1. How do I install a wireless card?
You need to first install your device drivers. They are on the disk/CD that came with your card. After installing your drivers, you will want to shut down your computer, insert your wireless card, and restart. Your computer should detect new hardware and offer to search for the correct drivers. It will find them, and you will be able to use your new hardware.
When setting up your wireless card, you will be asked for two settings. The SSID needs to be set to BLAST. The mode needs to be set to Infrastructure.
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2. How do I install a wireless USB adapter?
You need to install your device drivers before plugging in your USB device. Insert the disk or CD that came packaged with your USB adapter and install the drivers from that disk. Then, after shutting down your computer, plug in your USB device and restart. Your computer should auto-detect the new hardware and offer to search for drivers. After it finds them, you will be able to use your USB device.
When setting up your USB adapter, you will be asked for two settings. The SSID needs to be set to BLAST. The mode needs to be set to Infrastructure.
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3. How does a wireless card work?
Your wireless card works similarly to a wired network card. It sends and receives data packets at high speeds. Instead of sending these packets down a wire, your card uses radio signals to communicate with our equipment. Nantucket Hot Zone's cells then send your data through our Wireless Backbone out to the internet.
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4. Can I get a stable connection using wireless technology?
Certainly! Nantucket Hot Zone works with our partners to place cells in locations that will maximize our coverage and minimize disruptions in our customers' service. While fluctuations in signal strength are normal, we strive to make your internet experience as worry-free as possible.
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5. What do I do if I have an active account and cannot log on?
Occasionally you may find that you have an adequate signal, but are unable to log on or browse. If this is the case, please follow our online instructions to fix this problem. To find the proper instructions, please click on your operating system in the list below.
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6. What do I do if I have a slow connection?
Slow connection speeds are often a result of heavy traffic elsewhere on the internet. Often the speed of the server you are trying to access does not use as much bandwidth as your connection is capable of handling. To find out if the problem exists on our network, do the following:
- At a command prompt, type: ping 208.13.6.105 .
- At a command prompt, ping the address you are trying to access, i.e. ping www.yahoo.com .
Anything under 300ms return time is an acceptable response to the first test. If your response time is much higher on the second test, you know the problem exists outside our network.
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7. What do I do if I lose my signal?
Check your wireless card,USB adapter or Ethernet bridge — there should be a link light. If this light is not lit, then you are not picking up a signal. In order to fix this problem, please select your operating system below for a step-by-step walk-through.
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8. How do I update my equipment's device drivers?
Periodically, equipment manufacturers will issue updates to existing device drivers. These updates exist to enhance the performance of your equipment. Typically, such updates will be posted to the manufacturer's website. From there, you will be able to download the proper drivers. Installation instructions will be provided either on the website or with the downloaded files. Simply follow the manufacturer's instructions.
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9. How often should I update my equipment's device drivers?
It is a good idea to update your drivers any time the manufacturer issues new drivers. New drivers issued by the manufacturer often contain minor bug fixes and upgrades to existing configuration software. However, if your equipment is running smoothly, there is no immediate need to upgrade.
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10. Can I upgrade my account to a higher speed?
No. The speed of your connection is dependent upon the type of circuit providing Internet access to the radio at your location. Nantucket Hot Zone does not regularly throttle or reduce connection speeds.
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11. Can I get a static IP for my account?
Yes, call WiBLAST Sales at 508-325-7606.
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12. How many email addresses do I get with my account?
Nantucket Hot Zone does not (at this time) provide email addresses. Free email addresses are available on the Internet at sites such as Yahoo! and Hotmail.
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13. How can I increase my signal strength?
Check your surroundings for anything that might impede your signal. Some things you may find that can interfere with wireless signals are pillars or stanchions and potted plants. Also, several wireless cards on the market are built to boost your signal. If your signal is not strong enough for your liking with your current card, you might consider looking for an adapter with a greater signal gain as an alternative.
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14. What is the minimum signal strength to get connected?
Typically, we try to provide you with a signal strength of at least 40% or more to make sure that your internet experience is the best possible. We have seen browsing at strengths as low as 30%, however.
Keep in mind that different cards or drivers may report different strengths at the same location. Use your signal meter only as a rough guide for troubleshooting.
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15. Does a low signal strength mean that I am connecting at a slower connection rate?
If you are experiencing slow connection speeds, low signal strength could be the cause. However, low signal strength does not always mean slow speeds. If you are able to connect at a reasonable rate, the signal strength is irrelevant.
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16. Is my wireless connection secure and safe from hackers?
Your connection is no more prone to hackers than a hard-wired connection such as cable or DSL. Generally it is a good idea to turn off File and Print Sharing when it is not actively being used.
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17a. Who do I call to support my equipment?
For 802.11(b) wireless card support, please refer to the manufacturer's instructions for support. If you purchased your wireless customer equipment through the Nantucket Hot Zone or WiBLAST, please contact:
EnGenius Tech Customer Service
Phone: 888.735.7888 x 514
Email: info@engeniustech.com
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17b. What happens if I forget to log out?
Nantucket Hot Zone logs out customers who forget to do so before shutting down. Currently at most of our locations, the cell will automatically log you out if it cannot see your adapter for three minutes or longer. Thus, if you forget to log out or accidentally close your status/logout window, you can log yourself out by removing your wireless adapter from your computer.
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18. What happens if I forget my password?
Call Customer Service to have a representative look up your password.
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19. Does my account have any session limits?
No. Nantucket Hot Zone does not use session limits.
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20. Can I have more than one person log on with my user ID?
Normally, Nantucket Hot Zone does not support concurrent logins from different computers. However, if you signed up for a Business Account, concurrent logins are available.
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21. Can I use my account at all Nantucket Hot Zone locations?
If you already have your computer set up to use Nantucket Hot Zone service, you can use the Internet throughout Nantucket! Simply turn your computer on and log in, and your computer will have a high-speed connection to the Internet.
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22. How can I use Nantucket Hot Zone's service when traveling?
If you signed up for a Roaming Account, you can use your connection at any location where Nantucket Hot Zone or WiBLAST roaming partners are available. Simply turn your computer on, open your browser and log in, and you will be connected!
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23. Do I have to be logged into Nantucket Hot Zone's service to get my email?
Yes, when connecting through Nantucket Hot Zone, you must have logged in to access email.
Note: End-Users are not provided an email address by Nantucket Hot Zone.
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24. What is the normal connection rate for my wireless account?
Connection speed is dependent upon the type of circuit that is providing Internet access to the radio at your location. Your actual speed may be affected by the number of Nantucket Hot Zone customers accessing the Internet at your specific location, as well as traffic across the internet as a whole.
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25. Can I use FTP with my account?
Certainly! You may access the internet in any way you like after logging in to Nantucket Hot Zone.
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26. How do I use FTP to transfer a file?
You need to obtain a program that allows you to use FTP. The program should come with documentation on how to use it effectively. Unfortunately, Nantucket Hot Zone does not support the use of such software.
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27. How do I know if I am connected to the Internet?
Your wireless card, USB adapter or Ethernet Bridge will have a link light. If this light is lit, you are connected to Nantucket Hot Zone's cell. If you are able to browse to various websites, then you are connected to the Internet! You will only be able to browse after logging in.
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28. Do I have to logout to deactivate my account?
You are encouraged to log out when you are finished. Doing so will keep you from being billed for extra time. However, Nantucket Hot Zone will automatically log you off after the cell is unable to detect your adapter for three minutes.
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29. I'm only getting 50 KB per second speed, why is this slower than my 56k dialup?
Actually, you are getting almost 8 times the speed of your dialup! This is a common misconception with how dialup bandwidth speeds are reported.
On the Internet, or any network, bandwidth is reported as Kb (kilobits). However, in almost all operating systems (all Microsoft Windows included), bandwidth and storage are reported as KB (kilobytes). The difference being that there are 8 bits in one byte.
For example. A 56kbps dialup modem will have a maximum download speed of about 4 KB per second. Why? Because FCC limits the speed at which dialup can connect to 53Kbps, which gives a maximum trasfer rate of 6.6 KBps. Plus when you take in to account noise on your phone line, you're lucky to get about 5 KB per second speeds. TOP |
