5GHz
Wireless LAN Converter
Troubleshooting Guide
This document provides solutions to most common
problems and users have with their Wireless LAN Converter.
Please refer to this guide before contacting Sony
Customer Information Services.
PCWA-DE50
Sony Corporation ©2003 Printed in Japan
• Starting the PCWA-DE50 Setup Utility results only in the message
"Converter not detected. Do you want to see Online Help?". ........
• When starting the PCWA-DE50 Setup Utility, the message
"Failed to open Converter Setup Page. Do you want to see
Online Help?" appears. .................................................................
• When starting the PCWA-DE50 Setup Utility,
the "IP Address Setup" screen appears. .......................................
• Cannot display Wireless LAN Converter Setup Page. ..................
• On the Wireless LAN Converter Setup Page, the Encryption
(WEP) key input field cannot be used. ..........................................
• STATUS indicator is slowly flashing white, but communication with
Access Point is not possible. .........................................................
• Can no longer connect after Access Point settings
were changed. ...............................................................................
• Can no longer connect after access control
(MAC address filtering) of Access Point was enabled. ..................
• Cannot communicate with device other than the computer
used for setup. ...............................................................................
• Forgot settings/Want to reset. .......................................................
• What are the factory default settings? ...........................................
• What are the STATUS indicator functions? ...................................
• What are the Wireless LAN Converter functions
and how can I make advanced settings? ......................................
The Troubleshooting Guide for the PCWA-DE50 Setup Utility can also be referred to as part of Online
Help. To display Online Help, click "Start", point to "Programs" (when using Windows XP, select "All
Programs"), and click "Wireless LAN", "PCWA-DE50 Setup Help".
Instructions for using the Wireless LAN Converter Setup Page can also be referred to as part of Online
Help that appears when clicking
.
Printed on 100% recycled paper using VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)-free vegetable oil
based ink.
4-669-392-11(1)
Case 1
Starting the PCWA-DE50 Setup Utility results only
in the message "Converter not detected. Do you
want to see Online Help?".
1
Is the Wireless LAN Converter connected correctly to the
computer?
Check the connections between the Wireless LAN Converter and computer, the Wireless Unit and
Power Unit, and the Power Unit and power outlet.
Power cord
Wireless Unit
Wireless Unit cable
z
Hints
• When power is supplied to the Wireless LAN Converter, the STATUS indicator will be lit or flashing.
However, if the indicator has been set to OFF in the Wireless LAN Converter Setup Page (Advanced Setup),
the indicator will only operate in special cases.
• When the Wireless LAN Converter is connected to a computer or other device, the LINK/ACT indicator
will flash.
• You may need to wait for a few seconds to see the Converter in the PCWA-DE50 Setup Utility.
2
Is the Ethernet device inside the computer enabled?
Check whether the Ethernet device inside the computer is enabled.
Windows 98, Windows Me models
1
Right-click "My Computer" on the Desktop, and select "Properties" from the menu
that appears.
2
In the "System Properties" dialog box, click the "Device Manager" tab.
3
Click "Network Adapters" to bring up a list of adapters, and verify that the Ethernet
adapter that you are using is enabled.
z
Hint
You can also call up detailed information by right-clicking the adapter name and selecting "Properties"
from the menu that appears.
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Windows 2000, Windows XP models
Case 8
1
With Windows 2000, click "Start", point to "Settings", and click "Network and Dial-up
Connections" to bring up the "Network and Dial-up Connections" screen.
With Windows XP, click "Start", point to "Connect To" and click "Show all connections" to
Case 9
bring up the "Network Connections" screen.
Case 10
2
Right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon to be connected and select
"Enable" if this is available from the menu. (The illustration shows the Windows XP
Case 11
screen.)
Case 12
Case 13
Power Unit
Ethernet cable
(not included)
3
If the computer connected to the Wireless LAN Converter is
running Windows XP, has the Internet Connection Firewall
function been enabled?
If the Internet Connection Firewall function is enabled, communication may not be possible.
Follow the procedure below to check or change the settings.
1
Click "Start", point to "Connect To", and click "Show all connections".
2
Right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon to be connected, and click
"Properties".
3
Click the "Advanced" tab and (if selected) deselect the "Protect my computer and
network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet" check
box.
4
Click "OK".
z
Hint
Refer to Windows XP Online Help for details about the Internet Connection Firewall.
Note
Take appropriate precautions to ensure security when the Internet Connection Firewall function is
disabled. Except when configuring the Wireless LAN Converter or Access Point, it is strongly
recommended that you enable the Internet Connection Firewall function at all times.
4
When using virus scanning or network security software, has
a personal firewall function been enabled?
Virus scanning and network security software sometimes includes a function called a "personal
firewall" that is designed to prevent illegal access by outside entities. Depending on the software,
the security level of this function may be initially set to a high level. If this high security level
setting is in effect, it may be impossible to connect to a network. In this case, lower the security
level in order to permit the network connection. For details, refer to the instruction manual and
online help for your software.
5
If the computer connected to the Wireless LAN Converter is
running Windows XP, is the Ethernet interface set up to act as
a network bridge?
Confirm that the Ethernet network connection is not acting as a network bridge.
1
Click "Start", point to "Connect To", and click "Show all connections".
2
Confirm that the Ethernet network connection is not acting as a network bridge.
3
If the Ethernet network connection is configured as a network bridge, right-click the
local area connection icon, and click "Remove from Bridge".
z
Hint
If "Remove from Bridge" is not shown on the shortcut menu, the Ethernet connection is not acting as a
network bridge.
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