Firmware update addresses some base station issues

Read on to determine whether you need this update


Microsoft Broadband Networking Firmware Release 1.08 Details

Which products are affected?

This release updates the firmware of the following products:

·          Microsoft Broadband Networking 10/100 Ethernet Wired Base Station MN-100

·          Microsoft Broadband Networking 802.11/Wi-Fi Wireless Base Station MN-500

·          Microsoft Broadband Networking 802.11/Wi-Fi Wireless Desktop Kit MN-610

·          Microsoft Broadband Networking 802.11/Wi-Fi Wireless Notebook Kit MN-620

Notes 

·          Firmware is the software code inside your networking device. This firmware update is only for Microsoft Ethernet and wireless base station products. Network adapter updates are downloaded separately.

·          This update does not modify any software on your computer.

·          This update will not update a base station in bridge mode.

Who should install this update?

This firmware update makes the following changes. You should only install the update if you have experienced related problems.

·          To improve the reliability of wireless connections, the processing of these connections was improved.

·          To improve the reliability and range of wireless connections with poor signal strength, the default beacon data rate was changed. This modification does not alter the data transfer throughput rate.

·          To resolve the Ethernet connection problem that occurred with some network adapters in certain circumstances, the 10/100 Mb auto-speed negotiation process was improved.

·          To resolve the Ethernet connection problem that occasionally resulted in no communication for all Ethernet ports, the Ethernet switch programming was improved.

·          To improve the throughput of wireless connections that use 128-bit Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), the processing of these connections was changed.

·          To resolve the problem that occasionally caused the base station to reset, the processing of UPnP commands was improved.

Which operating systems are compatible with this release?

This firmware release can be installed from computers that are running the following Microsoft operating systems:

·          Windows XP Home

·          Windows XP Professional

·          Windows Me

·          Windows 98 SE

·          Windows 98

To update the base station firmware:

 

Important   

·          To complete the installation by using the following instructions, you must have the Microsoft Broadband Network Utility installed on the computer you're updating the firmware from.

·          During an update, all devices connected to the network temporarily lose network functionality. Make sure to close any open Internet applications or VPN connections while updating your firmware.

 

 

1.       Click the following link to open the File Download dialog box.
http://download.microsoft.com/download/BroadbandNetworking/91fd8e42/1.08.003/W98XP/EN-US/MSBNDownload.exe

2.       Do one of the following:

·          To launch the update automatically, click Open.

·          To copy the update file to your computer, click Save.
If you save the update to your computer, you will need to finish the download and then double-click the downloaded file before proceeding.

3.       The update will automatically detect your base station and begin the update process.

4.       When prompted, enter the base station password. This is the password you created when you ran the Setup Wizard. If you did not run the Setup Wizard, use the default base station password of admin.

 

While the firmware is being saved to your base station, the power light on the base station blinks and then turns orange. When the light turns back to solid green, the update is complete.

If you want to open the Base Station Management Tool to confirm that your update was successful, use your Internet browser again to log on to http://192.168.2.1 and enter your base station password. Do not attempt to log on until the firmware update is complete and the power light on the base station is solid green.

 

If the update fails, the power light will continue to blink slowly until you successfully update the firmware. You can try to update the firmware again, or you can reset the base station.