Dell V310 manual Finding the signal strength, Requirements for all devices

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The following table compares the characteristics and requirements of the two types of wireless networks.

Infrastructure

Characteristics

Ad hoc

Communication

Security

Range

Speed

Requirements for all devices

Through wireless access point

More security options

Determined by range and number of wireless access points

Usually faster

Directly between devices

WEP or no security

Restricted to range of individual devices on network

Usually slower

Unique IP address for each device

Mode set to

Same SSID

Same channel

Yes

Infrastructure mode

Yes, including the wireless access point

Yes, including the wireless access point

Yes

Ad hoc mode

Yes

Yes

We recommend setting up a network in infrastructure mode using the installation CD that came with the printer.

Infrastructure mode is the recommended setup method because it provides:

•Increased network security

•Increased reliability

•Faster performance

•Easier setup

Finding the signal strength

Wireless devices have built-in antennas that transmit and receive radio signals. The signal strength listed on the printer network setup page indicates how strongly a transmitted signal is being received. Many factors can affect the signal strength. One factor is interference from other wireless devices or other devices such as microwave ovens. Another factor is distance. The farther two wireless devices are from each other, the more likely it is that the communication signal will be weaker.

The strength of the signal received by your computer can also affect the connectivity of the printer with the network during configuration. When you installed the wireless adapter in your computer, the adapter software probably placed an icon in your system tray. Try double-clicking this icon, and it will tell you how strongly the computer is receiving the wireless signal from the network.

To improve signal quality, remove sources of interference and/or move wireless devices closer to the wireless access point (wireless router).

Networking

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Contents Dell V310 Series Users Guide AprilTrademarks Contents Copying ScanningTroubleshooting 103Page Safety information Minimizing your printers environmental impact About your printerThank you for choosing this printer Finding information about the printer RecyclingProduct Information Guide Understanding the parts of the printer UseAbout your printer Ordering and replacing supplies Replacing ink cartridgesOrdering ink cartridges Recycling Dell products Select Printer HomeUsing the printer control panel buttons and menus Using the printer control panelUsing the printer control panel buttons and menus Using the printer menus Copy menuChanging temporary settings into new default settings Setup menuTo disable the settings timeout feature Changing the Power Saver timeoutTo change the temporary settings into new default settings Saving energy with Eco-Mode Resetting to factory settingsUsing the printer control panel menus Page Using the printer software Using the Windows printer softwareSoftware installed during printer installation Minimum system requirementsUsing the printer software Reinstalling the printer software Checking for software updatesUninstalling the printer software Installing the printer softwareLoading paper and original documents Loading paperSheets of heavyweight matte paper Saving paper default settings Loading original documents on the scanner glass Printing Tips for printingPrinting basic documents Printing a documentPrinting documents from a memory card or flash drive Printing pages in reverse orderPrinting multiple pages on one sheet Printing envelopes If the printer is using a USB connectionPrinting specialty documents Printing on both sides of the paper duplexing manually Printing labelsPrinting on custom-size paper Tips on loading label sheetsPage Using a memory card or flash drive with the printer Working with photosPrinting photos using the printer control panel Supported memory cards and file typesIf the printer is using a USB connection Printing photos from a PictBridge-enabled digital camera Camera detected. Press OK to change settingsPrinting photos from a memory device using the proof sheet Printing from a Bluetooth-enabled device Printing photos from a digital camera using DpofBluetooth Dongle Connected appears on the display Setting the Bluetooth security level Printing from a Bluetooth-enabled deviceManaging print jobs Setting your printer as the default printerChanging the printing mode Pausing print jobs Canceling print jobsChanging the printing mode for a single print job Resuming print jobsMaking copies CopyingTips for copying Enlarging or reducing images Adjusting copy qualityCopying photos Collating copies using the printer control panel Making a copy lighter or darkerRepeating an image on one Canceling copy jobs Scanning to a local or network computer ScanningTips for scanning Scanning photos into an editing application Using the printer control panelScanning to a flash drive or memory card Using the printer software Scanning documents into an editing applicationScanning FAQ Scanning directly to e-mailHow can I improve the quality of a scan? How do I scan in black and white?Canceling scan jobs Why am I being asked for a PIN?What is an application list, and how do I update it? Updating the application listInstalling the printer on a wireless network Wireless network compatibilityNetworking Supported network security optionsPrinting a network setup Interpreting the colors of the Wi-Fi indicator light Installing the printer on a wireless networkInstalling the printer on other computers Special wireless installation instructions Adding the printer to your wireless networkAssigning a static IP address Before you beginAdvanced wireless setup Changing wireless settings after installationCreating an ad hoc wireless network Windows VistaWindows XP Adding a printer to an existing ad hoc wireless network WindowsSwitching between USB and wireless connections Windows only Using the printer wirelesslyUsing the printer locally USB Sharing a printer in a Windows environmentNetworking FAQ What is Wi-Fi Protected Setup?Where do I find my WEP key or WPA passphrase? What is an SSID?Where do I find my SSID? What is a network? How are home networks configured? Wireless network examplesWhy do I need an installation cable? Scenario 2 Wireless network with Internet accessHow do I attach the installation cable? How are infrastructure and ad hoc networks different?Finding the signal strength Requirements for all devicesHow can I improve wireless signal strength? Remove Obstacles Between the Access Point and the PrinterArrange the Network to Reduce Signal Absorption Remove Sources of InterferenceWhat is a MAC address? What is an IP address? How do I find the MAC address?What is TCP/IP? What is a key index?How to locate a printer IP address How do I locate IP addresses?Maintaining the printer Maintaining ink cartridgesChecking ink levels Aligning the printheadCleaning the exterior of the printer Cleaning the printhead nozzlesCleaning the scanner glass Troubleshooting Using the Service Center to solve printer problemsIf Troubleshooting does not solve your problem Setup troubleshootingPrinthead error Change the Language Using the Printer MenusIncorrect language appears on the display Remove and Reinsert the PrintheadSoftware did not install Reconnect the Printer Power Supply Print job does not print or is missing pagesCheck the USB Connection Make Sure the INK Cartridges are Inserted CorrectlyRemove and Reinstall the Printer Software Make Sure the Printer is not in Power Saver ModePrinter is printing blank pages Printer is busy or does not respondJams and misfeeds troubleshooting Cannot delete documents from the print queueCannot print through USB Paper jam in the printerPaper jam in the paper support Paper or specialty media misfeedsCheck Paper Condition Check Paper LoadingStreaks or lines on printed image Print troubleshootingPoor quality at the edges Copy and scan troubleshooting Computer slows down when printingPrint speed is slow Maximize Computer Processing SpeedCopier or scanner does not respond Scanner unit does not closePoor copy or scanned image quality Partial copies or scans of documents or photosMemory card troubleshooting Memory card troubleshooting checklistScan was not successful Scanning takes too long or freezes the computerNothing happens when a memory card is inserted Cannot print documents from a memory card or flash driveReinsert the Memory Card Check the Network ConnectionWireless troubleshooting Wireless troubleshooting checklistMove Your Access Point Away from Other Electronic Devices Resetting the wireless settings to factory defaultsCannot print over wireless network Check Your WEP KEY or WPA Passphrase Disconnect from VPN SessionContinue button is unavailable TRY Running the Installer Again Cannot print and there is a firewall on the computerWi-Fi indicator light is not lit Check PowerAllow the Wireless Installation to Complete Enable the PrinterCheck Security Keys Select the Wireless PortCheck Network Name Make Sure the Access Point is on Move Your Access Point to Minimize InterferenceMove Your Printer Check MAC AddressPing the Access Point to Make Sure the Network is Working Configure the Printer for Wireless Access Again Make Sure Your Computer can Communicate with the PrinterWireless print server not installed How to locate a printer IP address Make Sure the Wireless Port is Selected100 Resolving intermittent wireless communications issuesMake Sure Bidirectional Communication is Enabled 101 Check for Known Issues with the Wireless Router Check for Wireless Adapter Updates102 Change ALL Network Devices to the Same TypeIndex 103104 105 Dpof106 Ssid107 VPN