Sierra Wireless AirCard 550 User Manual

User’s Guide

PCS Connection Card

by Sierra Wireless AirCard

550

Copyright © 2002 Sprint Spectrum L.P. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or in part allowed without prior written approval. Sprint, the diamond logo and all other trademarks listed herein are registered trade marks of Sprint Communications Company, L.P., used under license.

Table of Contents

Welcome to Sprint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Introduction to this User’s Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

SECTION 1: PCS Connection Card Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

1A.Introducing the PCS Connection CardTM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Your PCS Connection Card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

CDMA Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

A Network Card and a Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Package Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

About This Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

1B.Getting Started With Your PCS Connection Card

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

The PCS Connection Card Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Activating and Using PCS Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

SECTION 2: Installing the PCS Connection Card . . . . . . . . 15

2A.Installation on Notebook PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Installing the PCS Connection Manager

Software (Windows 98 SE, Me, and 2000). . . 19

Installing the PCS Connection Manager Software (Windows XP). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Inserting and Removing the PCS Connection Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Activating Your PCS Connection Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

2B.Installation on Handheld and Pocket PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Installing the PCS Connection Manager

Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Inserting and Removing the PCS Connection Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Activating Your PCS Connection Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

SECTION 3: Using the PCS Connection Card. . . . . . . . . . . . 35

3A.The PCS Connection ManagerSM Window and Indicators . . . . . . . . 37

The PCS Connection Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Starting the PCS Connection Manager Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Getting Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

The PCS Connection Manager Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Displaying the Menu Items. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Keypad Button (Notebook / Handheld PCs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

The Minimize and Close Buttons (Notebook / Handheld PC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Message Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Indicator Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

GO Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Taskbar Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

3B.Data Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

The Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

PCS Vision (High-Speed) Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Dormant Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

3C. Voice Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Voice Connection Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Using the Keypad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Outgoing Calls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Incoming Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Voicemail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

3D.Menu Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Overview of menu items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Web Messaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Reading Web Messages: The Inbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Exiting the Web Messaging Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Phone Book (Notebook PC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Adding a Record to the Phone Book. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Dialing a Phone Number in the Phone Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Synchronizing Your Phone Book With Microsoft

Outlook®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Phone Book (Handheld/Pocket PC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Always On Top (Notebooks Only). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Call Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

KeyGuard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Activation Wizard…. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Options… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Sounds Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Security Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Voice Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Web Messages Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

General Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Network Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Display Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Online Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Help Topics (Notebook PC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Help Topics (Handheld PC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Help Topics (Pocket PC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

About Window… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

3E. The Network Adapter Manager (Notebooks Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

The Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Windows 98 SE and Me. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Windows 2000 and XP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

On-Line Help and Version Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Closing the Network Adapter Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

3F. Troubleshooting Tips (Notebook PC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Problem Causes and Suggestions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Reinstalling the PCS Connection Card Driver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Windows 98 SE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Windows Me. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Resolving Resource Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Windows 98 SE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Windows Me. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

3G.Troubleshooting Tips (Handheld / Pocket PC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Problem Causes and Suggestions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Uninstalling the PCS Connection Manager Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

SECTION 4: PCS Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

4A. PCS VisionTM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Browsing the Web With Your PCS Connection Card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Launching the Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Your User Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Messaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

PCS Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Signing Up for Web Updates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Using PCS Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Accessing PCS Email Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Composing PCS Email Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

PCS Business Connection

Personal Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

PCS Vision FAQs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

SECTION 5: Specifications and Regulatory Information. 129

5A.Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

LED Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

Radio Frequency and Electrical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

5B.Regulatory Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Regulatory Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

SECTION 6: Safety and Terms & Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . 139

6A.Safety and Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Important Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

Safety and Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

Limitation of Liability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Patents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Copyright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

6B.Terms and Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Terms and Conditions of Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

Welcome to Sprint

nly Sprint built the largest all-digital, all-PCS nationwide network with advanced multimedia services, reaching more than 230 million people

for clarity you can see and hear. When it comes to mobile connectivity, the PCS Connection CardTM offers

more freedom than ever before. No wires, no cables, just access to your data when you need it. The power of the Internet and company data is truly at your fingertips.

This guide will familiarize you with our technology and your new PCS Connection Card and PCS Connection Manager

Software through

simple, easy-to-follow instructions.

Thank you for choosing Sprint.

Introduction to this User’s Guide

his User’s Guide introduces you to all the features of your new PCS Connection Card

. It’s divided into six sections:

䊳 Section 1:

PCS Connection Card Basics

䊳 Section 2:

Installing the PCS Connection Card

䊳 Section 3:

Using the PCS Connection Card

䊳 Section 4:

PCS Vision

䊳 Section 5:

Technical Specifications & Regulatory Information

䊳 Section 6:

Safety Information and Terms & Conditions

Throughout the guide, you'll find tips that highlight special shortcuts to help you make the most of your wireless network card and service. The Table of Contents and Index will help you locate specific information quickly.

You'll get the most out of your PCS Connection Card if you read each section. However, if you'd like to get right to a specific feature, simply turn to that page. Follow the instructions in that section and you'll be ready to use your card in no time.

Tip: You can print out this guide to keep on hand or view it online. If you're viewing it online, simply click on a topic in the Table of Contents or on any page reference within a section to go directly to that topic.

Section 1

PCS Connection Card Basics 5

Section 1

PCS Connection Card

Basics

Section 1: PCS Connection Card Basics

1A: Introducing the PCS Connection Card 7

Section 1A

Introducing the PCS Connection Card

In This Section

䊳 A Network Card and a Phone

䊳 Package Contents

䊳 About this Guide

his section introduces the basic features and functions of your PCS Connection Card, what is included with your card and how to use

this guide to get you started.

Section 1: PCS Connection Card Basics

8 1A: Introducing the PCS Connection Card

Your PCS Connection Card

The PCS Connection Card fits into a standard Type II PC Card slot (available on most notebook PCs, Handheld PCs and, through an accessory, on Pocket PCs) and functions as a wireless network card and a mobile phone. This card allows you to:

䊳

Access your corporate network

䊳

Send and receive email

䊳

Access the Internet

䊳

Make and receive voice calls

䊳

Receive short text (Web) messages all without the need of a network cable or phone line. The PCS Connection Card functions in notebook PCs with these

Windows

operating systems: 98 SE, 2000, Me, and XP. The PCS Connection Card also functions in Handheld and Pocket PCs and select PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants).

CDMA Networks

The PCS Connection Card operates over a type of wireless network called CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). This network technology has many features beyond providing a wireless link, including:

䊳

Web Messaging, which allows you to receive short messages using the PCS Connection Card.

To use the PCS Connection Card, you need an account that gives you access to a CDMA network.

Every CDMA network operates on one of three radio frequency bands. Your PCS Connection Card operates on the 1900 MHz band.

The PCS Connection Card utilizes CDMA technology enabling real-time wireless access to email, the Internet or your company network. The card runs on most current Windows-compatible laptop or desktop computers, and it provides data transmission of up to 144 kilobytes per second (kbps).

Tip: More information about CDMA networks is available on the CDMA Development Group Web site, www.cdg.org.

Section 1: PCS Connection Card Basics

1A: Introducing the PCS Connection Card 9

A Network Card and a Phone

During PCS Vision connections, the PCS Connection Card is a true network card, functioning just like the network cards familiar to most corporate computer users. Once installed and configured, the card connects instantly to the CDMA network with a few mouse clicks. You can just insert the card, click a few buttons, launch your Internet browser, and you’re ready to surf the Web.

You can also connect a headset to the card and use it as a phone.

Package Contents

Your PCS Connection Card package contains the following components:

䊳

PCS Connection Card by Sierra Wireless (AirCard 550)

䊳

Antenna

䊳

Hands-free earbud

䊳

Installation CD containing the PCS Connection ManagerSM Software and this user guide

䊳

Quick reference card

If you want to use the PCS Connection Card as a phone, a headset is necessary. See the Sierra Wireless Web site,

www.sierrawireless.com

, for a

listing of approved headsets that will work with your card.

Section 1: PCS Connection Card Basics

10 1A: Introducing the PCS Connection Card

About This Guide

This user guide is designed to provide you with all the information you need to install and use your PCS Connection Card.

䊳 Section 1

(which you are reading) gives you an overview of the card, providing the background information that is the basis for understanding the following sections.

䊳 Section 2

provides step-by-step instructions on installing the PCS Connection Card.

䊳 Section 3

provides step-by-step instructions on using the card.

䊳 Section 4

provides an introduction to PCS Vision Services.

䊳 Section 5

provides electrical, radio frequency, and other parameters of the PCS Connection Card for those who require technical information, as well as regulatory information.

䊳 Section 6

provides safety and liability information and the Terms and Conditions of use for the PCS Connection Card.

Section 1: PCS Connection Card Basics

1B: Getting Started 11

Section 1B

Getting Started With Your PCS Connection Card

In This Section

䊳 The PCS Connection Card Software

䊳 Activating and Configuring Your Account

䊳 Care and Maintenance

his section outlines the basics of getting started with your PCS Connection Card, including installing the PCS Connection

Manager

Software and inserting and activating your card.

Section 1: PCS Connection Card Basics

12 1B: Getting Started

Getting Started

Before you can begin using the PCS Connection Card, you must:

Install the PCS Connection Manager Software.

Activate your PCS Account and configure the PCS Connection Card to use your account, unless the card has been pre-activated.

The PCS Connection Card Software

The PCS Connection Card comes with this software:

䊳

PCS Connection Manager, which allows you to manage the card and monitor your connections.

䊳

(For notebook PCs only) An application called the Network Adapter Manager that allows you to switch between the PCS Connection Card and other network cards

䊳

The driver software that forms the interface between the network card and your Windows operating system

The software must be installed before you insert the PCS Connection Card for the first time. Detailed instructions are provided, starting on page 17 (for notebook PCs) and on page 27 (for Handheld / Pocket PCs).

Activating and Using PCS Service

Before using your PCS Connection Card, you must first set up your PCS wireless network account.

To set up your PCS Connection Card wireless network account:

Call PCS Customer Service Solutions.

䊳

If you will be using your PCS Connection Card primarily for business purposes, call

1-877-789-3969

䊳

If your card is intended primarily for personal use, call

1-888-715-4588

You should have the following information available:

䊳

Your billing address

䊳

Your Social Security or Tax ID number

䊳

Your driver’s license number

Section 1: PCS Connection Card Basics

1B: Getting Started 13

䊳

Your PCS Connection Card’s ESN (electronic serial number) The ESN is printed on the card’s label and can also be displayed during the installation process.

䊳

A pen and paper to write down your account information

During this call, PCS Customer Service Solutions will help you select your service plan and guide you through the activation process. They will also provide you with the following important account information:

䊳

Your card’s Activation Code

䊳

Your card’s Phone Number

䊳

Your card’s Lock Code

Tip: You can use the Lock Code feature to prevent others from using your account should your PCS Connection Card be stolen. See page 78 for instructions on using this feature.

Unless your card has been pre-activated, the PCS Connection Manager application will automatically detect that no account has been configured when you run it for the first time. The Sprint Activation Wizard will then launch to guide you through the activation and configuration process.

Section 1: PCS Connection Card Basics

14 1B: Getting Started

Care and Maintenance

As with any electronic device, the PCS Connection Card must be handled with care to ensure reliable operation. Follow these guidelines in using and storing the card:

䊳

Do not apply adhesive labels to the card. This may cause the card to become jammed inside the card slot.

䊳

Optimal signal strength is usually obtained when the antenna is perpendicular to the modem. The antenna should bend easily at the hinge. Do not forcefully bend the antenna.

䊳

When storing or transporting your PC in a case (such as a notebook case), remove the antenna and store it in a compartment where it cannot be crushed or broken.

䊳

The card should fit easily into your PC slot. Forcing the card into a slot may damage connector pins.

䊳

Protect the card from liquids, dust, and excessive heat.

䊳

When not installed in your computer, store the card in a safe place.

Section 2

Installing the PCS Connection Card 15

Section 2

Installing the

PCS Connection Card

Section 2: Installing the PCS Connection Card

2A: Installation on Notebook PCs 17

Section 2A

Installation on Notebook PCs

In This Section

䊳 System Requirements

䊳 Installing the PCS Connection Manager

Software

䊳 Inserting and Removing the Card

䊳 Configuring Your Account

his chapter guides you through the steps necessary to install your PCS Connection Card

and make it operational on a notebook PC.

Section 2: Installing the PCS Connection Card

18 2A: Installation on Notebook PCs

Getting Started

Before you can use your PCS Connection Card, you must first:

Install the PCS Connection Manager Software, located on the Installation CD, onto your computer.

Note: Before installing your new software, delete or uninstall any previously existing modem or dialer software from your system.

Note: Do not insert the PCS Connection Card in the slot until prompted to do so by the Setup program.

Insert the card into your computer’s PC Card slot (Sprint label facing up). Windows will detect the card and automatically install the necessary card drivers.

Launch the PCS Connection Manager Software application.

If your card has not previously been activated, the Activation Wizard will automatically launch and guide you through the process.

System Requirements

The PCS Connection Card is supported on the following operation systems:

䊳

Windows 98 SE

䊳

Windows 2000 with Service Pack 1

䊳

Windows Me

䊳

Windows XP (Home and Professional versions)

Section 2: Installing the PCS Connection Card

2A: Installation on Notebook PCs 19

To install the PCS Connection Card, you require these system resources:

Tip: A driver is software that forms the interface between a device (such as the PCS Connection Card) and the operating system on your PC (such as Windows Me).

Special Note for Windows 98 and 2000 Users: To function properly, the PCS Connection Card’s IOTA protocol requires support for high-security 128-bit encryption. If the installer does not detect high-security support on your system, a pop-up window will appear instructing you to update your Internet Explorer to version 6 (Windows 98) or update your Windows 2000 to support 128-bit security (Windows 2000). Follow the onscreen instructions to update your system.

Installing the PCS Connection ManagerSM Software (Windows 98 SE, Me, and 2000)

Note: Users of Windows 2000 must be logged in with administrative

privileges to install the PCS Connection Manager Software.

Installing the PCS Connection Manager Software and the PCS Connection Card driver:

If the PCS Connection Manager CD is not already in your CD-ROM drive, insert it. The CD should auto-start and display a menu.

If the CD does not auto-start, select

Start > Run

and enter

d:\launch.exe

where d is the drive letter of your CD-ROM drive.

Table 1: System Resource Requirements

Card slots

1 Type II PCMCIA (PC Card) slot

Communications ports

1 available

Disk drive

CD-ROM

I/O resources

1 IRQ, 40 bytes I/O space

Memory

32 MB

Disk space

7 MB

Section 2: Installing the PCS Connection Card

20 2A: Installation on Notebook PCs

From the CD start-up window, select

notebook installation and

documentation

and then

notebook software installation

launch the InstallShield

Wizard.

Use the

and

Back

buttons to navigate through the wizard

noting the following:

䊳

You must click

Yes

to indicate your acceptance of the terms of

the license agreement to proceed with the installation.

䊳

Using the default settings for the Destination Location and Program Folder is recommended unless you have special requirements and an advanced understanding of PC configuration. (The Destination Location dictates where the software is installed. The Program Folder dictates the name assigned to the software in the Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel.)

䊳

A check box allows you to choose to display release notes. The release notes list known issues in the software and are displayed in the Windows Notepad. (If you choose to display them, when you are finished reading, use the close box in the upper right corner of the window to close the Notepad.)

䊳

A check box allows you to choose to have a desktop shortcut for the PCS Connection Manager Software. This gives you the option of launching the application by double clicking an icon on your desktop (as well as from the Start menu).

䊳

Click

Finish

to close the last screen of the wizard.

If your operating system is Windows 2000, you are prompted that the driver files will be copied to your notebook. Click

. Click

Yes

the Digital Signature Not Found window each time it appears.

Click OK when you are prompted to insert the PCS Connection Card. Attach the antenna and insert the card into your PC Card slot.

Note: Do not forcefully connect the antenna, or forcefully insert the PCS Connection Card. This may damage connector pins.

Click OK when you are notified that the installation is complete. If your operating system is Windows 98 SE or Windows Me, restart your PC from the

Start

menu.

Section 2: Installing the PCS Connection Card

2A: Installation on Notebook PCs 21

On completion of this step, the PCS Connection Manager Software and the PCS Connection Card driver are installed and you can proceed to activate your card. See “Activating Your PCS Connection Card” on page 24.

Installing the PCS Connection Manager Software (Windows XP)

Note: You may require administrative privileges, depending on your

Windows XP installation.

Installing the PCS Connection Manager Software:

If the PCS Connection Manager CD is not already in your CD-ROM drive, insert it. The CD should auto-start and display a menu.

If the CD does not auto-start, select

Start > Run

and enter

d:\launch.exe

where d is the drive letter of your CD-ROM drive.

From the CD start-up window, select

notebook installation and

documentation

and then

notebook software installation

launch the InstallShield Wizard.

Use the

and

Back

buttons to navigate through the wizard

noting the following:

䊳

You must click

Yes

to indicate your acceptance of the terms of

the license agreement to proceed with the installation.

䊳

A check box allows you to choose to have a desktop shortcut for the PCS Connection Manager Software. This gives you the option

Section 2: Installing the PCS Connection Card

22 2A: Installation on Notebook PCs

of launching the software by double clicking an icon on your desktop (as well as from the Start menu).

䊳

Click

Finish

to close the last screen of the wizard.

䊳

If you are running Windows XP, a window indicates that the driver files will be copied to your notebook. Click

and

click

Continue Anyway

on the Software Installation window each time it appears. A window prompts you to insert the PCS Connection Card to install the drivers. Click

Installing the PCS Connection Card driver.

Attach the antenna to the PCS Connection Card and, with the label facing up, carefully insert the card into your PC Card slot. Windows should detect that a new device has been inserted and launch the wizard that guides you through the driver installation.

Select

Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)

on the

first window of the Found New Hardware Wizard and click

to proceed.

Select the

Search for the best driver in these locations

radio

button, and the

Include this location in the search

check box,

then enter

d:\Drivers\WinXP

where d is the drive letter of your

CD-ROM drive. Click

to proceed to the next window.

If a warning appears stating that PCS Connection Card has not passed Windows Logo testing, click

Continue Anyway

Click

Finish

and repeat steps 1 to 4 as prompted.

Click OK when prompted that the card has been successfully installed.

Tip: A driver is software that forms the interface between a device (such as the PCS Connection Card) and the operating system on your PC (such as Windows XP).

Section 2: Installing the PCS Connection Card

2A: Installation on Notebook PCs 23

Inserting and Removing the PCS Connection Card

Inserting the PCS Connection Card

Before you insert the PCS Connection Card, you must first install the Wireless Connection Manager Software. Once you have completed the installation procedure, you may insert your card into your computer’s PC Card slot. The Sprint label should be facing up, and the 68-pin connector, located at the end of the card, should be inserted directly into the computer’s PC Card slot.

Note: The PCS Connection Card should fit snugly, but you should be able to insert or remove it easily from your computer’s PC Card slot.

When you insert the card, the following should occur:

䊳

If sound effects are enabled, the PC beeps.

䊳

The PC Card icon appears in the status area, if it is not already displayed for another card (and unless the feature has been disabled).

䊳

The PCS Connection Manager Software launches (unless the auto-launch feature has been disabled).

The card is powered as soon as you insert it.

Removing the PCS Connection Card

To remove the card:

Close the PCS Connection Manager program if it is open.

Click the PC Card icon in the status area to display the option to stop the card.

Click “Stop PCS Connection Card Parent” (Windows 98 SE, 2000, or Me) or “Safely remove PCS Connection Card Parent” (Windows XP).

If a dialog box appears notifying you that it is safe to remove the card, click

Use the ejector to remove the card from the slot.

Section 2: Installing the PCS Connection Card

24 2A: Installation on Notebook PCs

Activating Your PCS Connection Card

The final step to making the PCS Connection Card operational is configuring it to use your account.

Tip: For an overview of account activation and configuration, see "Activating and Using PCS Service" on page 12.

If you purchased a pre-activated PCS Connection Card, this step is not necessary. Once the application software and driver are installed, the card is ready for use.

Otherwise, you must use the Sprint Activation Wizard to activate and configure your account. Future releases of the PCS Connection Manager Software will allow for both Manual and Voice-Assisted Activation, but only Manual Activation is available in this release. Manual Activation involves phoning PCS Customer Service Solutions, exchanging information and entering your account information into the appropriate fields in the wizard. You require a separate phone to use this method.

To activate an account and configure your PCS Connection Card:

Insert the card into your PC Card slot, if it is not already inserted.

If the Activation Wizard does not appear automatically, launch the PCS Connection Manager Software. Double-click the shortcut icon on your desktop or select

Start

Programs

Sierra Wireless

AirCard 550

PCS Connection Manager for AirCard 550

From the PCS Connection Manager, launch the Activation Wizard by selecting

Activation Wizard

Use the

and

Back

buttons to navigate through the Activation

Wizard, noting the following:

䊳

Use the radio button to select

Manual Activation

as the method

of activation you want to use.

䊳

Obtain the billing information listed on the second window of the wizard before phoning PCS Customer Service Solutions or proceeding to the next window.

+ 145 hidden pages

Sierra Wireless AirCard 550 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual