New AOL router

Serida

Having had problems connecting to aol since the Car Phone Warehouse take-over and being constantly disconnected I decided to migrate and phoned aol for a MAC code. As usual they were reluctant to lose me and asked if I was still using the original router supplied when I went over to Broadband. The answer was 'yes' and the guy the other end said that this was the cause of my problems as it was incompatible. Thanks for telling me that aol months ago! He said he would send me a new router and all my problems would be resolved. I currently have to connect using dialbb.com.
The new router has arrived although I have to wait for a different User ID and password to arrive before I can install the new router.
I have read the booklet that came with the router and it seems I have the option to just connect by inserting the CD and follow the instructions or optionally go on to Stages 2 and 3 and go Wireless.
My question to you all is can I just connect the new router (Stage 1) using the CD and leave it at that. I am a female widow pensioner with very little technical knowledge and going on to the Wireless option would seem unnecessary. I only have one computer in the house and no other equipment .
The booklet giving all the information on how to do it sounds very complicated to me and I can foresee it fraught with problems.
Has anyone else just connected up to the Stage 1 part and has it worked o.k. ? The new router is called Speedtouch.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.

macman

No you don't have to connect wirelessly, you can connect by ethernet or USB (cable connection) depending on the router they have sent you. I assume this is how you are currrently connected-what modem or router were you using? Can you post more info about the device they have sent you, i.e. exact model number (on the box or on the router/modem)? The only Speedtouch device that Talktalk currently support is a Thomson 330 Speedtouch. But this is not a wireless router, it is a (wired) USB modem. So I don't understand how it can have instructions for connecting wirelessly?

Serida

Thank you macman. The modem I am currently using is a BT Voyager 190 ADSL. The one they have sent me is: Thomson ST585 V6. Underneath that it says:
SSID;Speedtouch5F58C2; WEP (hex); F134998FOF; WPA PSK; F134998FOF;
TCM 35917270. On the box it says ST585SLv6 Wireless Modem Router. Item Code 037324.

macman

Serida, sorry for any confusion. I rechecked, and the Thomson ST585v6 is the current AOL supported wireless modem/router. I was looking at the TalkTalk supported list as I assumed it was now the same-but the list is still different for each.
Your old Voyage device is a wired (ethernet) modem/router.
The Speedtouch has wireless capability, but you don't have to use it, just connect using the ethernet cable, the same way you are already connected.
So you should be able to set up using the install CD, but it is not necessary to use the wireless function if you don't want to. The installer may give you the option to set up or not set up wirelessly, but even if you do, the wired connection will still work.
The support info for the Speedtouch is on this link if you choose to set it up manually (but I would start with the install CD).
http://help.aol.co.uk/configure-your-speedtouch-585v6-sl-modem/article/20070614112609990023

Serida

Thanks. Will let you know how I get on either way, somehow!!

Serida

Hello macman. Well I've installed the new router, I think. Went through all the procedures and when I almost reached the end it said, 'Your installation has failed'. Phoned aol for help - got through to India eventually and he said 'according to us you're connected' so I tried going on-line and managed to connect immediately. Very strange but, hopefully, good news. Will see how it goes. Thanks for your help.

Crabman

Hi Serida - I have the same router (used to use a Netgear but it kept disconnecting/dropping the connection... the speedtouch is better).

In case you're wondering what the button on the front of the router is for, it's a switch for the wireless - so you can switch the WiFi on/off by holding that button for a few seconds.

If your computer is connected to the router with the ethernet cable then for safety you could disable the wireless - hold the button until the WLAN light goes out. This will ensure nobody but you is making use of your connection

Serida

Hi Crabman: The WLAN light didn't go on when I installed and it still isn't on so I think I'm o.k. It's been a novelty for me this afternoon to use the Internet without getting cut off or not get on at all. I was almost reduced (but not quite) to saying 3 Hail Marys before I switched on. I had a letter this morning from aol saying they were going to charge me £25 as a one-off set up fee! I phoned them and said I wasn't prepared to pay and could I have my MAC code and he said o.k. I wouldn't have to pay it!!