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| Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
About CableFREE Adapters |
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Q. Is there a way to connect additional
computers up with without using wires?
A. Yes, SOHOware has a wireless product, called CableFREE that allows you to
network your computers without the hassle of running network cable. |
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Q. What is CableFREE?
A. CableFREE is what SOHOware calls its wireless product made up of network cards
supporting ISA, PCI, PCMCIA, and a wireless hub called NetBlaster. |
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Q. What is the NetBlaster?
A. The NetBlaster acts as a wireless hub allowing up to 10 wireless computers to
communicate with each other. It connects CableFREE-enabled PCs to Cable/xDSL modems for
high-speed Internet access sharing. In addition, it allows you to watch high-resolution
video clips; listen to CD-quality music, news, and sports radio broadcasts; or play Quake
and other top computer games with none of the delays typical of dial-up networks. The
NetBlaster can also be used to extend the range between computers when placed in the
middle of both computers. |
Q. Can I share the Internet
with just CableFREE network cards or is a NetBlaster needed?
A. You can use two CableFREE network cards to share your Internet connection but
one of your computers will need two network cards, one of which will be the CableFREE
network card. If you are sharing the Internet connection through a single IP address, you
will also need some sort of Internet Sharing software such as Internet Sharing Connection
(ICS) in Windows 98 Second Edition. |
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Q. What components need to
be purchased?
A. A minimum of two wireless devices needs to be purchased. Depending on your
current network configuration, you can simply purchase two CableFREE devices, which will
be able to communicate wirelessly. Such as a PCI and PCMCIA card or a PCMCIA and
NetBlaster. Please visit the following website for illustrations and sample scenarios of
how the CableFREE products are used: http://www.ndclan.com/technic/bbbworld.htm |
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Q. What is included in a
CableFREE network card package?
A. You get one CableFREE network adapter with external antenna, one CableFREE CD
with driver and Utilities, and one CableFREE user manual. |
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Q. What is included in a
CableFREE NetBlaster package?
A.You get one CableFREE NetBlaster with Power Adapter, one 25ft/7.5m standard
network cable (Cat. 5 UTP), one NetBlaster Installation Utilities CD, and one NetBlaster
user manual with Quick Installation Guide. |
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Q. How much does it cost?
A.Please visit our E-Commerce website at http://store.yahoo.com/sohowaredirect for
the latest pricing of our products. |
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Q. What operating systems and
computers will CableFREE products work with?
A.SOHOware CableFREE works with the Windows operating system, including Windows
2000, and all IBM compatible computers. |
Q. Will CableFREE network
cards work with Linux?
A.Currently, SOHOware does not have Linux driver. We are looking into developing
drivers for this OS in the near future. Please keep checking our website for any products
upgrade information. |
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Q. Will CableFREE network
cards work with an Apple computer?
A.Unfortunately our CableFREE cards to not have drivers that will operate under the
Apple operating system. |
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Q. How easy is it to hook up
the CableFREE products?
A.Simply install the CableFREE network card in the system, load the network
drivers, and let the system install the CableFREE utilities. If you are connecting to
another CableFREE card you are done. If you want to connect through a NetBlaster then
install the NetBlaster utilities. |
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Q. Do CableFREE products
comply with any standards?
A.Yes, SOHOware's CableFREE uses the latest in wireless technology adhering to the
802.11 standard. |
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Q. What is the difference
between 802.11 and 802.3 standard?
A.802.3 is the standard defining a wired network, known as Ethernet, whereas 802.11
defines a standard for wireless networking. |
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Q. Will the CableFREE
products work with other wireless devices using 802.11 standard?
A.No. Although the CableFREE devices are 802.11 compliant SOHOware has not done
compatibility testing with other wireless devices. |
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Q. What is the average data
transfer rate for the CableFREE products?
A.All of the CableFREE products can transfer data at a rate of 2Mbps (Megabits per
second). |
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Q. I have the signal
strength above 90%, but have not been able to get a throughput of 2Mbps. How can I get the
throughput above 1Mb to be able to play wave files and games?
A.The data rate of the CableFREE is 2Mbps, not the throughput. All other brands of
wireless products with the 2M chip also have no the 2Mbps throughput. This is a limitation
on digital data transmission application. In fact, Our CableFREE and other 2M wireless
products have the best performance amid all brands of 2M wireless LAN products. For
further details, please read the following: CableFREE transmits at a data rate of 2Mbps.
As with all network products, there are idle periods during data transmission that degrade
average speed. The longer the idle time, the slower the speed. The amount of idle time
depends on many factors such as: data transmission technique, number of computers in the
network (more computers, more network chatter, less speed), the data transmission protocol
space in the data package, the physical distance and obstacles between the nodes etc.
Users can improve the speed using the following tips:
- Place the CableFREE PC and NetBlaster antennas in a higher location
- Move the NetBlaster to a better location, e.g. midway between the CableFREE PCs
- Minimize the number of obstructions between the CableFREE PCs and the NetBlaster. Avoid
placing the NetBlaster close to metal objects (e.g. file cabinets, metal cubicles, metal
ceiling/ floor/wall...etc.)
- Move the NetBlaster and the CableFREE PCs closer to each other
- If there is a device using the same radio frequency as the CableFREE, e.g. a microwave
oven, ensure the CableFREE computer or NetBlaster are far enough away from it (10 meters
min. is advisable)
- Use the CableFREE utility to find the best location:
- Start the NetBlaster
- Allow a CableFREE PC to connect to the NetBlaster
- From the Utility, run Connection Quality
- Move the NetBlaster or the computer and its antenna to find the location that gives the
best performance
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Q. What frequency does the
CableFREE operate on?
A. The SOHOware CableFREE devices use 2.4 GHz FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread
Spectrum) technology. |
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Q. Will my 2.4 Ghz telephone
interfere with the CableFREE product?
A As the CableFREE devices use FHSS technology there is a small risk that there
will be interference. If there is lost information the networked computers will just
resend the information again. |
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Q. Will my TV receiver or FM
radio card, installed in the same computer as a CableFREE device cause any problem?
A. SOHOware has not seen any ill effects of having other radio frequency (RF)
devices installed in the same computer. |
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Q. How far away can I be
from my cable and still stay connected?
A. The CableFREE standard allows a range of up to 250 feet from either another
CableFREE network card or the NetBlaster. |
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Q. What if I need to be more
than 250ft away?
A. The furthest you can be away from a CableFREE device is 250 feet. If the
NetBlaster can be placed between two computers with CableFREE cards there can be 500 feet
between the two computers. |
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Q. Can I connect multiple
NetBlasters together to increase the range?
A. No, it is not possible to cascade the NetBlasters to increase range. |
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Q. Does the system need to
be restarted if I go beyond the CableFREE range?
A. Depending on how long you were disconnected you may not need to restart your
computer. The Windows operating system has a network time-out feature, which will require
you to restart the computer if you got disconnected. |
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Q. I installed the driver
and Utility for my CableFREE network card but do not see the "NetBlaster ID"
dialog box.
A. If you do not see the "NetBlaster ID" dialog box on your CableFREE
Utility Toolbar, you probably have an incorrect version of the CableFREE Utility which
does not support NetBlaster. Try downloading the latest driver/utility program from our
website at http://www.SOHOware.com/SupportDownload/Drivers/Drivers.htm. |
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Q. I entered the NetBlaster
ID and computer still cannot access the network.
A. Make sure that you are only using the LAST 6 CHARACTERS (i.e.: FA1234) of the
NetBlaster ID found on the base of the unit. Also check the "Network Type" in
your Network properties to make sure that you are are using "Infrastructure"
mode when connecting with the NetBlaster. |
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Q. Why do I hear noises
(static type distortion) coming from my laptop speakers when I use the CableFREE PCMCIA
card?
A. We suspect that due to poor grounding around the PCMCIA slot, the noise is
caused when the frequency emits by the CableFREE PC card coupled with the frequency of the
computer sound system. At this time, we do not have any resolution to this problem. Please
keep checking our website for further products upgrade information. |
Q. Why can't the CableFREE
network card obtain an IP network address from a DHCP server?
A.
- If the CableFREE client is set to be Ad-Hoc mode (connect without NetBlaster): This is a
normal phenomenon if there is not any other CableFREE Ad-Hoc client which serves as a DHCP
server. If you have installed a DHCP server on a CableFREE Ad-Hoc client (e.g. SyGate),
please check if the DHCP server has been started on that machine.
- If the CableFREE client is set to be Infrastructure mode (connect with NetBlaster):
- This problem, a CableFREE DHCP client cannot obtain an IP network address from a DHCP
server, only occurs at the first time starting the Win95/98 after installing the CableFREE
driver. This problem doesn't occurs under Windows NT (4.0).
- When the Windows 95 starts, it will show a message box on the screen to inform that this
DHCP client was unable to obtain an IP network address from a DHCP server. But, after 5
minutes, it will show another message box on the screen to inform that the DHCP client
successfully leased an IP address. If you cannot wait you can run the WINIPCFG program in
a MS-DOS window to lease an IP address immediately.
- If the Windows 95/98/NT cannot lease (automatically and manually) an IP address or you
see a error DHCP message box at the end of the driver installation procedure (or when you
renew the IP leasing manually). This problem is resulted from some incorrect configuration
of the CableFREE adapter, e.g., wrong NetBlaster ID, wrong wireless Workgroup name
(wireless domain name) or the NetBlaster device is powered off or the DHCP server on the
network has not been started.
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Q. I have tried many times,
but the CableFREE PCMCIA adapter still cannot be detected by the Windows 98.
A. Go to "My Computer" > "Control Panel" >
"System" > "Device Manager".
- Try to find out the "Other Devices" entry with a question mark.
- If you find the "Other Devices" entry, double click it. If you find a
"Unknown" device or a "Wireless LAN PC Card-802.11" item with an
exclamation mark, remove it and restart the Windows system.
- If you cannot find it, please try to find out the "Network Adapters" entry.
Under it, if you find a "CableFREE PC Card" with an exclamation mark, remove it
and restart the Windows system.
- Please also remove the "CableFREE PC Card" from the Network settings control
panel if it is there. This problem may happen in the following two conditions:
- When you installed the Windows 98, the adapter was already inserted in the computer. The
Windows 98 forced to put the adapter under the "Other Devices" because it didn't
recognize the adapter. (The Windows 98 has no built-in driver for the adapter).
- The user does not follow User Guide and the software for the adapter is not be INSTALLED
COMPLETELY.
When the Windows 98 restarts, the CableFREE PCMCIA adapter will be detected, and then
you can install the driver for the adapter by referring to the installation procedure in
the manual. |
Q. I have lost my Network
Hopper diskette, can I download this software on your website?
A. The Network Hopper software has been integrated in the CableFREE Utility as the
Network Profiles. If you are using the CableFREE Utility, you do not need to use the
Network Hopper program. To activate your CableFREE Utility so that it would prompt you for
new network settings each time you restart or shut down your computer, follow these simple
instructions: |
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- With your CableFREE Utility Toolbar running, locate the CableFREE icon on the system
tray on the bottom of your computer, near the clock.
- Right-click on the icon and select "Preferences"
- You will see a window that looks just like the one shown below
- Select "Prompt for a new network setup at system shutdown/logoff"
- Click OK to finish your setting.
The next time you shut down or restart your computer, CableFREE Utility will prompt you
to select a new "Network Profile" to use for the next time you boot into
Windows. |
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Q. What support is there for
installing and configuring CableFREE?
A. You can contact our Technical Support department toll free at 1-888-785-8222 for
assistance in installing and configuring your CableFREE devices. |
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Q. I see an error message
that says 'Cannot find the CableFREE adapter' when the Windows NT4.0 starts.
A. If some network devices(wireless NIC) or services have not been started or
initialized completely before you logon a Windows NT machine, you will see an error
message that says 'Cannot find the CableFREE adapter' when the CableFREE Utility starts.
Just disregard this message (click OK to close it). Close the CableFREE Utility, wait for
10 seconds, and then re-run the Utility from the Startup menu. Once all network devices
and services started completely, the Utility will find the CableFREE adapter and run
normally again.
This is NOT REALLY a bug in our CableFREE products. This phenomenon is due to Windows NT
being loaded before the network devices and services completely initialized by its
drivers. |
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