NETGEAR WG511 - User Manual

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The basic installation and configuration instructions below assume

that your wireless network connection will be to an access point, and

you are not using WEP security. Please refer to Reference Manual

on the Resource CD for detailed instructions on configuring WEP,

using Ad-hoc mode, or using advanced options.

Windows XP Basic Installation

1. First, install the WG511 software.

a. Power on your notebook, let the operating system boot up

completely, and log in as needed.

b. Insert the Resource CD for the WG511 into your CD-ROM

drive. The CD main page shown below will load.

c. Click the Install Driver & Utility link.

d. Follow the InstallShield Wizard steps, and click Finish

when done to restart your computer.

2. Next, install the WG511 Wireless PC Card.

a. Hold the PC Card with the Netgear logo facing up and insert

it into a CardBus slot. After a short delay, the Found New

Hardware Wizard displays.

You will see the WG511 system tray icon on the

lower right portion of the Windows task bar.

3. Now, configure your WG511.

a. Right click on the network icon in the Windows XP system

tray to open the network options menu.

b. Click on the View Available Wireless Networks menu item.

c. Click on the “Allow me to connect to the selected wireless

network even though this is not secure” check box.

d. Click Connect.

4. Finally, verify wireless network connectivity.

a. Open the WG511 utility by clicking on the icon in the

Windows system tray.

b. Verify that your Connection and Status Monitor information

matches your wireless network.

c. Check the two LEDs on the WG511: green indicates a good

connection; blinking green indicates attempting to connect;

off indicates the card is not fully plugged in. Blinking for

the amber LED indicates data transmission.

d. Verify connectivity to the Internet or network resources.

Note: If you are unable to connect, see troubleshooting tips in

the Basic Installation section of the Reference Manual on the

NETGEAR 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card WG511 Resource CD.

WG511 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card

Quick Installation Guide

Follow these quick steps to install your WG511

Note: If a Windows XP

logo testing warning

appears, click Continue

Anyway to proceed.

Windows XP will display a

Wireless Network Connec-

tion message like this one.

If there is more than

one wireless network

in your vicinity, click

on the one to which

you will connect.

Note: When the

Window XP wireless

configuration utility is

selected, only these two

tab pages appear.

To use the full Netgear

utility, please see the

Reference Manual on

the NETGEAR 54 Mbps

Wireless PC Card

WG511 Resource CD.

Other manuals for NETGEAR WG511

Installation Guide2 pages

Need help?

Do you have a question about the NETGEAR WG511 and is the answer not in the manual?

Summary

Windows XP Basic Installation

Install WG511 Software

Install the driver and utility by inserting the CD and following the InstallShield Wizard steps.

Install WG511 Wireless PC Card

Insert the PC Card into the CardBus slot and follow the Found New Hardware Wizard.

Configure WG511

Right-click the system tray icon, view available networks, and connect to a selected one.

Verify Wireless Connectivity

Check the WG511 utility, LEDs, and network connection status for successful connection.

Windows 2000, Me;98 Installation

Install WG511 Software

Insert the CD, click Install Driver & Utility, and follow InstallShield Wizard steps.

Install WG511 Wireless PC Card

Insert the PC Card into the CardBus slot and proceed with the Found New Hardware Wizard.

Configure WG511 and Save Profile

Open the utility, configure network settings, and save as a profile for activation.

Verify Wireless Network Connectivity

Check the status tab, connection information, and LEDs on the WG511 for successful connection.

Summary

Windows XP Basic Installation

Install WG511 Software

Install the driver and utility by inserting the CD and following the InstallShield Wizard steps.

Install WG511 Wireless PC Card

Insert the PC Card into the CardBus slot and follow the Found New Hardware Wizard.

Configure WG511

Right-click the system tray icon, view available networks, and connect to a selected one.

Verify Wireless Connectivity

Check the WG511 utility, LEDs, and network connection status for successful connection.

Windows 2000, Me;98 Installation

Install WG511 Software

Insert the CD, click Install Driver & Utility, and follow InstallShield Wizard steps.

Install WG511 Wireless PC Card

Insert the PC Card into the CardBus slot and proceed with the Found New Hardware Wizard.

Configure WG511 and Save Profile

Open the utility, configure network settings, and save as a profile for activation.

Verify Wireless Network Connectivity

Check the status tab, connection information, and LEDs on the WG511 for successful connection.

The NETGEAR WG511 54 Mbps Wireless PC Card is a device designed to provide wireless network connectivity for notebook computers. It facilitates connection to an access point, enabling users to access network resources and the internet wirelessly. The installation process is straightforward, guiding users through software and hardware setup, followed by network configuration and verification.

Function Description:

The primary function of the WG511 is to enable a notebook PC to connect to a wireless network. It acts as a wireless adapter, allowing the computer to communicate with an access point (such as a wireless router) using the 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g standard. This enables wireless internet access, file sharing, and other network-dependent activities without the need for physical Ethernet cables. The device supports various operating systems, including Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, and Windows 98, ensuring broad compatibility with different notebook environments.

Usage Features:

The WG511 is designed for ease of use, starting with its installation.

Software Installation: The process begins by installing the WG511 software from the provided Resource CD. This involves inserting the CD into the notebook's CD-ROM drive, launching the installation wizard, and following the on-screen prompts. For Windows XP, users click "Install Driver & Utility" and proceed through the InstallShield Wizard, restarting the computer upon completion. For Windows 2000, Me, and 98, the steps are similar, with a note about potentially needing to confirm a "Digital Signature Not Found" warning in Windows 2000.
Hardware Installation: After the software is installed, the WG511 PC Card is physically inserted into an available CardBus slot on the notebook. The card should be held with the Netgear logo facing up. Upon insertion, the operating system's "Found New Hardware Wizard" will typically appear, guiding the user through the final hardware setup. For Windows XP, if a logo testing warning appears, users are instructed to click "Continue Anyway to proceed."
Network Configuration (Windows XP):
- Automatic Detection: Once the card is installed, the WG511 system tray icon will appear on the lower right portion of the Windows taskbar. Windows XP will also display a "Wireless Network Connection" message, indicating available networks.
- Connecting to a Network: Users can right-click the network icon in the system tray and select "View Available Wireless Networks." A list of nearby wireless networks will be displayed.
- Security Considerations: If connecting to an unsecured network, a warning will appear. Users must check the "Allow me to connect to the selected wireless network even though this is not secure" box before clicking "Connect." This step highlights the importance of understanding network security, even if WEP is not initially configured.
Network Configuration (Windows 2000, Me/98):
- Utility Access: Users open the WG511 utility by clicking its icon in the Windows system tray. This opens the Configuration tab page.
- SSID Configuration: The "Network Name SSID" needs to be changed to match the desired network. Alternatively, the "Site Survey" tab can be used to view available networks, select one, and click "Connect."
- Profile Management: The "Profile" tab allows users to create and save network profiles. This is particularly useful for users who connect to different wireless networks (e.g., at work and home). Users enter a profile name, click "Save," and then "Activate" to apply the settings. Multiple profiles can be saved and activated as needed.
Connectivity Verification: After configuration, users can verify connectivity.
- WG511 Utility (Windows XP): The "Status" and "About" tabs in the WG511 utility provide information such as connection status, signal strength, and link quality. If the Windows XP wireless configuration utility is selected, only these two tabs appear. For full utility features, users are directed to the Reference Manual.
- WG511 Utility (Windows 2000, Me/98): The "Status" tab page displays connection and status monitor information, which should match the wireless network. The "Site Survey" tab can also be used to verify network availability and SSIDs.
- LED Indicators: The WG511 card itself has two LEDs. A green LED indicates a good connection, blinking green means it's attempting to connect, and off means the card is not fully plugged in. An amber LED blinks to indicate data transmission.
- Internet/Network Access: The final verification step involves confirming access to the Internet or other network resources.

Maintenance Features:

The manual primarily focuses on initial setup and configuration, with limited explicit "maintenance" features in the traditional sense. However, implicit maintenance aspects include:

Troubleshooting: The manual directs users to the "Basic Installation" section of the Reference Manual on the Resource CD for troubleshooting tips if they are unable to connect. This suggests that the Resource CD contains more in-depth information for resolving common issues.
Software Updates: While not explicitly detailed in this quick guide, device drivers and utilities often receive updates to improve performance, add features, or address compatibility issues. Users would typically check the NETGEAR website for such updates, though this is not covered in the provided text.
Profile Management: The ability to save and activate multiple network profiles (in Windows 2000, Me/98) can be considered a maintenance feature, as it simplifies managing connections to different wireless environments without reconfiguring settings each time. This reduces the effort required to maintain connectivity across various locations.
LED Monitoring: The LED indicators on the WG511 card serve as a basic diagnostic tool. By observing the green and amber LEDs, users can quickly ascertain the card's operational status (plugged in, attempting connection, connected, data transmission), which aids in initial troubleshooting if connectivity issues arise.

The NETGEAR WG511 is designed to be a reliable and user-friendly solution for adding wireless capabilities to notebook computers, emphasizing a guided installation and configuration process to ensure a smooth user experience.

NETGEAR WG511 Specifications

General

Device Type	Wireless Adapter
Frequency Band	2.4 GHz
Data Rate	Up to 54 Mbps
Interface	PCMCIA
Security	WEP, WPA, WPA2
Operating Systems Supported	Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP