Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

I've just bought one of these wireless routers and have to say that the Quick Installation guide isn't exactly very helpful for a total noob like me. Does anyone have or know of an easier guide to follow?

My aim is to run 2 lappys off of it - both have Wi-Fi - but I'm not too sure whats to be done espceially as regards setting up the built in firewall.

Any help\advice much appreciated.
:confused:

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

If both the laptops are running windows, then it is very simple...

to check they are working, simply switch on your CM, then the router, then all shoild be working...

Power on the latops and they should see the router without any problems..

if you want help configuring the security, PM me and I'll see what I can do...

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

:welcome: to CF

Should be very little you need to do, pretty much Plug & Pray ;)

I'm going to assume it's a SACM!

First step is to make sure a wired connection is working -

Turn off SACM and leave for 30 secs.
Turn SACM back on
Plug RJ45 from Linksys WAN port(maybe called diff, but separate from other 4 ports) into Enet port on SACM
Turn on Router
Plug RJ45 from a PC/Laptop into Port 1 on Router.

Try browsing to www.bbc.co.uk or anywhere else you want.

If that works browse to 192.168.1.1 (default Linksys mgmt page), password admin (iirc).

If the wired connection is working you just need to turn on wireless (the Linksys guide should help here) and make it secure. (http://www.cableforum.co.uk/kb/78/ho...reless-network or http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=8435) I would suggest changing the SSID at this point from the default 'Linksys'.

Once Wireless is turned on, you should be able to use the other laptop wirelessly to browse.

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

Thanks. Am I then correct in thinking that I don't have to install what's on the CD on either lappy? Seems a bit too easy to me - but then I am a noob :D

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

I am having lots of problem with my Linksys router. i cannot connect to it from my desktop. At the prsesent moment i have a wired network set-up and working fine sharing the connection to three pcs. I would like to use the wireless linksys router to connect the existing three wired pc and also add a wireless connection to my laptop. what do i need to do....I have a Surfboard cable modem.

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

I think you need to expand on the detail here as saying you have problems isn't enough.

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

:welcome: to CableForum.

As etccarmageddon says, what sort of problems are you having? Have you been through the steps at http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=8269?

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

That is correct, you should not need to install anything on the laptops, as they will be connecting to the Linksys, and it will be doing all the work for you ;)

all you should need is a WiFi card in the PC's you want to connect...

Any card should do, (I use netgear and belkin cards to connect to my Linksys) and if you are running windows then all should connect pretty easily.

As already pointed out, there is a good thread detailing the steps to take.

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

also check out the help here and search for posts by Raislin - he's a smarty pants and has given out some good advice:-

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=29010

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/me...hp?userid=3411

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

The Windows wireless zero config process should connect the router to the laptops. Start close together with no wireless security and broadcasting the SSID, if it connects to this then you can work on tieing down security.

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

I have just read the setup guide and will go through the steps. {http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=8269?} Thanks for the prompt adivce...i'll get back to you with the results.

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

All sorted now had a faulty network card on my pc whih wasnt picking up the ip address.

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

glad it all worked out...

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

Nice. Just one last question. Is there anything at all I have to do to the lappys? Surely it can't be this easy, can it :confused:

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

With default settings (ie no WEP and an SSID being broadcast) using Win XP the Laptops should just pickup the wireless network and configure themselves to use the internet via the router.

Securing the wireless lan does take some work, as described in the links, but in default mode it should work out of the box :)

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

where can i find the thred to apply the security settings on my router.

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=8435. If you click "Computers & IT" (above), then "Security & Virus discussion", then you'll find that thread at the top of the list. That sub-forum has all sorts of security info.

Also, there is a summary of the above thread at http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/article.php?a=12. That was under "Broadband information" in the "Articles" section of the site..

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

Ok so i have manged to secure my wireless network but everytime i access the internet through the router either on the desktop pc or laptop(wireless) i have to repair the network connection and then everything works. is this because i am using dhcp and the ip address lease is only for a day. I would like my dektop pc to have a fixed ip address as it stays on most of the time and other devices to have dhcp can that be possible on the Linksys.

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

The DHCP lease being set to one day should not matter. If the lease expires, Windows will just renew it anyway. Regarding your other query, I have found on my WRT54G that although I have my PCs using DHCP, they get assigned the same IP anyway. The only part I have statically configured is my little Print Server, but this is only because my PCs need to print to that IP.

The easest way to do this is set the IP on anything you want to have a static (IE non dynamic) IP to anywhere between 192.168.1.2 and 192.168.1.99 . If you need help doing this, just post. I'll be back later to tell you how to do it (assuming you need to know). Can't do it at the moment, as my desktop PC is busy downloading something for the boss (so I don't want to interrupt it), my Laptop won't display the right dialog, and I haven't currently got time to figure out why...

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

Stuart I need to know how to do this? i have a fair idea but dont want to mess around and leave me with no internet access .

Thanks mate...

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

Right. To set a Windows XP PC to use a static IP.

Before you do anything else, run "Cmd" and type "IPconfig /all"

Look for a heading "Ethernet Adaptor Local Area Connection" (or similar). Make a note of the two IPs following the word "DNS Servers".

Go to "My Network Places". Click on "View Network Connections". Right click on "Local Area Connection" (or similar). Select "Properties".

Now, on the "General" tab, look for "This connection uses the following items:", and on the list beneath, scroll down to "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)". Click "Properties". Click "Use the following IP address" and enter your chosen IP (it should be 192.168.1.xx, where xx is a number from 2 to 99). The subnet mask should be "255.255.255.0", and the default gateway will be the address of your router (probably 192.168.1.1).

Now, click "Use the following DNS server addresses:" and type your two DNS IPs, one under Preferred and the other under Alternate.

Click OK. If you should ever want to go back, just go to this dialog, and select both automatic options.

Re: Setting up a Linksys WRT54G
 

Thanks Stuart