Page 1 of 40 Belkin Wireless G Notebook Card User Manual F5D7010 / F5D7010v7 Table of Contents 1 Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X Benefits of a Home Network………………………………………………x Advantages of a Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X Placement of your Wireless Networking Hardware for Optimal Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X 2 Overview . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 2 of 40 Benefits of a Home Network Your Belkin Home Network will allow you to: • Share one high-speed Internet connection with all the computers in your home • Share resources, such as files, and hard drives among all the connected computers in your home • Share a single printer with the entire family • Share documents, music, video, and digital pictures • Store, retrieve, and copy files from one computer to another • Simultaneously play games online, check Internet email, and chat Advantages of a Wir
Page 3 of 40 If you have concerns about your network’s performance that might be related to range or obstruction factors, try moving the computer to a position between five and 10 feet from the wireless router (or access point) in order to see if distance is the problem. If difficulties persist even at close range, please contact Belkin Technical Support.
Page 4 of 40 If your wireless signal seems weak in some spots, make sure that objects such as these are not blocking the signal’s path between your computers and wireless router (or access point). 3. Cordless Phone Placement If the performance of your wireless network is impaired after attending to the above issues, and you have a cordless phone: • Try moving cordless phones away from the wireless router (or access point) and your wireless-enabled computers.
Page 5 of 40 • Many commercial websites that require a user name and password to access your account Secure connections can be interrupted by a computer’s power management setting, which causes it to “go to sleep.” The simplest solution to avoid this is to simply reconnect by re-running the VPN or AOL software, or by re-logging into the secure website.
Page 6 of 40 Applications and Advantages • Wireless roaming with a laptop around the home or office Offers the freedom of networking without cables • Connection rates of up to 54Mbps Provides immediate high-speed wireless connectivity at home, work, and hotspot locations without compromising the use of existing 802.11b products • Compatibility with 802.11b products 802.11g wireless LAN solutions are backward-compatible with existing Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.
Page 7 of 40 System Requirements • PC-compatible laptop with one available CardBus slot • Windows® 98SE, Me, 2000, XP Package Contents • Wireless G Notebook Card • Quick Installation Guide • Installation Software CD • User Manual 3 Installing and Setting up the Card 1. Install IMPORTANT: Install the Software before Inserting the Card 1.1 Insert the Installation Software CD into your CD-ROM drive. 1.2 The Belkin Setup Utility screen will automatically appear. (This may take 15– 20 seconds.
Page 8 of 40 Double-click on the folder named “files”, then double-click on the icon named “setup.exe”. 1.3 The first in a series of progress-monitoring screens will let you know where you are in the setup process. Click “Next”. 1.4 You might see a screen similar to this one. This DOES NOT mean there is a problem. Our software has been fully tested and is compatible with this operating system. Select “Continue Anyway” and follow the on-screen instructions.
Page 9 of 40 2. Insert Insert the Card into your Computer (Please insert image of CardBus insert into laptop) 2.1 Please insert your Card, then click “OK”. 2.2 The Found New Hardware Wizard might appear. (This may take 3–15 seconds.) If it does, continue with the following instruction. Select “Yes, this time only” and click “Next” to install the hardware.
Page 10 of 40 2.3 Select “Install the software automatically” and click “Next” to install the hardware.
Page 11 of 40 2.4 The Wizard will now install your software. 2.5 The installation is now complete. Click “Finish” to exit.
Page 12 of 40 2.6 Your computer must reboot for the changes to take effect. Close all other applications and save your data. Then, select “Yes, I want to restart my computer now.” Click “OK” to reboot. 3. Configure Use the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility 3.1 After restarting your computer, double-click the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility icon on the desktop screen. [insert F5D7010-06.
Page 13 of 40 3.2 The Belkin Wireless Networking Utility screen will appear. [insert F5D7010-07.jpg] 3.3 Select a network to connect to from the “Available Networks” list and click “Connect”. [insert F5D7010-09.jpg] Note: In order to see your available networks, you must be near a working wireless router or access point. 3.4 The Belkin Wireless Networking Utility icon can also be found on the system tray. [insert F5D7010-10.
Page 14 of 40 Using the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility After successfully installing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility (WNU), configurations for wireless connection and security are just a few easy clicks away. Accessing the Belkin Wireless Networking Utility from the Windows System Tray To access the WNU, simply place your mouse pointer and right-click over the WNU icon on the Windows task tray. [insert F5D7010-10.jpg] [insert F5D7010-11.
Page 15 of 40 The WNU’s default screen is the “Current Status” tab. The “Current Status” tab displays the current Network Status and Available Networks. Network Status This window displays the connectivity status of the current network. It even displays connectivity between the computer and router, and router and Internet. In the event of a connectivity problem, this window can be used to determine the problem’s source (e.g. computer, router, or Internet/modem).
Page 16 of 40 Network Status and Solution Tips To further understand the current Network Status, click “Open Wireless Utility”. The default screen will be the “Current Status” tab and the “Network Status” section determines which connections are good and/or faulty. [insert F5D7010-12.jpg] The WNU also features a “Solution Tips” section that provides troubleshooting guidelines. Setting Wireless Network Profiles The “My Connections” tab on the WNU allows you to add, edit, and delete connection profiles.
Page 17 of 40 Securing your Wi-Fi® Network If you choose to connect to a secure network, determine the type of security (WPA or WEP*) and use the appropriate field in the dialog box. *Note: Types of security Note: When you select a network using encryption, you will first see the simple security screen. Click the “Advanced” button to see other security options (below). [insert F5D7010-14.
Page 18 of 40 Wireless Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a less secure, but more widely adopted wireless security protocol. Depending on the security level (64- or 128-bit), the user will be asked to input a 10- or 26-character hex key. A hex key is a combination of letters, a–f, and numbers, 0–9.
Page 19 of 40 Wireless Protected Access (WPA) is the new standard in the wireless security. However, not all wireless cards and adapters support this technology. Please check your wireless adapter’s user manual to check if it supports WPA. Instead of a hex key, WPA uses only passphrases, which are much easier to remember. The following section, intended for the home, home-office, and small-office user, presents a few different ways to maximize the security of your wireless network.
Page 20 of 40 64-bit WEP was first introduced with 64-bit encryption, which includes a key length of 40 bits plus 24 additional bits of system-generated data (64 bits total). Some hardware manufacturers refer to 64-bit as 40-bit encryption. Shortly after the technology was introduced, researchers found that 64-bit encryption was too easy to decode. 128-Bit Encryption As a result of 64-bit WEP’s potential security weaknesses, a more secure method of 128-bit encryption was developed.
Page 21 of 40 WPA (with radius server) works best in a business environment, in which a radius server automatically distributes the network key to clients. WPA2 requires Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for encryption of data, which offers much greater security than WPA. WPA uses both Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) and (AES) for encryption.
Page 22 of 40 To access the security settings on your Card, click the “My Connections” tab and point to the connection for which you want to change security settings. Click “Edit” to change settings. WEP Setup 64-Bit WEP Encryption 1. Select “WEP” from the “Data Encryption” drop-down menu. 2. After selecting your WEP encryption mode, you can enter your key by typing in the hex key manually. A hex (hexadecimal) key is a combination of numbers and letters from A–F and 0–9.
Page 23 of 40 3. Click “Save” to finish. Encryption in the wireless router (or access point) is now set. Each of your computers on your wireless network will now need to be configured with the same security settings.
Page 24 of 40 WARNING: If you are using a wireless client to turn on the security settings in your wireless router (or access point), you will temporarily lose your wireless connection until you activate security on your wireless client. Please record the key prior to applying changes in the wireless router (or access point). If you don’t remember the hex key, your client will be locked out of the wireless router (or access point). 128-Bit WEP Encryption 1. Select “WEP” from the drop-down menu. 2.
Page 25 of 40 3. Click “Save” to finish. Encryption in the wireless router (or access point) is now set. Each of the computers on your wireless network will now need to be configured with the same security settings.
Page 26 of 40 WARNING: If you are using a wireless client to turn on the security settings in your wireless router (or access point), you will temporarily lose your wireless connection until you activate security on your wireless client. Please record the key prior to applying changes in the wireless router (or access point). If you don’t remember the hex key, your client will be locked out of the wireless router (or access point).
Page 27 of 40 3. Click “Save” to finish. You must now set all clients (network cards) to match these settings.
Page 28 of 40 Wireless Networking Utility Options [insert F5D7010-19.jpg] The “Options” tab on the WNU provides the user the ability to customize his or her WNU settings. Wireless Networking Utility Help The WNU “Help” tab provides users with access to online and telephone support, as well as advanced diagnostic tools. [insert F5D7010-20.
Page 29 of 40 Advanced Diagnostic Tools The “Advanced Diagnostic Tools” section is the central control panel for all the settings of the hardware and software components of the wireless network. It provides an array of tests and connectivity services to ensure optimal network performance. [insert F5D7010-21.
Page 30 of 40 Troubleshooting I can’t connect to the Internet wirelessly. If you are unable to connect to the Internet from a wireless computer, please check the following items: 1. Look at the lights on your wireless router. If you’re using a Belkin Wireless Router, the lights should be as follows: • The “Power” light should be on. • The “Connected” light should be on, and not blinking. • The “WAN” light should be either on or blinking.
Page 31 of 40 • The router’s power cord is plugged in. • All cables are connected between the router and the modem. • All the modem’s LEDs are functioning correctly. If not, see your modem’s user manual. • Reboot the router. • Reboot the modem. If you continue to have issues, please contact Belkin Technical Support. If you are not using a Belkin Wireless Router, consult that router manufacturer’s user guide. 2.
Page 32 of 40 The name of your wireless network DOES NOT appear in the list of “Available Networks”. If the correct network name is not listed, check the SSID settings to see if they match. The SSID is case-sensitive and the spelling on each computer must be exactly the same in order for the Card to connect to the wireless router (or access point). Note: To check the SSID settings or look for an available network, double-click the Signal Indicator icon to bring up the “Wireless Networks” screen.
Page 33 of 40 Note: To check the SSID settings or look for an available network, double-click the Signal Indicator icon to bring up the “Wireless Networks” screen. Click “Add” if you do not see the network you are trying to connect to and type in the SSID. For more information about setting up an SSID, please reference your router manufacturer’s user manual. If issues persist even at close range, please contact Belkin Technical Support. Link LED is solid but I cannot connect to the Internet.
Page 34 of 40 performance and reliability. The default channel the router is shipped with is channel 11. You may choose from several other channels depending on your region; see your router’s (or access point’s) user manual for instructions on how to choose other channels. Limiting the wireless transmit rate – Limiting the wireless transmit rate can help improve the maximum wireless range, and connection stability. Most wireless cards have the ability to limit the transmission rate.
Page 35 of 40 You need to disable the built-in wireless card from your computer under “Network Adapters” in the Device Manager. Card does not perform or connection is slow when computer has a built-in wired Ethernet card. This condition occurs if your computer has an active Ethernet card while your Wireless Card is also active. This happens because Windows must now handle two active network connections. You need to disable the Ethernet card from your computer under “Network Adapters” in the Device Manager.
Page 36 of 40 application *Distance and connection speeds will vary depending on your networking environment. Technical Support You can find technical support information at www.belkin.com or www.belkin.com/networking. If you want to contact technical support by phone, please call: US: 877-736-5771 UK: 0845 607 77 87 Australia: 1800 235 546 New Zealand: 0800 235 546 Singapore: 800 616 1790 Europe: www.belkin.
Page 37 of 40 This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy. 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 and correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. • Increase the distance between the equipment and the receiver.
Page 38 of 40 What this warranty covers. Belkin Corporation warrants to the original purchaser of this Belkin product that the product shall be free of defects in design, assembly, material, or workmanship. What the period of coverage is. Belkin Corporation warrants the Belkin product for the lifetime of the product. What will we do to correct problems? Product Warranty. Belkin will repair or replace, at its option, any defective product free of charge (except for shipping charges for the product).
Page 39 of 40 equipment to and from such repair facility and of such estimate shall be borne solely by the purchaser. Damaged equipment must remain available for inspection until the claim is finalized. Whenever claims are settled, Belkin Corporation reserves the right to be subrogated under any existing insurance policies the purchaser may have. How state law relates to the warranty.
Page 40 of 40 310-898-1111 fax Belkin Ltd. Express Business Park, Shipton Way Rushden, NN10 6GL, United Kingdom +44 (0) 1933 35 2000 +44 (0) 1933 31 2000 fax Belkin Ltd. 4 Pioneer Avenue Tuggerah Business Park Tuggerah, NSW 2259, Australia +61 (0) 2 4350 4600 +61 (0) 2 4350 4700 fax Belkin B.V. Boeing Avenue 333 1119 PH Schiphol-Rijk, The Netherlands +31 (0) 20 654 7300 +31 (0) 20 654 7349 fax © 2006 Belkin Corporation. All rights reserved.