linksys router

[rabsyboy]

hi there i know very little about computers hence registering with the forum. i have a pc and a laptop, the laptop has worked fine via a lihksys WRT54G2 V1 router, then suddenly it wouldn,t let the laptop connect to the net wirelessly it said "the settings on your computer do not match those of the network " i tried typing the 8 digit security number in , which i believe is the one on the base of the router, but i had no success. my next door neighbour then informed me i had an unsecure network and they were on my internet. i would appreciate any help currys charge £50 to sort it out.

[Aragorn]

There should be a factory reset button on the back of the router, which would restore it to an unsecure network.
If he is accessing an unsecured network, I think he is in a grey area legally. If he has changed your wireless security to prevent you using your own equipment, I would be tempted to threaten him with legal action (after you have secured it).
Download the user guide for the router and set it to WPA encryption.

[Raistlin]

No 'grey area' about it. He has knowingly accessed a system (your wireless network) which he has no authority to access.

Sounds like a possible problem with the router's firmware, I'd download the instructions as Aragorn has linked to above and then do a full factory reset. From there I'd change the default SSID to something else, change the Admin password for the router, set it up for WPA wireless security, and see how you go.

If it fails again you may need to either update the firmware (again, instructions in the manual, or someone here can talk you through it) or purchase a new router and configure it properly.

More than happy to talk you through the config of this if you like once you've downloaded the manual and done the factory reset.

For now though I'd browse to http://192.168.1.1 and shut off the wireless, just use wired access (by plugging a cable in the back between it and your PC) until you're sure you have the wireless secure.

[rabsyboy]

thanks for the help, i have tried the reset button doesn,t seem to make a difference. the way the neighbour was talking they accidently got on our internet, is that possible ? i dont know . ill go on the link for the linksys page and persevere with that . thanks again

[Raistlin]

The reset button needs to be operated in a specific manner, download the manual to your desktop PC and work from there.

You should never try adjusting settings on your router from a wireless connection, you stand a good chance of completely locking yourself out

Once you've got the manual work through the following list of tasks, in order, and from a PC connected to the router by a cable:

- Reset to factory settings
- Disable Wireless
- Change Admin password for the router (make it complicated, so it's not easy to guess)
- Change SSID
- Change the wireless security mode to WPA2
- Set a good complicated passphrase for the wireless (something like the first two lines of a song or similar)
- Enable Wireless
- Now try connecting your laptop to it, using the new passphrase you just created

The above shouldbe sufficient to keep your neighbour (or anybody else) out, and to get you back up and running again. If it doesn't work still then it may be that the router's dead, and you might need a new one.

If he 'accidentally' connected to your network then I'll be a monkey's uncle, he's talking rubbish - he saw it unprotected and connected to it.

Get everything shored up and you should be fine.

[rabsyboy]

thanks very much for all the help, ill have a go with the info you have gave me