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v2.2, December 2005
Chapter 3Basic Setup
This chapter describes how to install your NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card WG511v2 and
set up basic wireless connectivity on your Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Advanced
wireless network set up is covered in Chapter 4, “Network Connections and Wireless Security” in
this manual.

What You Need Before You Begin

You need to verify that your computer meets the minimum system requirements and identify the
wireless network settings of the WLAN where you will connect before you can set up your
wireless PC card and connect.

Verify System Requirements

Before installing the NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card WG511v2, please make sure that
these minimum requirements have been met:
• You must have a Pentium® Class notebook computer with an available CardBus slot.
•A CD drive.
• 5 MB of free hard disk space.
• Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, 2000, Me, or 98SE.
• Some versions of Windows may ask for the original Windows operating system installation
files to complete the installation of the WG511v2 driver software.
Note: Indoors, computers can easily connect to 802.11 wireless networks at distances of
several hundred feet. Because walls do not always block wireless signals, others
outside your immediate area could access your network. It is important to take
appropriate steps to secure your network from unauthorized access. The
NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card WG511v2 provides highly effective
security features which are covered in “Using Wireless Security Features” on
page 4-9 in this manual. Deploy the security features appropriate to your needs.