Linksys AE1200 Installation and operating instructions

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Using Your
Adapter
AE1200/AE2500 Wireless-N USB Network Adapter

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Linksys AE1200/AE2500
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Product Overview
Features 1
Installation
Installation 2
Wireless Network Configuration
Windows 7 3
Windows Vista 4
Windows XP 6
Troubleshooting
AE1200/AE2500 9
Specifications
Linksys AE1200 10
Linksys AE1200 11
Contents

1
Product Overview
Linksys AE1200/AE2500
1
Thank you for choosing the Linksys Wireless-N USB adapter. Using the latest
wireless networking technology, the adapter adds or upgrades wireless
connectivity on your Windows-based desktop or laptop computer. To help
protect your data and privacy, you can use Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2)
encryption to protect your wireless connection.
Features
USB plug LED
USB plug: Connect this end to any available USB port on your computer.
LED: Flashes when there is wireless network activity.
Product Overview

2
Installation
Linksys AE1200/AE2500
2
This chapter describes the procedure for installing the adapter.
Installation
To install the adapter:
1. Insert the CD into your CD or DVD drive.
2. Click Set up your Linksys Adapter.
DVD/CD-RW Drive (E:) Linksys
Adapter Setup
AutoPlay
Always do this for software and games:
Install or run program
General options
Set up your Linksys Adapter
Published by Cisco Consumer Products LLC
View more AutoPlay options in Control Panel
Open folder to view files
using Windows Explorer
DVD/CD-RW Drive (E:) Linksys
Router Setup
Always do this for software and games:
Install or run program
General options
Set up your Linksys Adapter
Published by Cisco Consumer Products LLC
Set AutoPlay defaults in Control Panel
Open folder to view files
using Windows Explorer
Speed up my system
using Windows ReadyBoost
If you do not see this, access setup on the CD directly. To do so, perform
the following steps for your specific operating system:
Windows 7
a. Go to Start > Computer.
b. Double-click your CD or DVD drive.
Windows Vista
a. Go to Start > Computer.
b. Double-click your CD or DVD drive.
Windows XP
a. Go to Start > My Computer and select your CD or DVD drive.
b. Double-click Setup.exe.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setting up your Linksys
wireless adapter.
Note
You need to run Setup only once to install your adapter. After you
run Setup, your computer recognizes the adapter each time it is
connected to your computer’s USB port.
Installation

3
Wireless Network Configuration: Windows 7
Linksys AE1200/AE2500
3
To configure the adapter’s wireless connection settings, use a wireless network
configuration utility. If you have installed such a utility on your computer,
or if your computer came with one already installed, refer to that utility’s
documentation for instructions on use. Otherwise, follow the instructions in
the appropriate section below to use your operating system’s built-in utility:
• “Windows 7” on page 3
• “Windows Vista” on page 4
• “Windows XP” on page 6
Windows 7
After you have installed the adapter, the Wireless Network Configuration
utility icon appears on your computer’s system tray. (If you do not see the
icon, click the Show hidden icons arrow in the system tray.)
When your mouse pointer hovers over the icon, the status information of
your wireless connection appears.
New Wireless Connection
To connect to a different wireless network:
1. Click the Wireless Network Configuration utility icon. A list of available
wireless networks appears.
2. Select your network, and then click Connect.
3. If your network does not use wireless security, go to step 5.
Wireless Network Configuration

4
Wireless Network Configuration: Windows Vista
Linksys AE1200/AE2500
4. Enter the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2) passphrase or the Wired
Equivalent Privacy (WEP) key (depending on your type of security), then
click OK.
This screen appears while the adapter connects to your network. Do not
cancel, unless you want to end the connection.
Your computer is now connected to your wireless network.
Note
For help with the Wireless Network Configuration utility, click Start,
then click Help and Support.
Windows Vista
After you have installed the adapter, the Wireless Network Configuration
utility icon appears on your computer’s system tray.
When your mouse pointer hovers over the icon, the status information of
your wireless connection appears.
New Wireless Connection
To connect to a different wireless network:
1. Right-click the Wireless Network Configuration utility icon.
2. Click Connect to a network.

5
Wireless Network Configuration: Windows Vista
Linksys AE1200/AE2500
3. Select your network, then click Connect.
4. If your network uses wireless security, go to Step 5.
If your network does not use wireless security, this screen appears.
a. To connect to your unsecured network, click Connect Anyway and
go to Step 6.
5. Enter the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2) passphrase or the Wired
Equivalent Privacy (WEP) key (depending on your type of security), then
click Connect.
This screen appears while the adapter connects to your network. Do not
cancel, unless you want to end the installation.

6
Wireless Network Configuration: Windows XP
Linksys AE1200/AE2500
This screen appears when you are connected to your network.
6. If you want to save your settings, select Save this network.
7. Click Close.
The Set Network Location screen may appear. This screen helps apply the
correct settings for your type of location.
a. Click Home, Work, or Public location, then click Close on the
resulting screen.
Note
For help with the Wireless Network Configuration utility, click Start,
then click Help and Support.
Your computer is now connected to your wireless network.
Windows XP
After you have installed the adapter, the Windows XP Wireless Zero
Configuration Utility icon appears on your computer’s system tray.
When your mouse pointer hovers over the icon, the status information of
your wireless connection appears.

7
Wireless Network Configuration: Windows XP
Linksys AE1200/AE2500
New Wireless Connection
To connect to a new wireless network:
1. Right-click the Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration icon in your
computer’s system tray, then click View Available Wireless Networks. A
window displays the available wireless networks.
2. Select the network that you want, then click Connect.
If the network uses wireless security, go to Step 4. Otherwise, continue
to Step 3.
3. Click Connect Anyway to connect the adapter to your unsecured
network, then go to Step 5.
4. If your network uses Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) wireless security,
enter the WEP Key in the Network key and Confirm network key fields. If
your network uses Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2) wireless security,
enter the passphrase in the Network key and Confirm network key fields.
Click Connect.
Note
Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration does not support the use
of a WEP passphrase. Enter the exact WEP key used by your wireless
router or access point.
Note
If your network is using WPA2 security, make sure that you have
installed the Update for Windows XP (KB893357), available at
www.microsoft.com.

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Wireless Network Configuration: Windows XP
Linksys AE1200/AE2500
Your wireless network will appear as Connected when your connection
is active.
Note
For help with the Wireless Network Configuration utility, click Start,
then click Help and Support.
Your computer is now connected to your wireless network.