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Sony PCWA-C700 Operating Instructions Manual

Ieee802.11a/b dual band wireless pc card
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4-672-859-11(1)
Operating Instructions
IEEE802.11a/b Dual Band

Wireless PC Card

PCWA-C700
© 2003 Sony Corporation

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Summary of Contents for Sony PCWA-C700

  • Page 1: Wireless Pc Card

    4-672-859-11(1) Operating Instructions IEEE802.11a/b Dual Band Wireless PC Card PCWA-C700 © 2003 Sony Corporation...
  • Page 2 Record the serial number in the Model No: PCWA-C700 space provided below. Refer to them whenever Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc. you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this Address: 680 Kinderkamack Road, product. Oradell, NJ 07649 USA Model No.
  • Page 3 • 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: Table Of Contents

    Table of contents Additional information Overview ..........5 Capabilities ........5 Manually installing, verifying, and removing the supplied software ..49 System requirements ..... 9 Installing the Wireless LAN Documentation and Help file ....10 PC Card driver manually ..49 Getting started Installing the Wireless Panel manually ........

  • Page 5: Overview

    Access Point (Infrastructure) Network connection mode connection mode In this documentation, the IEEE802.11a/b Dual Band Wireless PC Card PCWA-C700 is referred to as the Wireless LAN PC Card. If using the separately available 5GHz Wireless LAN Access Point PCWA-A500 (February, 2003), refer also to the “Quick Start Guide” supplied with the unit.
  • Page 6 With Windows XP: Available Wireless Networks Windows XP Service Pack 1: Available Wireless Networks...
  • Page 7 Accessing the Internet from various points within your home (Access Point Network connection mode) With a separately available Access Point you can easily build a wireless network. By connecting a DSL modem, cable modem, or ISDN router to the Access Point, you can access the Internet from the living room, bedroom, or any other convenient location in the house.
  • Page 8 Smooth movie streaming playback* (in Peer to Peer Network connection mode) The Peer to Peer Network connection mode enables computers equipped with Wireless LAN PC Cards to communicate directly. This allows playback of streaming data and file sharing in locations where the Wireless LAN Access Point is not present.

  • Page 9: System Requirements

    • Correct operation in an OS upgrade environment is not assured, except for factory provided Windows XP upgrade packages for Sony VAIO series computers. • For Internet access via the wireless LAN, a 802.11a/b Wireless LAN Access Point (available separately) is required.

  • Page 10: Documentation And Help File

    Contains answers to frequently asked questions and commonly encountered problems. Go through the points in this guide before contacting the Sony Customer Information Services Center. Wireless Panel Online Help This is the Online Help of the supplied Wireless Panel software. Refer to it for instructions on how to use the software.

  • Page 11: Unpacking

    Unpacking Your Wireless LAN PC Card comes with the following items: • Wireless PC Card PCWA-C700 • CD-ROM (Setup disc) • Wireless LAN Quick Guide • Troubleshooting Guide • Operating Instructions • PC Card case • Warranty Card Supplied software The supplied CD-ROM contains the following software.

  • Page 12: Names Of Parts

    Names of parts 1 Indicator Indicator modes and operation status Color Lighting pattern Status Rapid flashing Communication in progress Green Communication standby (Communication is possible but no data are being sent or received.) Rapid flashing Communication in progress Orange Communication standby (Communication is possible but no data are being sent or received.) Connection not established...

  • Page 13: Inserting The Wireless Lan Pc Card

    Inserting the Wireless LAN PC Card This section explains how to insert the Wireless LAN PC Card into your computer and how to remove it. You do not need to turn off your computer when inserting or removing the Wireless LAN PC Card. Proceed as follows.

  • Page 14: To Remove The Wireless Lan Pc Card

    To remove the Wireless LAN PC Card Exit any software that uses the wireless LAN. Safely remove the hardware according to the documentation of your computer. Remove the Wireless LAN PC Card according to the documentation of your computer. If your computer has two PC Card slots Notes •...

  • Page 15: Installing The Supplied Software

    Installing the supplied software This section explains how to install the Wireless LAN PC Card driver and Wireless Panel. Before you start Make sure that you can use your CD-ROM drive. Important Computer Firewall Functions When using Windows XP’s “Internet Connection Firewall” Enabling the Windows XP “Internet Connection Firewall”...
  • Page 16 Note When using Windows 2000, log on with a user account listed in “Administrators”. When using Windows XP, log on as a user with administrator access privileges. Insert the supplied CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive of your computer. The installation wizard starts. Click “Install Driver and Software Utility”.

  • Page 17: Configuring The Wireless Lan Environment

    • You can also start the wizard at any time other than immediately after installation of the Wireless Panel. To do this, double-click “InitSetup.exe” in the folder where you installed the Wireless Panel. (The default location is “C:\Program Files\Sony\Wireless Panel”.) •...
  • Page 18 Using the product in Access Point (Infrastructure) Network connection mode Check the box “Use Easy Setup Wizard” and click “Next”. The “Connection mode” screen appears. Select “Access Point Network”, and click “Next”. The following screen appears.
  • Page 19 Access Points within range. You can then select a Network Name from the list. • When using the Sony 5GHz Wireless LAN Access Point PCWA-A500, the default Network Name (SSID) of the Access Point is shown on the ID label of the Access Point.
  • Page 20 2WEP If Data Encryption (WEP) is enabled for the Access Point to which you connect, check this item. When this item is checked, you also need to enter the encryption key (WEP key) in the “Key” field. The data encryption function serves to prevent unauthorized access to the network.
  • Page 21 When all the items are configured, click “Next”. A confirmation screen showing the selected settings appears. Verify that all settings are as desired, and click “Next”. When connection is complete, the Wireless Connection Easy Setup Wizard completion screen appears. Note If an error message is shown, read the message carefully and click “Back”...
  • Page 22 If you want to change the Access Point settings, refer to the manuals of the Access Point for information on how to proceed. When using the Sony 5GHz Wireless LAN Access Point PCWA-A500, proceed to step 7. Note To use an Access Point to connect to the Internet, you must change the Access Point default settings.
  • Page 23 When using the Sony 5GHz Wireless LAN Access Point PCWA-A500, click the “AP Setting” button on the “Status” tab of the Wireless Panel. For information on how to open the Wireless Panel, see page 40. For information on the “AP Setting” button, see page 44.
  • Page 24 Configure the Access Point according to the on-screen instructions. Hints • For details on how to configure the Access Point, refer to the manuals of the Access Point or its Online Help. • Help regarding Access Point settings can be opened by clicking Note If you change the Network Name (SSID) and Data Encryption (WEP) settings of the Access Point, the settings will no longer match those of the computer and...
  • Page 25 Click “Connect”. This completes the setup procedure. Using the product in Peer to Peer Network connection mode When the Wireless Connection Easy Setup Wizard starts, check the box “Use Easy Setup Wizard” and click “Next”. Select “Peer to Peer Network”, and click “Next”. Configure the “Network Name (SSID)”, “Channel”, and “WEP”...
  • Page 26 1Network Name (SSID) See page 19 for details. 2Channel A drop-down list appears which lets you select the radio channel to use. Hints • You can leave this setting at “Auto”, but to ensure low-interference transmission, you may want to use the “Network List” tab (page 44) of the Wireless Panel to verify the channels used by networks operating within communication range of your computer, and select a channel with low usage.

  • Page 27: Windows Xp

    Configure the same settings at all computers participating in the network. This completes the setup procedure. Hint For information on how to share files and printers on the network, refer to the Windows Help and documentation. Windows XP Note Before configuring the Wireless LAN PC Card Perform the following steps to confirm that the “Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings”...
  • Page 28 Hint The “Available Wireless Networks” list shows the names of Access Points within communication range of the computer. When using the Sony 5GHz Wireless LAN Access Point PCWA-A500, the default Network Name (SSID) of the Access Point is shown on the ID label of the card. For details on the position of the label and other information, refer to the manuals of the Access Point.
  • Page 29 If Data Encryption (WEP) is enabled for the Access Point, enter the encryption key (WEP key) in the “Network key” field. The key entered here must be exactly the same as that set for the Access Point. The number of characters depends on the “Key format” and “Key length”...
  • Page 30 Depending on the Data Encryption (WEP) settings of the Access Point, proceed as follows. • Data Encryption (WEP) at selected Access Point is enabled Enter the encryption key (WEP key) in the “Network key” field. (The input is shown only as asterisks.) For verification, the same string must be entered once more in the “Confirm network key”...
  • Page 31 If you want to change the Access Point settings, refer to the manuals of the Access Point for information on how to proceed. When using the Sony 5GHz Wireless LAN Access Point PCWA-A500, proceed to step Note To use an Access Point to connect to the Internet, you must change the Access Point default settings.
  • Page 32 • The content of the Access Point home page (setup page) differs depending on the firmware version. (The illustration below shows an example for the PCWA-A500.) Configure the Access Point according to the on-screen instructions. Hints • For details on how to configure the Access Point, refer to the manuals of the Access Point or its Online Help.
  • Page 33 If you have enabled Data Encryption (WEP) for the Access Point in step 7, enter the encryption key (WEP key) in the “Network key” field. When Windows XP Service Pack 1 is installed, the same string must be entered once more in the “Confirm network key” field. Click “Connect”.
  • Page 34 With Windows XP Service Pack 1 Click “Advanced”. The “Wireless Network Connection * Properties” dialog box appears. (“*” is a number that differs according to the computer settings.)
  • Page 35 With Windows XP Service Pack 1 Click “Add”. The “Wireless Network Properties” dialog box appears.
  • Page 36 With Windows XP Service Pack 1 Enter the Network Name (SSID) for this network (alphanumeric characters or symbols can be used). The Network Name (also called SSID) is a unique ID that identifies the network. When connecting to a Peer to Peer network , all computers must use the same Network Name.
  • Page 37 Enter the encryption key (WEP key) in the “Network key” field. Notes • When creating a new Peer to Peer Network, you can enter any character string to use as a key. When connecting to an existing network, consult your network administrator regarding the proper settings.
  • Page 38 Click “Advanced”. The “Advanced” dialog box appears. Check the box “Computer-to-computer (ad hoc) networks only” and click “Close”. The “Wireless Network Connection * Properties” dialog box appears. Click “OK”. The setting are saved, and the computer automatically connects to the newly registered network.

  • Page 39: Checking The Communication Status

    Checking the communication status Checking the wireless signal strength The communication status is shown by the signal level indicator in the taskbar. Signal level indicator Meaning of indicator appearance Excellent Good Poor Out of range Card not inserted (Wireless LAN PC Card is not inserted or not recognized correctly) Peer to Peer (Communicating in Peer to Peer Network connection...

  • Page 40: Using The Wireless Panel

    Using the Wireless Panel The Wireless Panel is a software application that shows information about the communication status of the computer connected to the wireless network. Normally, the Wireless Panel runs in the background and only shows the radio signal condition by means of the signal level indicator in the taskbar.
  • Page 41 There are three tabs on the main screen of the Wireless Panel. • “Status” tab (page 41) • “Network List” tab (page 44) • “Setting” tab (page 47) “Status” tab Status indicator icon The icon type indicates the type of network to which the computer is connected.
  • Page 42 Status Shows the communication status of the wireless network. “Network Name” Unique ID for the wireless network to which the computer is connected. Also called SSID. “Frequency” Indicates the communication channel and frequency currently being used. “Signal Level” Indicates the signal level as a bar graph. Install the computer and Access Point so that the signal level displayed here is as high as possible.
  • Page 43 Wireless ON/OFF Wireless signal transmission can be switched on/off independently for the 802.11b (2.4 GHz) and 802.11a (5 GHz) bands. Select the On/Off status according to the environment you are in. Take special care if you are using your computer in locations where radio emissions are prohibited, such as outdoors (802.11a band) or within an aircraft (802.11a and 802.11b bands).
  • Page 44 Note The “AP Setting” button can only be used when you are using the Sony 5GHz Wireless LAN Access Point PCWA-A500* or another 5GHz Wireless LAN Access Point which supports this feature. (* As of February, 2003) “Show Graph/Hide Graph”...
  • Page 45 Network List All wireless networks operating within communication range are shown. “Status” The status of registered networks is shown as an icon. Access Points within communication range are shown as colored icons, and Access Points outside communication range are shown as gray icons.
  • Page 46 Shows the unique network ID. Hint The Sony 2.4GHz Access Point PCWA-A100/A200 can be configured not to show the Network Name (SSID). (This is referred to as a “closed system”.) For a closed system Access Point, the “Network Name (SSID)” field in the network list will be blank.
  • Page 47 “Edit” When you select a registered network from the list, the button caption changes to “Edit”. If “Dialog Format” is selected in “Add/ Edit/Register Network” on the “Setting” tab of the “Wireless Panel” dialog box, when you click this button the “Registering Network” dialog box appears, letting you change the registered settings.
  • Page 48 Add/Edit/Register Network This item lets you select whether various procedures such as registering a wireless network are performed by a wizard or in a dialog box (as in this manual). Note This function is available only under Windows Me and Windows 2000. “Reset”...

  • Page 49: Manually Installing, Verifying, And Removing The Supplied Software

    When using Windows XP, log on with a user account with administrator privileges. • Exit all other Windows programs. In the Sony Wireless LAN Setup Wizard dialog box, click “Exit”. If your computer has only one PC card slot and it is currently used, copy the “setup”...
  • Page 50 Windows Me: 1 Select “Specify the location of the driver” and click “Next”. 2 Check the box “Specify a location”.
  • Page 51 3 Click “Browse” and specify the location of the driver in the dialog box that appears. Hint If the “WirelessLAN” folder from the CD-ROM has been copied to the “Temp” folder on drive D, enter “D:\Temp\WirelessLAN”. 4 Click “OK”. 5 Click “Next”.
  • Page 52 6 Click “Next”. The driver is installed. 7 Click “Finish”. Restart the computer. Windows 2000: 1 Click “Next”.
  • Page 53 2 Select “Search for a suitable driver for my device” and click “Next”. 3 Check the box “Specify a location” and click “Next”. 4 Click “Browse” and specify the location of the driver in the dialog box. Hint If the “WirelessLAN” folder from the CD-ROM has been copied to the “Temp” folder on drive D, enter “D:\Temp\WirelessLAN”.
  • Page 54 6 Click “Next”. The driver is installed. 7 Click “Finish”.
  • Page 55 Windows XP: 1 Select “Install from a list or specific location” and click “Next”. 2 Check the box “Include this location in the search” and click “Browse”.
  • Page 56 3 In the dialog box that appears, select the folder that contains the driver and click “OK”. Hint If the “WirelessLAN” folder from the CD-ROM has been copied to the “Temp” folder on drive D, select “D:\Temp\WirelessLAN”. 4 Click “OK”. 5 Click “Next”.

  • Page 57: Installing The Wireless Panel Manually

    6 Click “Finish”. Installing the Wireless Panel manually Note When using Windows 2000, log on with a user account listed in “Administrators”. When using Windows XP, log on with a user account with administrator access privileges. Before installation • Install the Access Point and connect it to a power outlet when using the Access Point Network connection mode.
  • Page 58 • If the driver for the Wireless LAN PC Card PCWA-C500 is already installed and enabled. • If the Wireless LAN PC Card PCWA-C700 was installed and enabled, and then the Wireless Panel only was uninstalled and is now being reinstalled.

  • Page 59: Verifying Wireless Lan Pc Card Driver Installation

    Verifying Wireless LAN PC Card driver installation To verify that the Wireless LAN PC Card driver has been installed properly, perform the following steps. Windows Me: Click “Start”, and click “Settings” – “Control Panel”. Control Panel appears. Double-click the “System” icon. Hint If the “System”...
  • Page 60 Note The Wireless LAN PC Card is not working properly in the following cases: • “Sony 802.11a/b Wireless Network Adapter” is shown with an “X” or “!” symbol. c Click “Sony 802.11a/b Wireless Network Adapter” and click “Remove” to uninstall the driver. Then repeat the installation process.
  • Page 61 Click “OK” to close the “Sony 802.11a/b Wireless Network Adapter Properties” dialog box. The “System Properties” dialog box appears. Click “OK” to close the “System Properties” dialog box. Control Panel appears. Click to close Control Panel. If the computer you are using incorporates another Ethernet interface besides the Wireless LAN PC Card, disable the other interface as follows.
  • Page 62 Click the “Hardware” tab, then click “Device Manager”. The “Device Manager” window appears. In the “View” menu, click “View devices by type”. Double-click “Network adapters”. Double-click “Sony 802.11a/b Wireless Network Adapter”. The “Sony 802.11a/b Wireless Network Adapter Properties” dialog box appears.
  • Page 63 Note The Wireless LAN PC Card is not working properly in the following cases: • “Sony 802.11a/b Wireless Network Adapter” is shown with an “X” or “!” symbol. c Right-click “Sony 802.11a/b Wireless Network Adapter” and click “Remove” to uninstall the driver. Then repeat the installation process.
  • Page 64 If the computer you are using incorporates another Ethernet interface besides the Wireless LAN PC Card, disable the other interface as follows. Click “Start”, and click “Settings” – “Network and Dial-up Connections”. The “Network and Dial-up Connections” window appears. Select the network adapter to disable. On the “File”...
  • Page 65 Note The Wireless LAN PC Card is not working properly in the following cases: • “Sony 802.11a/b Wireless Network Adapter” is shown with an “X” or “!” symbol. c Right-click “Sony 802.11a/b Wireless Network Adapter” and click “Remove” to uninstall the driver. Then repeat the installation process.
  • Page 66 Click “OK” to close the “Sony 802.11a/b Wireless Network Adapter Properties” dialog box. The “Device Manager” window appears. Click to close the “Device Manager” window. The “System Properties” dialog box appears. Click “OK” to close the “System Properties” dialog box.

  • Page 67: Uninstalling The Wireless Lan Pc Card Driver

    If the “System” icon is not shown, select “View all Control Panel options”. Click the “Device Manager” tab. Click “View devices by type”. Double-click “Network adapters”. Click “Sony 802.11a/b Wireless Network Adapter”, then click “Uninstall”. The “Confirm Device Removal” dialog box appears. Click “OK” to uninstall.
  • Page 68 On the “View” menu, click “View devices by type”. Double-click “Network adapters”, and double-click “Sony 802.11a/b Wireless Network Adapter”. The “Sony 802.11a/b Wireless Network Adapter Properties” dialog box appears. Click the “Driver” tab, then click “Uninstall”. The “Confirm Device Removal” dialog box appears.
  • Page 69 On the “View” menu, click “View devices by type”. Double-click “Network adapters”, and Double-click “Sony 802.11a/b Wireless Network Adapter”. The “Sony 802.11a/b Wireless Network Adapter Properties” dialog box appears. Click the “Driver” tab, then click “Uninstall”. The “Confirm Device Removal” dialog box appears.

  • Page 70: Uninstalling The Wireless Panel

    Click to close the Device Manager window. The “System Properties” dialog box appears. Click “OK” to close the “System Properties” dialog box. Control Panel appears. Click to close Control Panel. Uninstalling the Wireless Panel To uninstall the Wireless Panel, proceed as follows. Note Exit the Wireless Panel with the icon in the taskbar before proceeding.
  • Page 71 Windows 2000: Notes • In Windows 2000, only users with administrator access privileges can uninstall software. Log onto Windows 2000 with a user account listed in “Administrators”. • Exit all programs before running the uninstall process. Click “Start”, and click “Settings” – “Control Panel”. Control Panel appears.
  • Page 72 Windows XP: Notes • In Windows XP, only users with administrator access privileges can uninstall software. Log onto Windows XP with a user account with administrator access privileges. • Exit all programs before running the uninstall process. Click “Start”, and click “Control Panel”. Control Panel appears.

  • Page 73: Precautions

    Cleaning Precautions Clean the casing with a soft cloth, lightly moistened with water or a mild detergent Safety solution. Do not use any type of abrasive pad, scouring powder, or solvent such as Do not drop or cause a mechanical shock alcohol or benzene as it may damage the to the Wireless LAN PC Card, as this may finish of the casing.

  • Page 74: Specifications

    Just send your question in an e- See “Unpacking” on page 11. mail message and a customer service representative will reply. To send a Design and specifications are subject to change question to Sony e-mail support, fill out without notice. the e-mail form at http://www.ita.sel.sony.com/ support/pc/email.html...

  • Page 75: Glossary

    The Sony Customer Information details, see “Capabilities” on page 5. Services Center offers information about your Wireless LAN products and other Sony products that work with your Channel computer. To contact the Sony A part of the frequency spectrum to be Customer Information Services Center, used for wireless communication.
  • Page 76 LAN (Local Area Network) WAN (Wide Area Network) A network which is accessible only to its A network that interconnects remote members, unlike the Internet which is LANs through the Internet or telephone open to an unlimited number of people. A lines.

  • Page 77: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting Read the Troubleshooting section of this guide before calling Sony Customer Information Services. If you still cannot resolve your issue after reading this section, call Sony Customer Information Services. Symptom Cause/Remedy My computer does not The Wireless LAN PC Card may not be properly inserted detect the Wireless into the PC card slot of your computer.
  • Page 78 Symptom Cause/Remedy There is interference with other Access Points. Data transfer speed is slow c Try changing the Access Point channel setting. The network is handling a large amount of simultaneous traffic. c Try again when the network load is lower. Communication distance is long.
  • Page 80 Just send your question in an e-mail message and a customer service representative will reply. To send a question to Sony e-mail support, fill out the e-mail form at http://www.ita.sel.sony.com/support/pc/email.html The Sony fax-back service provides you with answers to commonly asked questions.

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