Sharing Internet between new Desktop and Laptop

Chippy_Minton

Yep, Media Disconnected is the root of the problem....

As well as Rex_Mundi's suggestions, please check the following:

1. Wireless Access Point is enabled on router. If disabled, you won't be able to access the internet wirelessly, even if everything else is correct.

2. Allow Broadcast of Name (SSID) is enabled on router. Check SSID is same on router and wireless adapter.

3. WEP is disabled on router and wireless adapter.

4. MAC authentication (or Wireless Station Access Control) is disabled on router.

The last 2 are wireless security settings and can be enabled and configured once the basic connectivity is established and the internet works.

If all those check out OK and it still doesn't work, try changing the wireless channel on the router. The wireless adapter should automatically pick up the new channel without you having to change it.

Rex_Mundi

There are no nasty trojans etc that are going to be sending outbound credit card info etc which isn't picked up by anti virus!!!!

I hope you can accept the arguement that antivirus programs don't pick up spyware. After all, this is why we need programs like Adaware and Spybot along with our antivirus programs.

Here's the wikipedia definition of spyware..........

Strictly defined, spyware consists of computer software that gathers and reports information about a computer user without the user's knowledge or consent. More broadly, the term spyware can refer to a wide range of related malware products which fall outside the strict definition of spyware. These products perform many different functions, including the delivery of unrequested advertising (pop-up ads in particular), harvesting private information, re-routing page requests to illegally claim com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware

Keyloggers are generally classed as spyware rather than viruses. What are they doing if they are not stealing your passwords/info as you type? I've had instances in the past where these were picked up by Adaware and not noticed at all by antivirus. I cannot accept your theory that your antivirus will pick up every kind of nasty that will steal your personal info.

Find me a case of that and i'll eat my words.

Enjoy your meal!!!

Stabilo

Cheers Rex,

Couldn't agree more, if at all possible hardware and software firewalls should be utilised.

wolfman

It's personal preference.

You are generally secure behind a hardware firewall. Without a software firewall you save on resources, don't have to spend time interacting (training) it, and won't come across odd problems where the firewall blocks an application without you knowing.

However, with a software firewall, there is no doubt you are more secure, as it protects you from leaks and outbound connections. It does use up resources (usually 10-25mb) and does take time to train, but for most people (or the less computer literate) I'd recommend both (hardware and software), as they are more likely to get spyware, open a bad email etc... than some of the more technically aware.

Slimeball20

Still no luck. I've tried Rex's suggestions, but even renewing the IP address on the laptop made no difference. I tried to renew the IP address on the desktop but Windows couldn't do it.

I don't have any control over the router. There was a web IP address that I should connect to to configure the modem etc, but it couldn't be displayed when I tried to use it. That's why I used the automatic Windows Network wizard.

There is a CD with the router but it only contains instructions on how to set it up and no configuration details.

It's a SafeCom SWBR-5400 router.

wolfman

Ok, let's start afresh as it's all getting confusing.

The modem was pre-configured, before the wireless router was added, right? So, ideally shouldn't need any changing as it worked prior.

Have you configured or changed anything on the wireless router?

Are both machines connected to the wireless router (or is one going directly into the modem), and by what. I'm assuming the desktop by cable and laptop by wireless signal.

Is the desktop machine all working ok?

Slimeball20

The modem was pre-configured using the Blueyonder CD and the Internet connection on the Desktop is fine.

I connected the router to the modem using a patch cable supplied with the router. I haven't had to do anything else.

The router hasn't been detected by the desktop but it is picked up as a wireless network by the laptop. Zone Alarm hasn't picked up the IP address of the wireless connection.

I used the wireless connection wizard on both machines to set the connection up.

The connection is found by the laptop (the router) and it can connect to the router (connected to SWBR-5400 shows in the laptop tray).

Chippy_Minton

Slimeball20 wrote:

I don't have any control over the router. There was a web IP address that I should connect to to configure the modem etc, but it couldn't be displayed when I tried to use it.

Configure the router using a wired connection. You'll be banging your head against a brick wall trying to configure it over a wireless connection, when it's the wireless connection that isn't working.

Type 'http: //192.168.123.254' in your browser's address bar to display the router setup menu, and go through post #62 if you would.

Slimeball20

Hi Chippy,

I get 'page cannot be displayed' all the time.

Stabilo

Slimeball (nice name),

Correct me if I am wrong, you have a wireless router (SWBR-5400) which doesn't have an inbulit modem.

You have a patch cable from the router to the modem and router is connected with a patch cable to the desktop? You stated earlier that it is a USB modem, what modem is it? I assume it also has an ethernet connection on the modem as you indicate it is now connected to the router.

Can the laptop browse your network i.e. share a directory on the desktop and search for it from the laptop?

You didn't reply to my earlier question 'can laptop ping desktop I.P.?'

As Chippy suggests you really need to be able to access the router on a wired connection. Does your desktop have a network card, if not does the laptop? I only ask because you were originally using a USB modem and therefore may not have a network card.

If router manual states the IP is 192.168.1.1 set the IP of desktop (or laptop if that is the only one with a network card) to say 192.168.1.2 (i.e. in the same subnet). I assume new desktop has XP so you shouldn't need to reboot. Then open Internet Explorer, if it doesn't automatically go to the router configuration page type in the address from the manual.

Does this give access to the router (don't go changing the settings just yet)?