Published December 22, 2006
- Supports Windows XP and 2000
- Driver version: 4.1.2.150
- Utility version: 1.4.1.306
New Features
- Fixed Blue Screen issues.
- WHQL certified drivers.
To Upgrade
(Windows XP screens are shown, however the process is similar in other operating systems.)
1. Download using the button below to a convenient place such as your desktop. Note this is a large file! ( 7.33 MB )
2. Uninstall the adapter software by selecting Start > Programs > NETGEAR WG111v2 Smart Wizard >Uninstall NETGEAR WPN311 Software. The Install Assistant window displays.
3. Click Next.
4. Click OK.
5. Click OK to complete the uninstallation.
6. Close your open computer applications.
7. You need to shut down your computer now by selecting Start > Turn off Computer... > Turn off.
8. After your computer is off, unplug the power cord of your computer.
9. Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the outside back of the computer case.Click for information about grounding.
10. Unplug the power cord.
11. Open the computer case.
Note: It's easy to damage exposed electrical parts. The damage might be hidden. It may take several shocks for serious problems to show. Avoid touching metal connection pins, and the exposed electrical circuits on the card's surface. The silver end mounting bracket is insulated, and may be handled.
12. Remove the WPN311 adapter card from its slot. Note which slot it is in, because you'll want to use the same slot to reinsert the card, later.
13. Replace the computer case.
14. Plug in the power cord.
15. Turn the computer on, and let it reboot completely.
16. Double-click the file you downloaded in Step 1 to start the installation.
17. Click Next.
18. Click Accept to accept the license agreement.
19. Click Next to install in the default directory.
20. Click Next. A message appears while the software is installing.
21. A Windows warning message pops up; click Continue Anyway.
22. Click Next to continue with the hardware installation.
23. Click OK.
24. Close your open computer applications.
25. Turn off the computer. Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the outside back of the computer case.
26. Unplug the power cord.
27. Open the computer case.
28. Insert the WPN311 adapter into the same PCI slot that it used before.
29. Replace the case on the computer.
30. Plug in the power cord.
31. Turn the computer on, and wait until it reboots completely.
32. Select the country where the computer will be used, and click Agree. Incorrect selection may cause performance problems.
33. Select to use NETGEAR Smart Wizard (recommended), then Click Next.
34. The Selecting a Network window appears. Highlight the Network Name you want to connect to. If the Network Name (SSID) is blank, it means that network's router is not broadcasting its SSID. If you want to connect to that network, log in to the router, or ask your network administrator for the SSID.
35. Click Next. The screen advances to Saving Profiles step. You do not have to enter a profile, but it's easier that reentering the network information.
36. Click Finish to close the installer.
37. Select Yes to use the Smart Wizard to help with installation, and click Next. A confirmation message shows that your computer is connected to the Internet.
38. The utility shown at right shows. Now that the installation is finished, you will use the utility in the future to examine reception, available networks, etc. You may leave the Smart Wizard utility open during normal operation, if you like. Some of the features to note in this example:
- The user created a profile called "Profile".
- The network he is connected to has an SSID of "NETGEAR".
- The Network Type is Infrastructure. To connect, one has to use the same type as the rest of the network. For information, see Selecting between Ad Hoc and Infrastructure Modes.
- In the status bar, you can see that the network is using channel 6. Again, one has to use the same channel as the rest of the network.
- In Security, neither WEP nor WPA is selected, which is not a good idea. This example network is very vulnerable to hacking. See Improving Default Network Security.
- The signal strength is at the maximum — all the lights in the status bar are green. However, anything but red is acceptable. For information, see Improving Wireless Range.