HP Wireless Device User Manual
Wireless (Select Models Only)
User Guide
© Copyright 2008 Hewlett-Packard
Development Company, L.P.
Windows is a U.S. registered trademark of
Microsoft Corporation. Bluetooth is a
trademark owned by its proprietor and used
by Hewlett-Packard Company under license.
The information contained herein is subject
to change without notice. The only
warranties for HP products and services are
set forth in the express warranty statements
accompanying such products and services.
Nothing herein should be construed as
constituting an additional warranty. HP shall
not be liable for technical or editorial errors
or omissions contained herein.
First Edition: June 2008
Document Part Number: 482922-001
Product notice
This user guide describes features that are common to most models. Some features may not be
available on your computer.
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iv Product notice
Table of contents
1 Using wireless devices (select models only)
Identifying wireless and network status icons ...................................................................................... 2
Using the wireless controls ................................................................................................................... 3
Using the wireless button ..................................................................................................................... 4
Using Wireless Assistant software (select models only) ...................................................................... 5
Using operating system controls .......................................................................................................... 6
2 Using a WLAN
Setting up a WLAN ............................................................................................................................... 8
Protecting your WLAN .......................................................................................................................... 9
Connecting to a WLAN ....................................................................................................................... 10
Roaming to another network .............................................................................................................. 11
3 Using HP Mobile Broadband (select models only)
Inserting a SIM ................................................................................................................................... 13
Removing a SIM ................................................................................................................................. 14
4 Using Bluetooth wireless devices (select models only)
Bluetooth and Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) .............................................................................. 16
5 Troubleshooting wireless connection problems
Cannot connect to a WLAN ................................................................................................................ 18
Cannot connect to a preferred network .............................................................................................. 19
Network status icon is not displayed .................................................................................................. 20
Current network security codes are unavailable ................................................................................ 21
WLAN connection is very weak .......................................................................................................... 22
Cannot connect to the wireless router ................................................................................................ 23
Index ................................................................................................................................................................... 24
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1 Using wireless devices (select models
only)
Wireless technology transfers data across radio waves instead of wires. Your computer may be
equipped with one or more of the following wireless devices:
Wireless local area network (WLAN) device—Connects the computer to wireless local area
●
networks (commonly referred to as Wi-Fi networks, wireless LANs, or WLANs) in corporate offices,
your home, and public places such as airports, restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, and universities.
In a WLAN, each mobile wireless device communicates with a wireless router or a wireless access
point.
HP Mobile Broadband Module—A wireless wide area network (WWAN) device that provides
●
access to information wherever mobile network operator service is available. In a WWAN, each
mobile device communicates to a mobile network operator’s base station. Mobile network operators
install networks of base stations (similar to cell phone towers) throughout large geographic areas,
effectively providing coverage across entire states, regions, or even countries.
Bluetooth® device—Creates a personal area network (PAN) to connect to other Bluetooth-enabled
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devices such as computers, phones, printers, headsets, speakers, and cameras. In a PAN, each
device communicates directly with other devices, and devices must be relatively close together—
typically within 10 meters (approximately 33 feet) of each other.
Computers with WLAN devices support one or more of the following IEEE industry standards:
802.11b, the first popular standard, supports data rates of up to 11 Mbps and operates at a
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frequency of 2.4 GHz.
802.11g supports data rates of up to 54 Mbps and operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. An 802.11g
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WLAN device is backward compatible with 802.11b devices, so they can operate on the same
network.
802.11a supports data rates of up to 54 Mbps and operates at a frequency of 5 GHz.
●
NOTE: 802.11a is not compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g.
802.11n supports data rates of up to 450 Mbps and may operate at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, making it
●
backward compatible with 802.11a, b, and g.
For more information on wireless technology, refer to the information and Web site links provided in
Help and Support.
1
Identifying wireless and network status icons
Icon Name Description
Wireless (connected) Identifies the location of the wireless lights and the wireless
Wireless (disconnected) Identifies the Wireless Assistant software on the computer and
Wireless network connection (connected) Indicates that one or more of your WLAN devices are connected
Wireless network connection (disconnected) Indicates that one or more of your WLAN devices are not
Network status (connected) Indicates that one or more of your LAN drivers are installed and
Network status (disconnected) Indicates that one or more of your LAN drivers are installed but
buttons on the computer. Also identifies the Wireless Assistant
software on the computer and indicates that one or more of the
wireless devices are on.
indicates that all of the wireless devices are off.
to the network.
connected to a network.
one or more LAN devices are connected to the network.
no LAN devices are connected to the network.
2 Chapter 1 Using wireless devices (select models only)
Using the wireless controls
You can control the wireless devices in your computer using these features:
Wireless button or wireless switch (referred to in this guide as the wireless button)
●
Wireless Assistant software (select models only)
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Operating system controls
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Using the wireless controls 3
Using the wireless button
The computer has a wireless button, one or more wireless devices, and one or two wireless lights,
depending on the model. All of the wireless devices on your computer are enabled at the factory, so the
wireless light is on (blue) when you turn on the computer.
The wireless light indicates the overall power state of your wireless devices, not the status of individual
devices. If the wireless light is blue, at least one wireless device is on. If the wireless light is off, all
wireless devices are off.
NOTE: On some models, the wireless light is amber when all wireless devices are off.
Because the wireless devices are enabled at the factory, you can use the wireless button to turn on or
turn off the wireless devices simultaneously. Individual wireless devices can be controlled through
Wireless Assistant software (select models only).
4 Chapter 1 Using wireless devices (select models only)
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