3Com 3CRSHPW196 User manual

Wireless LAN PC Card User Guide
3CRWE62092B
3CRSHPW196
3CRSHPW696
Wireless LAN PC Card
http://www.3com.com/
http://www.support.3com.com/registration/frontpg.pl
Published March 2002
User guide version 1.0.0
SL-1110

3Com Corporation
■
5400 Bayfront Plaza
■
Santa Clara, California
■
95052-8145
Copyright © 2002 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this documentation may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to
make any derivative work (such as translation, transformation, or adaptation) without written permission from 3Com Corporation.
3Com Corporation reserves the right to revise this documentation and to make changes in content from time to time without obligation on the part
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limited to, the implied warranties, terms or conditions of merchantability, satisfactory quality, and fitness for a particular purpose. 3Com may make
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Unless otherwise indicated, 3Com registered trademarks are registered in the United States and may or may not be registered in other countries.
If there is any software on removable media described in this documentation, it is furnished under a license agreement included with the product as
a separate document or in the hard copy documentation. If you are unable to locate a copy, please contact 3Com and a copy will be provided to you.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT LEGEND
If you are a United States government agency, then this documentation and the software described herein are provided to you subject to the
following:
All technical data and computer software are commercial in nature and developed solely at private expense. Software is delivered as “Commercial
Computer Software” as defined in DFARS 252.227-7014 (June 1995) or as a “commercial item” as defined in FAR 2.101(a) and as such is provided
with only such rights as are provided in 3Com’s standard commercial license for the software. Technical data is provided with limited rights only as
provided in DFAR 252.227-7015 (Nov 1995) or FAR 52.227-14 (June 1987), whichever is applicable. You agree not to remove or deface any portion
of any legend provided on any licensed program or documentation contained in, or delivered to you in conjunction with, this user guide.

Contents
1 Installing Your Wireless LAN PC Card and Wireless LAN Manager 1
Installation CD 1
Windows XP, 2000, Me, and 98 SE 1
Inserting Your Wireless LAN PC Card 2
Antennas 2
Confirming Device Installation 3
Installing 3Com Wireless LAN Manager 3
Using Wireless LAN Manager 3
2 Troubleshooting 5
Diagnosing Problems 5
Wireless LAN PC Card LED Indicators 5
Uninstalling the PC Card 6
Uninstalling Wireless LAN Manager 7
Updating the Wireless LAN PC Card Driver 8
Windows XP and 2000 8
Windows Me and 98 SE 8
A Technical Support 9
Online Technical Services 9
World Wide Web Site 9
3Com Knowledgebase Web Services 9
3Com FTP Site 9
Support from Your Network Supplier 10
Support from 3Com 10
Returning Products for Repair 10
Regulatory Compliance Information 11
FCC Part 15 Notice (Applicable to use within the USA) 11
Unintentional Radiator 11
Manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity 12
Industry Canada Notice (Applicable for use within Canada) 12
Avis de conformité à la réglementation d’Industrie Canada 12
Safety Notice 12
European Community CE Notice 13

1
1
Installing Your Wireless LAN PC
Card and Wireless LAN Manager
Installation CD
The Installation CD contains:
■ Setup programs and drivers for Windows XP, 2000, Millennium Edition (Windows
Me), and 98 Second Edition (SE).
■
3Com Wireless LAN Manager
■
README.TXT file with updated information about your Wireless LAN PC Card
■ This Wireless LAN PC Card User Guide
■
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Windows XP, 2000, Me, and 98 SE
If you are accessing this guide as part of your PC Card installation, skip to step 3 below.
1 With the computer on and Windows running, insert the Installation CD into the
CD-ROM drive. The auto-start feature starts the installation. If nothing happens
within five seconds, click Start>Run and type d:\setup.exe (where d: is your
CD-ROM drive).
2 From the 3Com Wireless Installer main menu, select Step 1: Read to Install Hardware.
3 Insert the PC Card into the slot (see the illustrations in the next section,“Inserting Your
Wireless LAN PC Card”).
4 Respond to the prompts as they appear.
If you are prompted for the drivers, enter d:\, where d: is the location of the CD-ROM
drive where the Installation CD is inserted.
5 During the installation process, you may receive prompts for the Windows installation
CD. Insert the CD for your Windows operating system and indicate the correct path.
Your computer goes through a brief installation process during which it displays
several windows indicating what is currently installing.
6 Restart the computer whenever you are prompted.

1 Installing Your Wireless LAN PC Card and Wireless LAN Manager
2
Inserting Your Wireless LAN PC Card
If you are using a 3CRSHPW196, 3CRSHPW696 or 3CRWE62092B Wireless LAN PC Card,
insert it like this:
Antennas
The antenna on the 3CRSHPW696 Wireless LAN PC Card is fixed, so you cannot extend or
retract it.
Extend or retract the antenna on the 3CRSHPW196 or 3CRWE62092B Wireless LAN PC
Card like a ball-point pen—press it to extend and use it, press it again to retract or
disable it.
NOTE: The antenna on the 3CRSHPW196 or 3CRWE69092B Wireless LAN PC
Card must be extended for you to connect to your wireless network
3CRSHPW696 3CRWE62092B
3CRSHPW196

Confirming Device Installation
3
Confirming Device Installation
1 With your PC Card installed in the computer, double-click the My Computer icon.
If you are running Windows XP, click Start > Control Panel and go to step 3.
2 Double-click the Control Panel icon.
3 Double-click the System icon. The System Properties window appears, detailing your
system setup.
4 Click the Device Manager tab. A list of devices appears, arranged by type.
If you are using Windows XP or 2000, click the Hardware tab and click
Device Manager .
5 Double-click Network Adapters . One entry appears, either: 3Com 3CRSHPW_96
Wireless LAN PC Card or 3Com 3CRWE62092B Wireless LAN PC Card .
6 Double-click the entry to display a description of the current status.
The device status should indicate “This device is working properly.”
7 Close the windows you have opened until you return to the desktop.
Installing 3Com Wireless LAN Manager
1 If you restarted your computer after installing the Wireless LAN PC Card and the
install program did not start automatically, click Start>Run and type
d:\setup.exe (where d: is your CD-ROM drive).
2 From the Installation CD , select Step 2: Install Software and follow the prompts,
removing the Installation CD and restarting your computer whenever you
are prompted.
If the 3Com icon was not placed in the system tray when you installed the Wireless LAN
PC Card, start the 3Com Launcher by selecting Start > Programs > 3Com Mobile >
3Com Launcher .
Using Wireless LAN Manager
Refer to the 3Com Wireless LAN Manager help for detailed information about how to use
Wireless LAN Manager.
NOTE: Wireless LAN Manager defaults to automatically connect to any wireless
network and no security. This default allows a basic connection to an access point.
After installation, consult with your network administrator and refer to 3Com’s
Wireless LAN Manager’s online help to change the service set identifier (SSID) and
security settings. Wireless LAN Manager is not available for the 3CRSHPW196
unders Windows XP.

1 Installing Your Wireless LAN PC Card and Wireless LAN Manager
4

5
2
Troubleshooting
Diagnosing Problems
If you have difficulty using the Wireless LAN PC Card, try the solutions in the following
table. If you continue to experience difficulty, see the next two sections,“Uninstalling the
PC Card” and “Uninstalling Wireless LAN Manager.”
Wireless LAN PC Card LED Indicators
Problem Solutions
Wireless LAN PC Card LED is off Make sure the PC Card is properly inserted in the slot.
Check the Wireless LAN PC Card icon in the Windows control panel and make sure the PC
Card type can be recognized.
Wireless LAN PC Card installs as an
unknown device Remove the unknown device and repeat the installation procedure. Make sure you insert the 3Com CD when the installation calls for it and that you wait for it to come up to speed in
the drive.
The Windows Add Hardware Wizard was unable to locate the Wireless LAN PC Card drivers.
You may have had no CD or the wrong CD inserted in the drive, or the 3Com CD may not have
been ready when the wizard looked for the drivers.
Installation program does not finish
or the driver fails to load Use the Device Manager to resolve resource conflicts that may exist. Select
System from the
Control Panel, and then click the Device Manager tab.
Network association is intermittent If you are using a 3CRSHPW196 or 3CRWE62092B PC Card, make sure the XJACK antenna
attached to the end of the card is extended. Try reorienting the antenna. For best use of the
antenna:
■ Keep the area around the antenna clear from materials that could block radio transmission,
such as metal objects, electronic devices, and cordless telephones.
■ If the signal is weak, change the direction of the antenna slightly.
■ If necessary, move your computer a few inches to find a better signal.
Computer operating system does not
recognize the card If you are using a PC Card, make sure the card is properly inserted in the slot and PCMCIA support is installed.
Check whether a card is already in use.
Windows XP, 2000, Me, and 98 SE: Check whether the computer has a Plug-and-Play BIOS.
No network association exists when
the computer becomes active again
after being in sleep mode or after the
Wireless LAN PC Card is removed and
reinserted
Log out and log in again, or restart the computer to restore the connections.
Condition Description
Off The computer does not recognize the Wireless LAN PC Card.
Flashing on and off The Wireless LAN PC Card has power.
Flickering Data transfer is taking place.

2 Troubleshooting
6
Uninstalling the PC Card
Previous installations or interrupted installation attempts sometimes leave problems that
affect card operation. Possible problems include:
■ Wireless LAN PC Card fails to function.
■
Operating system does not detect the Wireless LAN PC Card.
■
System issues a warning tone at start-up.
If the installation is unsuccessful, your best course may be to completely uninstall the card
and repeat the installation procedure.
1 Make sure you have exited any networking applications.
2 Use the standard operating system procedure to remove the card driver.
The procedure for Windows XP, 2000, Windows Me, and Windows 98 SE, is
shown below.
a If you are using Windows 2000, Me, or 98 SE, click Start > Settings >
Control Panel .
If you are using Windows XP, click Start > Control Panel .
b Double-click the System icon.
If you are using Windows XP or 2000, click the Hardware tab.
The System Properties window appears, detailing your system setup.
c Click Device Manager .
A list of devices appears, arranged by type.
d Double-click Network Adapters .
One entry appears, either: 3Com 3CRSHPW_96 Wireless LAN PC Card or 3Com
3CRWE62092B Wireless LAN PC Card .
e From the Action menu, select Remove .
If you are using Windows XP or 2000, select Uninstall ... .
f Click OK .
g Close the open windows until you return to the desktop.
CAUTION: Exit any networking applications and remove the Wireless LAN PC
Card before uninstalling the card.

Uninstalling Wireless LAN Manager
7
3 Retract the antenna if you are using the 3CRSHPW196 or 3CRWE62092B adapter.
4 Remove the adapter.
5 Restart the computer.
Uninstalling Wireless LAN Manager
Normally, you would not uninstall the Wireless LAN Manager software; however, in case a
problem arises, you may want to uninstall and reinstall it.
You can uninstall Wireless LAN Manager any time following the installation. The uninstall
removes desktop icons, registry entry files, and files used by the adapter.
1 If you are using Windows 2000, Me, or 98 SE, click Start > Settings > Control Panel .
If you are using Windows XP, click Start > Control Panel .
2 Click Add/Remove Programs .
3 Select 3Com Wireless LAN Manager .
4 Click Change/Remove .
5 Click Remove .
6 When the uninstall is complete, remove the adapter and restart your computer.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the card, do not pull on the antenna. Refer to your
computer’s documentation for PC Card removal instructions.
3CRSHPW696 3CRWE62092B

2 Troubleshooting
8
Updating the Wireless LAN PC Card Driver
To update your Wireless LAN PC Card driver software, find your operating system below,
then follow the procedure.
Windows XP and 2000
1 Insert your Wireless LAN PC Card into the PC card slot.
2 In Windows 2000, select Start > Settings > Control Panel , then double-click the
System icon.
In Windows XP, from your desktop or start menu, right-click My Computer and
select Properties.
3 Select the Hardware tab and click Device Manager.
4If necessary, click the plus sign (+) to expand the Network Adapters tree.
5In Windows 2000, double-click the appropriate entry: 3Com 3CRSHPW_96 Wireless
LAN PC Card or 3Com 3CRWE62092B Wireless LAN PC Card, select the Driver tab,
and click Update Driver.
In Windows XP, right-click 3Com Wireless LAN Adapter and select Update Driver.
6Insert the Installation CD. The Hardware Update Wizard window appears.
7In Windows 2000, click Display list of known drivers so that I can choose a specific
driver and click Next.
In Windows XP, select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced) and click Next.
8In Windows XP, select Don’t search. I will choose the driver to install and click Next.
9When you are prompted to select an adapter, click Have Disk… and enter the drive
letter for the Installation CD or enter the directory on your hard drive where the
updated driver is located. Click Continue.
10 Select either 3Com 3CRSHPW_96Wireless LAN PC Card or 3Com 3CRWE62092B
Wireless LAN PC Card and click Next. Follow the prompts through the remainder of
the driver update.
11 When the installation has completed, click Finish.
Windows Me and 98 SE
1Insert your Wireless LAN PC Card into the PC card slot.
2From the Windows Start menu, select Settings, then select Control Panel.
3Double-click the System icon, then select Device Manager.
4In the Device Manager window, expand the Network Adapters list.
5Select either 3Com 3CRSHPW_96Wireless LAN PC Card or 3Com 3CRWE62092B
Wireless LAN PC Card and click Properties.
6Select Driver and click Update Driver.
7In the Update Device Driver Wizard, follow the prompts to install the upgrade.
8When prompted, click Restart for the changes to take effect.

9
ATechnical Support
3Com provides easy access to technical support information through a variety of services.
This appendix describes these services.
Information contained in this appendix is correct at time of publication. For the most
recent information, 3Com recommends that you access the 3Com Corporation World
Wide Web site.
Online Technical Services
3Com offers worldwide product support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, through the
following online systems:
■World Wide Web site
■3Com Knowledgebase Web Services
■3Com FTP site
World Wide Web Site
To access the latest networking information on the 3Com Corporation World Wide Web
site, enter this URL into your Internet browser:
http://www.3com.com/
This service provides access to online support information, such as technical
documentation and a software library, as well as support options that range from
technical education to maintenance and professional services.
3Com Knowledgebase Web Services
The 3Com Knowledgebase is a database of technical information to help you install,
upgrade, configure, or support 3Com products. The Knowledgebase is updated daily with
technical information discovered by 3Com technical support engineers. This
complimentary service, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to 3Com
customers and partners, is located on the 3Com Corporation World Wide Web site at:
http://knowledgebase.3com.com
3Com FTP Site
Download drivers, patches, software, and MIBs across the Internet from the 3Com public
FTP site. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To connect to the 3Com FTP site, enter the following information into your FTP client:
■Hostname: ftp.3com.com
■Username: anonymous
■Password: <your Internet e-mail address>
NOTE: With Web browser software, such as Netscape Navigator and
Internet Explorer, you do not need a user name and password.

A Technical Support
10
Support from Your Network Supplier
If you require additional assistance, consult your network supplier. Many suppliers are
authorized 3Com service partners who are qualified to provide a variety of services,
including network planning, installation, hardware maintenance, application training, and
support services.
When you consult your network supplier, have the following information ready:
■Product model name, part number, and serial number
■A list of system hardware and software, including revision levels
■Diagnostic error messages
■Details about recent configuration changes, if applicable
If you are unable to consult your network supplier, see the following section on how to
contact 3Com.
Support from 3Com
If you are unable to obtain assistance from the 3Com online technical resources or from
your network supplier, 3Com offers technical telephone support services. To find out
more about your support options, go to the Web site associated with your region of the
world shown below.
When you contact 3Com for assistance, have the following information ready:
■Product model name, part number, and serial number
■A list of system hardware and software, including revision levels
■Diagnostic error messages
■Details about recent configuration changes, if applicable
Returning Products for Repair
Before you send a product directly to 3Com for repair, you must first obtain an
authorization number. Products sent to 3Com without authorization numbers will be
returned to the sender unopened, at the sender’s expense. To obtain an authorization
number, go to the Web site listed above for your region.
Region URL for Regional Web Site
Asia and the Pacific Rim ap.3com.com/contacts/support-contacts.html
Africa, Europe, and the
Middle East emea.3com.com/support/supportnumbers.html
Latin America lat.3com.com/lat/support/index.html
(Also, you can telephone [phone].)
North America 3com.com
(Also, you can telephone [phone].)

11
Regulatory
Compliance Information
NOTE: This product contains encryption. It is unlawful to export out of the U.S. without obtaining a U.S.
Export License.
FCC Part 15 Notice (Applicable to use within the USA)
CAUTION: FCC Radio-Frequency Exposure Notice
This device generates and radiates radio-frequency energy. In order to comply with FCC radio-frequency
radiation exposure compliance requirements, a separation distance of at least 2.5 cm (1.0 inch) must be
maintained between the antenna of the device and all persons.
This product does not contain any user serviceable components. Any unauthorized product changes or
modifications will invalidate 3Com’s warranty and all applicable regulatory certifications and approvals.
Unintentional Radiator
WARNING: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device as
applicable, 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 communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or 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:
nReorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
nIncrease the separation between the equipment and receiver.
nConnect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
nConsult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undersired operation.
2The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful:The
Interference Handbook
This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Stock No. 004-
000-00345-4.

Regulatory Compliance Information
12
Manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity
3Com Corporation, 3930 W. Parkway Blvd., PO Box 704010, West Valley City, UT 84119, [phone]
Declares that the Product:
Date: January 31, 2002
Brand Name: 3Com Corporation
Model Number: SL-1110
Equipment Type: 802.11b Wireless PC Card
Complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1this device may not cause harmful interference, and
2this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Industry Canada Notice (Applicable for use within Canada)
This device complies with Canadian RSS-210.
To prevent radio interference to the licensed service, this device is intended to be operated indoors and away
from windows to provide maximum shielding. Equipment (or its transmit antenna) that is installed outdoors is
subject to licensing.
The installer of this radio equipment must ensure that the antenna is located or pointed such that it does not
emit RF field in excess of Health Canada limits for the general population; consult Safety Code 6, obtainable
from Health Canada’s website www.hc-sc.gc.ca/rpb.
Avis de conformité à la réglementation d’Industrie Canada
Cet appareil est conform à la norme CNR-210 du Canada.
Pour empêcher que cet appareil cause du brouillage au service faisant l’objet d’une licence, cet appareil doit être
utilisé à l’intérieur seulement et devrait êtra placé loin des fenêtres afin de fournir un écran de blindage maximal.
L’installateur du présent matériel radio doit s’assurer que l’antenne est située ou pointée de manière à ce que
cette derniére n’émette pas de champs radioélectriques supérieurs aux limites spécifiées par Santé Canada pour
le grand public; condulter le Code de sécurité 6, disponible sur le site Web de Santé Canada, à l’adresse
suivante: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/rpb.
Industry Canada (IC) Emissions Compliance Statement
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Avis de conformité à la réglementation d’Industrie Canada
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conform à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
Safety Notice This device has been tested and certified according to the following safety standards and is intended for use only
in Information Technology Equipment which has been tested to these or other equivalent standards:
UL Standard 60950 (3rd Edition)/ CSA C22.2 No. 60950
IEC 60950
EN 60950
3Com Corporation SL-1110
Tested To Comply
With FCC Standards
FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE

European Community CE Notice
13
European Community CE Notice
Marking by the symbol
indicates compliance with the essential requirements of Directive 73/23/EC and the essential requirements of
articles 3.1(b), 3.2 and 3.3 of Directive 1999/5/EC. Such marking is indicative that this equipment meets or
exceeds the following technical standards:
nEN 300 328-2 — Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Wideband Transmission
systems; data transmission equipment operating in the 2,4GHz ISM band and using spread spectrum
modulation techniques
nETN 301 489-17: V.1.1.1 (09-2000) — Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM);
ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard for radio equipment and services; Part 17: Specific
conditions for Wideband data and HIPERLAN equipment
nEN 60950 — Safety of information technology equipment, including electrical business equipment.
Due to frequency restrictions, it is necessary to select your country before using this radio device. Refer to
your 3Com Wireless LAN Manager online help for details.
3Com Wireless LAN PC Card User Guide version 1.0.0
Published April, 2002