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Sony PCWA-C100 Owner's Manual

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P C W A - C 1 0 0 - M i c r o s o f t
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  • Page 1 Wireless LAN PC Card ® ® P C W A - C 1 0 0 - M i c r o s o f t W i n d o w s ® ® S e c o n d E d i t i o n / M i c r o s o f t W i n d o w s ®...

  • Page 2: Owner's Record

    Owner's record The model and serial numbers are located on the backside. Record the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to the below numbers whenever you call your Sony dealer regarding this product. Model No. PCWA-C100 Serial No.______________ Regulatory information This product complies with the European Directive 1999/5/EC (R&TTE Directive).

  • Page 3: About The Supplied Software

    ❑ In no event will SONY be liable for any financial damage or loss of profits, including claims made by third parties, arising out of the use of the software supplied with this product.

  • Page 4: Safety Information

    Opening the unit, for whatever reason, could lead to damages that are not covered by the guarantee. ❑ To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose your Sony Wireless LAN PC Card to rain or moisture. ✍ The illustrations in this manual may differ from the actual software.

  • Page 5: What You Can Do With Your Wireless Lan Pc Card

    What you can do with your Wireless LAN PC Card You can build a Wireless LAN (Local Area Network) using the PCWA-C100 Wireless LAN PC Card. The Wireless LAN PC Card can be used with or without the PCWA-A200 Wireless LAN Access Point, hereinafter referred to as the Access Point.
  • Page 6 Overview About the supplied software The Wireless LAN PC Card is delivered with the following software: ❑ Wireless Palette: You can set up a computer containing the Wireless LAN PC Card for communications with the Access Point, display the communication status, and switch between Access Points when multiple Access Points are present.
  • Page 7 The required tasks depend on the state of your Access Point and Wireless LAN PC Card. The table below lists their states and tasks required for building a wireless LAN environment. If you are already using a Sony Wireless LAN product, make sure you check the product's version. See the Confirming your software version (page 56) section to check the version.

  • Page 8: System Requirements

    Overview New Wireless LAN PC Card Wireless LAN PC Card in use In use 1. Insert the Wireless LAN PC Card into a computer, To communicate with an Access Point previously set up the Windows-based environment and install used in another wireless LAN environment from a the software.
  • Page 9 Overview ® ® ❑ Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, English version ® ® ❑ (Does not operate under Microsoft Windows 3.1, 95, 98 or NT. Also, operation is not guaranteed under all upgraded environments.) ❑ Display: SVGA (800 x 600 pixels) and above, (supports High Color (16 bit) and above) ✍...

  • Page 10: About This Manual

    About this manual About this manual This manual explains the operation of the Wireless LAN PC Card and the installation and setup of the ® ® ® supplied software when using Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Millennium Edition or Windows ®...
  • Page 11 About the online help About the online help The Wireless LAN PC Card has three Help files: ❑ Wireless Palette Help ❑ Custom Access Point Setup Utility Help ❑ Upgrade Manual The Upgrade Manual explains procedures for upgrading the Access Point's firmware, the Wireless LAN PC Card Driver, and the Basic/Custom Access Point Setup Utility.
  • Page 12 About the online help Searching for information by using a keyword To search for a topic using a keyword, proceed as follows: To search using a keyword, select the Index tab from the Help dialog box. The Keyword list appears. Enter the keyword you want to apply, or scroll down the Keyword list.

  • Page 13: Getting Started

    Getting started Getting started Unpacking your wireless LAN PC Card Your Wireless LAN PC Card is delivered with the following items: ❑ Wireless LAN PC Card ❑ PC card case ❑ CD-ROM (Setup disc) ❑ Operating Instructions Locating the indicators DATA indicator Lights up when data is exchanged.

  • Page 14: Description Of The Indicators

    Getting started Description of the indicators Data Link Description Flashing (green) Lit (green) Normal communications. Fast Flashing (green) Lit (green) Peer to Peer mode. Lit (green) The PC Card is powered, but no communication is taking place. Flashing at 10 sec intervals The PC Card is operating, but no connection is established.
  • Page 15 Getting started ✍ If your computer has two PC card slots, insert the Wireless LAN PC Card into the top slot. Inserting it into the bottom slot blocks the top slot with its antenna. Before using the Wireless LAN PC Card, turn off System Suspend mode or System Hibernation mode using the PowerPanel software. While the computer is in System Suspend mode or System Hibernation mode, the Wireless LAN PC Card may not be recognized when it is removed and reinserted.

  • Page 16: Installing The Driver Software

    Getting started Installing the driver software Install the driver software for the Wireless LAN PC Card. The installation procedure requires the availability of a CD-ROM drive when the Wireless LAN PC Card is inserted. If your computer has two PC Card slots and your CD-ROM drive must be connected through one of them, connect the CD-ROM drive to the bottom slot.
  • Page 17 Getting started ❑ When installing from the provided CD-ROM by using a CD-ROM drive connected to the computer: Select the Win98 folder in the WirelessLAN folder on the CD-ROM drive. ❑ When installing after having copied the contents of the provided CD-ROM to your hard disk: Browse to the appropriate subdirectory containing the driver.
  • Page 18 Getting started Click Next to install the driver. A new window appears when the driver has been installed. Click Finish. Follow the on-screen instructions to restart the computer. ✍ Restarting the computer takes longer than booting. ® To install the driver when using Windows 2000 Professional, proceed as follows: Insert the supplied CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.

  • Page 19: Verifying The Driver Installation

    The Control Panel window appears. Double-click the PC Card (PCMCIA) icon. The PC Card (PCMCIA) Properties dialog box appears. Make sure that Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card is displayed under Socket Status. Click OK. The PC Card (PCMCIA) Properties dialog box closes.
  • Page 20 The Control Panel window appears. Double-click the PC Card (PCMCIA) icon. The PC Card (PCMCIA) Properties dialog box appears. Make sure that Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card is displayed under Socket Status. Click OK. The PC Card (PCMCIA) Properties dialog box closes.
  • Page 21 The Wireless LAN PC Card is not working properly in the following cases: ❑ Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card is shown with a yellow question or exclamation mark. Click Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card and click Remove. Then repeat from step 2 in Installing the driver software (page 15).

  • Page 22: Uninstalling The Driver

    15). ❑ If the Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card is not displayed in the PC Card (PCMCIA) Properties dialog box, the Wireless LAN PC Card is not working properly. Repeat steps 1 through 4 in the next sections to verify the driver’s installation. Click Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card, then click Remove to remove the driver.
  • Page 23 The System Properties dialog box appears. Click the Device Manager tab and select View devices by type. Double-click Network adapters, select Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card, and then click Remove. Make sure that the Device Removal dialog box appears. Click OK.
  • Page 24 The Device Manager window appears. From the View menu, select Devices by type. Double-click Network adapters, and then double-click Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card. The Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card Properties dialog box appears. Click the Driver tab, and then click Uninstall.
  • Page 25 Click the Configuration tab to verify the settings. Make sure that the following items are displayed under The following network components are installed. ❑ TCP/IP -> Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card ❑ Client for Microsoft Networks ❑ File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks ❑...
  • Page 26 Installing NetBEUI is optional. Install it only when you use NetBEUI protocol on your network. Adding TCP/IP If TCP/IP -> Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card is not displayed in step 3 above, proceed as follows: Click Add on the Configuration tab.
  • Page 27 Internet, use some firewall software. Adding NetBEUI (Option) If NetBEUI -> Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card is not displayed in step 3, proceed as follows: From the Configuration tab, click Add. The Select Network Component Type dialog box appears.

  • Page 28: Specifying The Ip Address

    Specifying the IP address To specify the IP address, proceed as follows: Click TCP/IP -> Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card, and then click Properties on the Network dialog box. The TCP/IP Properties dialog box appears. If TCP/IP is not displayed, go back to the section Adding TCP/IP to add TCP/IP, then return here to continue.
  • Page 29 Setting up the Windows-based environment (Windows® 98 Second Edition) Verifying the computer name and workgroup Computer names are displayed on the status indication window of the Wireless Palette. To verify the computer name and workgroup, proceed as follows: Click the Identification tab on the Network dialog box, and then enter the Computer name and Workgroup.
  • Page 30 Click the Configuration tab to verify the settings. Make sure that the following items are displayed under The following network components are installed. ❑ TCP/IP -> Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card ❑ Client for Microsoft Networks ❑ File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks ❑...
  • Page 31 Installing NetBEUI is optional. Install it only when you use NetBEUI protocol on your network. Adding TCP/IP If TCP/IP -> Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card is not displayed in step 3 above, proceed as follows: Click Add on the Configuration tab.
  • Page 32 Internet, use some firewall software. Adding NetBEUI (Option) If NetBEUI -> Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card is not displayed in step 3, proceed as follows: From the Configuration tab, click Add. The Select Network Component Type dialog box appears.
  • Page 33 Specifying the IP address To specify the IP address, proceed as follows: Click TCP/IP -> Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless PC Card, then click Properties on the Network dialog box. The TCP/IP Properties dialog box appears. If TCP/IP is not displayed, go back to the Adding TCP/IP...
  • Page 34 Setting up the Windows-based environment (Windows® Millennium Edition) Click Yes to restart the computer. Proceed to the Setting up sharing on the computer (page 39) section, on completion of these instructions. ✍ Assign a unique name of up to 15 alphanumeric characters to every computer connected to the same LAN. Duplication of names will result in various problems, such as WirelessCapsule sending files to both computers.
  • Page 35 Setting up the Windows-based environment (Windows® 2000 Professional) Setting up the Windows-based environment ® (Windows 2000 Professional) Verifying the current network components To verify the current network components, proceed as follows: From the Start menu, select Settings, then Network and Dial-up Connections. The Network and Dial-up Connections window appears.
  • Page 36 Setting up the Windows-based environment (Windows® 2000 Professional) ✍ When multiple connection environments exist, multiple Local Area Connection icons are displayed. Locate the icon that appears as Sony PCWA- C100 Wireless PC Card, and double-click it. Installing NetBEUI is optional. Install it only when you use NetBEUI protocol on your network.
  • Page 37 Setting up the Windows-based environment (Windows® 2000 Professional) Adding File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks If File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is not displayed in step 2, proceed as follows: Click Install on the Local Area Connection Properties dialog box. The Select Network Component Type dialog box appears.
  • Page 38 Setting up the Windows-based environment (Windows® 2000 Professional) Specifying the IP address To specify the IP address, proceed as follows: Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) from the component list of the Local Area Connection Properties, then click Properties. The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box appears. Click Obtain an IP address automatically, then click OK.
  • Page 39 Setting up the Windows-based environment (Windows® 2000 Professional) Click OK. The You must reboot this computer for the changes to take effect message is displayed. Click OK. The System Properties dialog box appears. Click OK, then click Yes to restart the computer. Proceed to the Setting up sharing on the computer (page 39) section, upon completion of this setting.

  • Page 40: Installing Software

    Setting up sharing on the computer Setting up sharing on the computer Installing software Before installing the applications: ❑ Install and connect the Access Point ❑ Install the driver software ❑ Insert the Wireless LAN PC Card ❑ Quit all Windows® programs ®...
  • Page 41 Setting up sharing on the computer Select the folder where you want to install the software and click Next. The Setup Type dialog box appears. Select Standard then click Next. The software installation begins. If you are installing the Wireless LAN Utility for the first time, the Initial Wireless Network Registration Wizard will be activated.

  • Page 42: Uninstalling The Software

    Setting up sharing on the computer Select the software applications you want to install, then click Next. The software installation begins and the Maintenance Complete dialog box appears after installation is complete. Click Finish. To uninstall a specific software application, deselect the application you want to uninstall. Before you proceed the process, close the Wireless LAN Utility.
  • Page 43 Setting up sharing on the computer ® To uninstall the software when using Windows Millennium Edition, proceed as follows: From the Start menu, click Settings, and then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window appears. Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon. If all of the Control Panel options are not displayed, select View all Control Panel options, then double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  • Page 44 Setting up sharing on the computer Select Remove, and then click Next. The Confirm File Deletion dialog box appears. Click OK. When the Locked file detected dialog box appears, click Reboot. The computer restarts once uninstallation is completed and all previously used files are deleted. If the Shared file detected dialog box appears, it is recommended that you click No to keep shared files.

  • Page 45: Wireless Lan Connection

    Wireless LAN connection Wireless LAN connection Setting up the connection environment This section explains how to set up the software for building a wireless LAN environment with the Access Point. To set up the connection environment, proceed as follows: Use the Wireless Palette software to register the Access Point to every computer that you want to connect in a wireless LAN.
  • Page 46 Wireless LAN connection ❑ Install and connect the Access Point. (Refer to the Access Point Operating Instructions.) ❑ Insert the Wireless LAN PC Card into the computer. To establish the communication with the Access Point, proceed as follows: Double-click the Reception level indicator icon on the taskbar.
  • Page 47 Wireless LAN connection ✍ The roaming function allows the creation of a wireless network using several Access Points. With this function when a wireless LAN client moves away from the currently connected Access Point, it will automatically switch its connection to a nearby Access Point, thus maintaining connection to the network.
  • Page 48 Wireless LAN connection Establishing a wireless LAN environment without using the Access Point (Peer to Peer mode) To establish a wireless LAN environment without using the Access Point, follow the steps in this section on only one of the computers of the wireless LAN. On the other computers, perform the procedure described in the Establishing communication with the Access Point (page 44) section.

  • Page 49: Setting Up The Access Point

    Wireless LAN connection Verifying communication with the Access Point To verify communication with the Access Point, proceed as follows: Double-click the Reception level indicator icon on the taskbar. The Wireless Pallete status window appears. Verify the Nickname. The Nickname identifies the Access Point with which the computer has a connection. Verify that the Nickname you entered, is displayed.
  • Page 50 Wireless LAN connection ❑ When using the roaming function, you cannot change settings using the Basic Access Point Setup Utility. Please use the Custom Access Point Setup Utility. For information on the usage of the Custom Access Point Setup Utility, see its Help. To set up the Access Point, proceed as follows: From the Start menu, select Programs, Wireless LAN, and then Basic Access Point Setup Utility.
  • Page 51 Wireless LAN connection ❑ If there are two or more Access Points close together, assign a unique channel number to avoid radio interference. ❑ The factory-default Encryption Key of the access point is the last five digits of the Access Point ID. ❑...
  • Page 52 Wireless LAN connection Click Upload. The settings are uploaded to the Access Point. Please wait until the Access Point's Power indicator turns green. When the confirmation dialog box appears, click Finish to exit. ✍ If you select Cable Modem or LAN, set up the device for an Internet connection. DSL Modem (PPPoE) mode: When the Enter DSL Modem (PPPoE) Connection Parameters dialog box appears, proceed as follows: Enter the Account ID and Password provided by your Internet service provider, then choose the...

  • Page 53: Copying A File From Another Computer

    Wireless LAN connection Click Upload. When the confirmation dialog box appears, click Finish to exit. This completes the software setup. The Wireless LAN environment is complete. Now you can copy a file from another computer on the Wireless LAN or connect to the Internet. Copying a file from another computer Once you have verified the network connection using the Wireless Palette, you can copy a file from another computer on the LAN.
  • Page 54 Wireless LAN connection Transferring files using drag and drop (WirelessCapsule) You can transfer files to other computers that are connected to the Wireless LAN by dragging and dropping them on the Wireless Palette. This function is called the WirelessCapsule. To transfer files to other computers connected to the Wireless LAN, proceed as follows: Right-click the Reception level indicator icon on the taskbar, click on Capsule Setup to view the WirelessCapsule Setup screen and make sure that Enable the WirelessCapsule is selected (The icon may...
  • Page 55 Wireless LAN connection The following restrictions apply when transferring files using drag and drop. ❑ If you send a file with the read-only attribute, the read-only attribute is lost when the file arrives at the receiving computer. ❑ Folders cannot be transferred. ❑...

  • Page 56: Connecting To The Internet

    Wireless LAN connection Connecting to the Internet When you are through with all settings described in Setting up the connection environment (page 44), you can connect to the Internet. LAN (ISDN Router): To connect to the Internet, proceed as follows: Start your browser and make the connection through your ISDN router (For details, see the ISDN router manual).

  • Page 57: Additional Information

    Additional information Additional information Confirming your software version When the Wireless Palette is already installed on the computer you are using, confirm the version by using the following procedure, and upgrade the version if necessary. ❑ Access Point Firmware version (indicated by Wireless Access Point Version) ❑...
  • Page 58 Additional information Recommended upgrade of the PCWA-C100 Wireless LAN PC Card driver The latest version of the PC Card Driver is bundled with this software. If you are using an older version, it is recommended that you upgrade the driver. PC Card indicates the PC Card Driver version.
  • Page 59 Additional information Select Sony PCWA-C100 Wireless Card. Click Release. Click Renew. Verify that the IP address obtained is suitable for your network environment. ® To release and obtain an IP address when using Windows 2000 Professional, proceed as follows: Remove the Access Point from a LAN.

  • Page 60: Getting Help

    Getting Help This section describes how to get help and support from Sony, as well as troubleshooting tips for your Wireless LAN PC Card. Sony's support options Sony provides several support options for your computer.

  • Page 61: Troubleshooting

    Additional information Troubleshooting Read the Troubleshooting section of this guide before contacting VAIO-Link. Also, in Wireless Palette Help and Custom Access Point Setup Utility Help, there is a troubleshooting section where frequently asked questions are summarized. If you still cannot resolve the problem, go to : http:/www.vaio-link.com. Accessing the Wireless Palette Help and Custom Access Point Setup Utility Help: Troubleshooting is provided in the Additional Information section of the Help files.
  • Page 62 Additional information ❑ Communication between the Access Point and your computer are not established. Check the communication status using the Wireless Palette. ❑ The Access Point is not properly configured. Configure the Access Point with the connection mode of your choice using one of the Access Point setup utilities. ❑...
  • Page 63 Additional information Use the Access Point Setup Utility to make settings for the Access Point. The Wireless Palette still shows the previous computer name after a change. ❑ The Access Point has not yet recognized the new computer name. Click the Nickname of the Access Point in the Tool Box window of the Wireless Palette, then click Select.

  • Page 64: Specifications

    Additional information Specifications Protocol support TCP/IP Standard IEEE802.11b/IEEE802.11 Radio frequency 2.4 GHz Modulation method DS-SS (IEEE802.11 compliant) Encryption (WEP) 64-bit encryption (40-bit shared key) Power requirements 5 V AC (supplied from the computer through the PC card adapter) Current Peak current at transmission: 280 mA Peak current at reception: 180 mA Connector PC card slot Type-II...
  • Page 65 192.168.0.1 (IP address) to identify a computer. However, since the IP address is rather hard to memorize, DNS was developed to allow a name like www.sony.com to identify a computer for convenience. DNS servers manage these translations from host names into IP addresses.
  • Page 66 Additional information PPPoE PPPoE is a software protocol that uses a DSL modem to access the Internet. With PPPoE, the client does not set a static IP address. Instead, an IP address is (PPP over Ethernet) assigned dynamically whenever the client accesses the Internet. Protocol The formal specifications that define the procedures for computers to follow when transmitting and receiving data.

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