Linksys WPC51AB manual Appendix a Troubleshooting, Common Problems and Solutions

Instant Wireless® Series

Appendix A: Troubleshooting

Common Problems and Solutions

This chapter provides solutions to problems that may occur during the installa- tion and operation of the Dual-Band Wireless A+B Notebook Adapter. Read the descriptions below to solve your problems. If you can’t find an answer here, check the Linksys website at www.linksys.com.

1. My computer does not recognize the Adapter.

•Make sure the Adapter is properly inserted into the PCMCIA slot. Note that the Adapter can be inserted either way, but is correctly only when it is insert- ed so that the “Instant Wireless” logo on the front of the Adapter cannot be seen. If in doubt, try inserting the Adapter both ways. The Adapter will slide in further when it is correct.

2. The Adapter does not work properly.

•Reinsert the Adapter into your notebook’s PCMCIA slot. A beep should be heard if the Adapter is properly inserted.

•For non-Windows environments, make sure that a PCMCIA card service driver is installed on your PC.

•Open the Control Panel and click the PC Card. Check whether it has a PCMCIA card in one of the sockets or not. If you find the Adapter in one of the sockets, it means that the Adapter has been detected properly. If you see a yellow question mark, the resources are in conflict.

•Right-clickMy Computer and select Properties. Select Device Manager and click the Network Adapter. You will find the Dual-Band Wireless A+B Notebook Adapter if it is installed successfully. If you see the yellow excla- mation mark, the resources are in conflict. Click PCMCIA card and then click PCMCIA card service. You will see the status of the Adapter. If there is a yellow question mark please check the following:

•Make sure that your notebook has a free IRQ.

•Make sure that you have inserted the right Adapter and installed the prop- er driver.

If the Adapter does not function after attempting the above steps, remove the Adapter and do the following:

•Uninstall the driver software from your PC.

•Restart your PC and repeat the hardware and software installation as spec- ified in this User Guide.

Dual-Band Wireless A+B Notebook Adapter

3. I cannot communicate with a wired computer linked via an access point in the infrastructure configuration.

•Make sure that the notebook PC is powered on.

•Make sure that the Adapter is configured with the same SSID and security options as the other computers in the infrastructure configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run an application from a remote computer over the wireless network? This will depend on whether or not the application is designed to be used over a network. Consult the application’s user guide to determine if it supports oper- ation over a network.

Can I play computer games with other members of the wireless network?

Yes, as long as the game supports multiple players over a LAN (local area net- work). Refer to the game’s user guide for more information.

What is the IEEE 802.11a standard?

It is one of the IEEE standards for wireless networks. The 802.11a standard allows wireless networking hardware from different manufacturers to commu- nicate, provided that the hardware complies with the 802.11a standard. The 802.11a standard states a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an oper- ating frequency of 5GHz.

What is the IEEE 802.11b standard?

It is one of the IEEE standards for wireless networks. The 802.11b standard allows wireless networking hardware from different manufacturers to commu- nicate, provided that the hardware complies with the 802.11b standard. The 802.11b standard states a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an oper- ating frequency of 2.4GHz.

What IEEE 802.11a features are supported?

The product supports the following IEEE 802.11a functions:

•OFDM protocol

•Multi-Channel Roaming

•Automatic Rate Selection

•RTS/CTS feature

•Fragmentation

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