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PlayStation Portable : WiFi Max

Q: How do you set up WiFi Max?

In this section, we'll cover the following steps for setting up the WiFi Max:

  1. Installing Your Software And Drivers
  2. Configuring Your WiFi Max Dongle
  3. Sharing Your PCs Internet Connection
  4. Installing The Updated Version Of The ZDWlan Software

If you have previously installed WiFi Max, please first ensure you have uninstalled the ZDWlan software before continuing. First, unplug your WiFi Max adapter from the PC. Next, go to the Control Panel and click on the icon “Add/Remove Programs”. The ZyDAS software should be located near the bottom of your list of installed programs, and should be entitled:

ZyDAS IEEE 802.11 b+g Wireless LAN – USB

Click on the Change/Remove button to uninstall this software. This is the only component you will need to remove before reinstalling according to the steps below.

Setting Up Your WiFi Max Adapter
and Installing the Associated Software:

Installing your Software and Drivers

  1. To setup your WiFi Max adapter, first insert the disc labeled “Max Media Server Software”. A Window should appear asking for which console you would like to install software. Choose the appropriate console, and follow the prompts in the resulting setup wizard. In most cases, the default choices should be fine for installation, but please review these options to learn more about where your software will be installed and how to access it on your Start Menu. Installation of the associated server programs (for example, Apache) are not necessary for your PSP or DS to connect to the internet, only if you wish to create a media server for it on your PC.

  2. After installation is complete, connect your WiFi Max Dongle to an open USB slot on your PC. Using the included docking stand is recommended, as the placement of some USB ports may make fully inserting the dongle by itself difficult. After connecting the dongle, Windows should automatically begin to install drivers for this device. If the drivers are not found automatically, look for an option in the hardware installation wizard that allows you to browse for the correct drivers. Often this will involve a choice such as “Don’t search, I will choose the driver to install”, or a button labeled “Have Disk” or “Browse”. When Browsing, you may navigate the displayed folders to find the directory containing the right driver files. These may be found on the included software CD.

To find these Drivers on the CD:

  1. Locate “My Computer” in the browsing window, and double-click it.
  2. Determine which drive is your CD-Rom, and Double-click it.
    It should be labeled WIFIMAX if it currently contains the setup CD.
  3. Double-click the Zydas Folder.
  4. Double-click the Drivers folder.
  5. Some installation wizards will further require selection of the driver file, which should be labeled ZD1211U.inf. Either double-click this file to complete the driver selection, or click “OK” or “Open” to end it after selecting the correct folder in the previous step.

Please Note: If you receive an error message stating that “The specified location does not contain information about your hardware”, you may need to install a newer version of the ZyDas Configuration Utility. Instructions for this task will be included at the end of this document.

Configuring your WiFi Max Dongle

Once the drivers have been installed, we will start the ZyDAS Wireless Configuration Tool to prepare the WiFi Max dongle for the PSP to connect to it. Check for a ZD icon in the lower-right corner of your PC screen, near the clock. If not present, you may also open the software through the start menu by choosing Programs, then ZyDAS IEEE 802.11 b+g Wireless LAN – USB, and finally ZDWlan Utility.

Please Note: If your ZDWlan Utility will not open after selecting it, you may need to install a newer version of the ZyDas Configuration Utility. Instructions for this task will be included at the end of this document.

  1. Ensure you have selected Access Point in the Mode pulldown menu of the Wireless LAN Configuration Tool. Click the previous link to see a picture of the software and this selection.

  2. Click on the More Settings option labeled with a 2 in the previous picture for more configuration options. This should bring up a window labeled “Access Point Settings”.

  3. Under Bridge Adapter, you should see the name of the device your PC currently uses to connect to the internet. If the wrong device is selected, or if you see “No Bridge”, click on the arrow to the right of this listing to change the selection.

    Please Note: The WiFi Max adapter is not compatible with a dialup internet connection, and will not have any Dialup adapters listed under the Bridge Adapter category.

  4. Click on the Change button near the top of the window to access the following options. Make note of the SSID and ensure that the same SSID is specified in your PSP or DS when viewing that device’s network connection settings. This options screen will also be where you change the channel used to connect to the PSP. Start with channel 1 or 6, and try to change to the other if experiencing problems with one.

Sharing your PC’s Internet Connection:

In order for your PSP to connect to the internet through your PC, it may be necessary to activate sharing of your broadband internet connection. Detailed steps for performing this change will vary depending on your operating system. However, some general guidelines have been included.

  • Find the Network Connection Settings option for your PC. This may sometimes be accessed directly from the start menu, or through the Windows Control Panel. If not readily available in the Control Panel, try using the option to “Switch to Classic View”.

  • The option to enable sharing of your connection should be available when modifying the properties of your current active connection. Right-click on the active LAN or Local Area Connection and choose Properties. Check each tab for an option labeled “Enable Internet Connection Sharing for this connection” or “Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection”, and check the box next to this option.

  • When viewing the properties for your Local Area Connection, one of the pages should have a box labeled “Connect Using” and then contain the name of your internet adapter. Please ensure the adapter shown in this box is the same one that is specified under the Bridge Adapter box in the Wireless LAN Configuration Tool (ZD icon in your system tray).

You may also find instructions for performing this task in Windows XP in the support section at www.microsoft.com. Click on the previous link to view these instructions. If you are still unable to activate Internet Connection Sharing after following these guidelines and instructions, please contact Microsoft or your PC’s manufacturer for further assistance with that particular task.

Installing the updated version of the ZDWlan software:

If Windows did not automatically install drivers for your WiFi Max dongle, or if the ZDWlan utility does not open when selected in the Start menu, then you may need to update your software and drivers.

  1. Disconnect your WiFi Max dongle from the PC. You may unplug the device from the included stand, and leave the stand connected to the PC.

  2. Uninstall the ZDWlan software. This may be done by clicking on Start, Programs, then ZyDAS IEEE 802.11 b+g Wireless LAN – USB, and finally Uninstall ZD1211 Apllication.

    You may also uninstall the software by accessing the Control Panel on your PC, and using the Add/Remove Programs menu to remove ZyDAS IEEE 802.11 b+g Wireless LAN – USB.

  3. Visit www.codejunkies.com, and click on the Support button to access the support section. Under Hardware Peripherals you should see a listing for WiFi Max – PSP/DS. Click on this link, and then the Updated drivers for WiFi Max Zydas dongle. You will se the ZyDAS update located under Related Downloads on the resulting page.

  4. Save the file to your Desktop.

  5. Minimize your browser, and double-click on the zipped folder you have just downloaded. The name should be zydasnew.zip. If the folder will not open, you may need to download WinZip from www.winzip.com, which is used for accessing and managing zipped archives such as this one.

  6. Locate the file Setup and double-click it. The installation of the new software should proceed.

  7. After the new software has been installed, reconnect your WiFi Max dongle. Windows may automatically install the new drivers, or may prompt you to begin the Add New Hardware Wizard. If the drivers are not automatically found, look for an option in the hardware installation wizard that allows you to browse for the correct drivers. Often this will involve a choice such as “Don’t search, I will choose the driver to install”, or a button labeled “Have Disk” or “Browse”. When Browsing, you may navigate the displayed folders to find the directory containing the right driver files.

To find these Drivers on your PC:

  1. Locate “My Computer” in the browsing window, and double-click it.
  2. Look for your PC’s hard drive, which may be labeled “Local Disk” or contain the name of your PC’s manufacturer, and double-click it. When these drives are assigned letters (A:\, C:\, D:\, etc..), the hard drive will almost always be C:\.
  3. Double-click the folder Program Files.
  4. Double click the folder ZyDAS or ZyDAS Technology Corporation.
  5. Double-click the folder ZyDAS_802.11g_Utility.
  6. Double-click the folder InsDrvTemp_USB.
  7. If the wizard further requires you to specify an individual file, double-click the file ZD1211U.inf.
  8. Finish the wizard and your dongle and software should be properly installed.
Q: I followed the steps for setting up WiFI Max, but I encountered an error when trying to connect on the console.

If you have difficulty finding the access point, or receive an error when obtaining your IP address, please first ensure you are using WiFi Max on a broadband-enabled PC. Unfortunately WiFi Max is not compatible with dial-up internet connections, only DSL or Cable.

Next, open your ZDWlan configuration Utility on the PC. Check the lower right corner of your Desktop for a ZD icon, and double-click it to see the options for WiFi Max. If you are using WiFi Max to connect your console to the internet, your Mode should read “Access Point.” Also, click on the “More Settings” button and please ensure the following:

  • The SSID should match the one scanned by your PSP in infrastructure mode, by your DS in the NDS WiFi Settings, or by your Wii when you choose to “Search for an Access Point”

  • At the very bottom of the screen, there should be a pulldown menu for Bridge Adapter. Please choose your active broadband internet connection from this menu. If you have multiple options available and are unsure of the correct one, the correct adapter will be shown when viewing the properties of your Local Area Connection, described below.

In order for your PSP, DS, or Wii to connect to the internet through your PC, it may be necessary to activate sharing of your broadband internet connection. Detailed steps for performing this change will vary depending on your operating system. However, some general guidelines have been included.

  • Find the Network Connection Settings option for your PC. This may sometimes be accessed directly from the start menu, or through the Windows Control Panel. If not readily available in the Control Panel, try using the option to “Switch to Classic View”.

  • The option to enable sharing of your connection should be available when modifying the properties of your current active connection. Right-click on the active LAN or Local Area Connection and choose Properties. Check each tab for an option labeled “Enable Internet Connection Sharing for this connection” or “Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection”, and check the box next to this option.

  • When viewing the properties for your Local Area Connection, one of the pages should have a box labeled “Connect Using” and then contain the name of your internet adapter. Please ensure the adapter shown in this box is the same one that is specified under the Bridge Adapter box in the Wireless LAN Configuration Tool (ZD icon in your system tray).

You may also find instructions for performing this task in Windows XP in the support section at www.microsoft.com. Click on the previous link to view these instructions. If you are still unable to activate Internet Connection Sharing after following these guidelines and instructions, please contact Microsoft or your PC’s manufacturer for further assistance with that particular task.

After confirming all settings above, if you are still unable to connect it may be helpful to reset the sharing of your connection. Repeat the steps for sharing as above, but when you encounter the checkbox labeled “Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection”, click on the box to remove the check, and then select OK. Immediately afterwards, repeat the steps once again, recheck the box, and click OK again. After resharing the connection, try and connect on your PSP or DS. Be sure your PC has finished saving the changes you have just made, and that it is not still performing any operations. (You should not see an hourglass for your mouse icon)

Certain security features on your PC may also interfere with WiFi Max properly creating a connection for your console. Try temporarily disabling any Antivirus Autoprotect features you may have enabled, as well as any Firewall protection on your PC. If you are able to connect while these programs are disabled, but not when they are enabled, this indicates these security features are the cause of your issue. Consult the documentation included with your security software or the software’s manufacturer for more information about allowing specific programs to bypass these security features so that you may use WiFi Max while they are enabled.