Need internet but lost router password

DazzaMc

ah so I need another ethernet cable? There is one already from the virgin black box to the ethernet modem, I just disconnected it and had it going from the black box to my laptop and there was a connection but it said the ethernet had a self assigned IP and so couldnt connect

macman

How is the existing PC or laptop connected? If by ethernet then just 'borrow' that cable and plug into your laptop,
If you remove the cable between cable modem and router than obviously you won't get any connection at all
If you say what the devices are instead of just referring to 'Virgin black box' then it might be clearer.
Do you have a separate VM cable modem and a separate VM router?

DazzaMc

I don't know what the black box is I've never seen one before.. In the back of the black box the aerial comes in, power lead and the ethernet cable which goes to the netgear modem. The existing laptop is connected wirelessly so I presume I need another ethernet cable to connect my laptop up to the modem?

neilwoods

Why not unplug the ethernet cable from this black box attached to the tv. Plug the cable into your laptop.

MoneySavingUser

DazzaMc wrote: »

The existing laptop is connected wirelessly

open control panel --> network and sharing centre --> click wireless network connection (network name) --> wireless properties --> security --> tick show characters --> write down the wi-fi password/key

do this on the already connected laptop (assuming it is windows 7) and then enter the key onto your own laptop

DazzaMc

MoneySavingUser wrote: »

open control panel --> network and sharing centre --> click wireless network connection (network name) --> wireless properties --> security --> tick show characters --> write down the wi-fi password/key

do this on the already connected laptop (assuming it is windows 7) and then enter the key onto your own laptop

The password disappears when I click 'show characters'

neilwoods

To simply connect this OP laptop to his grandmothers internet has gone seemingly complicated.

Connect it via the ethernet cable, it will save you all this hassle.

Or simply phone Virgin media and get them to walk you through the wifi setup, be damn site quicker.

Figment

If Nan's PC is Windows 7, you can copy the wireless settings from her computer onto a USB stick and from there to your laptop.


http://www.ehow.com/how_8169635_copy-settings-one-laptop-another.html

DazzaMc

I have a mac will that complicate things? My nannan's is windows 7 i think

DazzaMc

My nannan would have to phone and she has no idea what i'm talking about