eMachines eMonster 500 Supplement Manual

Wireless Communications

Supplement

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copyright. No part of this document may be reproduced, copied, or

translated into other languages without prior written consent from

eMachines, Inc. and Aesbus Knowledge Solutions.

eMachines, Inc. and Aesbus Knowledge Solutions shall not be liable for

technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein; nor for

incidental or consequential damage resulting from the furnishing,

performance, or use of this material.

The information in this user’s guide is subject to change without notice.

The eMachines stylized “e” and figure logo are trademarks of

eMachines, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

Windows XP is the trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

All other product and brand names are trademarks of their respective

owners.

5000 series notebook wireless communications supplement

Part number: AACR53700002K1

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this booklet is a supplement to the user’s guide

Please note that this booklet is a companion to your eMachines, Inc.

5000 Series Notebook User’s Guide.

This supplement discusses wireless networking and includes the following

sections:

❂ an introduction to wireless networking

❂ setting up your home network

❂ connecting to your new wireless network

❂ learning more about wireless networking

❂ troubleshooting

❂ wireless specifications

Please see your user’s guide for complete information

about your notebook.

first things first

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first things first . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

what is a wireless network? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

why go wireless? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

an introduction to wireless networking. . . . . . . . . 7

wireless features on your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

example of a wireless home network that includes a desktop computer . 9

setting up your home network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

what do I need to get started? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

access point recommendations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

setting up your network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

step 1: making sure that your broadband connection is ok. . . . . . . . 12

step 2: connecting your new access point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

step 3: gathering information about your connection . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

step 4: configuring your access point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

step 5: testing your home network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

connecting to your new wireless network . . . . . 17

learning more about wireless networking . . . . . 21

turning the wireless off and on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

monitoring your wireless connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

enabling file & print sharing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

sharing a printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

sharing a file or folder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

reconnecting to your network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

connecting to hot spots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

common problems and solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

frequently asked questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

wireless specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

contents

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what is a wireless network?

Any network is a collection of computers and other devices that communicate

with each other.

Wireless networks are built around an access point, that typically includes a

switch or router. This access point routes the signals so that the computers in the

network can share files, folders, printers, and access to the Internet.

Computers communicate with their access point in one of two ways:

❂ in wired networks, Ethernet cables carry the signals to and from the

computer and the access point.

❂ in wireless networks, radio waves transmit the signals to and from special

wireless components in both the computers and the access point.

With some notebooks and computers, you have to purchase a special wireless

component, but with your eMachines 5000 Series notebook, you can go wireless

right out of the box!

why go wireless?

Because it frees you from your desk!

With a wireless home network, you can use your notebook wherever you like.

From the comfort of your sofa, in your kitchen, or on your patio, you can browse

the Internet, send and receive emails, transfer files, and use your printer.

You can even stay connected when you are away from your home, by

connecting to public “hot spots.” These hot spots are becoming more and more

common and are readily available in airports, libraries, book stores, and

coffee shops.

1

an introduction to wireless networking

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getting started

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wireless features on your notebook

54g

TM

, the most advanced wireless networking technology available, is

incorporated into your notebook. Also known as 802.11g, this up-and-coming

wireless networking standard is up to 5 times faster than the widely used, older

standard, 802.11b. Instead of communicating at a maximum speed of

11 megabits per second (Mbps), your notebook, equipped with 802.11g, can

communicate at speeds up to 54 Mbps!

Because 802.11g is backward compatible with Wi-Fi 802.11b networks, you will

be able to access networks that have not yet upgraded to the new standard.

When going wireless with your notebook, you can work faster and play harder:

❂ speed - communicate at speeds up to 5 times faster than 802.11b,

on an 802.11g network.

❂ compatibility - connect to already-installed 802.11b networks.

❂ range - extend the reach of your network, up to 300 feet.

❂ security - protect your notebook and your data with wired equivalent

privacy (WEP) encryption.

❂ resource sharing - share your network resources, such as your broadband

Internet connection, printers, and storage.

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an introduction to wireless networking

example of a wireless home network

that includes a desktop computer

A typical home network includes the following:

❂ one desktop computer

❂ your new eMachines notebook

❂ one access point

❂ one broadband Internet connection

❂ one printer, attached to the desktop computer

In this example that includes a current home computer setup, you simply insert

an access point into your current setup to create your network.

Your notebook can join the network as needed, and will share the broadband

connection, the printer, and any files marked for sharing.

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When you are ready to set up your home network, you must first consider which

computers or other devices you want to include. Because most home networks

look like the example shown on the previous page (with a notebook computer,

a desktop computer, a broadband Internet connection, and a printer), the

instructions in the rest of this booklet will be based on this common setup.

what do I need to get started?

To set up your wireless home network, you need to obtain the following items:

❂ one access point

❂ one Ethernet cable

access point recommendations

If you need to purchase an access point, eMachines recommends buying one

designed for the 802.11g standard. This lets you communicate at the fastest

speeds possible and prepares you for the future.

When buying your access point, be sure the model includes everything your

network needs, including:

❂ 802.11g support - for next-generation, high-speed wireless communications

❂ Internet security features - such as a firewall to protect your network from

unwanted intruders

❂ wireless security features - such as 128-bit WEP encryption

❂ 4-port switch - to eliminate the need for additional network hardware

❂ DHCP server/dynamic IP address assignment - to automatically configure

network and IP addresses

If you use an 802.11b access point, you will not communicate

at 802.11g speeds.

2

setting up your home network

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setting up your network

Let’s get started!

In this section, we’ll show you how to set up your home network, using the

previous example of a home environment with an existing desktop computer

and broadband Internet connection.

The setup steps are:

❂ step 1: making sure that your broadband connection is ok

❂ step 2: connecting your new access point

❂ step 3: gathering information about your connection

❂ step 4: configuring your access point

❂ step 5: testing your home network

step 1:

making sure that your broadband connection is ok

Before you change anything about your home setup, make sure that your

broadband connection is working properly. To test the connection, just log on to

your desktop computer (in your current setup) and see if you can connect to

your favorite Internet website. If the connection is not working properly, contact

your Internet service provider (ISP).

Throughout this chapter, you’ll be using your desktop computer to

configure the access point and will not use your notebook.

We’ll walk you though connecting your notebook to this network in

the next chapter.

If you do not have a broadband connection already installed,

make the necessary arrangements with your ISP. Be sure to find

out how soon after the installation the line will be activated.

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setting up your home network

step 2:

connecting your new access point

Connecting your access point takes only a few minutes.

You need to follow the instructions that come with your access point, but the

basic steps of installing an access point involve physically connecting the

broadband connection to the access point and connecting your desktop to the

access point.

See the following illustration for an example of connecting the broadband

cable to the access point.

See the following illustration for an example of connecting the desktop

computer to the access point.

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getting started

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step 3:

gathering information about your connection

Broadband Internet settings will differ from ISP to ISP, so before you can begin

setting up your network, you will need to contact your ISP and discuss your plans.

Ask your ISP to help you fill out the following table.

In the spaces below:

Check the box for your type of Internet connection.

Record the information about your connection.

❑ DHCP/automatic IP addressing (typical setup for broadband cable

modem users)

❑ static/fixed IP addressing

IP address

Subnet mask

default gateway

DNS

(required by some ISPs)

_____________________________________

❑ PPoE

user name

password

(typical setup for DSL users)

_____________________________________

You will need to know these settings in the next step, when you

configure your access point.

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setting up your home network

step 4:

configuring your access point

Because access points differ, you need to follow the instructions that come with

your access point to set it up. However, the basic steps of configuring an access

point will include: starting up your desktop (your notebook is not yet connected),

opening your web browser, accessing the access point’s browser-based setup

utility, and entering information about your connection and your home network.

If you are unable to connect to the access point’s setup utility,

check your cable connections and refer to the instructions that

came with your access point.

As you set up your access point:

Record the settings for your access point.

(They will be required when you connect your notebook.)

my wireless connection settings

SSID

(common defaults are

“default” or “linksys”)

channel

(common default is “6”)

_____________________________________

my wireless security settings

❑ WEP enabled

default transmit key

encryption method

pass phrase

key 1

key 2

key 3

key 4

(By default, WEP is usually disabled.

Check this box if you enabled.)

_____________________________________

❑ 64-bit ❑ 128-bit (check one)

_____________________________________

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getting started

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step 5:

testing your home network

Now that this portion of your home network is set up, log on to your desktop

computer and access a favorite Internet website.

If you are unable to connect to the Internet:

❂ check all physical cable connections.

❂ compare the status lights on the front of the access point with the patterns

described in the access point literature.

❂ make sure that any firewall software on your desktop computer is turned off.

❂ power down all of the devices and then power them back on.

❂ refer to your access point’s troubleshooting information.

❂ contact your Internet service provider.

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Congratulations!

By this point, you have successfully created your home network — you have

installed and configured your access point, connected your desktop computer

to the network, and tested your broadband connection — and it works!

Now you are ready to use your notebook to access your wireless home network.

The following pages guide you through the process of connecting to the wireless

network for the first time, which is as simple as clicking an icon and entering

some information.

1. Start up your notebook.

2. Press Fn + F2 to turn on the wireless.

The Wireless Network Connection icon will now be displayed in the

system tray.

3. Double-click the Wireless Network Connection icon.

Your notebook will automatically scan for a wireless network to connect to

and will display the Wireless Network Connection Properties window, as

illustrated in the next step.

3

connecting to your new wireless network

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getting started

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4. On the Wireless Networks tab, verify that Use Windows to configure my

wireless network settings is checked and then click Add.

For detailed information about the features in these

windows, access Windows XP online help or click Learn

about setting up wireless network configuration.

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connecting to your new wireless network

5. When the Association tab is displayed, enter the settings for your network,

including:

a. Enter your SSID.

b. Click the Data encryption checkbox if you enabled WEP when you set

up your access point.

If you enabled WEP, you must also enter your Network key.

c. Click OK when the settings are correct.

The Wireless Networks tab is redisplayed.

a.

b.

c.

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getting started

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6. Your network should now be listed under Preferred networks.

Click OK to connect to your network.

A message is displayed by the Windows Wireless Network Connection icon.

.

Congratulations! You’ve set up everything AND successfully connected your

notebook to your wireless home network. The Web is at your fingertips!

7. From your notebook, open your Web browser and access a favorite

website.

8. If you want to access files that are stored on your desktop or print to your

“network” printer, see the “enabling file & print sharing” section in Chapter 4,

“learning more about wireless networking.”

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Some additional information that you’ll need to know includes:

❂ turning the wireless off and on

❂ monitoring your wireless connection

❂ enabling file & print sharing

❂ reconnecting to your network

❂ connecting to hot spots

4

learning more about wireless networking

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getting started

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turning the wireless off and on

When you start up your notebook for the first time, the wireless is de-activated.

To turn the wireless off and on, use the special F2 function key

by pressing Fn + F2.

By viewing the Wireless Network Connection icon in the system tray at the

bottom of your desktop, you can tell at a glance whether your wireless is turned

on or off.

When might you want to turn off your wireless?

❂ when not using it, to reduce power consumption and extend battery life

❂ when traveling on an airplane, to obey current FAA regulations

To use a special function key, press and hold down the Fn

key, press the key with the desired image on it, and then

release both keys. Please see your 5000 Series Notebook

User’s Guide for more information about function keys.

the wireless is on:

the wireless is off:

ﬁ

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learning more about wireless networking

monitoring your wireless connection

You can view information about your connection by

right-clicking the Wireless Network Connection icon.

An example of the Link Status tab is shown below.

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