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 Sunday, 22 November 2009
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Configuring a SpeedTouch 110 wireless adapter on Windows XP

This document describes how to install the Thomson SpeedTouch 110 wireless card on a laptop running Windows XP. We recommend that you print this guide to use as a reference.

The SpeedTouch 110 PCMCIA wireless adapter is a PC card used to connect a laptop, or desktop equipped with a suitable slot, to your wireless network.


Set up your modem router

It is recommended that you setup your AOL supported modem router using the AOL Easy Installer or manufacturers CD before you setup your wireless adapter.

When you set up your modem router, we recommend that you enable the security features to keep your wireless network protected. For use with this wireless adapter, please set up WEP 128 bit encryption rather than WPA. You will be asked for a Wireless Network Name (SSID) and a Wireless Network Password (WEP128 Passphrase). You will need to use both of these later when you add your computer to your wireless network.

If you have already configured your modem router to use WPA, please change it to WEP 128 bit encryption.


Install and connect your wireless adapter

To begin the installation, insert the manufacturer's CD into your computers CD-ROM drive before inserting the card. You must follow the installation process and ONLY insert the card into the appropriate port on the computer when prompted.

When the CD is inserted in the machine, it should auto-run.
Note: If it does not run automatically, double-click My Computer on your Windows desktop, then right-click your CD-ROM drive and choose Auto-play. If the installation screen still does not appear, double-click the CD-ROM drive, then double-click ezsetup.exe. The Wireless LAN Wizard page will be displayed.

To install your wireless adapter:

1. Click Install a New Product.
2. Click Install Driver and Client Manager.

Note: This will automatically start the installation of the Windows drivers. You do not need to do anything at this stage, simply wait for the installation to complete.

3. Click Install Hardware.
4. Select Insert PC Card, and click Next to continue.
5. Select Insert PC Card into laptop computer, then click Next.

Note: It is also possible to use special adapters to allow use of the SpeedTouch 110 with a desktop computer, hence the other options available here. AOL is unable to support these options. You should refer to Thomson for further advice on the SpeedTouch device or contact your computer manufacturer for guidance.

6. Slide the SpeedTouch PC card into an available PCMCIA slot on your laptop. Click Next when this is done.


Connect to your wireless network

Once the SpeedTouch PC card has been connected to your laptop, you will be returned to the Setup Overview for Windows XP screen.

1. Click Windows XP Wireless Network Connection.
2. A screen of instructions will appear, telling you how to enable your wireless connection.
IMPORTANT: Please disregard the instructions on this screen and follow the instructions below.
3. Click Start, then Connect to, and Wireless Network Connection.
4. Select the wireless network you wish to use and click Connect.
5. You will be prompted to enter a Network Key. AOL's Easy Installer will have automatically generated this key from the password you entered when you setup your modem router. The network key will be saved on the C: drive of the PC that was used to configure the modem router, in a file called md5key.txt.
6. Once located, enter this key into the Network Key boxes.
7. Click Connect.
8. The network list will display that you are successfully connected to the wireless network.

Note: The SpeedTouch icon in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen will change from empty bars to green bars (depending on signal strength), when the drivers are fully installed and the device is functional.


Connect to AOL

To set up AOL to work on your home network, you need to change the settings to connect via your modem router.

1. Start AOL but do not sign on. Instead, click Sign On Options or Connect Options on the sign-on screen.
2. Click Expert Setup.
3. Click Add Location.
4. Type a name for the location in the Location Name box (eg Router), then click Next.
5. Choose Broadband (High-Speed, cable, DSL, or other ISP), then click Next.
6. Tick Automatically reconnect me and ignore interruptions... then click Next.
7. Select Automatic Connection, then click Next.
8. Click Sign on to AOL now, then sign on to AOL as usual using any of your screen names.

The next time you start the AOL software, you'll notice 'Router' (or whatever name you gave the location) is available as one of the options in the Location box. This allows you to easily switch between using a modem router connection and a different connection (for example, a dial-up modem) if you wish.