Which to install first

Jakey · 26-09-2008, 10:02

Hi Guys, Right i've got my virgin netgear wireless router and the usb adapter. Which should I install first ?

All replies very much appreciated.

Stuart · 26-09-2008, 10:20

Install the router via a wired connection first, then install the wireless stuff.

That way, you can ensure the router is working, and if something goes wrong when you attach via wireless, you can fairly safely assume that there is a problem with the wireless.

Kymmy · 26-09-2008, 10:24

Router first (just plug it in,) then the usb dongle (the security settings should be on a sticker on the bottom of the router) but as Stuart says if you have a problem you might have to first go wired. Once they're talking to each other I'm sure that everyone on here will suggest that you go into the router config (normally http://192.168.1.1 on netgears) and alter your wireless security setting to WPA or WPA2 and then alter your PC's wireless network to the same setting, it'll makeit a lot more secure.

Talking about unsecured wireless I plugged my PC into a small little 12 element 2.4ghz Yagi last night and scanned around finding 12 networks, 5 had WPA+, 4 on WEP (all BT home hubs) and 3 unsecured

moaningmags · 26-09-2008, 11:24

If you connect to the router using a wired connection, when you open internet explorer you will get a page asking you to create ssid and passphrase, change channel and router password if you want to change it, apply this and router will restart, then you can remove the wire.
If you're using the Virgin disk to install the usb dongle when it starts select the Add option and not the setup option. It will find the name you gave the router and try to connect, it will then ask for the password.

26-09-2008, 11:35

connect your laptop direct to the router in port 1to 4>open internet explorer>in the address bar put http://192.168.1.1/ when the login screen appears put in the username : virgin and the passphrase : password> the Netgear router page will now appear, down the left side click on Wireless settings>now name your network, something you remember and replace the passphrase with a new one at least 8 characters long and click apply, wait for it to finish updating and close the page.

disconnect cable from laptop and router, ensure inbuilt wireless switched on, go to system tray and look for connect to a network icon ( not the virgin icon ) click it and find your network name, click connect put in your passphrase and when it says connected open a browser page and you should be connected.

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Kymmy · 26-09-2008, 12:09

You;re all assuming that the OP has a network port

As they're using the USB port for wireless it normally means an old laptop

LondonRoad · 26-09-2008, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

You;re all assuming that the OP has a network port

As they're using the USB port for wireless it normally means an old laptop

It would have to be really ancient not to have a built in network port. First 386 laptop I used had one. it ran Windows 3.11, Wordperfect and Lotus 123. Uncle Bill Gates hadn't quite achieved world domination yet

Kymmy · 26-09-2008, 12:34

My P4 toughbook doesn;t have one and it's only a few years old (but wasn;t bought for networking or playing games but instead for vehivle diags in the middle of the desert

It's only been in the last few years that network ports have been a standard item

LondonRoad · 26-09-2008, 12:48

I knew wireless connectivity is a fairly recent standard but that surprises me. You should have bought a good laptop Kymmy

...(slinks away to put hard hat on...

)

Kymmy · 26-09-2008, 13:05

Yeah sure, but as I needed more a laptop that could stand being dropped and run over than one with a NIC in it

Seriously though even ethernet ports wern't in a lot of laptops a few years back, it was only when centrino chipset came out that not only wireless but also ethernet was standard as the chipset did both

Stuart · 26-09-2008, 15:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by harmitage

It would have to be really ancient not to have a built in network port. First 386 laptop I used had one. it ran Windows 3.11, Wordperfect and Lotus 123. Uncle Bill Gates hadn't quite achieved world domination yet

Onboard Ethernet as standard (whether on Laptops or PCs) is a relatively recent thing. Recent as in the past four or five years. It's been standard on Macs for a lot longer

26-09-2008, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

You;re all assuming that the OP has a network port

As they're using the USB port for wireless it normally means an old laptop

You don't need the cd to set up VM routers, nor do you need a temporary cable connection, I have to do this anow and again because the cd won't run on a Mac.

1. Connect to wireless network. The network will be called "Virgin Broadband" the passphrase (WPA key) is preinstall.

2. Open a web browser. You will be presented with a setup page. Enter a new network name and password, ignore everything else, click apply. You will be prompted for a username and password - ignore it and close the browser.

3. Connect to the wireless network using you new network name and passphrase.

4. Happy surfing.

It is actually quicker than running the cd.

Jakey · 26-09-2008, 19:56

Thanks for all your suggestions guys, I will try again ! I have been trying all day to install these two with no luck.

Router is Virgin Netgear WGR614-9VGUKS

the Wireless adapter is Netgear W111v2 802.11g Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter

Does anyone know if they are compatable ?

I tried installing the router without the USB Adapter but it got to the point where i clicked on WIRED connection and it kept asking me to put the adapter in and would not go past that stage.

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh

Appreciate comments guys

---------- Post added at 19:56 ---------- Previous post was at 19:55 ----------

By the way its a HP PC NOT a Laptop

MovedGoalPosts · 26-09-2008, 20:07

Do you have a wired network port in your PC? If so do you have the drivers loaded for ethernet card? If so is the ethernet card enabled (check in network connections)?

26-09-2008, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakey

Thanks for all your suggestions guys, I will try again ! I have been trying all day to install these two with no luck.

Router is Virgin Netgear WGR614-9VGUKS

the Wireless adapter is Netgear W111v2 802.11g Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter

Does anyone know if they are compatable ?

I tried installing the router without the USB Adapter but it got to the point where i clicked on WIRED connection and it kept asking me to put the adapter in and would not go past that stage.

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh

Appreciate comments guys

---------- Post added at 19:56 ---------- Previous post was at 19:55 ----------

By the way its a HP PC NOT a Laptop

You are trying to set up a wireless setup not a wired connection which is not wireless follow the instructions below and uninstall the software and do a pinhole reset.

Do not use the USB adapter software.

First you need to fully uninstall the software from your computer, by first going to the system tray by the clock on desktop and exiting the wireless manager, then go to start > control panel >unistall programs> now unistall the wireless manager from here then exit .

Next ensure the router is on and take a pen or a paperclip and look on the back of the router and you will see a small round hole big enough for the pen to go into press the reset button in this hole for approx 10 seconds then switch off the router and modem

then follow the set up instructions above in this thread.