ASROCK WiFi-802.11g User manual

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ASRock WiFi-802.11g Module
Operation Guide

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1. Introduction
ASRock WiFi-802.11g module is an easy-to-use wireless local area network (WLAN)
adapter to support WiFi+AP function. With ASRock WiFi-802.11g module, you can
easily create a wireless environment and enjoy the convenience of wireless network
connectivity. Therefore, from anywhere within the signal range, you will be able to
play LAN games, connect to the internet, access and share printers, and make Internet
phone calls easily. Please read this operation guide carefully before you start to set up
ASRock WiFi-802.11g module.
1.1 Specifications
Standard - IEEE 802.11g
Data Rate - 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54Mbps
Security - Access Point mode (AP mode):
WEP, WPA
Network Architecture Types - Access Point mode (AP mode)
- Station mode: Infrastructure mode and
Ad-Hoc mode
Frequency Band - 2.4~2.5GHz
Operating Range - Indoor: 80ft (30m)
- Outdoor: 200ft (60m)
* The range varies in different
environments
Number of Connected Devices
(AP Mode)
- up to 16 stations
Antenna - ASRock WiFi-802.11g
omni-directional antenna
LED - Green data transmission (AIR) LED
Support OS - Windows®XP / XP 64-bit / VistaTM /
VistaTM 64-bit
Compatibility - Full compatible with IEEE 802.11g
standard products
Software Support - ASRock WiFi-802.11g Wizard

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1.2 LED Indicators and Antenna Port
ASRock WiFi-802.11g module has a green LED for transmission status mounted
onboard, and an antenna port for connection to the external antenna.
LED Status Indication
On Power on, no data activity
Off Power off, no wireless connection
Fast Blinking Transmitting / receiving data
Slow Blinking Site surveying
1.3 Signal Range
The signal range of ASRock WiFi-802.11g module varies from the operating
environment. Obstacles such as walls and metal barriers could reflect and absorb
radio signals. Devices like microwave ovens may also interfere with the wireless
network greatly.
Signal range:
Indoor 80ft (30m), outdoor 200ft (60m)
By default, ASRock WiFi-802.11g module should automatically adjust the data rate.
The closer the wireless stations are the better the signal and transmission speed they
will receive.
Antenna Port
LED

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2. Hardware & Software Installation
2.1 System Requirements
Before installing ASRock WiFi-802.11g module to your motherboard, please make
sure your system satisfies the following requirements.
1. ASRock motherboard with a WiFi or WiFi/E header (black)
(Please refer to ASRock motherboard manual for the location of WiFi or WiFi/E
header.)
WiFi Header (2 x 6 Pin) WiFi/E Header (2 x 8 Pin)
2. Aminimum of 64MB system memory
3. Operating system: Windows®XP / XP 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit
4. An optical drive / CD-ROM for driver and utility installation
2.2 InstallingASRock WiFi-802.11g Module andAntenna
After you make sure your system satisfies the requirements above, please follow
below steps for installing your ASRock WiFi-802.11g module. If the motherboard you
purchase is equipped with ASRock WiFi-802.11g module, which is screwed next to
the audio jack of the I/O panel, please skip step 2 to 6.
1. Shut off the PC before installing ASRock WiFi-802.11g module.
2. Move out your motherboard from the chassis.
3. Fasten the bracket to the proper position of the chassis with screws.
4. Plug ASRock WiFi-802.11g module with its connector-side to the WiFi or WiFi/E
header* (black) on the motherboard. (The location of the WiFi or WiFi/E header
may vary on motherboard models. Please refer to your motherboard manual for the
motherboard layout.)
Connector-side
WIFI or WIFI/E Header

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* The WiFi header comes in WiFi (2 x 6 Pin) and WiFi/E (2 x 8 Pin) designs
respectively, but to plug the ASRock WiFi-802.11g module on it, please align the
module connector to the left hand side of the header.
5. Fasten ASRock WiFi-802.11g module to the motherboard with screws.
6. Place your motherboard to the chassis.
7. Connect the cable-end from the antenna to the antenna port onASRock
WiFi-802.11g module.
8. Place the antenna at an elevated location.A wide and open position will enhance
the operating range.
2.3. Driver and Utility Installation
After you finish the hardware installation, you need to install WiFi driver and utility
to your system. Please boot your system and follow below steps to install the WiFi
driver and utility.
1. Insert ASRock motherboard support CD to the optical drive.
2. The system will automatically display the driver menu. Click “ASRock
WiFi-802.11g Driver and Utility” and follow screen instructions to finish the driver
installation.
After above steps, the WiFi driver and utility are installed to your system
simultaneously.
Note:
* Microsoft®had released a hotfix to improve the connectivity and performance of wireless
network in Windows®Vista-based system. To download the hotfix, please go to:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928152/en-us
* Microsoft®had also released three hotfix to improve the connectivity for transferring large
file in Windows®Vista-based system. To download the three hotfix, please go to:
z"The connection has been lost" – this error message may occur when you try to copy a large file
from one Windows®Vista-based computer to another Windows Vista-based computer, hotfix link:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932045/en-us

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zWhen you copy large files to or from earlier operating systems, the copy operation may be slower
than expected on some Windows®Vista-based computers, hotfix link:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932170/en-us
zThe copy process may stop responding when you try to copy files from a server on a network to a
Windows®Vista-based computer, hotfix link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931770/en-us
2.4. Utility Setup
After you have installed the driver and utility to your system, now you are ready to set
up the utility in your network. ASRock WiFi-802.11g module supports two kinds of
wireless network mode: Access Point Mode (AP Mode) and Station Mode. Please
refer to below introduction and select the most appropriate mode when setting it up.
A. Access Point Mode (AP Mode)
If you want to share the Internet access with the wireless stations in your
environment, such as PC, notebook and other devices, you can configure ASRock
WiFi-802.11g module in an access point mode (AP mode). In this mode, ASRock
WiFi-802.11g module becomes the wireless access point that provides local area
network and Internet access for your wireless stations. The AP Mode feature is ideal
for home/SOHO networks with several computers, a shared printer, and a shared
Internet connection.
Internet ADSL or Cable
Modem (if any)
Printer 1
ASRock MB With
WiFi-802.11g
Module
Station 1
Station 2
Station 3
Station 4
B. Station Mode
If you do not plan to use AP function with ASRock WiFi-802.11g module, but just

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want to use the wireless function to connect the access point (AP), or connect
with other stations in the wireless range instead, please set up ASRock WiFi-802.11g
module in station mode. There are two choices provided in station mode:
Infrastructure mode and Ad-hoc mode. Please read below introduction for the
differences of these two modes.
B-1. Infrastructure Mode
If you have a present access point (AP) in your wireless network environment for this
station to join, you can set up ASRock WiFi-802.11g module in Infrastructure mode.
In this mode, ASRock WiFi-802.11g module acts as a wireless adapter. In other words,
it is centered on an AP that provides Internet access and LAN communication for the
wireless stations, such as PC, notebook and other devices.
Internet
ADSL or Cable
Modem (if any)
Station 2
Station 1
Access Point
ASRock MB With
WiFi-802.11g Module
B-2. Ad-hoc Mode
If you don’t have a present access point in your wireless network environment, you
can set up ASRock WiFi-802.11g module in Ad-hoc mode. The wireless network
brings together workstations, PC, notebook and other devices for wireless
communication.

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Station 2
Station 1
ASRock MB With
WiFi-802.11g Module

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3. General Setup with ASRock WiFi-802.11g Wizard
If you want to easily set up ASRock WiFi-802.11g for general use, please use ASRock
WiFi-802.11g Wizard and follow below procedures according to the mode you
choose.
Here we take Windows®VistaTM for example in the following pictures. Since
the setup procedures are quite similar in different operating systems, please refer to
below procedures when setting up ASRock WiFi-802.11g wizard under other
operating systems.
3.1 Setting up the AP Mode
1. Move your mouse cursor to the icon on the Windows®taskbar and
right-click the icon.
2. Select ASRock WiFi-802.11g Wizard to launch the WiFi setup wizard.
3. Select Access Point and click Next.

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4. The system will automatically generate a SSID for theAP mode. You can rename
the SSID if you want.
5. Select a Network Security level for your AP mode. The configurable options are
OPEN, SHARE WEP and WPA-PSK TKIP. Select an appropriate level and click
Next.
6. If you select SHARE WEP or WPA-PSK TKIP. You need to input a password.
You can choose to configure the password in either ASCII or HEX mode. If you
choose HEX mode, input 10 hex digits for 64-bit encryption, or 26 hex digits for
128-bit encryption. Then click Next to continue.

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7. Select your Internet connection and click Next.
Note:
* You need to have another LAN connector connected to yourADSL / cable modem, and already set it
up for Internet access. Please refer to the manual from your ISP for detailed setup steps.
8. TheAP mode configuration is complete. Record the setup information on your note
and click Finish to quit ASRock WiFi-802.11g wizard.

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3.2 Setting up the Station Mode
There are two choices provides in station mode: Infrastructure mode and Ad-hoc
mode. Please read the following procedures according to the mode you choose. For
the differences of Infrastructure mode and Ad-hoc mode, please refer to page 5 and 6
for details.
3.2.1 Setting up the Infrastructure Mode
1. Move your mouse cursor to the icon on the Windows®taskbar and
right-click the icon.
2. Select ASRock WiFi-802.11g Wizard to launch the WiFi setup wizard.
3. Select Station and click Next.

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4. Select the desired network type of the wireless station. Click Infrastructure and
click Next.
5. Select one from the found sites as connection point. Click Next.

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6. Select the Network Authentication for Infrastructure mode. The configurable
options are Open System, Shared Key, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, WPA 802.1X,
WPA2 802.1X and WEP 802.1X.
Note:
* If your operating system is Windows®XP with Service Pack 2, it is required to install the
Microsoft hotfix in order to support WPA2-Personal function. Please go to this link to
download the necessary hotfix:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=662BB74D-E7C1-48D6-95EE-145923
4F4483&displaylang=en
7. Select the Data Encryption. The configurable options are Disabled and WEP.
8. Select the Key Length. The configurable options are 64 Bits and 128 Bits. (If you
select Disabled in the previous option Data Encryption, you will not be able to
choose the Key Length.)

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9. Key in the Network password and confirm.
10. Click Finish.

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3.2.2 Setting up theAd-hoc Mode
1. Move your mouse cursor to the icon on the Windows®taskbar and
right-click the icon.
2. Select ASRock WiFi-802.11g Wizard to launch the WiFi setup wizard.
3. Select Station and click Next.

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4. Select the desired network type of the wireless station. Click Ad-hoc and click
Next.
5. Select one IBSS from the list to join, click Next, and follow below steps to enter
the required information of this station. You can also click Create to create a new
IBSS, and follow below steps to enter the information of the IBSS you create.

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6. Select the Network Authentication for Ad-hoc mode. The configurable options are
Open System and WPA2-Personal.
Note:
* If your operating system is Windows®XP with Service Pack 2, it is required to install the
Microsoft hotfix in order to support WPA2-Personal function. Please go to this link to
download the necessary hotfix:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=662BB74D-E7C1-48D6-95EE-145923
4F4483&displaylang=en
7. Select the Data Encryption. The configurable options are Disabled and WEP.

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8. Select the Key Length. The configurable options are 64 Bits and 128 Bits. (If you
select Disabled in the previous option Data Encryption, you will not be able to
choose the Key Length.)
9. Key in the Network password and confirm.

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10. Click Finish.