Dell 3300 User Manual

Dell™ Wireless Printer Adapter 3300 User's
Guide

Click the links to the left for information on the features and operation of your wireless printer adapter. For
information on other documentation included with your wireless printer adapter, see Finding Information.

Notes, Notices, and Cautions

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your wireless

printer adapter.

NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how

to avoid the problem.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2004 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.

Trademarks used in this text: Dell and the DELL logo are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Microsoft and Windows are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or
their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

Model 3300

October 2004

Finding Information

What are you looking for?

Find it here

Software for my wireless
printer adapter
My User's Guide

Setup CD

Safety information
Warranty information
Regulatory information

Product Information Guide

How to set up my wireless
printer adapter

Set Up Your Dell™ Wireless Printer Adapter 3300 poster

Latest software for my
wireless printer adapter
Answers to technical service
and support questions
Documentation for my
wireless printer adapter

Dell Support Website: support.dell.com
The Dell Support website provides several online tools, including:

Solutions - Troubleshooting hints and tips, articles from
technicians, and online courses
Customer Care - Contact information, order status, warranty,
and repair information
Reference - Wireless printer adapter documentation and
product specifications

How to use Windows XP
Documentation for my
wireless printer adapter

Windows XP Help and Support Center

Click Start Help and Support.1.
Type a word or phrase that describes your problem, and then2.

1.
click the arrow icon.

2.
Click the topic that describes your problem.3.

Follow the instructions shown on the screen.4.

About Your Wireless Printer Adapter

Unpacking your wireless printer adapter
Understanding the wireless printer adapter ports
Understanding the wireless printer adapter indicator lights
Wireless networking overview

Unpacking your wireless printer adapter

Number

Description

1

Dell Wireless Printer Adapter 3300

2

Product Information Guide

3

Dell Wireless Printer Adapter 3300 Setup CD

4

Set Up Your Dell™ Wireless Printer Adapter 3300 poster

5

Power supply

6

Power cord wall adapter

7

USB cable

NOTE: This wireless printer adapter will not work with all Dell printers. Consult support.dell.com for

more information.

Understanding the wireless printer adapter ports

Number

Part

Description

1

USB port (to
computer)

Connects your wireless printer adapter to a computer for initial configuration
and network setup. Use USB port 2 to connect your wireless printer adapter to
your printer.

2

USB port (to
printer)

Connects your wireless printer adapter to your printer.

3

Test button

Press and hold while inserting the power cord connector into the power
connector to reset your wireless printer adapter to factory default settings. If
the wireless printer adapter is connected to a laser printer, press once to print a
test page.

4

Power supply
connector

Connects the wireless printer adapter to the power supply.

Understanding the wireless printer adapter indicator
lights

Number

Part

Description

1

Power
Indicator

The wireless printer adapter has power.
2

USB Status

The wireless printer adapter is connected by USB and is communicating.

3

Wireless Status

The wireless printer adapter is connected to and communicating with the
network.

For more information, see Indicator light status.

Wireless networking overview

There are two types of wireless network connections: Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc.

In Infrastructure mode, the network structure is based on a series of wireless routers or base-stations.

In Ad-Hoc mode, wireless devices communicate with each other directly without using a wireless router.

If you can connect the wireless printer adapter to your computer with the USB cable, you can set up the
wireless printer adapter using the Dell Wireless Printer Adapter 3300 Setup Wizard on the Setup CD. For
more information, see Basic Setup.

If you are unable to connect the wireless printer adapter to your computer with the USB cable, you can
configure your wireless printer adapter by using Ad-Hoc networking and the embedded web page. For more
information, see Advanced Setup.

NOTE: To configure the wireless printer adapter by this method, you must have a computer with a

wireless network card.

Basic Setup

Minimum requirements
Selecting a location for your wireless printer adapter
Setup overview
Determining your wireless network settings
Setting up your wireless printer adapter
Installing your printer on the network

Minimum requirements

The Dell Wireless Printer Adapter 3300
An existing wireless network. The following security types are supported:

No security
WEP with 64 bit or 128 bit security keys
WPA (WiFi protected access) - personal in pre-shared key mode over TKIP (Infrastructure mode

networks only)
A computer that is connected to your wireless network
A network-capable printer
The Dell Wireless Printer Adapter 3300 Setup CD
The software CD that came with your printer

NOTE: To use the Dell Wireless Printer Adapter 3300 Setup Wizard on the Setup CD, your computer

must be running Windows 2000 or Windows XP.

Selecting a location for your wireless printer adapter

The location of your wireless printer adapter is vital to ensuring that it works effectively. Follow these
guidelines when determining a location for your wireless printer adapter:

Place the wireless printer adapter on a flat, level surface away from excessive heat, cold, and moisture.
Keep the wireless printer adapter within appropriate range of a wireless access point if your network

uses an Infrastructure configuration.
Keep the wireless printer adapter away from other non-essential electronic devices such as microwave

ovens or other appliances.

Keep the wireless printer adapter away from obstructions that could interfere with the wireless signal.

Setup overview

The basic setup process consists of three sections:

Determining your wireless network settings1.
Setting up your wireless printer adapter to communicate on your wireless network2.
Installing your printer on the network3.

The setup section involves connecting the wireless printer adapter to a computer by USB cable and running
the Dell Wireless Printer Adapter 3300 Setup Wizard on the Setup CD to configure the device and test the
wireless connection.

The installation section involves connecting the wireless printer adapter to the printer that you want to install
and running the printer software CD to install it as a network printer.

Additional computers can use the printer attached to the printer adapter by running the printer software CD
on each of these computers.

Before setting up your wireless printer adapter, do the following:

Install toner or ink cartridges in your printer.
Load paper into your printer.
Turn on your printer.

NOTE: DO NOT install the printer software yet, and DO NOT connect the printer to the computer or

the wireless printer adapter.

Determining your wireless network settings

You may need to know some of your wireless network settings in order to set up your wireless printer
adapter. If you're not sure what these settings are, refer to your network documentation or check with your
network administrator.

Network Name, also known as SSID (Service Set ID)
Security type

None

WEP (Wired Equivalency Protocol)

WPA (Wifi Protected Access)
Security Key(s)

Setting up your wireless printer adapter

Connecting your wireless printer adapter to your computer

Connect the large end of the USB cable to your computer USB port.1.
Insert the small end of the USB cable into the left side USB port of the wireless printer adapter.2.
Connect the wireless printer adapter to its power supply.3.

Continue with Configuring your wireless printer adapter.4.

Configuring your wireless printer adapter

Insert the Dell Wireless Printer Adapter 3300 Setup CD. The Setup Wizard on the Setup CD will
automatically launch.

1.

Click Agree on the License Agreement screen.2.
Select the destination folder for the Dell software, and then click Finish.3.
After the software has installed, click Next on the Welcome screen.4.
Select the appropriate Network Name (SSID) from the list, and then click Next.5.

5.

If the Network Name you want to use is not in the list, select I want to enter a different
configuration, and then click Next.

If the correct Network Name is still not in the list, make sure that your wireless network is
functioning, and try again.

If your wireless network is broadcasting and the correct Network Name still does not appear:

From the Wireless Networks Found in Your Area screen, select I want to enter a different

network name, and then click Next.

a.

a.

Enter the Network Name (SSID) of the network that you want to use. If you're not sure which

network you want to use, refer to your network documentation or check with your network

administrator.

b.

Select the appropriate channel for the network.c.

NOTE: Channel options include Auto (Recommended) and 1-11 (US)/ 1-13 (UK/ Europe).

Select Infrastructure or Ad-Hoc Mode, depending on your wireless network configuration. For

more information, see Wireless networking overview.

d.

d.

Click Next, and then continue with step 6.e.

Select the appropriate security method, and then click Next. If no security was detected, go to step 8.6.

Enter the appropriate security key(s) for your network, and then click Next.7.
Check each network attribute on the summary screen to make sure that the settings are correct. If the

settings are correct, click Next to apply these settings to your wireless printer adapter.

8.

8.

Disconnect the USB cable from both your computer and the wireless printer adapter.9.
Continue with Connecting your wireless printer adapter to your printer.10.

Connecting your wireless printer adapter to your printer

Use the same cable to connect the wireless printer adapter to your printer: insert the large end of the
USB cable into the middle USB port on the back of the wireless printer adapter, and then insert the
small end of the USB cable into your printer.

1.

Click Next to continue with the Setup Wizard on the Setup CD.2.
Write down the port or MAC address information displayed on the screen. This information may be

needed when installing your printer on the network. This number should match the MAC ID printed on
the bottom of your wireless printer adapter.

3.

Click Finish to close the Setup Wizard on the Setup CD.4.
Remove the Setup CD from your computer, and insert your printer software CD.5.
Continue with Installing your printer on the network.6.

Installing your printer on the network

Once the wireless printer adapter has been configured, use the printer software CD that came with your
printer to install your network printer on the computers attached to your network.

Make sure that your printer software CD is inserted into the computer you want to install the printer
for.

When installing the printer, follow the Network installation path. This process can vary between
different printers.

Installing your network printer on additional network
computers

If you are installing your network printer for use with multiple computers on the network, you will need to
repeat the Installing your printer on the network process for each computer you want to have access to the
printer. You do not need to install the wireless printer adapter again.