Wireless set up help required.

matphil

Hi.
I am trying to set up a wireless router but can't get it to work.
The router is about 2 years old it is a 3com ADSL wireless 54Mbps 11g Firewall Router. I don't have the set up disk for it.
At the moment I connect using a wired sagem modem through talktalk.
I am running vista on a wireless enabled laptop.
Can someone help with a step by step guide on how to set it up please.
If I am able to get it to work I am also hoping to connect an older laptop to it.

benjus

You don't need a setup disk for a router.

Print out or note down the correct router settings from this page: http://www.talktalk.co.uk/talktalk/servlet/gben-server-PageServer?article=MAIN.UK.TALKTALK.STATIC.HELP.HELPDESK.MAINPAGE&topicSelect=BROADBAND&catSelect=Installing%20Broadband&showFAQ=MODEMSETTINGS
You will also need your TalkTalk username and password.

First thing to do is to get it working with a cable, so unplug your modem and connect an Ethernet cable from your computer to the router. Also connect the cable from the phone line to your router instead of your modem.

Open a command window (Go to Run... on the start menu and type cmd) and type ipconfig followed by enter. If all is well you should see that you have an IP address like: 192.168.1.5. If the IP address is not shown or looks like 0.0.0.0 or 169.254.whatever then you are having problems - if they don't sort themselves out by rebooting the PC and the router, post back here.

Assuming all is well, note down the address listed under "Default Gateway" from the previous step. Open a web browser window and type this address into the address bar. You should see the control panel for your router. It may ask for a username & password - this is usually admin and admin - if this doesn't work consult the manual for the router.

I'm not familiar with the specifics of 3com routers, but you will need to find the setup screen for the WAN or ADSL connection. Once you have found it, enter the ADSL connection details you noted down above, and your TalkTalk username and password.

You can now click on Apply or Save or whatever the button is called, and the router should restart itself. With any luck the ADSL and Internet lights on the router will come on, indicating an active connection. Now try browsing to an internet site.

Hopefully you will now have internet access. Now you can turn your attention to getting wireless access to work. There should be a section for Wireless configuration on your router control panel. From here you can enable wireless access. As a first step, enable wireless access without security and see if your laptop can connect OK and browse the Internet with the cable disconnected. Next you neet to enable wireless security. Don't use WEP if you can avoid it - it's very easy to crack. WPA or WPA2 are better.

Anyway, that's probably enough for now. If you have any specific questions or problems, post back on here.

matphil

Thank you.
I will try that now and report back.

matphil

Hi.
I'm having problems at the first hurdle, bear in mind I don't know much about computers.
On my start menu I do not have a 'run' and can't find it anywhere else. Could you tell me how to find it, please.
I am running Vista if that makes a difference.
Thanks.

milla

hi matphil

here is a link that may help you

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/hardware/reviews/2004/q4/3com-g72.html

espresso

matphil wrote: »

Hi.
I'm having problems at the first hurdle, bear in mind I don't know much about computers.
On my start menu I do not have a 'run' and can't find it anywhere else. Could you tell me how to find it, please.
I am running Vista if that makes a difference.
Thanks.

Try Start, Search and enter run

matphil

espresso wrote: »

Try Start, Search and enter run

Thanks. I had tried that but that didn't work.
I will check out the site above.
Thanks both.

espresso

matphil wrote: »

Thanks. I had tried that but that didn't work.
I will check out the site above.
Thanks both.

You are not doing it right then! see here

matphil

I have managed to get the run up by using the windows botton and R.
When I type in ipconfig a black box pops up with some writing in but it dissapears straight away so I can't read what's in there.
When I press the start button and type run in the start search box it is just giving me a list of files and documents that I have put on my computer, that's why I said that it wasn't working.
Thanks.

espresso

matphil wrote: »

I have managed to get the run up by using the windows botton and R.
When I type in ipconfig a black box pops up with some writing in but it dissapears straight away so I can't read what's in there.

All that it will inform you, is the IP address of the router, likely to be 192.168.1.1

matphil

Right, sorry. I'm getting confused already, I didn't realise that's all I needed. I have got the Ip address of my router which is the one you have said, thank you.
I have typed that in and have the 3com log in screen up so I will try again.
Thanks.