Belkin and Netgear wireless issues-anyone good with wireless networks

highlighter

I have a belkin router which is hard wired to pc and laptop is wireless.

Having bought a Netgear usb wireless adaptor i wanted to to connect the pc wirelessly. Having installed the Netgear usb adaptop i have come across a few problems.

1)when wpa or wep is used (changed through laptop) the pc's adaptor refuses to connect (also changed the settings in the netgear panel on pc)

2)when mac filtering is used, again pc will not connect-even though mac address (which the wireless address is different to the pc hard wired address) is added to the allowed list.

3)When i have turned off the security settings i can get both pc and laptop on the network, wirelessly- however the laptops connection is temperamental (normally perfect)

Can anyone shed any light as to how to get both laptop and pc on the network, secured?

Oh and why is the laptop connection unstable?-should there be a problem using belkin and netgear products?

Any help appreciated/

meclive

I always advise against Belkin routers as ive seen many problems with them. What version of Belkin router are you using? You could try updating the firmware (via the web based control panel) as the software on Belkin routers can have quite a few bugs.

highlighter

its the highspeed g one-not sure on model number. Looked to update the firmware but its up to date.

Whenever i access 192.168.2.1 and change any settings (ssid or enable security connection is lost on both pc and laptop-then i have to plug ethernet in to change settings back:mad:)

Doh

wolfman

Keep the ethernet plugged in, just disable it in Network Properties to see if the wireless is working. Once everything is working correctly, then I'd remove it. The basic steps are,

1) Get it working without any security.
2) Add WPA
3) Add MAC filters
4) Hide SSID

Each step making sure both machines can connect to the router.

How are you setting up WPA on the machine side? Via the inbuilt settings in SP2 (for Windows XP) or via 3rd party software?

meclive

Is your usb adaptor managed by windows, the netgear software or both? If it is managed by both then connection problems can arise. The model numbers on Belkin routers are on the underneath near the Belkin logo.

highlighter

I have done 1) all fine

2)have done (changed through network connections-properties-wep(i used for now)then ok'd it) On pc and laptop- and am now connected!! good stuff...for now atleast!! (i think this ddnt work before as i was using 3rd party software)

I will try 3 and 4 now.

Ps the blue light is still flashing on the usb adaptor (should be solid when connected. How come it is still flashing?)