Sony PCWA-C100 User Manual

4-658-604-11(1)

Operating Instructions

© 2001 Sony Corporation

Wireless LAN PC Card

PCWA-C100

For Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Editon

Microsoft

®

Windows® XP Professional

Users

Owner’s Record

The model and serial numbers are located at the
back side. Record the serial number in the space
provided below. Refer to them whenever you call
upon your Sony dealer regarding this product.

Model No. PCWA-C100
Serial No.______________

CAUTION

You are cautioned that any changes or
modifications not expressly approved in this
manual could void your warranty.

FCC ID: IMRWLPCE24H
Exposure to Radio Frequency Radiation.
The radiated output power of the Wireless LAN
PC Card* is far below the FCC radio frequency
exposure limits.
Nevertheless, the Wireless LAN PC Card* shall
be used in such a manner that the potential for
human contact during normal operation is
minimized.

* FCC ID of the Wireless LAN PC Card is

IMRWLPCE24H.

NOTE:

This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and,
if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio or communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment
off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following
measures:

– Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
– Increase the separation between the equipment

and receiver.

– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a

circuit different from that to which the receiver
is connected.

– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV

technician for help.

This device compiles with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. 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 undesired operation.

You are cautioned that any changes or
modifications not expressly approved in this
manual could void your authority to operate this
equipment.

NOTE:

Install and connect the Access Point by following
descriptions in its Operating Instructions manual
before using it.

About the supplied software

SUPPLIED SOFTWARE IS SUPPLIED
PURSUANT TO THE APPLICABLE END
USER LICENSE AGREEMENT.

• Copyright laws prohibit reproducing the
software or the software manual in whole or in
part, or renting the software without the
permission of the copyright holder.

• In no event will SONY be liable for any
financial damage or loss of profits, including
claims made by third parties, arising out of the
use of the software supplied with this product.

• In the event a problem occurs with this software
as a result of defective manufacturing, SONY
will replace it at SONY’s option or issue a
refund; however, SONY bears no other
responsibility.

• The software provided with this product cannot
be used with equipment other than that which is
designated for use with.

• Please note that, due to continued efforts to
improve quality, the software specifications
may be changed without notice.

2

Program © 2000 2001 Sony Corporation,
© 2000 Lucent Technologies, Copyright 1998 by
Carnegie Mellon University.
CMU DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH
REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE, INCLUDING
ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS, IN NO
EVENT SHALL CMU BE LIABLE FOR ANY
SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES
WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF
USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN
ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR
OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT
OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR
PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
Documentation © 2001 Sony Corporation

Sony, VAIO, the VAIO logo are trademarks of
Sony Corporation.
Microsoft, Windows, Windows Me, and Windows
NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the United States of America and
other countries.
MMX and Pentium are registered trademarks of
Intel Corporation.
All other trademarks are trademarks of their
respective owners.

Safety Information
WARNING

• Opening the unit, for whatever reason, could
lead to damages that are not covered by the
guarantee.

• To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose
your Sony Wireless LAN PC Card to rain or
moisture.

NOTES:

• The Sony supplied software may show screens
slightly different from those included in this
manual.

• This manual is written based on the assumption
that you are familiar with basic operations of
the Windows operating system. For computer
operations, refer to manuals that come with
your computer.

• In this manual, Microsoft Windows 98 Second
Edition is referred to as Windows 98 Second
Edition.

• In this manual, Microsoft Windows Me is
referred to as Windows Me.

• In this manual, Microsoft Windows XP
Professional and Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition are referred to as Windows XP.

3

Table of contents

Overview ............................................... 5

What you can do with your Wireless

LAN PC Card ................................ 5

Task flow....................................... 7

System requirements ..................... 8

About this manual..................................9

Opening the Help files .................. 9

Unpacking............................................11

Getting started

Indicators ............................................. 12

Inserting the Wireless LAN

PC Card........................................... 13

To remove the Wireless LAN

PC Card ....................................... 14

Software setup

Setting up the connection environment..

15

To establish communication with

the Access Point .......................... 15

To set the computer name and

workgroup ................................... 17

Installing software ............................... 19

Registering your Wireless LAN
Access Point/ Wireless LAN PC

Card ............................................. 20

To modify the installed

software ....................................... 20

To start the software.................... 21

To uninstall software................... 21

NOTES:

• The illustrations in this manual may differ
from the actual software.

• Explanations in this manual assume that
you are familiar with basic operations of
Windows. For how to use your computer
and operating system, please refer to their
respective manuals.

Wireless LAN connection

Verifying communication with the

Access Point....................................23

Setting up the Access Point ................. 24

Phone mode

(PCWA-A100 only) .................... 27

Cable Modem, LAN, and

Local Only................................... 28

DSL Modem (PPPoE) mode ....... 29

Transferring files using drag and drop

(WirelessCapsule)........................... 31

Operation on the sending

computer...................................... 31

Operation on the receiving

computer...................................... 33

Connecting to the Internet ................... 34

Phone mode

(PCWA-A100 only) .................... 34

LAN (ISDN Router).................... 35

Cable Modem/DSL Modem

(PPPoE) ....................................... 36

Additional information

Confirm your Access Point

firmware version ............................. 37

Precautions .......................................... 38

Safety...........................................38

Installation................................... 38

Operation..................................... 38

Cleaning ...................................... 38

Specifications ...................................... 39

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

Glossary ............................................... 40

Troubleshooting................................... 42

Limited Warranty Statement ............... 45

4

Overview

What you can do with your Wireless LAN PC Card

You can build a Wireless LAN (Local Area Network) using the Wireless
LAN PC Card, PCWA-C100. The Wireless LAN PC Card can be used with
or without the Wireless LAN Access Point, PCWA-A100/A200
(hereinafter referred to as the Access Point). With the Access Point, you
can build a wireless LAN between multiple computers that are equipped
with the Wireless LAN PC Card and gain access to the Internet. You can
achieve direct communication (Peer to Peer mode) between computers
without using the Access Point.

z Tip

Although you can connect up to 49 client computers to a wireless LAN, the maximum
recommended number is 16 or less.

Communication through the Access Point

Direct communication between computers (Peer to Peer mode)

z Tip

For details about peer-to-peer connections with Windows XP, see the
Wireless Palette Help or Windows Help.

5

About the supplied software

The Wireless LAN PC Card comes with the following software:

• Wireless Palette:
You can see the status of communications between the computer

mounted with the Wireless LAN PC Card and the Access Point, and
transfer files using this software.

• Basic Access Point Setup Utility (Basic Setup Utility):
You can set up the Access Point for Internet access. This dialog-driven

utility covers basic setups for Internet access.

• Custom Access Point Setup Utility (Custom Setup Utility):
You can make advanced configurations of the Access Point. You can

specify optional features for Internet access with this utility.

• Access Point Firmware Upgrade Utility:
This is the software for upgrading Access Point firmware.
If you are using an old version, some functions will be unavailable. For

example, the DSL Modem (PPPoE) mode cannot be selected, and
roaming cannot be used. In this case, it is recommended that you
upgrade both your Access Point firmware and Wireless LAN Utility.

See page 37 for how to check the version. For procedures for upgrading
the Access Point firmware, see the Access Point Firmware Upgrade
Utility Help.

6

Task flow

To build a wireless LAN environment, you must configure both the Access
Point and the Wireless LAN PC Card.

Required tasks depend on the state of your Access Point and Wireless LAN
PC Card. The table below lists the states of the Access Point and Wireless
LAN PC Card, and the tasks required for building a wireless LAN
environment.

Wireless LAN PC Card

New In use

Access
Point

New

In use

1. Connect the Access Point.
(*1)

2. Insert the Wireless LAN
PC Card into a computer.
(*2)

3. Establish communication
with the Access Point.
(*3)

4. Set up the computer name
of your computer. (*4)

5. Install the software. (*5)

6. Configure the Access
Point using the Basic
Setup Utility. (*6)

1. Insert the Wireless LAN
PC Card into a computer.
(*2)

2. Establish communication
with the Access Point.
(*3)

3. Set up the computer name
of your computer. (*4)

4. Install the software. (*5)

1. Connect the Access Point.
(*1)

2. Establish communication
with the Access Point.
(*3)

3. Configure the Access
Point using the Basic
Setup Utility. (*6)

• To communicate with an
Access Point previously
used in another wireless
LAN environment from a
computer containing the
Wireless LAN PC Card.

1. Establish communication
with the Access Point.
(*3)

*1 See “Connections” on page 13 in the Access Point Operating Instructions manual.
*2 See “Inserting the Wireless LAN PC Card” on page 13 and following sections in this

manual.

*3 See “To establish communication with the Access Point” on page 15 and succeeding

sections in this manual. For further information, see the Wireless Palette Help file.
*4 See “To set up the computer name and workgroup” on page 17 in this manual.
*5 See “Installing software” on page 19 in this manual.
*6 See “Setting up the Access Point” on page 24 and following sections in this manual.

7

System requirements

• A computer satisfying the following requirements.
CPU: MMX
RAM: With Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Me, or Windows

CD-ROM drive
Default built-in PCMCIA Type II slot

• Operating system: For best results, use a computer with one of the
preinstalled operating systems below.

– Windows 98 Second Edition, English version
– Windows Me, English version
– Windows 2000, English version
– Windows XP, English version

(Does not operate under the Windows 98, 95 or 3.1 versions or under the
Windows NT version. Operation is not guaranteed under all upgraded
environments. This does not apply to computers upgraded to Windows
XP with a valid upgrade from your computer maker.)

• Display: SVGA (800 × 600 pixels) and above, [supports High Color (16
bit) and above]

®

Pentium® 233 MHz and above

2000:
64 MB or more
With Windows XP:
128 MB or more

Notes

• We do not assure trouble-free operation for all computers satisfying the
system requirements.

• The Wireless LAN Access Point PCWA-A100/A200 is required to gain
access to the Internet.

• An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is required for Internet access.

8

About this manual

Note

When using the Access Point, connect and configure the Access Point as
explained in the operating instructions included with the Wireless LAN
Access Point.

This manual explains the operation of the Wireless LAN PC Card and the
installation and setup of the supplied software. For details on using the
Wireless Palette and the Custom Access Point Setup Utility software
supplied with the Wireless LAN PC Card, refer to the software's Help files.

The Wireless LAN PC Card has three Help files:

• Wireless Palette Help

• Custom Access Point Setup Utility Help

• Upgrade Manual

The Upgrade Manual explains procedures for upgrading the Access
Point's firmware, the Wireless LAN PC Card Driver, and the Basic/
Custom Access Point Setup Utility.

Opening the Help files

• Wireless Palette Help
– With the Wireless Palette running, click the Wireless Palette icon

(reception level indicator icon) on the taskbar, and select Help from the
menu displayed.

• Custom Access Point Setup Utility Help
– Start the Custom Access Point Setup Utility, and click Help.

• Upgrade Manual (Access Point Firmware Upgrade Utility Help)
– Start the Access Point Firmware Upgrade Utility, and click Help.

9

Selecting a topic from the contents

From the Contents list, select the desired topic.

Searching using a Keyword

1 To search using a Keyword, select the Index tab from the

Help dialog box.

The Keyword list appears.

2 Enter the keyword you want to apply, or scroll down the

Keyword list.

3 Select a topic, then click Display.

Topics related to the Keyword appear.

10

Unpacking

Your Wireless LAN PC Card comes with the following items.

• Wireless LAN PC Card

• PC card case

• CD-ROM (Setup disc)

• Operating Instructions

• END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT

• Other printed materials

11

Indicators

1 DATA indicator

Lights while data exchange is in progress.

2 LINK indicator

Lights while your computer is connected to the wireless LAN.

Description on the indicators

DATA LINK Description

Flashing (green) Lit (green) Normal communications.
Fast Flashing Lit (green) Peer to Peer mode

(green)
Off Lit (green) The PC card is powered, but no

Flashing at 10 sec intervals The PC card is operating, but no connection
is established.

Off The PC card is powered off.

12

communication is taking place.

12

Inserting the Wireless LAN PC Card

This section explains how to insert and remove the Wireless LAN PC Card
from your computer.

You do not need to turn off your computer when inserting the Wireless
LAN PC Card.

1 Remove the PC card slot protector from the computer.

(Some computers contain the PC card slot protector to prevent damage
to the slot while not in use.)

2 Insert the Wireless LAN PC Card in the PC card slot.

Push the Wireless LAN PC Card into the slot until it is firmly seated.
Inserting the card will extend the eject button.

If the card does not fit easily, do not force it in. Take the card out and
try reinserting.

Insert the card
in the direction
of the arrow.

Getting started

To the PC card slot.

Notes

• Do not install the PC Card Driver that is included in the 1WinMe, 2Win2k or 3Win98

folder of the CD-ROM supplied with the Wireless LAN PC Card. Windows XP has a
suitable device driver for the Wireless LAN PC Card, and it is automatically installed
when you insert the Wireless LAN PC Card into your computer.

• If your computer has two PC card slots, insert the Wireless LAN PC Card into the top

slot. Inserting it into the bottom slot blocks the top slot with its antenna.

• Before using the Wireless LAN PC Card, turn off System Suspend mode or System

Hibernation mode using the PowerPanel software.

• While the computer is in System Suspend mode or System Hibernation mode, the

Wireless LAN PC Card may not be recognized when it is removed and reinserted.

13

To remove the Wireless LAN PC Card

1 Close the software that uses the Wireless LAN.
2 Stop PC Card Services on the taskbar.
3 Remove the Wireless LAN PC Card, following the

instructions in your computer's manual.

14

Setting up the connection environment

Perform the following procedure to set up a wireless LAN environment
with the Access Point.

1 Establish communication with Access Point (page 15).

Register the Access Point on each computer in the wireless LAN and
establish wireless communication with the Access Point. (Make
settings 1 to 4 on every computer in the wireless LAN).

2 Set the computer name and workgroup name (page 17).

Set the computer name and workgroup name for every computer used
in the wireless LAN.

3 Install the software (page 19).

Install the required software.

4 Verify communication with the Access Point (page 23).

Use Wireless Palette to verify communication with the Access Point.

5 Make the Access Point settings (page 24).

Use the Basic Setup Utility or Custom Setup Utility to make the
Access Point settings. Make these settings from any one of the
computers in the wireless LAN.

Software setup

To establish communication with the Access Point

On every computer you want to connect to the wireless LAN, establish
communication with the Access Point.

Before establishing a wireless LAN environment:

15