What's best?

Elmer_Dudd

Just tried to connect a Belkin G wireless modem router (with USB Dongle) from Maplin to my computer but could not get past the ipconfig stage of the setup as the Ip address could not be found/or was in the 169.XXX region or could not connect to new modem-this in effect meant I could not get on the internet with this router.
I am on Tiscali Broadband wth the Sagem usb ADSL modem.
My adsl line was connected to the new router and the ethernet cable was in correctly as well.
But whatever I tried and I tried every suggestion I found on the net (over 8 hrs!!) nothing worked.Back to using the Sagem modem with wires everywhere but working properly.:eek:
I have seen others have had problems with this and wonder is there a better wireless router to use.
Basically I want to have no wires between my computer and the router placed near to my telephone socket and a simple to install system.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Elmer:cool:
PS Belkin returned to shop and refunded:T

totalsolutions

Hi Elmer
As you have now returned the Belkin unit there is not much help I can give to you. The ip address range (192.168.x.x) is normal for a private home network. Any wireless router would work but as you have found out networking is difficult at the best of times to keep working. There would have been any number of reasons you could not get a connction. Mostly because you had the original drivers and such like already set up for your use. The Belkin is a good brand and may need setting up first with your username/password, etc for your ISP using the lan cable supplied first before you can go "wireless" . There would have been some setup info. supplied for the Belkin, did you go through it all.

Elmer_Dudd

Thanks for the reply.
I went through every possible scenario to get my computer and the modem to connect via the yellow ethernet cable provided but could not get to the stage that I had to type in 192.XXX.X.X in web browser as i could not get IE to open up as it could not access the web via the new router or get to the password screens.
I tried the reset button on the router but kept getting error messages that the modem was busy or not connected.
Maybe this was a faulty model!
I wonder if the Micronet ADSL Modem Router with USB Dongle at Maplins would be a better selection-it is the same price!
Cheers,
Elmer:cool:

totalsolutions

Hi Elmer
Prob. 1 Going through every scenario
There is only one scenario. Read the instructions;)
Prob.2 What stage...Open IE. You say that that it would not connect to the web...well it wont..yet. Open IE (Follow the instructions) and on the address line type 192.168.1.1 (or 192.168.1.0) press enter. That logs onto the Belkin router and enter the password from the instructions, normally admin/admin.

Follow the instructions to give your ISP details, you get these from Tiscalli.
Save the settings and exit. Try IE. Get that far and wireless is a whole new area to get into, but later.

I would rather stay with Belkin /D-link /Linksys /Netgear /Cisco /3com and not the other model you mentioned. You want a good brand name and support from the web site.

Networking is a huge learning curve and there are heavy books on this subject. You cannot just plug these things in without some knowledge.

Elmer_Dudd

Thanks again
I printed off every Belkin/Tiscali help guide and used every recommended way of trying to establish a link between the new wireless modem and the computer without success. As a result I was unable to complete the set up process and could not access IE because i could not get past my log on screeens that kept telling me I could not access the internet at all via the new router.
Does the IE need to be connected live to the web or can it be used offline to input the address 192.168.1.0??
The Adsl/phone splitter filter were attached properly.
I connected my adsl line into the appropriate router socket and connected the router to my computer using the provided yellow ethernet cable but without success. The IPCONFIG readings indicated that the router and computer were not communicating. The IP address was 169.254.x.x. which meant no connection between them. This meant that I could not then get online to complete the rest of the set up screens involving the PPPoa routing mode and setting the configuration parameters or go into the security settings.
I have now read on the net that other Tiscali users have had exactly the same problem with this exact type of router so maybe there are other adsl wireless modem routers that are more easily configured with Tiscali.
Although wireless is new to me I followed the instructions (although not the greatest set of instructions in the box) to the letter without success as well as trying out the suggested troubleshooting guides by Tiscali and Belkin.
Maybe more luck with the next one!
Cheers,
Elmer

totalsolutions

>Does the IE need to be connected live to the web or can it be used offline to input the address 192.168.1.0??
Its used Offline there is no web/internet available---the router does not yet know who you are and where to connect to.
>The Adsl/phone splitter filter were attached properly.
Not yet needed because you are Offline and "talking" to the router on its own.
>The Adsl/phone splitter filter were attached properly.
You will need one for each additional phone/fax/sky you have in the home dont forget.

>The IPCONFIG readings indicated that the router and computer were not communicating
Each device (pc and router) will have an ip each. They must both be in the same range one on 192.168.1.10 and ther other on say 192.168.1.15 with a subnet mask setting of 255.255.255.0 to work. (Say the network is on 192.168.1.x so they will see each other). This is achieved by the router suppling ip's using the DHCP protocol service you dont type them in.

At a command prompt type ping 127.0.0.1 <enter> What response do you get?

Then ping the router with 192.168.1.1 <enter> What response do you get?

(See it not easy using this stuff).

One point comes to mind do Tiscalli require you to tell them your routers new MAC address?