Contents: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Internal 802.11b Mini PCI Card User's Guide Dell™ TrueMobile™ 1180 Internal 802.11b Mini PCI 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. © 2000–2002 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.
Introduction: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Back to Contents Introduction: Dell™ TrueMobile™ 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Before you begin Things you should know TrueMobile 1180 network Before you begin Obtain the following information from your network administrator (if you are a home user, obtain this information from the person that installed your wireless access point): ● ● ● ● ● Network names (SSID) of the specific wireless networks that you want to connect to.
Introduction: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Back to top Back to Contents Please read copyright and trademark information. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/intro.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Back to Contents Completing the Setup: Dell™ TrueMobile™ 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide NOTE—Before you begin, be sure you have the required network information from your network administrator (see Before you begin in the Introduction section).
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. Your computer automatically connects to the network at the top of the Preferred networks list.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. Your computer is connected to the selected network when you see a blue bubble on top of the icon for that network. If the bubble does not appear, try to access a Web page to verify that you are connected to the Internet.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. 5. Click OK. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. If the bubble does not appear, try to access a Web page to verify that you are connected to the Internet. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 2. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box. 3. Click OK. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. If the bubble does not appear, try to access a Web page to verify that you are connected to the Internet. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 2. 3. 4. 5. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box. Select the Data encryption (WEP enabled) box. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box. 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. 6. Click OK.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. If the bubble does not appear, try to access a Web page to verify that you are connected to the Internet. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Configuring a network profile (Windows® XP environment) Before you can connect to a wireless network, you must configure a network profile for that network on your computer using the TrueMobile wireless utility. If you purchased your portable computer with the Dell TrueMobile 1180 internal 802.11b Mini PCI card already installed and set up at the factory, follow the network profile configuration instructions provided below.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 1. From the desktop, click the Start button and click Control Panel. 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 Mini PCI Card in the LAN or High-Speed Internet area and click Properties. 5.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Configuring a profile for a listed network that does not require a WEP key (Windows XP environment) 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.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. 5. Click OK. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. If the bubble does not appear, try to access a Web page to verify that you are connected to the Internet. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 2. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box. 3. Click OK. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. If the bubble does not appear, try to access a Web page to verify that you are connected to the Internet. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 2. 3. 4. 5. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box. Select the Data encryption (WEP enabled) box. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box. 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. 6. Click OK.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. If the bubble does not appear, try to access a Web page to verify that you are connected to the Internet. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Completing the Setup: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Back to top Back to Contents Please read copyright and trademark information. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/setup.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Back to Contents Using the Dell™ TrueMobile™ 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Opening the utility Adding a new network to the list of preferred networks Viewing the link status of your wireless connection Viewing or modifying the wireless network properties Setting up an ad hoc (peer-to-peer) group network for connecting to the Internet Adding an ad hoc network Disabling the r
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide To open the utility in the Windows XP environment 1. From the desktop, click the Start button and click Control Panel. 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.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide ● Completing the setup See Configuring a profile for a listed network that requires a WEP key (Windows XP environment) in the Completing the setup. If the network you want to add to the Preferred networks list is not listed in the Available networks list, follow the applicable instructions below according to which operating system your computer is running and whether or not the network requires a WEP key.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide To view the link status (Windows XP environment) 1. Open the TrueMobile 1180 wireless utility a. From the desktop, click the Start button and click Control Panel. b. 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. c. Double-click the Network Connections icon. d.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Uncolored vertical bars indicate that there is no signal being received. Probable causes: ● ● The computer is trying to establish an initial connection. You have moved out of range of the network. Suggested action: ● ● Wait Move closer to the access point. Uncolored vertical bars with a red letter x at the top indicate that there is no radio connection. Probable cause: The radio is disabled.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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). file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/utility.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide To view or modify the wireless network properties (Windows XP environment) 1. 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. b. Double-click the Network Connections icon. c. Right-click Dell TrueMobile 1180 Internal 802.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 4. 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). file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/utility.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Setting up an ad hoc (peer-to-peer) group network for connecting to the Internet To connect the computers in an ad hoc group network to the Internet, you must install the Windows Internet connection sharing (ICS) component. ICS installation is not required, however, for communication among a group of computers that have a Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI card installed in each computer.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Setting up Internet connection sharing (ICS) on the host computer To set up ICS in the Windows XP environment 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Connect the host computer to the Internet. From the host computer, click the Start button. Click Help and Support. Perform a search on Internet Connection Sharing. From the Pick a task list, click Enable Internet Connection Sharing on a Network Connection.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/utility.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/utility.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. b. Double-click the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility icon . 2. If the Wireless Networks tab is not already on top, click the Wireless Networks tab. 3.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 4. 5. 6. 7. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box. Select the Data encryption (WEP enabled) box. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box. 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. 8.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/utility.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Adding an ad hoc network that does not require a 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. b. Double-click the Network Connections icon. c.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/utility.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 8. 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. Adding an ad hoc network that requires a WEP key (Windows XP environment) 1. To add an ad hoc network to the Preferred networks list, open the TrueMobile 1180 wireless utility. a.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 5. 6. 7. 8. Type the network name in the Network name (SSID) box. Select the Data encryption (WEP enabled) box. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically box. 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. 9.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 11. 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. Disabling the radio To disable the radio on your Dell TrueMobile 1180 internal 802.11b Mini PCI card, right-click the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility icon 1180 Wireless Utility icon in the system tray and click Disable Radio.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide status. NOTE—Your network connection is lost when you run the diagnostics. When the test run is over, your network connection is automatically reestablished. Diagnostics (Windows 2000 environment) 1. To begin running the diagnostics, open the TrueMobile 1180 wireless utility. a. From the desktop, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel. b.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide 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. b. Double-click the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility icon. 2. Click the Diagnostics tab. 3. To see a description of the test, click each test and look in the Status area. 4.
Using the TrueMobile 1180 Wireless Utility: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Back to top Back to Contents Please read copyright and trademark information. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/utility.
Troubleshooting: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Back to Contents Troubleshooting: Dell™ TrueMobile™ 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Cannot connect to the network Performance and connectivity problems Getting help 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 Wir
Troubleshooting: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Properties box, verify that the File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks check box is selected. If the check box is cleared, select it. If the check box is not present, click Install. In the Select Network Component Type box, select Service and click Add. In the Select Network Service box, select File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks and click OK. Close the Local Area Connection Properties box. 6.
Troubleshooting: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Back to top Back to Contents Please read copyright and trademark information. file:///P|/User%20Manuals/1180/trouble.
Specifications: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Back to Contents Specifications: Dell™ TrueMobile™ 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Physical characteristics Temperature and humidity limitations Power characteristics Networking characteristics Radio characteristics Physical characteristics Form factor Mini PCI specification, May 2002. Type IIIA form factor Dimensions (length, width) 59.75×50.
Specifications: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Network operating system Microsoft® Windows® Networking Host operating system Microsoft® Windows® XP, 2000 ● NDIS5 miniport driver Media access protocol CSMA/CA (collision avoidance) with acknowledgment (ACK) Data rate High 11 Mbps Medium 5.5 Mbps Standard 2 Mbps Low 1 Mbps NOTE—The Dell TrueMobile 1180 internal 802.11b Mini PCI card uses an automatic transmit rate select mechanism Radio characteristics Table 1.
Specifications: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide NOTES 1—The range of your wireless devices can be affected when the antennas are placed near metal surfaces and solid highdensity materials. 2—Range is also affected by obstacles in the signal path (of the radio) that may either absorb or reflect the radio signal. 3—In open office environments, the absence of physical obstructions between antennas improves the range because there is a clear line-of-sight.
Regulatory Information: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Back to Contents Regulatory Information: Dell™ TrueMobile™ 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Information for the user Regulatory information Information for the user Wireless interoperability The Dell™ TrueMobile™ 1180 products are designed to be interoperable with any wireless LAN product that is based on direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) radio technology and to comply with the following standards: ● ● IEEE Std. 802.1b-1999.
Regulatory Information: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide approvals, see Radio approvals. 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.
Regulatory Information: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Some areas of France have a restricted frequency band. The worst case maximum authorised power indoors is: 10 mW for the entire 2.4 GHz band (2400 MHz–2483.5 MHz) 100 mW for frequencies between 2446.5 MHz and 2483.5 MHz (NOTE—Channels 10 through 13 inclusive operate in the band 2446.6 MHz to 2483.
Regulatory Information: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide USA—Federal Communications Commission (FCC) This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation of the device is subject to the following two conditions: ● ● This device may not cause harmful interference. This device must accept any interference that may cause undesired operation. NOTE—The radiated output power of this Dell TrueMobile 1180 wireless network device is far below the FCC radio frequency exposure limits.
Glossary: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide Back to Contents Glossary: Dell™ TrueMobile™ 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide access point A stand-alone wireless hub that allows any computer that has a wireless network adapter to communicate with another computer and to connect to the Internet.
Glossary: Dell TrueMobile 1180 Mini PCI Card User's Guide peer-to-peer network A communication configuration in which every computer has the same capabilities and any computer can initiate a communication session. preferred network 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.