Belkin Router bought BUT not happy!

Realist · 27-06-2008, 11:31

Hi guys,

I receieved my Belkin Wireless router yesterday which works on Virgin Media.. I got the router to work, no problem. The problem arrises when i install a WEP key to it!

My devices find it without a problem (My phone and also the wireless printer), but when i connect and enter the WEP key it doesn't connect to it! I tried reseting the modem a few times etc but no luck!

The modem that i'm talking about is this one. Also i'm not able to see which devices are trying to connect/connected to my system, which after seeing some reviews it shows that it's not able to do for some reason.

Now i'm looking to send this one back and get another one, can anyone recommend me a good one which is N enabled (Which is future proof i guess), and also which shows me what devices are connected/trying to connect to the network etc.. I need a good one. Come on guys!

It'll be good if the one you show me is on eBuyer.. they're pretty good at their service!

DocDutch · 27-06-2008, 11:44

you typing in the correct key then? that could be the only thing really thats wrong here.

Realist · 27-06-2008, 11:56

Nope, the key is correct but it just doesn't connect whenever i try to connect to it. But it finds it fine.. Also it connects through wireless when there's no key set to it :s I've tried with 64bit WEP and 128bit WEP too, but no luck!

Raistlin · 27-06-2008, 12:01

Ok, first of all (if at all possible) you shouldn't be using WEP.

WEP is horribly insecure and can't be relied upon to protect your data/network.

Secondly, I seem to recall with WEP (if you must use it) that you don't type in the phrase, you type in the Hexadecimal key - you are using the key that was generated by the router and not the phrase that you typed in aren't you?

Realist · 27-06-2008, 12:02

I put the phrase in.. Shouldn't it be like that for anyone who wishes to use the network quickly? Do i have to remember the HEX code each time someone else wants to connect to the network? :|

Raistlin · 27-06-2008, 12:07

IIRC when you're using WEP you need to enter the HEX key - I could be wrong, but it's worth a try.

With WPA you normally have to enter the phrase that was used.

Realist · 27-06-2008, 12:12

But i think i tried the HEX key too - it comes out with an error of "Cannot connect to gateway" or something similar..

Raistlin · 27-06-2008, 12:18

Ok.....

1. Confirm for me that you're using WEP and not WPA

2. Go through your connection routine to the point where you're getting the error you just mentioned

Now.....

3. Where are you seeing the error?

That to me sounds like an Internet Explorer type error message? If that's the case then are you saying that you can't connect to the Internet through the router, or that you can't connect to the router?

4. Have a look in the system tray of Windows (bottom right-hand corner, near the clock).

Do you have a wireless icon there? If you do, hover your mouse over it and see what it says - what does it say the status of the connection is?

Realist · 27-06-2008, 12:44

That's the other thing, i dont have a wireless icon there either, just a normal internet icon - I believe this type of router doesn't show who's connected and who isn't?

That connection error was given when i used my Nokia N82 to connect to the internet.

Raistlin · 27-06-2008, 12:59

Wow, you're really trying to confuse things aren't you?

1. The Nokia N82

Assuming that the Nokia is set to automatically get an IP address from the router it should have one in the same range. If the router is 192.168.1.1 then your Nokia should be 192.168.1.<something>.

It should also have detected the default gateway settings, you'll need to look in your Nokia instruction manual to find out how to check this because I haven't got a clue. That default gateway should be the same as the IP address of your router. NOTE: This refers to the internal IP address of the router (whatever address you type in to manage it) NOT the one assigned by your ISP.

2. Assuming that you're using XP (because you haven't said otherwise)

Right-click on the network icon in the system tray and select 'Show Network Connections'.
In the Network Connections box, right-click on the icon for your wireless and select 'Properties'.
Tick the two boxes at the bottom (the ones about showing the icon, and showing when you have limited connectivity).
Click 'Ok'.
Close the Network Connections box.

Now you should be able to see what the status of your wireless connection is.

---------- Post added at 12:59 ---------- Previous post was at 12:58 ----------

BTW. Ignore the fact that the router doesn't show who's connected and who isn't for a minute.

Let's concentrate on getting just your computer connected to the Internet, then we can worry about other things ok

Realist · 27-06-2008, 13:02

The problem isn't gettin the computer connected to the internet; it's connected already - the problem arrises from the wireless.

I've tried those steps.. no luck.

Raistlin · 27-06-2008, 13:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Realist

[...]when i connect and enter the WEP key it doesn't connect to it! I tried reseting the modem a few times etc but no luck![...]

Did you try setting the gateway manually on the N82?

Is the N82 pucking up the settings ok from the router?

Have you set up MAC filtering on the router?

Did you remember to re-apply the WEP key after you reset the router?

---------- Post added at 13:06 ---------- Previous post was at 13:05 ----------

Ok, partly my fault - apologies, but I'm tired

Let's try this again.....

---------- Post added at 13:06 ---------- Previous post was at 13:06 ----------

What IP settings has the Nokia picked up (or have been input manually by you)?

Realist · 27-06-2008, 13:27

All manual - i'm not currently at home so i cannot give you the full settings, but i'm assuming it's all automatic. It's fine when it's got a non WEP key assigned to it, the problem only arrises when i store a WEP key to it! arghhhh

Raistlin · 27-06-2008, 13:31

Don't know then, sorry.

I'm guessing that it must be something to do with one of the settings you've got setup on the router - or that you're missing the default gateway or something.

haydnwalker · 27-06-2008, 13:46

I would try:

Removing Security all together, then using ONE device ONLY... Set up WPA and use a phrase like "letmein" to start with and then set the wireless device (that isnt a Nokia N82

) to use that key. See if it works. Then try adding one device at a time if it does. If it doesn't, remove all security and start again with WEP...but as Raistlin says, you MUST use the HEXADECIMAL key and not the word/phrase you typed in.

---------- Post added at 13:46 ---------- Previous post was at 13:45 ----------

Alternatively, take it back to the shop saying it doesn't work and try a replacement