Appendix A: Troubleshooting; Common Problems And Solutions; Frequently Asked Questions - Linksys WPC55AG User Manual

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

This chapter provides solutions to problems that may occur during the installa-
tion and operation of the Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter. Read
the descriptions below to solve your problems. If you can't find an answer here,
check the Linksys website at www.linksys.com.

Common Problems and Solutions

1. My computer does not recognize the Adapter.
Make sure that the Adapter is properly inserted into the PCMCIA slot. Note
that the card can be inserted either way, but is correct only when it is insert-
ed with the arrow on the front of the card up. If in doubt, try inserting the
card both ways. The card will slide in further when it is correct.
2. The Adapter does not work properly.
• Reinsert the Adapter into your notebook's PCMCIA slot. A beep should be
heard if the card is properly inserted.
• For non-Windows environments, make sure that a PCMCIA card service
driver is installed on your PC.
• Open the Control Panel and click on the PC Card. Check whether it has a
PCMCIA card in one of the sockets or not. If you find the Adapter in one of
the sockets, it means the card has been detected properly. If you see a yellow
question mark, the resources are conflicting.
• Right-click on My Computer and select Properties. Select the device man-
ager and click the Adapter. You will find the Adapter if it is installed suc-
cessfully. If you see the yellow exclamation mark, the resources are conflict-
ing. Click PCMCIA card and then click PCMCIA card service. You will
see the status of the Adapter. If there is a yellow question mark, please check
the following:
• Make sure that your notebook has a free IRQ.
• Make sure that you have inserted the right card and installed the
proper driver.
If the Adapter does not function after attempting the above steps, remove the
card and do the following:
• Uninstall the driver software from your PC.
• Restart your PC and repeat the hardware and software installation as
specified in this User Guide.
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3. I cannot communicate with the other computers linked via the Ethernet in the
Infrastructure configuration.
• Make sure that the notebook PC to which the Adapter is associated is pow-
ered on.
• Make sure that your Adapter is configured on the same channel and with the
same security options as the other computers in the Infrastructure configura-
tion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run an application from a remote computer over the wireless network?
This will depend on whether or not the application is designed to be used over
a network. Consult the application's user guide to determine if it supports oper-
ation over a network.
Can I play computer games with other members of the wireless network?
Yes, as long as the game supports multiple players over a LAN (local area net-
work). Refer to the game's user guide for more information.
What is the IEEE 802.11a standard?
It is one of the IEEE standards for wireless networks. The 802.11a standard
allows wireless networking hardware from different manufacturers to commu-
nicate, provided that the hardware complies with the 802.11a standard. The
802.11a standard states a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an oper-
ating frequency of 5GHz.
What is the IEEE 802.11b standard?
It is one of the IEEE standards for wireless networks. The 802.11b standard
allows wireless networking hardware from different manufacturers to commu-
nicate, provided that the hardware complies with the 802.11b standard. The
802.11b standard states a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an oper-
ating frequency of 2.4GHz.
What IEEE 802.11a features are supported?
The product supports the following IEEE 802.11a functions:
• OFDM protocol
• Multi-Channel Roaming
• Automatic Rate Selection
• RTS/CTS feature
• Fragmentation
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