Wireless (Select Models Only) User Guide
© Copyright 2007, 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Windows is a U.S. registered trademark 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.
Product notice This user guide describes features that are common to most models. Some features may not be available on your computer.
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Table of contents 1 Using wireless devices (select models only) Identifying wireless and network status icons ...................................................................................... 2 Using the wireless controls ................................................................................................................... 3 Using the wireless button .....................................................................................................................
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1 Using wireless devices (select models only) Wireless technology transfers data across radio waves instead of wires. Your computer may be equipped with one or more of the following wireless devices: ● Wireless local area network (WLAN) device—Connects the computer to wireless local area networks (commonly referred to as Wi-Fi networks, wireless LANs, or WLANs) in corporate offices, your home, and public places such as airports, restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, and universities.
Identifying wireless and network status icons Icon 2 Name Description Wireless Identifies the location of the wireless lights, the wireless button, and the Wireless Assistant software. Network status (connected) Indicates that one or more of your WLAN or LAN drivers are installed and one or more WLAN devices are connected to the network. Network status (disconnected) Indicates that one or more of your WLAN or LAN drivers are installed but no WLAN devices are connected to the network.
Using the wireless controls You can control the wireless devices in your computer using these features: ● Wireless button or wireless switch (referred to in this guide as the wireless button) ● Wireless Assistant software (select models only) ● Operating system controls Using the wireless controls 3
Using the wireless button The computer has a wireless button, one or more wireless devices, and one or two wireless lights, depending on the model. All of the wireless devices on your computer are enabled at the factory, so the wireless light is on (blue) when you turn on the computer. The wireless light indicates the overall power state of your wireless devices, not the status of individual devices. If the wireless light is blue, at least one wireless device is on.
Using Wireless Assistant software (select models only) A wireless device can be turned on or off using the Wireless Assistant software. If a wireless device is disabled by the Setup Utility, it must be reenabled by the Setup Utility before it can be turned on or off using Wireless Assistant. NOTE: Enabling or turning on a wireless device does not automatically connect the computer to a network or a Bluetooth-enabled device.
Using operating system controls Some operating systems also offer a way to manage integrated wireless devices and the wireless connection. For more information, refer to the user guide for your operating system.
2 Setting up a WLAN (select models only) Setting up a WLAN allows you to connect multiple computers together, share a printer, and access the Internet without using cables. To simplify the setup process, HP provides a downloadable Network Assistant that discovers your router and the wireless devices in your computer and sets up a secure WLAN in minutes.
Determining wireless hardware requirements Before setting up a WLAN, be sure to have the following: 8 ● High-speed Internet connection, such as cable, DSL, or other broadband technology. Your Internet service provider (ISP) will provide you with the modem, Internet service, and the broadband Internet configuration settings. ● Wireless access point or wireless router, which provides the gateway for accessing your Internet connection or fixed WLAN.
Preparing the router and the computer Since the HP Network Assistant is a Web-based application, you must use an Ethernet cable to establish a good Internet connection from your computer through a router and a modem to your ISP. NOTE: If you do not have an Internet connection, you must contact an ISP and set up your service before you can connect to the Internet. Use the following steps to establish the wired connection: 1.
Launching Network Assistant 1. Be sure that your computer is connected to the Internet. 2. Open Wireless Assistant by clicking the wireless icon in Windows Mobility Center. 3. Click Setup at the bottom of the window to launch Network Assistant. 4. Click Next to begin the router identification process. Network Assistant will check your system, identify the router, and determine whether the router is connected to the Internet. NOTE: Network Assistant supports most commercially available routers.
Configuring router settings When Network Assistant has detected that your computer is connected to the Internet through a router, it will prompt you for permission to continue: 1. Click Next to check existing router settings. NOTE: If you have already configured a router password, Network Assistant will prompt you to enter that password. If you do not remember the router password, follow the instructions that came with your router to reset the password.
Configuring wireless device settings After configuring the wireless router, Network Assistant will prompt you for permission to automatically apply the same network name and security settings to the WLAN device on your computer. 1. Click Next, and Network Assistant will configure the wireless settings. During the configuration process, informational messages are displayed above the network status icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar.
Saving and using the wireless setup package After Network Assistant completes the first connection, it prompts you for a decision about connecting other computers to your WLAN. ● Click the Save button to copy the PCConnect.exe setup wizard and your settings to a removable disc. ● Click Finish to exit Network Assistant. ● To connect another computer device to the WLAN, insert the disc containing the setup wizard into the computer or device that has a WLAN device, and run the wizard.
Protecting your WLAN Because the WLAN standard was designed with only limited security capabilities—basically to foil casual eavesdropping rather than more powerful forms of attack—it is essential to understand that WLANs are vulnerable to well-known and well-documented security weaknesses. WLANs in public areas, or “hotspots,” like coffee shops and airports may not provide any security.
3 Using a WLAN With a WLAN device, you can access a wireless local area network (WLAN), which is composed of other computers and accessories that are linked by a wireless router or a wireless access point. NOTE: The terms wireless router and wireless access point 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.
Connecting to a WLAN To connect to the WLAN, follow these steps: 1. Be sure that the WLAN device is turned on. If it is on, the wireless light is on. If the wireless light is off, press the wireless button. NOTE: On some models, the wireless light is amber when all wireless devices are turned off. 2. Select Start > Connect to. 3. Select your WLAN from the list, and then type the network security key, if required.
Roaming to another network When you move your computer within range of another WLAN, Windows attempts to connect to that network. If the attempt is successful, your computer will be automatically connected to the new network. If Windows does not recognize the new network, follow the same procedure you used initially to connect to your WLAN.
4 Using HP Broadband Wireless (select models only) HP Broadband Wireless enables your computer to access the Internet from more places and over larger areas than WLANs. Using HP Broadband Wireless requires a network service provider (called a mobile network operator), which in most cases will be a mobile phone network operator. Coverage for HP Broadband Wireless is similar to mobile phone voice coverage.
5 Using Bluetooth wireless 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 the following: ● 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 d
Bluetooth and Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) When two or more computers are connected using Bluetooth, and Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) is enabled on one of the computers, the other computers cannot connect to the Internet using the Bluetooth network. HP does not recommend setting up one computer with Bluetooth as a host and using it as a gateway through which other computers may connect to the Internet.
6 Troubleshooting wireless connection problems Some possible causes for wireless connection problems include the following: ● Wireless device is not installed correctly or has been disabled. ● Wireless device or router hardware has failed. ● Network configuration (SSID or security) has been changed. ● Wireless device encountered interference from other devices. NOTE: Wireless networking devices are included with select computer models only.
Cannot connect to a WLAN If you have a problem connecting to a WLAN, confirm that the integrated WLAN device is properly installed on your computer: NOTE: Windows includes the User Account Control feature to improve the security of your computer. You may be prompted for your permission or password for tasks such as installing software, running utilities, or changing Windows settings. Refer to Windows Help for more information. 1. Select Start > Computer > System properties. 2.
Cannot launch WLAN Windows can automatically repair a corrupted WLAN connection: ● If there is a network status icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar, right-click the icon, and then click Diagnose and repair from the menu. Windows will reset your network device and attempt to reconnect to one of the preferred networks. ● If an “x” is superimposed over the network status icon, one or more of your WLAN or LAN drivers are installed but the computer is not connected.
Network status icon is not displayed If the network status icon is not displayed in the notification area after you configure the WLAN, the software driver is either missing or corrupted. A Windows “Device not Found” error message may also be displayed. The driver must be reinstalled. Get the latest version of the WLAN device software for your computer at the HP Drivers and Downloads Web site.
Current network security codes are unavailable If you are prompted for a network key or an SSID when connecting to a WLAN, the network is protected by security. You will need to have the current codes to make a connection on a secure network. The SSID and WEP are alphanumeric codes that you enter into your computer to identify your computer to the network.
WLAN connection is very weak If the connection is very weak, or if your computer cannot make a connection to a WLAN, minimize interference from other devices, as follows: ● Move your computer closer to the wireless router or access point. ● Be sure that other wireless devices are not interfering by temporarily disconnecting devices such as a microwave, cordless phone, or cellular phone. If the connection does not improve, try forcing the device to reestablish all connection values: 1.
Cannot connect to the wireless router If you are trying to connect to the wireless router and are unsuccessful, reset the wireless router by removing power from the router for 10 to 15 seconds. If the computer still cannot make a connection to a WLAN, restart the wireless router. For details, refer to the router user guide.
Cannot connect to a wireless network used previously If you are unable to resolve the issue of a wireless connection that worked previously but does not work now, performing a system restore may be the final option. Microsoft® System Restore, if set up to do so, will create restore points automatically and periodically. Use an existing restore point to return your system to the condition it was in when the wireless connection worked.
Index A access point, wireless 8 B Bluetooth device 1, 19 C cable modem 9 configuring router settings 11 wireless device settings 12 connecting to a WLAN 16 corporate WLAN connection 16 D DSL modem 9 E encryption F firewall 14 14 H HP Broadband Wireless Module 18 I icons network status 2, 24 wireless 2 interference, minimizing 26 M minimizing interference 26 modem cable 9 DSL 9 N Network Assistant software 10 network key 25 network security codes network key 25 SSID 25 network status icon 2, 24 P PC Ca
