Creative 2030 User Manual

User Manual

Creative Network Blaster

Wireless LAN USB Adapter 2030

Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Creative Technology Ltd. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the written permission of Creative Technology Ltd. The software described in this document is furnished under a license agreement and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the license agreement. It is against the law to copy the software on any other medium except as specifically allowed in the license agreement. The licensee may make one copy of the software for backup purposes.

Version 1.1 May 2002

Network Blaster is a registered trademark of Creative Technology Ltd.

Broadxent Pte Ltd is a subsidiary of Creative Technology Ltd.

IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation.

Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, and the Windows logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Contents

Safety Precautions

General Safety.........................................................................................vii

FCC Radiation Exposure Statement ...........................................................viii

Introduction

Before You Begin ..................................................................................... xi

Package Contents ........................................................................... xi

Recording Model and Serial Numbers ................................................ xi

Minimum System Requirements ....................................................... xi

Document Conventions.............................................................................xii

1 About Wireless LAN

Wireless LAN ......................................................................................... 1-1

Installation................................................................................... 1-1

Cost ............................................................................................ 1-1

Speed.......................................................................................... 1-1

Mobility ....................................................................................... 1-1

Scalability .................................................................................... 1-1

Ad-hoc mode ........................................................................ 1-2

Infrastructure mode............................................................... 1-2

Flexibility ..................................................................................... 1-2

2 Installing Hardware

About Rear View of Wireless LAN USB Adapter .......................................... 2-1

-iii

3 Installing and Uninstalling Drivers and

Configuration Utility

Installing Drivers and Configuration Utility ................................................3-2

In Windows 98SE.......................................................................... 3-2

In Windows 2000.......................................................................... 3-8

In Windows Me........................................................................... 3-14

In Windows XP ........................................................................... 3-19

Uninstalling Drivers and Configuration Utility ........................................... 3-25

4 Configuring the Wireless LAN USB Adapter

Configuration Utility Icon ............................................................... 4-1

Configuring Settings....................................................................... 4-2

Configuration Settings .................................................................... 4-3

Site Survey Settings...................................................................... 4-4

Encryption Settings........................................................................ 4-5

Advanced Settings ........................................................................ 4-6

Utility Information......................................................................... 4-7

Configuring Settings In Windows XP.........................................................4-8

Using the Wireless Network Connection ........................................... 4-8

Encryption settings ................................................................4-9

Network Status ................................................................... 4-11

Using the Configuration Utility ...................................................... 4-12

Notes on Wireless LAN Configuration ...................................................... 4-13

5 Configuring Your Computer’s Network Settings

Network Configuration in Windows 98 SE/Me ............................................5-2

Network Configuration in Windows 2000...................................................5-5

Network Configuration in Windows XP ......................................................5-6

-iv

Appendixes

ASpecifications

Wireless Interface.................................................................. A-1

USB Interface .......................................................................A-1

Antenna ...............................................................................A-1

Frequency Range...................................................................A-1

Modulation............................................................................ A-1

Channels ..............................................................................A-1

Data Rate ............................................................................. A-1

Output Power........................................................................A-1

Coverage Area (outdoor)........................................................A-1

Power Supply........................................................................A-1

Indicator LEDs.......................................................................A-2

Safety and Regulatory............................................................A-2

Physical Dimensions...............................................................A-2

Weight .................................................................................A-2

B Troubleshooting

Problems with Wireless LAN USB Adapter .................................................B-1

In Windows 98SE/Me/2000............................................................ B-1

In Windows XP ..............................................................................B-2

Problems with Software ..........................................................................B-2

If the Network Blaster 2030-01 Setup dialog box does not appear ............... B-4

-v

C Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

DGlossary

E Service and Warranty Information

The Americas ........................................................................................ E-1

Product Return .............................................................................. E-1

Tech Support.................................................................................E-2

Warranty Information..................................................................... E-3

Asia...................................................................................................... E-4

Helpline Information....................................................................... E-6

For South Africa ....................................................................E-6

For Malaysia.......................................................................... E-6

For Hong Kong & Macau ......................................................... E-7

For the rest of the Asia Pacific region ....................................... E-7

-vi

Safety Precautions

General Safety

To avoid the risk of fire, electric shock or personal injury, read the following before operating the product:

❑ Do not expose Wireless LAN USB Adapter to direct sunlight or excessive heat. ❑ Keep Wireless LAN USB Adapter in a place where there is minimum risk of liquid

spillage on it.

❑ Do not place Wireless LAN USB Adapter in surroundings where the temperature

is over 40°C (104°F).

❑ Avoid humid conditions. Do not place the product near a water source or outlet

such as a bath tub, sink, wash bowl, laundry tub, swimming pool, or a wet or humid wall.

❑ Never clean the Wireless LAN USB Adapter with a damp cloth or liquid cleaner. ❑ Do not press or bend the electrical power cord; do not place any weight on it. ❑ In the event of a gas leak, do not use an electrical switch or any telephone

equipment connected to a power outlet found in the vicinity of the leak.

❑ Do not use any electric product, electric cord, or power socket that is even

partially damaged.

❑ Do not tamper with the internal assembly or circuit board of the Wireless LAN USB

Adapter — none of its parts are user replaceable.

❑ Allow only qualified personnel to service or repair the Wireless LAN USB Adapter,

if such is necessary.

vii

FCC Radiation Exposure Statement

This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20 cm (8 inches) between the in-built antennas and your body.

viii

Introduction

Welcome to Creative Wireless World! Connect the Creative Network Blaster Wireless LAN USB Adapter 2030 to your computer, and your computer becomes a wireless networking station. Using radio frequency (RF) signals, your computer will be able to share network resources and access other stations within a wired or wireless Local Area Network using Ad-hoc (peer-to-peer) and Infrastructure network modes.

Communication with a wired network is through an access point.

Introduction x

Before You Begin

This section contains information you should know about before using this manual. Read the information carefully before proceeding further.

Package Contents

Recording Model and Serial Numbers

Minimum System Requirements

❑ Wireless LAN USB Adapter 2030 ❑ USB cable ❑ Quick Installation Guide ❑ CD-ROM containing drivers, utility, and User Manual.

You r Wireless LAN USB Adapter has a model number and a serial number located on the bottom side. After removing the Wireless LAN USB Adapter from its packaging, write down its model and serial numbers for future reference. You will need to quote these numbers when contacting our Technical Support office.

The following are the minimum system requirements:

❑ Intel Pentium ❑ 20 MB of free hard disk space ❑ 32 MB RAM (64 MB recommended) ❑ Microsoft Windows

Windows Millennium (Me) or Windows XP

❑ One available USB port enabled (version 1.0 compliant) ❑ CD-ROM drive

II 233 MHz processor or equivalent

98 Second Edition (SE), Windows 2000,

Introduction xi

Document Conventions

This manual uses the following conventions to help you locate and identify the information that you need.

Table i: Document conventions

Text Element Use

This notepad icon indicates information that is of particular importance and should be considered before continuing.

This alarm clock icon indicates that failure to adhere to directions may result in loss of data or damage to your system.

The warning sign indicates that failure to adhere to directions may result in bodily harm or life threatening situations.

Introduction xii

About Wireless LAN

Wireless LAN

Installation

Cost

Speed

Mobility

Scalability

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), compared to a traditional wired LAN, is easy to setup and manage, so it saves you time and money.

A WLAN combines data connectivity with user mobility. You can move around in a room or move from one floor to another without being disconnected from the LAN. In most companies, a wireless LAN is an extension of a wired network. However, in small offices or hard-to-wire areas, it may be the only LAN solution.

Installing a WLAN is easy, convenient, and fast.

A WLAN is cost effective, as you do not have to install cables into your walls and floors. Multiple Internet users can share a single IP address.

A WLAN provides data speeds of up to 11 Mbps, which increases the access rate to shared resources.

Unlike wired networks, a WLAN allows you to move around on a floor or building, or even across buildings, and still remain connected to the network.

You can choose to configure your WLAN to Ad-hoc mode or Infrastructure mode. In Ad-hoc mode, a wireless computer (client) communicates with other wireless stations directly. In Infrastructure mode, wireless clients connect to an access point via radio waves, and the access point connects to other wireless and wired clients. It is easy to configure a WLAN when you need to switch from one topology to another.

About Wireless LAN 1-1

Ad-hoc mode

In an Ad-hoc network, also known as a Peerto-Peer network, each workstation in the network is both a server and a wireless client. Users on the network can share files, printers, drives and other peripherals, and access the Internet using a shared modem, as shown in Figure 1-1. However, users can only communicate with other WLAN computers that are in the WLAN workgroup and that are within a fixed range.

Internet

Printer

Figure 1-1: Ad-hoc network.

Infrastructure mode

Flexibility

In an Infrastructure network, wireless clients connect to an access point that is connected to a wired LAN, as shown in Figure

Intern et

Access Point

Wireless Clients

1-2. The access point allows a user on a wireless LAN to access an existing wired network, to connect to the Internet, E-mail,

Ethernet LAN

transfer files, and to share a printer. Moreover, the access point manages the bandwidth to maximize bandwidth utilization.

Figure 1-2: Infrastructure network.

Adding new users and rearranging office space is convenient as it does not require any additional wiring.

About Wireless LAN 1-2

Installing Hardware

Creative Network Blaster Wireless LAN USB Adapter 2030 is equipped with a USB port that allows you to connect it to a computer. This chapter guides you through the process of setting up your Wireless LAN USB Adapter to the USB port of a desktop computer.

About Rear View of Wireless LAN USB Adapter

The USB port is located at the rear of the adapter (see Figure 2-1).

USB PORT

Figure 2-1: Rear view of the Network Blaster Wireless LAN

USB Adapter

Installing Hardware 2-1

The Wireless LAN USB Adapter is shown in Figure 2-2. It has a builtin antenna for the transmission and reception of the radio frequency (RF) waves.

Power LED Indicates power status. The LED turns on when Wireless LAN USB Adapter, which gets its power from your computer, is turned on.

Link LED Indicates link status. The LED turns on when the adapter is active.

USB port

Your Wireless LAN USB Adapter comes with a USB cable that has different types of USB connectors at both ends (see Figure 2-3). The type A connector of the USB cable is the most common connector that fits into a USB port of a desktop computer. The type B connector of the USB cable connects to the USB port of your Wireless LAN USB Adapter.

Figure 2-2: Network Blaster Wireless

LAN USB Adapter

Type A

Figure 2-3: The USB cable connectors

Installing Hardware 2-2

Type B

Installing and Uninstalling Drivers and Configuration Utility

Before you begin to install the drivers for your Creative Network Blaster Wireless LAN USB Adapter 2030, be sure that your computer has USB ports and they are enabled, as there are some motherboards with disabled USB ports. In addition,

Install the drivers only after you have installed the hardware.

some motherboards have USB interface with the USB ports extension but no ports, which means that you should purchase your own USB port and plug it to your computer’s motherboard’s USB interface. For more information on how to enable or install the USB port extension with USB interface only, consult your motherboard user guide or vendor.

Installing and Uninstalling Drivers and Configuration Utility 3-1

Installing Drivers and Configuration Utility

In Windows 98SE

1. Turn on your computer.

2. With the USB cable provided, connect Wireless LAN USB Adapter to your computer. Windows automatically detects the USB device. The Add New Hardware Wizard dialog box similar to Figure 3-1 appears.

3. Click the Next button.

Figure 3-1: Add New Hardware

Wizard dialog box

Installing and Uninstalling Drivers and Configuration Utility 3-2

4. In the dialog box similar to Figure 3-2, click the Search for the best driver for your device (Recommended) option, and click the Next button.

5. In the dialog box similar to Figure 3-3, click the CD-ROM drive check box to select it. Insert the installation CD into the CD-ROM drive, and click the Next button.

Installing and Uninstalling Drivers and Configuration Utility 3-3

Figure 3-2: Add New Hardware

Wizard dialog box

Figure 3-3: Add New Hardware

Wizard dialog box

6. In the dialog box similar to Figure 3-4, click the Next button.

7. If the message box similar to Figure 3-5 appears, insert the Windows 98SE CD into the CD-ROM drive, then click the OK button. The Copying Files dialog box appears (see Figure 3-5).

8. In the Copy files from box, type E:\Win98 (where E: represents your CD-ROM drive), and then click the OK button.

Installing and Uninstalling Drivers and Configuration Utility 3-4

Figure 3-4: Add New Hardware

Wizard dialog box

Figure 3-5: Insert Disk message box and

Copying Files dialog box

9. In the next dialog box similar to Figure 3-6, click the Finish button.

10.When prompted, restart your computer. Make sure the installation CD is in the CD-ROM drive.

If the installation CD is not inserted into the CD-ROM drive, the Wireless Utility Setup message appears after the system restarts. Insert the installation CD and click the Retry button.

Figure 3-6: Add New Hardware

Wizard dialog box

11.After restarting your computer, the Network Blaster 2030-01 Setup dialog box similar to Figure 3-7 appears.

12.Click the Next button.

Figure 3-7: Network Blaster 2030-01

Setup dialog box

Installing and Uninstalling Drivers and Configuration Utility 3-5

13.When the dialog box similar to Figure 3-8 appears, click the Next button.

14.When the dialog box similar to Figure 3-9 appears, click the Next button.

Installing and Uninstalling Drivers and Configuration Utility 3-6

Figure 3-8: Network Blaster 2030-01

Setup dialog box

Figure 3-9: Network Blaster 2030-01

Setup dialog box

15.When the dialog box similar to Figure 3-10 appears, click the Next button.

16.When the dialog box similar to Figure 3-11 appears, click the Finish button.

Installing and Uninstalling Drivers and Configuration Utility 3-7

Figure 3-10:Network Blaster 2030-01

Setup dialog box

Figure 3-11:Network Blaster 2030-

01 Setup dialog box

After you have installed the Wireless LAN USB Adapter’s drivers, you must configure the Wireless LAN USB Adapter’s settings. See “Configuring the Wireless LAN USB Adapter” on page 4-1.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed the Wireless LAN USB Adapter’s drivers and Configuration Utility. The Configuration Utility icon (see Figure 3-12) appears on the taskbar near the clock.

To close the Configuration Utility, right-click its icon, and select Exit.

Figure 3-12:Configuration Utility

icon

In Windows 2000

1. Turn on your computer.

2. With the USB cable provided, connect Wireless LAN USB Adapter to your computer. Windows automatically detects the USB device. The Found New Hardware Wizard dialog box similar to Figure 3-13 appears.

3. Click the Next button.

Figure 3-13:Found New Hardware

Wizard dialog box

Installing and Uninstalling Drivers and Configuration Utility 3-8

4. In the dialog box similar to Figure 3-14 appears, click the Search for a

suitable driver for your device (recommended) option, and click the Next button.

5. In the dialog box similar to Figure 3-15, click the CD-ROM drives check box to select it. Insert the installation CD into the CD-ROM drive, and click the Next button.

Installing and Uninstalling Drivers and Configuration Utility 3-9

Figure 3-14:Found New Hardware

Wizard dialog box

Figure 3-15:Found New Hardware

Wizard dialog box

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