HP Compaq NC4400 Installation and maintenance instructions

Wireless (Select Models Only)
Document Part Number: 384463-002
October 2005

Wireless (Select Models Only) ii
Contents
1 Integrated wireless devices
2 Wireless controls
Wireless button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–2
Wireless Assistant software (select models only) . . . 2–3
Operating system controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–4
3 Bluetooth devices (select models only)
4 WLAN devices (select models only)
Identifying a WLAN device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–2
Setting up a WLAN in your home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–3
Connecting to a WLAN in your home. . . . . . . . . . . . 4–4
Connecting to a public or corporate WLAN . . . . . . . 4–5
Using wireless security features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–5
5 WWAN devices (select models only)

Wireless (Select Models Only) 1–1
1
Integrated wireless devices
Wireless technology makes a computer mobile by transmitting
data across radio waves instead of wires. Your computer may be
equipped with one or more of the following integrated wireless
devices:
■Bluetooth® device—Creates a personal area network (PAN)
to connect to other Bluetooth-enabled devices such as
computers, phones, printers, headsets, speakers, and cameras.
In a PAN, each device communicates directly with other
devices, and devices must be relatively close
together—typically within 33 feet of each other.
■Wireless local area network (WLAN) device—Connects
the computer to wireless local area networks (commonly
referred to as wireless networks, wireless LANs, or WLANs)
in corporate offices, your home, and public places such as
airports, restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, and universities.
In a WLAN, each mobile wireless device communicates
with a wireless access point, which can be several hundred
feet away.

1–2 Wireless (Select Models Only)
Integrated wireless devices
■Wireless wide area network (WWAN) device—Provides
access to information anytime and anywhere you have
cellular (data) coverage. In a WWAN, each mobile device
communicates to a public carrier’s base station. Public
carriers install networks of base stations (similar to cell
phone towers) throughout large geographic areas, effectively
providing coverage across entire states, regions or even
countries.
✎Your computer may look different from the illustrations in this
guide. The location and number of buttons, lights, and jacks
vary by model.
For more information on wireless technology, visit
http://www.hp.com/go/techcenter/wireless.

Wireless (Select Models Only) 2–1
2
Wireless controls
You can control the wireless devices in your computer using one
of three methods:
■Wireless button
■Wireless Assistant software (select models only)
■Operating system controls

2–2 Wireless (Select Models Only)
Wireless controls
Wireless button
Your computer has a wireless button 1that will enable or disable
all integrated wireless devices simultaneously. In addition, a
wireless light 2indicates the computer’s overall wireless state
(enabled or disabled). The wireless light does not reflect the
status of individual devices (unless the computer has only one
wireless device). When the wireless light is on, one or more of the
wireless devices are on.
✎By default, all of the integrated wireless devices and the
wireless light are turned on when you turn on the computer.
✎The location of the wireless button and light varies by model.
On some computers, the wireless button and light are together;
and on other models, they are separate.

Wireless controls
Wireless (Select Models Only) 2–3
You can enable and disable the wireless devices with the wireless
button or through the Setup Utility.
✎You cannot use the wireless button to control the wireless
devices if they have been disabled in the Setup Utility. For
more information, refer to the Wireless Assistant online Help.
✎Enabling a wireless device does not automatically connect the
computer to a network or to a Bluetooth-enabled device.
Wireless Assistant software
(select models only)
Wireless Assistant reports details about the status of the
integrated wireless devices in your computer, including WLAN
devices, WWAN devices, and Bluetooth devices. Wireless
Assistant displays the status of the devices as on, off, or disabled.
Wireless Assistant also provides information about devices that
are disabled and turned off to help you understand where and how
to enable them or turn them on.

2–4 Wireless (Select Models Only)
Wireless controls
When a wireless device is enabled, it can be turned on or off
using the Wireless Assistant software. Once a wireless device is
disabled, however, it must be enabled before it can be turned on
or off using Wireless Assistant.
To view the state of the wireless devices, place the pointer
over the Wireless Assistant icon ( ) in the notification area
(at the far right of the taskbar) or open Wireless Assistant by
double-clicking the icon in the notification area.
For more information about Wireless Assistant:
1. Open Wireless Assistant by double-clicking the icon in the
notification area.
2. Click the Help button.
✎You cannot use Wireless Assistant to control the wireless
devices if they have been disabled in the Setup Utility. For
more information, refer to the Wireless Assistant online Help.
Operating system controls
Some operating systems and client managers also offer a way to
manage integrated wireless devices and the wireless connection.
For more information, refer to the documentation for your
operating system or client manager.

Wireless (Select Models Only) 3–1
3
Bluetooth devices
(select models only)
A Bluetooth device provides short-range wireless
communications that replace the physical cable connections that
traditionally link electronic devices such as
■Network access points.
■Computers (desktop, notebook, PDA).
■Phones (cellular, cordless, smart phone).
■Imaging devices (printer, camera).
■Audio devices (headset, speakers).
Bluetooth devices provide peer-to-peer capability that allows you
to set up a personal area network (PAN) of Bluetooth devices.
The devices are represented in the Bluetooth for Windows
software by graphical icons that resemble the physical features of
the devices. These recognizable icons make it easy to distinguish
Bluetooth devices from other classes of devices.
For information on configuring and using Bluetooth devices, refer
to the Bluetooth for Windows Getting Started guide that came
with your computer.

Wireless (Select Models Only) 4–1
4
WLAN devices
(select models only)
With a WLAN device, you can access a wireless local area
network, which is composed of other computers and accessories
linked by a wireless router or a wireless access point.
✎The terms wireless access point and wireless router are often
used interchangeably.
■A large-scale WLAN, such as a corporate or public WLAN,
typically uses wireless access points that can accommodate a
large number of computers and accessories and can separate
critical network functions.
■A home or small office WLAN typically uses a wireless
router, which allows several wireless and wired computers to
share an Internet connection, a printer, and files without
requiring additional pieces of hardware or software.
✎To use the WLAN device in your computer, you must connect
to a WLAN infrastructure (provided through a service provider
or a public or corporate network).

4–2 Wireless (Select Models Only)
WLAN devices (select models only)
Computers with WLAN devices may support one or more of
three IEEE physical layer industry standards:
■802.11b, the first popular standard, supports data rates of
up to 11 Mbps and operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz.
■802.11g supports data rates of up to 54 Mbps and operates
at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. An 802.11g WLAN device is
backward compatible with 802.11b devices, so they can
operate on the same network.
■802.11a supports data rates of up to 54 Mbps and operates
at a frequency of 5 GHz.
✎802.11a is not compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g.
Identifying a WLAN device
As a part of the process for setting up your wireless network, you
will need to identify which integrated WLAN device is installed
on your computer:
1. Select Start > My Computer.
2. Right-click in the My Computer window.
3. Select Properties > Hardware tab > Device Manager >
Network Adapters.
4. Identify the WLAN device from the list that is displayed. The
listing for a WLAN device may include the term wireless,
wireless LAN, WLAN, or 802.11.
✎If no WLAN device is listed, either your computer does not
have an integrated WLAN device, or the driver for the
WLAN device is not properly installed.

WLAN devices (select models only)
Wireless (Select Models Only) 4–3
Setting up a WLAN in your home
Microsoft® Windows® XP supports WLAN with the Wireless
Network Connection feature. In addition, on select computer
models, Wireless Assistant provides a link to the Wireless Home
Network Setup utility to help you set up your wireless network.
To set up a WLAN and connect to the Internet in your home, you
need the following equipment:
■A broadband modem (either DSL or cable) 1and
high-speed Internet service purchased from an Internet
service provider (ISP).
■A wireless router (purchased separately) 2.
■The wireless computer 3.
The illustration below shows an example of a wireless network
installation that is connected to the Internet.
As your network grows, additional wireless and wired computers
can be connected to the network to access the Internet.
✎If you need more help setting up a home WLAN, contact your
router manufacturer or your ISP.

4–4 Wireless (Select Models Only)
WLAN devices (select models only)
Connecting to a WLAN in your home
After your WLAN is set up, each computer must be connected to
it. To connect to a WLAN:
■Verify that the WLAN device is turned on. If it is on, the
wireless light is on. If the wireless light is off, turn on the
wireless device. For information about turning on and turning
off a wireless device, refer to “Wireless controls.”
■Verify that your router is correctly installed and configured.
For instructions, refer to your router documentation or call
your router manufacturer for help.
■Use the Wireless Network Connection feature of Microsoft
Windows XP to connect your computer to the WLAN.
✎The functional range (how far your wireless signals will travel)
depends on WLAN implementation, router manufacturer, and
interference from walls and other electronic devices.
For more information about using a WLAN:
■Refer to information from your ISP and the documentation
included with your wireless router and other WLAN
equipment.
■Access the information and Web site links provided in the
Help and Support Center.
■Refer to http://www.hp.com/go/techcenter/wireless.

WLAN devices (select models only)
Wireless (Select Models Only) 4–5
Connecting to a public or corporate WLAN
Contact your ISP or search the Web for a list of public WLANs
near you. Web sites that list public WLANs include Cisco
Hotspot Locator, Hotspotlist, and Geektools. Check with each
public WLAN location for cost and connection requirements.
Contact your network administrator or IT department for
information on connecting your computer to a corporate WLAN.
Using wireless security features
When you set up a home WLAN or access an existing public
WLAN, always enable security features to protect your network
from unauthorized access.
The most common security levels are Wi-Fi Protected Access
(WPA)-Personal and Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). In
addition to enabling WPA-Personal or WEP security encryption
on the router, you should use one or more of the following
security measures:
■Change the default network name (SSID) and password.
■Use a firewall.
■Set security on your Web browser.
For more information about WLAN security, refer to the HP Web
site at http://www.hp.com/go/wireless (English only).

Wireless (Select Models Only) 5–1
5
WWAN devices
(select models only)
WWAN devices enable your computer to access the Internet from
more places and over larger areas than WLANs. Using a WWAN
device requires a network service provider, which in most cases
will be a mobile phone network operator. Coverage for WWAN is
similar to the mobile phone voice coverage.
When used with a data service plan from a service provider, like
Verizon Wireless, WWAN gives you the freedom to stay
connected to the Internet, send e-mail, or connect to your
corporate network whether you are on the road, across town, or
across the country.
For information on configuring and using WWAN devices, refer
to http://www.hp.com/go/broadbandwireless.

© Copyright 2005 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation. Bluetooth is a trademark owned by its proprietor and used by
Hewlett-Packard Company under license.
The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The
only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express
warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing
herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall
not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.
Wireless (Select Models Only)
Second Edition October 2005
First Edition May 2005
Document Part Number: 384463-002