Reinstalled Windows, now can't remember how to connect to Netgear wireless router!

vyseyboy

You'll have to connect with an ethernet cable to set it up. You can't connect wirelessly to set it up (unless you know the WEP / WPA passkey!)

Once your connected by cable, put 192.168.0.1 in the address bar as before, then you can navigate the settings to put your DSL username / password in, and set up a new wireless encryption key (ideally WPA)

Write the key down temporarily, logout of the router setup pages, disconnect the ethernet cable, and use the laptop's wireless utility or Windows wireless zero configuaration to enter the encryption key you wrote down earlier, and you're done.

Marsh_Samphire

I have the WEP passkey written down from when I set it up originally, where do I type it in?

vyseyboy

Ah. I see.

Try start > settings > control panel > Network connections > Wireless network connection > Click "view wireless networks"

Your wireless connection should show up. Double click it and enter the encryption key when prompted.

If that doesn't work, after clicking "view wireless networks":

Highlight your network, click "change the order of preferred networks" highlight your network again in the white box, click properties, change authentication to open, encryption to WEP, deselect "the key is provided for me automatically" and put your wep key in the passkey box!

Marsh_Samphire

It worked, have now got the old laptop connected and able to go online. Thank you so much for your help!

Now, I just need to figure our what WPA is and how to use it instead...!

DCFC79

Marsh_Samphire wrote: »

I have the WEP passkey written down from when I set it up originally, where do I type it in?

you type that password into the password box when you go to the router login page, would it not be a good idea to write down what you will have done to sort it out

old_codger1

Marsh_Samphire wrote: »

It worked, have now got the old laptop connected and able to go online. Thank you so much for your help!

Now, I just need to figure our what WPA is and how to use it instead...!

I've had problems in the past, (few years ago now, to be fair), with some routers where you change to WPA and then click the 'next' button to set the key and they change to WPA without allowing you to actually enter it... it's on the next screen. You're then locked out for good and have to press the router reset button for 10 seconds, or whatever, to reset all settings, (including switching off encryption). It then just makes you go round in a loop.

Hopefully those days are over but, in any event, it might be worth getting a cheap ethernet cable, (£3-10), if you have problems in the future. It really makes life a lot easier in the long run.

espresso

Routers come with a short Ethernet cable but I'm sure that you could get one at the £shop!

old_codger1

espresso wrote: »

Routers come with a short Ethernet cable but I'm sure that you could get one at the £shop!

Well... I didn't like to say that