Actiontec 802CA Owner's Manual

54 Mbps Wireless
PC Card

User Guide

0530-0309-000

1

Table of Contents

l. Introduction 2

ll. Technical Support 3

lIl. Operating Modes 4

IV. Installing the PC Card 6

V. Installing the Software 7

Windows 98 and 98SE 7

Windows Me 9

Windows 2000 11

Windows XP 13

VI. Installing the Configuration Utility 15

Windows 98, 98SE, Me, and 2000 15

VII. Setting Infrastructure Mode 16

Windows 98, 98SE, Me, and 2000 16

Windows XP 17

VIII. Setting AdHoc Mode 20

Windows 98, 98SE, Me, and 2000 20

Windows XP 22

IX. Configuring File and Print Sharing 24

Windows 98, 98SE, and Me 24

Windows 2000 29

Windows XP 30

X. Troubleshooting 32

XI. Frequently Asked Questions 33

XII. Regulatory and Warranty 34

Proprietary Notice and Disclaimer

Unless otherwise noted, this document and the information herein disclosed are proprietary to Actiontec Electronics, Inc the manufacturer. Any person or
entity to whom this document is furnished or who otherwise has possession thereof, by acceptance agrees that it will not be copied or reproduced in whole
or in part, nor used in any manner except to meet the purposes for which it was delivered.

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a commitment by Actiontec the manufacturer.
Although Action tec the manufacturer will make every effort to inform users of substantive errors, Actiontec the manufacturer disclaims all liability for any
loss or damage resulting from the use of this document or any hardware or software described herein, including without limitation contingent, special or
incidental liability.

Note: PC is a trademar k of IBM Corporation. Windows 98 and 98 SE is a trademark of Microsoft Inc. All other brand or product names and logos used

in this manual are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

0530-0309-000

Page

Table of Contents

2

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC card. This
Wireless PC Card is easy to setup and easy to use. If you’re tired of all those
messy wires needed to connect a laptop to your home network, take your
networking to the next level with the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card. You’ll
be able to have full access to your network and share files, printers and even
your High-Speed Internet access wirelessly from anywhere within your home.
This card uses Wi-Fi5 (a.k.a. IEEE 802.11a) technology.

Package Contents

Make sure the following items came in this package:

• Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card

• Installation CD-ROM

• User’s Manual

• Quick Start Installation Guide

• Warranty Card

Minimum System Requirements

• Compatible notebook, PC or handheld device with an available 32-bit
Cardbus Type II slot

• 16 MB of RAM

• Windows 98, Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000 or Windows XP

Introduction

3

Contacting Technical Support

Actiontec Electronics prides itself on making high-quality, durable, high­performance products. If you need assistance, the Actiontec Technical Support
Department is available seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Mountain
Time) to provide professional support.

Contacting Technical Support

Actiontec Electronics, Inc.

760 N. Mary Avenue

Sunnyvale, CA 94085

Phone: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

4

Operating Modes

The Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card can be set to operate in one of two
modes: AdHoc mode or Infrastructure mode.

AdHoc Mode

When configured for AdHoc mode, the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card is
able to operate in an environment where a wireless network consists of a
number of stations using additional 54 Mbps Wireless Cards without access
points. They can share files this way, but are not able to access Wired LAN
(Local Area Network) resources.

Operating Modes

AdHoc Network

Infrastructure Mode

When configured for Infrastructure mode, the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC
Card network is able to operate on a network composed of base stations and

access points that connect the wireless network to a wired LAN (Local Area
Network), allowing wireless computers access to LAN resources, such as file and
print servers or existing Internet connectivity.

5

Operating Modes

Infrastructure Network

You may reconfigure the 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card at any time by following the
steps in this manual.

6

Installing the 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card

1. Your computer can be on or off, it will not affect the installation process. Locate an
available Type II or Type III PCMCIA slot on your laptop. If you are not sure where
the slot is, please consult your laptop’s user manual.

2. Insert the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card into the appropriate PCMCIA slot.
Your hardware is now installed.

Installing the 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card

This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rule., as well as ICES 003 B / NMB
003 B. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may
not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesirable operation.
Modifications not expressly authorized by Actiontec Electronics may invalidate
the user's right to operate this equipment.

WARNING!!

While this device is in operation, a separation distance of at least 20 centimeters
must be maintained between the radiating antenna and the body of all persons
exposed to the transmitter in order to meet the FCC RF exposure guidelines.

7

Installing the Software

Windows 98 and 98SE

1. Upon restarting Windows, the “New Hardware Found” window will appear.

2. Insert the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card Installation CD into your
CD-ROM drive. Click Next.

3. In the “Add New Hardware Wizard’ screen that appears, select the option

“Search for the best driver for your device (Recommended)” and click the
Next button.

Installing the Software

8

Installing the Software

4. A screen will display location options to look for the driver. Make sure the
box next to “CD-ROM drive ” is checked and click Next.

5. Click Next to continue.

9

Installing the Software

6. Click Finish to continue to complete the driver installation. Note: In
Windows ME, the device manager will show a warning in regards to the
driver and Windows Logo testing. This is normal.

7. Click Ye s to restart the system.

Note: Once the system is restarted, the 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card will

display two flashing greet lights.

Windows Me

1. Upon restarting Windows, the “New Hardware Found” screen appears.

10

Installing the Software

2. Insert the PC Card Installation CD into your CD-ROM drive

3. In the “Add New Hardware Wizard” screen that appears, select the option
“Automatic search for a better driver (Recommended)” and click Next.

4. Click Finish to continue to complete the driver installation. Note: In

Windows ME, the device manager will show a warning in regards to the
driver and Windows Logo testing. This is normal.

4. Click Ye s to restart the system.

Note: Once the system is restarted, the PC Card will display two flashing

green lights.

11

Installing the Software

Windows 2000

1. After you have installed the PC Card, your computer will display the
“Found New Hardware Wizard” window. Click Next.

2. Choose “Search for a suitable driver for my device (recommended) and
click Next.

3. Insert the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card Installation CD into your
CD-ROM drive. Choose the “CD-ROM Drive” option and click Next.