Networking 3 computers ?

derbyjo

Hate to ask but I am in need of techie advice too please... I have a pc with xp and laptop with win 98. I bought an origo adsl wireless router, and have a speedtouch modem from bt. I also bought a netgear router but realised I had made an error buying that as it doesn't have a built in modem.
Having had my pc rebuilt (205 viruses :-[) I then spent yesterday sorting out the broadband connection, I connected using the ethernet cable and then made it work wirelessly eventually. I can't get the laptop to work (no ethernet connector) tried using the usb cable by downloading the software provided but it won't work. I then moved the pc into the spare room (its home) but now despite the origo router being switched on properly it isn't working. What am I doing wrong? Do I need to have one or other on all the time? Am I making this much more difficult than it needs to be? All help much appreciated, thanks

Fran

Hi Joanne,

I wish I hadn't read your post as I've just tried to see if I can use mine wirelessly (and it's taking so long to do everything and I should be doing other things!).

Until now I've had the ethernet cable attached to the 1st computer. When I take it out, it says "cable unplugged", but even though the router says it is still connected to the internet, I can't get it to work wirelessly. I've looked at the CD and the wireless set up wizard and there's just no clue what to do.

Perhaps with yours you haven't entered all the information in the other devices (router and other computer, as it says in the wizard). I don't understand where you are meant to enter this information, though I did print it off as suggested earlier.

So unless you haven't entered the information, I don't know what's stopping your connection, in fact you're ahead of me in that you actually managed to get a wireless connection!

Has anyone else had problems like this?

Fran

P.S. At the moment I would definitely NOT recommend that anyone without hours to spend or who is not happy about checking settings etc. bother to get a wireless router. I can only imagine that the people on this site who have said they have one and it's great have computer knowledge that enables them to work out where the problem is much quicker. Definitely not one for the beginner.

P.P.S. I am thoroughly ***** off with all this - I got a trojan yesterday and problems with browser alterations etc. again, don't know if it's related to trying to set up the router or not. Since I started attempting this, the computer is running really slowly and each page taking ages to change. :P ::)



Also, I tried to add this bit by modifying, it wouldn't do it, don't know if it's a site problem or what.

Edit- again! It could be something to do with the change of a page on the site - if this posts ok.

SHEEL! How did you get on with setting up your router?

Toxteth_OGrady

Blinky or Godders

You guys wanna start this one off first??

No disrespect intended but I reckon this may take a lot of posts to sort out ::)

LOL

8)

TOG

btw Fran if you wanna PM me your MSN, I'll try help you out in real time

Fran

Thanks for your offer TOG, have sent msn address.

Godders

Will this do as a starter for 10? (and I thought I could safely delete that router manual I downloaded :P).

1. With your PC attached via the ethernet cable open a web browser and navigate to http://192.168.0.1

2. Log into the router as before to get the web based administration page.

3. Fill in the following on the 'wireless settings' page:

a) 'Under Wireless Network' -> 'Name SSID'. Put what you want your network to be called. As a security thing don't call it anything that identifies it with you (ie. not 'Frans Network' but something like 'redapple')

b) In the same section Select your 'Region', Leave 'Channel' and 'Mode' alone for now.

c) Under 'Wireless access point' tick 'Enable Wireless Access Point' - turn 'Allow Broadcast of name (SSID)' on if you want the name of your network freely accessable (maybe for test purposes!)

d) Wireless Station Access List - This is used to list the MAC addresses that are allowed to connect to this router wirelessly. If I was putting in a wireless network at home I would definately use this but for now leave it blank!. How to get the MAC addresses will be done later!

e) To begin with leave the security as 'Automatic' and the Encryption Strength as disabled.

This will give you an unsecure wireless network - but at least you can see if it works!

The next bit depends on your wireless network card but goes along the lines of->

1. Turn the PC off and install the card in an appropriate slot.
2. Turn the PC on and feed it the driver CD / Disk when the PC asks for it (XP will be easiest)
3. Click on Start -> Control Panel
4. Double click on Networking Connections.

What you now see depends on the hardware you have got and any wizards you have already been through. What you are aiming for is a 'Wireless Network Connection' connection, and when you right click on it and select properties (I think) you should find a part that asks for the SSID/Wireless network name. This name MUST match exactly what you entered in step 3a. For testing you can clear any 'Shared Keys' or encryption methods. This should allow you to connect to the wireless network being created by your router. When all this is OK, you can move onto security.

Sorry the last bit is vague as I don't have a wireless network card in my PC at home - if this is still unsolved by tomorrow I will borrow a laptop from work so I can be clearer.

T_OG - Over to you with what really needed to be done (and making the wireless network secure ;D) - try to be less vague and rubbish than I was (it's been a loooong day)!

Fran - You may be thoroughly ***** off with it but keep at it! If it helps, I've spent the last 15 working hours slowing taking files off a dying hard disk (and yes, it was the only copy of them anywhere in the world - nows thats frustrating)

Godders

P.S Fran - if it still doesn't *&*&%$£ work I'll start an offer - a free site visit and attempted installation with every wireless router that I have tried to help with over the last couple of days. Lets face it - it's probably quicker I didn't realise how hard it could be to troubleshoot stuff over a message board ;D

Or my MSN address is just my e-mail address - feel free but please tell me your coming first (so I don't ignore you)

P.P.S Is it just me or are the message boards running a touch slow at the moment?

blinky

For wireless I would turn off all security until you get the connection working - stops a lot of hair being pulled out.

I'm glad the original poster got his problems sorted out - I'm surprised it worked being set at PPPoE (Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet) AFAIK all ADSL connection in the UK use PPPoA (Point to Point Protocol over ATM) for the login.

Godders

Sheel - have a go! The main thing about PC's is to split it down into bits - In this case.

1. Your PC talking to the router
2. Your Router talking to the internet
3. Your Router creating a wireless network.

If it all goes wrong there is always a factory reset on the box! (takes you back to the start) - you can always post here too

Blinky

We agree totally - the essence of my last post was to set up a basic unsecure wireless network, (the detail was for Frans specific new router) - worry about security later!

Reading back over the thread a lot of terms are used (by me and others) that will mean nothing to most people. (ADSL, MAC, PPPoA, PPPoE, DHCP, DNS etc). Is there value in creating a glossary of abbreviations (maybe on sticky thread) so that necessary evils don't need to be detailed twice? Maybe with guides?

Toxteth_OGrady

Godders,

Without wishing to start a mutual appreciation society here, I agree wholeheartedly with you and Blinky.

As a home user you are unlikely in extremis to have your machine hacked by a sniffer for the first hour or so while to trying to get basic wireless connectivity in unencrypted mode.

1.  Your PC talking to the router
2.  Your Router talking to the internet
3.  Your Router creating a wireless network.

I would add to your #3 by saying "Your router creating a wireless network before removing the ethernet connection between one PC and the router.

I suggest the next points would be (for an 802.11 network in infrastructure mode):

4.  Get one client device wirelessly talking to the router/Access Point unencrypted.
5.  Apply chosen authentication/encryption (WEP-Open, WPA-TKIP or WPA-PSK) to these 2 devices.
6.  Apply MAC filtering.
7.  Repeat 4, 5 and 6 for remaining wireless clients.

That's a few more acronyms for your proposed sticky.  I would also add RTFM.  LOL   ;D

Blinky

I'm glad the original poster got his problems sorted out - I'm surprised it worked being set at PPPoE (Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet) AFAIK all ADSL connection in the UK use PPPoA (Point to Point Protocol over ATM) for the login.

This thread became quite convoluted, but I picked out that the OP's original mistake that caused her failed Internet connectivity was the incorrect selection of PPPoE.  You are quite correct - all ADSL in the UK is PPPoA

8)

TOG

Godders

You see - Now thats a useful tip:

PPPoA - A method of checking your user name and password when using broadband - (Expands to 'Point to Point Protocol over ATM') - Please note all ADSL in the UK uses PPPoA (You get the gist)

Can I assume Fran is sorted now? Or is the wireless fun still carrying on?

I want everyone to know you proposed RTFM first - and take full responsibility for any offense it may cause during future use ;D