Using HP Wireless Assistant software

A wireless device can be turned on or off using the Wireless Assistant software. If a wireless device is disabled by the Setup Utility, it must be reenabled by the Setup Utility before it can be turned on or off using Wireless Assistant.

NOTE: Enabling or turning on a wireless device does not automatically connect the device to a network.

To view the state of the wireless devices, position the mouse pointer over the wireless icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar.

NOTE: To display the wireless icon, click the Show hidden icons icon (< or <<) in the notification area.

If the wireless icon is not displayed in the notification area, complete the following steps to change Wireless Assistant properties:

1.Click Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > HP Wireless Assistant.

2.Click Properties.

3.Select the check box next to Wireless Assistant icon in notification area.

4.Click Apply.

For more information, refer to the Wireless Assistant software Help:

1.Open Wireless Assistant by double-clicking the icon in the notification area.

2.Click the Help button.

You can use the properties dialog box in Wireless Assistant to show the on/off controls for each installed wireless device and control the devices separately. To show the on/off controls:

1.Double-click the Wireless Assistant icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar.

2.Click Properties.

3.Select the Independent controls for installed wireless devices check box, and then click Apply.

4.Click Turn off or Turn on to control each wireless device separately.

Using a WLAN

With a WLAN device, you can access a wireless local area network (WLAN), which is composed of other devices and accessories that are linked by a wireless router or a wireless access point.

NOTE: The terms wireless router and wireless access point are often used interchangeably.

●A large-scale WLAN, such as a corporate or public WLAN, typically uses wireless access points that can accommodate a large number of devices and accessories and can separate critical network functions.

●A home or small office WLAN typically uses a wireless router, which allows several wireless and wired devices to share an Internet connection, a printer, and files without requiring additional pieces of hardware or software.

Connecting to a wireless network 27