Pleb router question
 

Know zilch about routers and wireless networks so before I go digging deeper, am I trying for the impossible.

I need to move my PC to another room for some weeks so had the idea that I could install a router to work with my cable modem (not STB) and then use the wireless capability to get internet access from the PCâ₠¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢s temporary home. I had considered moving or extending the NTL cable but it really wasnââ‚ ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t practical to get it to where it was needed without major hassle.

So I installed a Linksys WRT54G router and configured it using my PCââ‚ ¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢s facilities. This is probably where Iâ₠¬ÃƒÆ’¢â€žÂ¢ve misunderstood what a wireless router can do. I thought that once it was configured to run with the NTL modem it could act as a stand-alone device and I could then pick up the WiFi broadband connection in the other room. So I installed a Linksys WUSB54G USB adapter on the PC and tried it.

XP recognised the adapter but when I click †œView available wireless networksââ‚à ƒâ€šÃ‚¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ÂÂ� there arenââ‚ ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t any shown. This just could be a hardware/software problem. So before I go ploughing through knowledge-base articles and the like Iâ₠¬ÃƒÆ’¢â€žÂ¢d appreciate knowing whether a router can run this way or must it always be hardwired (Ethernet) to a base PC and only then can other PCs and laptops pick up the wireless connection.

TIA

Boots

Re: Pleb router question
 

No it doesnt need to be hard wires to a base pc... how far away is the other room ?

If you keep the pc in the same room as the router ... and use the wireless adaptor ..does it find a signal then ?

Andy E
ntl pirate

Re: Pleb router question
 

:welcome: Simple answer - yes, what you are trying to do, is what wireless routers are for, and there should be no need to have a PC 'hard-wired' to the router.

If you have a root around the forum, there is plenty of advice on how to set it all up.

Re: Pleb router question
 

On the linksys router set up pages (which you will need to be hardwired or have a wireless connection to the router to see) check
1. That wireless functionality is switched on
2. That the router is set to broadcast the name (SSID)
3. For the moment - disable all security
With that all done the PC should find the router and connect to it.

So realistically you will need to set the PC up where it can be wired to the router then once it works, move the PC.

Once they talk to oneanother without security set that up, then once that is set up you can hide the SSID for extra security, but I would not do that until you have relocated the PC to its new location.

Re: Pleb router question
 

Only a few inches - haven't actually moved the PC; just the leads.

OK, I'll do that. I just needed to know that I wasn't trying to achieve the impossible first.

Boy, that makes me nervous. Do you mean my PC firewall - Zone Alarm? I note there is already a firewall in the router. Maybe some sort of conflict?

I have my ancient Windows 98 PC in the garden chalet and it would be useful to get that attached too. Can't upgrade that one to XP; it's too old and also I use it to drive an excellent NEC laser for which NEC never wrote an XP driver. Can anyone recommend a W98 adapter?

Apologies to Mr Moderator for initially posting to an inappropriate forum, and thanks to all trying to help. You've made me happy and unhappy - happy that what I want to do is achievable and I haven't wasted my dosh; unhappy that I can't at present achieve it for some reason.

Boots

Re: Pleb router question
 

I assume that he means to switch off the wireless security on the router - you should not need to do anything more...

What I would suggest is the same - here is a more detailed summary ;)

connect to the router via the ethernet cable.
point your browser at 192.168.1.1 (login as admin/admin if you haven't changed the password)
select the wireless tab
ensure that wireless in enabled.
ensure that the SSID is broadcast (and I would change it from the default)
ensure that the MAC filter is disabled
Ensure that wireless security is off.

It is probably worth trying with the windows firewall diabled on the wireless connection as well, especially as you have zonealarm installed

(did you kn ow you can put zonealarm on the router, to protect everything connected to it in one go ...)
then try connecting through the wireless link.


once you have connected, then you can look at loking the MAC addresses and adding encryption.

Re: Pleb router question
 

Yes I meant the wireless security on the router, all the steps related purely to the router, and by doing this make the wireless network easier to find and attach to. Of course once found and attached it is time to up the security and reduce the visibility.

Your Zone Alarm settings may need reviewing (i don't use it) but in Trend AV you need to tell it you are now on a Home or Office network rather than directly connected to the CM for some traffic to be allowed around, however if you can connect by cable then chances are you can connect by wireless (if set up properly).

Re: Pleb router question
 

Well I finally got it hackling after much fiddling around. Trouble is that I can't remember which particular fiddle did the trick!!

The main problem seemed to be that the WUSB54 adapter didn't like the powered external USB2 hub. So stuck in a spare pci card I had laying around and that resolved that. The main thing was once I was advised that it could work then it became worth persevering.

Now when I try to turn on WEP it falls over but I'm sure I'll eventually resolve that as I understand this WiFi stuff better.

Question re getting my old W98 machine to connect still stands.

Thanx to all

Boots