • Page 33 Classic View of Control Panel, go to the next step. c. Double-click the Network Connections icon. d. Double-click Dell TrueMobile 1180 Internal 802.11b PC Card in the LAN or High-Speed Internet area. 2. Click the Link Status tab in the Wireless Configuration box.
  • Page 34 The quality of the connection (signal strength) is indicated graphically by the color of the vertical bars in the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility icon and is indicated verbally by the description (in this case, Excellent). Three vertical green bars indicate that the signal strength is very good or excellent. Two vertical green bars indicate that the signal is good.
  • Page 35 Utility icon and click Enable Radio. These graphical link status indicators are also shown on the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility icon in the system tray. The verbal description of the signal strength appears when you hover the cursor over the icon.
  • Page 36 4. From the Wireless Network Properties box, you can enable or disable WEP data encryption and change the network name and network key (see the Completing the setup section for instructions).
  • Page 37 View of Control Panel, click Switch to Classic View. b. Double-click the Network Connections icon. c. Right-click Dell TrueMobile 1180 Internal 802.11b PC Card in the LAN or High-Speed Internet area and click Properties. 2. If it is not already on top, click the Wireless Networks tab.
  • Page 38 5. From the Wireless Networks Properties box, you can enable or disable WEP data encryption and change the network name and the network key (see the Completing the setup section for instructions).
  • Page 39 (ICS) component. ICS installation is not required, however, for communication among a group of computers that have a Dell TrueMobile 1180 PC Card installed in each computer. You must also add an ad hoc network to the Preferred networks list on the Wireless Networks tab of the Wireless Configuration box that appears when the TrueMobile 1180 wireless utility is open.
  • Page 40 Adding an ad hoc network that does not require a WEP key (Windows 2000 environment) 1. To add an ad hoc network to the Preferred networks list, open the TrueMobile 1180 wireless utility. a. From the desktop, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
  • Page 41 4. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box. 5. Select the This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network: wireless access points are not used box. 6. Click OK.
  • Page 42 7. Wait up to one minute for the network connection to be made. Your computer is connected to the added network when you see a bubble on top of the icon for that network.
  • Page 43 Adding an ad hoc network that requires a WEP key (Windows 2000 environment) 1. To add an ad hoc network to the Preferred networks list, open the TrueMobile 1180 wireless utility. a. From the desktop, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
  • Page 44 4. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box. 5. Select the Data encryption (WEP enabled) box. 6. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box. 7. Type the network key in the Network key box. NOTE—You do not need to select the Key format or the Key length before typing the network key.
  • Page 45 10. Wait up to one minute for the network connection to be made. Your computer is connected to the added network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that network.
  • Page 46 WEP key (Windows XP environment) 1. To add an ad hoc network to the Preferred networks list, open the TrueMobile 1180 wireless utility. a. From the desktop, click the Start button and click Control Panel. If you are looking at the Category View of Control Panel, click Switch to Classic View.
  • Page 47 5. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box. 6. Select the This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network: wireless access points are not used box. 7. Click OK.
  • Page 48 (Windows XP environment) 1. To add an ad hoc network to the Preferred networks list, open the TrueMobile 1180 wireless utility. a. From the desktop, click the Start button and click Control Panel. If you are looking at the Category View of Control Panel, click Switch to Classic View.
  • Page 49 5. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box. 6. Select the Data encryption (WEP enabled) box. 7. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box. 8. Type the network key in the Network key box. NOTE—You do not need to select the Key format or the Key length before typing the network key.

  • Page 50: Disabling The Radio

    Disabling the radio To disable the radio on your Dell TrueMobile 1180 internal 802.11b PC Card, right-click the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility icon in the system tray and click Disable Radio. To enable the radio, right-click the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility icon and click Enable Radio.
  • Page 51 You can run a number of diagnostics on your Dell TrueMobile 1180 wireless device to verify its operational and functional status. NOTE—Your network connection is lost when you run the diagnostics. When the test run is over, your network connection is automatically reestablished.
  • Page 52 Diagnostics (Windows XP environment) 1. To begin running the diagnostics, open the TrueMobile 1180 wireless utility. a. From the desktop, click the Start button and click Control Panel. If you are looking at the Category View of Control Panel, click Switch to Classic View.
  • Page 53 6. If your Dell TrueMobile 1180 internal 802.11b PC Card fails any of the diagnostics tests, see the Troubleshooting section. Back to top Back to Contents Please read copyright and trademark information.

  • Page 54: Cannot Connect To The Network

    Cannot connect to the network If your Dell™ TrueMobile™ 1180 wireless device appears to be functioning properly but you cannot connect to the network, the problem may be that there is a mismatch between the Network name (SSID) and Wireless network key (WEP) settings in your Wireless Network Properties and the name and WEP key of the network you are trying to connect to.
  • Page 55 Microwave ovens and some cordless phones operate at the same radio frequency as the very slow. TrueMobile 1180 PC Cards. When the microwave oven or cordless phone is in use, it interferes with the wireless network. Therefore, keep computers having the TrueMobile 1180 PC Card at least 20 feet away from your microwave oven and any cordless telephone that operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz.

  • Page 56: Getting Help

    PC Card. To disable the radio on your Windows 2000 only. PC Card, right click on the Dell TrueMobile 1180 utility icon icon in the system tray and click Disable Radio. NOTE—The radio is not automatically enabled when you computer next starts.

  • Page 57: Physical Characteristics

    Back to Contents Specifications: Dell™ TrueMobile™ 1180 PC Card User's Guide Physical characteristics Temperature and humidity limitations Power characteristics Networking characteristics Radio characteristics Physical characteristics Form factor PCMCIA/CardBus Dimensions (length, width) 110x54x6 mm Temperature and humidity limitations Operating 0 to 85°C...

  • Page 58: Networking Characteristics

    Medium 5.5 Mbps Standard 2 Mbps 1 Mbps NOTE—The Dell TrueMobile 1180 internal 802.11b PC Card uses an automatic transmit rate select mechanism Radio characteristics Table 1. RF (radio frequency) band: 2.4 GHz (2400–2500 MHz) Modulation technique Direct sequence spread spectrum...
  • Page 59 59 m 74 m 90 m 115 m Semi-open office environment range (194 ft) (244 ft) (300 ft) (375 ft) 29 m 36 m 40 m 50 m Closed office environment range (96 ft) (119 ft) (130 ft) (165 ft) Receiver sensitivity –85 dBm –88 dBm...

  • Page 60: Information For The User

    If you are uncertain of the policy that applies to the use of wireless devices in a specific organization or environment (an airport, for example), you are encouraged to ask for authorization to use the Dell TrueMobile 1180 wireless device before...

  • Page 61: Regulatory Information

    Dell Computer Corporation is not responsible for any radio or television interference caused by unauthorized modification of the devices included with this Dell TrueMobile 1180 kit, or the substitution or attachment of connecting cables and equipment other than that specified by Dell Computer Corporation. The correction of interference caused by such unauthorized modification, substitution or attachment is the responsibility of the user.
  • Page 62 This requirement is likely to change over time, allowing to use your wireless LAN card in more areas within France. Please check with ART for the latest information (www.art-telecom.fr) NOTE—Your Dell TrueMobile wireless LAM PC Card transmits less than 100 mW, but more than 10 mW.

  • Page 63: Usa-Federal Communications Commission (Fcc)

    Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. NOTE—This Dell TrueMobile 1180 wireless network device must be installed and used in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions as described in the user documentation that comes with the product. Any other installation or use will violate FCC Part 15 regulations.
  • Page 64 Back to the top Back to Contents Please read copyright and trademark information.
  • Page 65 Networks tab of the Wireless Configuration box that appears when the TrueMobile 1180 wireless utility is open. Any wireless network that is broadcasting and is within receiving range of the Dell TrueMobile 1180 internal 802.11b PC Card appears on the list.
  • Page 66 One of the networks that you have configured. Such networks appear in the Preferred networks list on the Wireless Networks tab of the Wireless Configuration box when the TrueMobile 1180 wireless utility is open. Service Set Identifier (SSID) A value that controls access to a wireless network. The SSID for your wireless network card must match the SSID for any access point that you want to connect with.

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