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Setup: Installing the Dell Wireless Home Network

Overview � Minimum System Requirements � Hardware Installation Steps � Driver Installation Steps � Software Installation Steps � Protocol Installation

Overview

You'll need to complete four steps to set up your Dell Wireless Home Network:

• Install the hardware. Insert Wireless Network Cards into each computer on your network, and if you have a Base Station, plug it in.
  
  
• Install the system drivers. When you insert Wireless Network Cards into computers other than the new Dell Dimension, you'll need to install the Wireless Network drivers.
  
  
• Install the software. Run the Setup Wizard on each computer on your network.
  
  
• Share drives and printers. Add drives and printers from each computer to the list of drives and printers on your network.
  

Base Station Network

If your Dell Wireless Home Network includes a Base Station and two or more external or internal Wireless Network Cards, then you have a Base Station Network. Follow the Software Installation steps for a Base Station Network.

Wireless Network Card Network

If your Dell Wireless Home Network does not include a Base Station, but consists of two or more external or internal Wireless Network Cards, then you have a Wireless Network Card Network. Follow the Software Installation steps for a Wireless Network Card Network.

Minimum System Requirements

You must have an IBM-compatible computer with a CD-ROM drive and a 3.5" floppy disk drive to set up the Dell Wireless Home Network. If you intend to access the Internet through your Home Network, you must have a working Internet account and connection.

Additional requirements:

Hardware Installation Steps

Base Station � External Wireless Network Card (PCMCIA) � Internal Wireless Network Card (PCI)

Base Station

To install your Base Station, follow these steps:

1. Connect the small end of the power supply cord to the back of the Base Station.
   
   
   
2. Plug the other end of the power supply cord into an electrical outlet.
   
   
   
   
   
3. If you have a cable or DSL Internet connection, plug the cable or DSL connector into the ethernet port on the back of the unit. The ethernet port looks like an extra-wide telephone connection.

External Wireless Network Card (PCMCIA)

1. Turn the computer on. Windows should be up and running.
   
   
2. Hold the card with the label facing up, and slide it into the PCMCIA card slot, applying just enough pressure to make sure it is fully seated.

   Caution: Do not force the PCMCIA Card into the slot or you may bend the pins inside the slot.

Internal Wireless Network Card (PCI)

If you have a new Dell Dimension computer, your Internal Wireless Network Card is already installed. You merely need to attach the antenna to the antenna connector at the back of the computer.

If you are installing an Internal Wireless Network Card in a computer other than a new Dell Dimension, follow these steps:

1. Disconnect all power and other cables from the computer, and remove the computer cover.
   
   
2. Install the Internal Wireless Adapter Card in an empty PCI expansion slot. Check the user's manual that came with your computer for instructions.
   
   
   
   
3. When the card is installed, replace the cover and reconnect all the cables.
   
   
4. Attach the external antenna to the antenna connector at the back of the computer.
   
   
   

Driver Installation Steps

When you install a Wireless Network Card in any computer other than your new Dell Dimension, you need to install system drivers. The drivers for your Wireless Home Network are included on the Setup CD.

The system drivers are already loaded in new Dell desktop computers, and they load automatically in new Dell portable computers. After the drivers load automatically, a window appears that tells you that driver installation is complete.

Follow these steps to install the system drivers in computers that are either not new or were not manufactured by Dell:

1. After you install the Wireless Network Card, the Add New Hardware Wizard appears. Click Next.

   

2. At the next window, Select Search for the best driver for your device, and click Next.
   
   
   
   
3. At the next window, click CD-ROM drive and Specify a location.
   
   
   
   If a drive letter appears in the text entry field, delete it. Click the Browse button to find the driver on the CD. (D:\ is the usual drive letter for your CD-ROM drive. Your drive letter may be different from this example, however.)
   
   
4. When the file browsing window appears, double-click the CD-ROM drive on the directory tree. The folders on the CD appear. Select the folder that matches the operating system on your computer. If your computer's operating system is Windows 98, for example, you'll select the Win98 folder.
   
   The CD-ROM drive on most computers is drive D. In this example, the CD-ROM drive is drive E. Your drive may be different from this example.
   
   Click OK.
   
   
   
   
   
5. The drive letter and folder appear in the text entry field. Windows will search this location for the driver. Click Next.
   
   
   
   Note: During the installation, you may be prompted with dialog boxes asking you to enter a path to additional required files. If the required Windows files are installed on your computer, they may be located in the folder C:\Windows\Options\Cabs. Click "OK" to copy the required files. If Windows prompts you for the Windows CD, insert the Windows CD that came with your computer into your CD-ROM drive. Click "OK" to copy the required files.
   
   
   
6. When Windows finds the driver, this window appears. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
   
7. After Windows installs the driver, this window appears. Click Finish.
   
   
   
   
8. Click Yes to restart your computer.
   
   
   
   After your computer restarts, you can install the Dell Wireless Home Network software and add the computer to your network.
   
   Follow the steps in the Software Installation section below.
   

Software Installation Steps

Base Station Network Setup Steps: First Computer � Base Station Network Setup Steps: Additional Computers � Wireless Network Card Network Setup Steps: First Computer � Wireless Network Card Network Setup Steps: Additional Computers

Base Station Network Setup: First Computer

If your Dell Wireless Home Network includes a Base Station, follow these steps to set up the first computer on your network:

1. Insert the Setup CD in the CD-ROM drive. The Dell Wireless Networking window appears. Click With Base Station under NETWORK SETUP.
   
   
   
   (If your CD-ROM drive is not set to Autorun, follow these steps to start the Setup Wizard: On your Start menu, select Run. When the Run window appears, type D:\Docs\index.htm and click OK. D:\ is the usual drive letter for your CD-ROM drive. Your drive letter may be different from this example, however.)
   
   
2. The first Welcome window appears. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
3. The next window asks where you would like to install the software. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
4. The next window asks where you would like to install the program icons for the software. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
5. The second Welcome window appears. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
6. The next window asks if you are using a Base Station in your Home Network. Text below the selection buttons describes the Base Station.
   
   Select Yes and click Next.
   
   
   
   
7. The next window asks if your Base Station is already set up. Select No and click Next.
   
   
   
   
8. The next window asks you to type a name for the computer and a name for the network.
   
   Note: Each computer on your Wireless Home Network needs a unique Computer Name and exactly the same Network Name to communicate with your network.
   
   The Computer Name should describe who the computer belongs to, or where the computer is. A stationary computer in your family room, for example, might be called Family Room PC. You can type up to 15 characters, and use spaces in the name if you need to. Each computer on your network must have a unique name that identifies the computer on your network.
   
   You can use the default Network Name, or make up your own. To change the default, click the I want to change the Network Name box, and type your Network Name in the entry field. You can type up to 15 characters. Spaces are okay, too.
   
   Click Next.
   

   
   
   Note: Each computer on your Wireless Home Network needs a unique Computer Name and exactly the same Network Name to communicate with your network.
   

9. The next window asks you to provide a Radio Network Name and an Encryption Key.
   
   Type a name for your Radio network. The Radio Network Name must be the same for each computer on your network. You can type up to 32 characters. Spaces are okay, too.
   
   You can use the default Encryption Key, or make up your own. The Encryption Key must be 10 digits long--no letters or punctuation, please. Each computer on your network must use this Encryption Key.
   
   Click Next.
   
   
   
   If this is the first computer you've set up, you won't need the Load From Floppy Disk button. When you set up the other computers on your network, you'll click the Load From Floppy Disk button to insert these settings. Then you'll be sure these settings are the same on all the computers on your network.
   
   Click Next.
   
   Note: Each computer on your Home Network needs exactly the same Radio System ID and Encryption to communicate with your network.
   
   
10. A window appears that reminds you to turn on your Base Station. Make sure your Base Station is on and click Next.
    
    
    
    
11. A window appears for a moment that tells you the system settings are being copied to your computer. When the copying is complete, this window appears:
    
    
    
    ...followed immediately by the Network Settings window.
    
    
12. When the Network Settings window appears, insert a 3.5" floppy disk in your A: drive and click Save to Floppy Drive. Your network settings will be copied to the floppy disk in a file called DellWirelessConfig.rad, and you can use the disk when you set up the other computers on your network.
    
    
    
    After the file is saved on the floppy disk, label the disk Home Network Settings. Click Next. Now the SyGate Network Manager checks your setup.
    
    
13. The SyGate Diagnostics Output appears, and your software installation is complete. Click Finish.
    
    
    
    
    
14. Now you can use the Share Drives & Printer program to share this computer's drives and printers with the network. Double-click the Share Drives & Printer icon on your desktop to start the program.
    
    
    
    For instructions on using the Share Drives & Printer program, select Sharing Drives and Printers from this User Guide's Table of Contents.
    
    
15. You're ready to move on to the next computer on your network. See the Additional Computers section below for instructions on setting up the rest of your computers.
    

Base Station Network Setup: Additional Computers

After you set up the first computer on your Base Station Network, you're ready to expand your network. Follow these steps to add computers to your Base Station Network:

1. Insert the Setup CD in the CD-ROM drive. Click Base Station Network under ADDING COMPUTERS.
   
   
   
   (If your CD-ROM drive is not set to Autorun, follow these steps to start the Setup Wizard: On your Start menu, select Run. When the Run window appears, type D:\Docs\index.htm and click OK. D:\ is the usual drive letter for your CD-ROM drive. Your drive letter may be different from this example, however.)
   
   
   
2. The first Welcome window appears. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
3. The next window asks where you would like to install the software. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
4. The next window asks where you would like to install the program icons for the software. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
5. The second Welcome window appears. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
6. The next window asks if you are using a Base Station in your Home Network. Text below the selection buttons describes the Base Station.
   
   Select Yes and click Next.
   
   
   
   
7. The next window asks if your Base Station is already set up. Select Yes and click Next.
   
   
   
   
8. The next window asks you to type a name for the computer and a name for the network.
   
   Note: Each computer on your Wireless Home Network needs a unique Computer Name and exactly the same Network Name to communicate with your network.
   
   The Computer Name should describe who the computer belongs to, or where the computer is. A stationary computer in your family room, for example, might be called Family Room PC. You can type up to 15 characters, and use spaces in the name if you need to. Each computer on your network must have a unique name that identifies the computer on your network.
   
   You can use the default Network Name, or make up your own. To change the default, click the I want to change the Network Name box, and type your Network Name in the entry field. You can type up to 15 characters. Spaces are okay, too.
   
   Click Next.
   

   
   
   

9. The next window asks you to provide a Radio Network Name and an Encryption Key.
   
   Note: Each computer on your Home Network needs exactly the same Radio System ID and Encryption to communicate with your network.
   
   
   
   Insert your Home Network Settings 3.5" floppy disk in your A: drive. This is the disk you made when you set up the first computer on your network. Click the Load From Floppy Disk button to load these settings.
   
   When the Open window appears, make sure DellWirelessConfig.rad appears in the File name field. Click Open.
   
   
   
   Your network settings are copied to the computer. Click Next in the Wizard window.
   
   
   
10. A window appears for a moment that tells you the system settings are being copied to your computer. When the copying is complete, this window appears:
    
    
    
    ...followed immediately by the Network Settings window.
    
    
11. When the Network Settings window appears, click Next.
    
    
    
    
    
12. The SyGate Diagnostics Output appears, and your software installation is complete. Click Finish.
    
    

     

13. Now you can use the Share Drives & Printer program to share this computer's drives and printers with the network. Double-click the Share Drives & Printer icon on your desktop to start the program.
    
    
    
    For instructions on using the Share Drives & Printer program, select Sharing Drives and Printers from this User Guide's Table of Contents.
    
    
14. You're ready to move on to the next computer on your network.

Wireless Network Card Network Setup: First Computer

Follow these steps if you have a Wireless Network Card Network (without a Base Station):

1. The first computer you set up should be the computer your network will use to connect to the Internet.
   
   Open a web browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape, and connect to the Internet.
   
   
   

2. Insert the Setup CD in the CD-ROM drive. The Dell Wireless Networking window appears. Click Peer-to-Peer under NETWORK SETUP.
   
   
   
   (If your CD-ROM drive is not set to Autorun, follow these steps to start the Setup Wizard: On your Start menu, select Run. When the Run window appears, type D:\Docs\index.htm and click OK. D:\ is the usual drive letter for your CD-ROM drive. Your drive letter may be different from this example, however.)
   
   
   
3. The first Welcome window appears. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
4. The next window asks where you would like to install the software. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
5. The next window asks where you would like to install the program icons for the software. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
6. The second Welcome window appears. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
7. The next window asks if you are using a Base Station in your Home Network. Text below the selection buttons describes the Base Station.
   
   Select No and click Next.
   
   
   
   
8. The next window asks if this computer will share its Internet connection with the rest of the network. Click Yes, Share This Internet Connection, and click Next.
   
   
   
   
9. The next window asks you to type a network name for the computer.
   
   The computer name should describe who the computer belongs to, or where the computer is. A stationary computer in your family room, for example, might be called Family Room PC. You can type up to 15 characters, and use spaces in the name if you need to. Each computer on your network must have a unique name that identifies the computer on your network.
   
   You can use the default Network Name, or make up your own. To change the default, click the I want to change the Network Name box, and type your Network Name in the entry field. You can type up to 15 characters. Spaces are okay, too. Each computer on your network must use this Network Name.
   
   Click Next.
   

   
   
   Note: Each computer on your Wireless Home Network needs a unique Computer Name and exactly the same Network Name to communicate with your network.

10. The next window asks you to provide a Radio Network Name and and Encryption Key.
    
    Type a name for your network. The network name must be the same for each computer on your network. You can type up to 32 characters. Spaces are okay, too.
    
    You can use the default Encryption Key, or make up your own. The Encryption Key must be 10 digits long--no letters or punctuation, please. Each computer on your network must use this Encryption Key.
    
    Click Next.
    
    
    
    If this is the first computer you've set up, you won't need the Load From Floppy Disk button. When you set up the other computers on your network, you'll click the Load From Floppy Disk button to insert these settings. Then you'll be sure these settings are the same on all the computers on your network.
    
    Click Next.
    
    Note: Each computer on your Home Network needs exactly the same Radio System ID and Encryption to communicate with your network.
    
    
11. A window appears for a moment that tells you the system settings are being copied to your computer. When the copying is complete, this window appears:
    
    
    
    ...followed immediately by the Network Settings window.
    
    
12. When the Network Settings window appears, insert a 3.5" floppy disk in your A: drive and click Save to Floppy Drive. Your network settings will be copied to the floppy disk in a file called DellWirelessConfig.rad. You'll use this disk when you set up the other computers on your network.
    
    
    
    After the file is saved on the floppy disk, label the disk Home Network Settings. Click Next.
    
    
13. The next window reminds you to connect to the Internet. You did this in step 1, so just click Continue.
    
    
    
    
14. The next window asks if you need SyGate to assign an IP address to your Wireless Network Card in your computer. Click Yes.
    
    
    
    
15. The completed SyGate Diagnostics window appears. Click Finish.
    
    
    
    
16. Next, SyGate asks for the User Name and Password you use to connect to the Internet. SyGate will need these when other computers on your network connect to the Internet. Click OK.
    
    Note: If you have a cable or xDSL Internet connection, you don't need to enter your Internet User Name and Password. Click OK at the Please enter user name window, and click Cancel at the Configuration window. Skip to step 20 in these instructions.
    
    
    
    
17. Type the User Name and Password you use to connect to the Internet in the entry fields, and click OK.
    
    
    
    
18. Your setup on this computer is complete. Click Yes to restart your computer.
    
    
    
    
19. After your computer restarts, you can use the Share Drives & Printer program to share this computer's drives and printers with the network. Double-click the Share Drives & Printer icon on your desktop to start the program.
    
    
    
    For instructions on using the Share Drives & Printer program, select Sharing Drives and Printers from this User Guide's Table of Contents.
    
    
20. You're ready to move on to the next computer on your network. See the Additional Computers section below for instructions on setting up the rest of your computers.
    

Wireless Network Card Network Setup: Additional Computers

After you set up the first computer on your Wireless Network Card Network, you're ready to expand your network. Follow these steps to add computers to your Wireless Network Card Network:

1. Insert the Setup CD in the CD-ROM drive. Click Peer-to-Peer Network under ADDING COMPUTERS.
   
   
   
   (If your CD-ROM drive is not set to Autorun, follow these steps to start the Setup Wizard: On your Start menu, select Run. When the Run window appears, type D:\Docs\index.htm and click OK. D:\ is the usual drive letter for your CD-ROM drive. Your drive letter may be different from this example, however.)
   
   
   
2. The first Welcome window appears. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
3. The next window asks where you would like to install the software. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
4. The next window asks where you would like to install the program icons for the software. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
5. The second Welcome window appears. Click Next.
   
   
   
   
6. The next window asks if you are using a Base Station in your Home Network. Text below the selection buttons describes the Base Station.
   
   Select No and click Next.
   
   
   
   
7. The next window asks if this computer will share its Internet connection with the rest of the network. Click No, Don't Share This Internet Connection, and click Next.
   
   
   
   
8. The next window asks you to type a name for the computer and a name for the network.
   
   The Computer Name should describe who the computer belongs to, or where the computer is. A stationary computer in your family room, for example, might be called Family Room PC. You can type up to 15 characters, and use spaces in the name if you need to. Each computer on your network must have a unique name that identifies the computer on your network.
   
   You can use the default Network Name, or make up your own. To change the default, click the I want to change the Network Name box, and type your Network Name in the entry field. You can type up to 15 characters. Spaces are okay, too.
   
   Click Next.
   

   

   
   
   
9. The next window asks you to provide a Radio Network Name and and Encryption Key.
   
   Note: Each computer on your Home Network needs exactly the same Radio System ID and Encryption to communicate with your network.
   
   
   
   Insert your Home Network Settings 3.5" floppy disk in your A: drive. This is the disk you made when you set up the first computer on your network. Click the Load From Floppy Disk button to load these settings.
   
   When the Open window appears, make sure DellWirelessConfig.rad appears in the File name field. Click Open.
   
   
   
   Your network settings are copied to the computer. Click Next in the Setup Wizard window.
   
   
   
10. A window appears for a moment that tells you the system settings are being copied to your computer. When the copying is complete, this window appears:
    
    
    
    ...followed immediately by the Network Settings window.
    
    
11. When the Network Settings window appears, insert a 3.5" floppy disk in your A: drive and click Save to Floppy Drive. Your network settings will be copied to the floppy disk in a file called DellWirelessConfig.rad, and you can use the disk when you set up the other computers on your network.
    
    
    
    After the file is saved on the floppy disk, click Next. Now you'll set up a shared Internet connection, and choose the drives and printers that will be available on your network.
    
    
12. The next window asks if you need SyGate to assign an IP address to your Wireless Network Card in your computer. Click Yes.
    
    
    
    
13. The completed SyGate Diagnostics window appears. Click Finish.
    
    
    
    
14. Next, you can use the Share Drives & Printer program to share this computer's drives and printers with the network. Double-click the Share Drives & Printer icon on your desktop to start the program.
    
    
    
    For instructions on using the Share Drives & Printer program, select Sharing Drives and Printers from this User Guide's Table of Contents.
    
    
15. Repeat the steps in this section for the other computers you want to put on your network.

Protocol Installation

For instructions on installing network protocols, select Help on your computer's Start menu and search for protocols. The Windows Help screens will take you through the protocol installation steps.

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