Wireless adapter installation
(demonstration card: TP-Link TL-WN551G - PCI)

Original Polish version by Lukasz Kopciuch

Wireless adapter enables communication with Access Point via electromagnetic waves in 2.4 GHz (standards 802.11 b/g) or 5 GHz (standard 802.11a) band. To start the communication, the card has to be properly installed and configured in the computer. This article describes step by step how to establish wireless connection using PCI WLAN card TP-Link TL-WN551G N2970.

Wireless PCI adapter (eXtended Range) TP-Link TL-WN551G N2970

At first the card has to be inserted into a free PCI slot in the PC (of course after switching off the computer).

View of the card placed in a PCI slot

After the PC is switched on, the message on a new hardware is displayed (it confirms that the card is inserted properly). The user does not need to click on the box - the installation will be performed with a program delivered by the manufacturer. The end of the installation and the information on new hardware will be announced by a pop-up window.

View of the system tray

To start the installation, insert the included CD into your CD/DVD drive. From the catalog on the CD-ROM (X:/TL-WN510G_550G_551G) choose the folder suitable for your operating system and run the Setup.exe program.

View of the Setup.exe folder

The installation wizard will install the device.
Then click on Next.

The installation wizard

There are available three installation options:

• Install Client Utilities and Driver
• Install Driver Only
• Make Driver Installation Diskette(s)

You should choose Install Client Utilities and Driver and click Next.

Selection of installation option

The message informing about system reboot after installation appears. Click Yes.

Question on system reboot

In the next window choose the destination location for the installation files (by default: X:Program files TP-LINKTWCU). You may browse the folders by clicking on Browse, after confirmation click Next.

Selecting destination folder

The next window allows to choose Program Folder for the program icons (if you are not experienced user choose the default location).
Then click Next.

Adding program icons

Another window contains information on TWCU program that is recommended for optimum operation of the wireless card. Use of a third-party tools may result in inappropriate operation or lack of some functions. The choice is made in the next window - click Next.

Information on TWCU program

Choose between:

• TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility (TWCU) and Supplicant ( Recommended)
• Third-Party Supplicant

Then click Next.

Choice of configuration tool

The next message informs that the drivers and program will be installed automatically.
To confirm installation, click OK.

Information window

The setup status window informs on installation progress.

The setup status window

In the case of Windows XP (TM) the message below will appear. You should click on Continue Anyway.

Windows XP (TM) compatibility message

The last window informs on successful operations and the need of rebooting the system. Mark Yes, I want to restart my computer now and click Finish.

The message on successful operations and the need of rebooting the system

After this operation there will be two new icons on the tray (close to the clock). Double-click the one on the left (indicated by the yellow arrow).

View of the system tray

The TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility appears. There are three sub-menus available:

• Current Status - current information on the settings.
• Profile Management.
• Diagnostics - information on received/sent data.

The main window of TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility

The first stage is creation of a new profile. Choose the Profile Management sub-menu and click on Scan.

"Profile Management" sub-menu

In the next window there are shown operating networks.

Window with available networks

Double-click the chosen network. The new window shows, used for creating a new profile. In the General box enter Profile Name.

The new profile window

If the network is protected, click on Security sub-menu, mark the protocol that is used, and click on Configure.

Setting security options

There will be available a specific box, according to the protocol used. The example box applies to WPA/WPA2 Passphrase protocol.

WPA/WPA2 passphrase box

Click OK to finish the task.

View of "Profile Management" window.

Now you can read in the Current Status box the set of parameters. If the new profile has been defined properly, the icons on the system tray will change - see the screenshot below.

View of the modified system tray

You can find useful the article How to configure a router

The full list of wireless adapters/cards offered by DIPOL: