Installing a Wireless Adapter (Laptop)
With all the complicated and confusing things connected with computers, it's
nice to know that installing an adapter is so easy. In fact, the entire process
will likely take you less than 20 minutes.
Before you begin, here are just a few bits of information you need to know:
Whereas a USB plug will only go into the USB port one way, it is possible
to put a PC card into the PCMCIA slot incorrectly. Generally speaking,
the PC card will go into the slot with the flashy product logo facing up
and the dull, boring-looking information label facing down. If the card
has little status-indicator lights, those have to face up.
Inserting the card the right way is important. If the card's upside down,
and if you pushed really hard, you could mangle the way those 68 little
holes in the end of the card fit into the 68 little pins inside the slot, dam-
aging both the card and the laptop.
To keep static electricity from damaging the adapter, avoid opening any
protective packaging until just before you insert a PC card or USB plug
into your laptop.
In some cases (as with the SMC2532W-B card and most USB adapters),
you need to install the drivers (tiny programs that handle communica-
tion between the hardware device and the program or operating system
using it) before inserting the card or plug into the appropriate orifice. In
other cases (as with the Buffalo WLI-CB-G54A), you can insert the card
first. Make sure you know the order of events before you proceed with
installing a card or USB adapter; the instructions that came with your
card should steer you straight.
With so many different adapters on the market it's just not practical to give
you the exact installation instructions for each and every one. Fortunately, no
matter which adapter you've selected, the methods of installation are very simi-
lar. That's true whether it's a PC card adapter or a USB adapter. So, what follows
are the exact instructions for installing the Buffalo Technology WLI-CB-G54A
adapter. Even if you've got a different adapter, the steps will be very similar.
Installing the drivers
Chances are quite good that the box containing your adapter card also con-
tains an installation guide (that is, instructions) and a CD that contains the
hardware drivers and configuration utility. You've already read the instructions;
Part I: The Wonderful World of Wireless Fidelity
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