help with telewest stb-wireless setup

neilmc · 08-01-2006, 21:31

i beleive this setup is for 1 computer only.is it poss to connect a 2nd computer with wireless to this system? I do have a wireless router. any help please.

Paul K · 08-01-2006, 21:32

What is your wireless router (make and model)? If it supports multiple computers then you can hook up more than one at a time to your connection.

neilmc · 08-01-2006, 21:40

linksys wrt54gs withusb network adapter

Paul K · 08-01-2006, 21:42

Yep you can attach multiple pcs to that, just need to put the correct card in the 2nd pc. Are you looking to connect wirelessly to it or via ethernet?

neilmc · 08-01-2006, 21:48

wirelessly. 2nd computer is laptop with centrino.how would i connect linksys?

Paul K · 08-01-2006, 21:51

Make and model of laptop would be useful so we know exactly what the laptop can do but I would think that enabling the wireless facility built into the laptop and then getting it set up to work with your current router settings.

neilmc · 08-01-2006, 22:27

the problem is the telewest settop box has a wireless system special to them.it's not router and only "talks" to a "paired" usb adapter. Sorry i didn't make myself clear. Thanks for your help Paul.

Paul K · 08-01-2006, 22:35

Can you explain what equipment you have from Telewest (links if possible) and we can look into it for you but from the telewest site it seems you should be able to use a router to share the connection.

neilmc · 08-01-2006, 23:36

Its a telewest cable settop box which is also my connection to the net.(broadband max 1mb) it comes with a wireless option to connect 1 computer only.its good if you only have 1 computer and happy with 1mb. i used to have a seperate modem until i decided to switch options.(1st mistake) I thought if i bought a router, then all i had to do was to unplug their wireless and connect the linksys (2nd mistake) The wireless they use is a specially adapted netgear router which as i say.only communicates with 1 usb adapter (netgear MA111) my laptop is a vaio vgn-a517m. and its picking up two neighbours sysems (if i can get their pass codes it could be the end of my problem) thanks

MovedGoalPosts · 09-01-2006, 00:49

The MA111 is an adaptor fitted to your USB port on the PC, that is the receiver for your wireless.

What is the Set Top Box (make / model)? these are usually associated with TV services, but sometimes will also provide boradband connections too. Is there something, maybe Netgear, currently wired to the Set Top Box?What do you actually have that provides the wireless service? Is it another Netgear appliance?

Even if you can see your neighbours systems, don't try to connect to them. They would be in breach of their broadband terms and conditions to only supply one household if they knowingly let you connect. If they don't know then arguably it could fall into computer misuse.

neilmc · 09-01-2006, 12:09

at work at the moment so don't have make and model but yes you are right, the tw stb supplies tv service via fibre optic cable. it also has a broadband connection. the wireless option is a netgear type router which is specially designed by netgear for tw. all it does is provide 1 only wireless connection. Centrino won't pickup any signal.thankyou for your help. ( only joking about neighbours) p.s. i can re manually switch MA111 between computers.

MovedGoalPosts · 09-01-2006, 13:05

Right, you have got a Linksys router (from post #3). Power off the Set Top Box. Unplug the Netgear and disconnect it from the STB. Connect the Linksys WAN port to the STB using ethernet cable. Temporarily (to enable you to get the setup going) connect a laptop or desktop using ethernet to a LAN port of the router. Power on the STB, let that settle, power on the linksys, let that settle, power on the connected PC. You should now be able to setup the Linksys router (follow the Linksys manual instructions).

The Netegear router previously attached to the STB will be redundant (put is away somewhere).

I don't know whether the MA111 USB adaptor will be resuable with the Linksys based network. It depends if you are able to reconfigure it's receiving frequency and encryption passcodes. Manuals available from here. Note the MA111 is only 11b speed whereas the Linksys is 11g speed (much faster). Your home wireless network may be slowed by this MA111 being present, although it will be more than adequate for your 1meg broadband.

Most centrino laptops have a wirless adaptor built in. Once you have the wired network established and configured, you should thenbe able to setup the wireless Linksys based network, and enable the laptop's wireless adaptor to get that up and running.

neilmc · 09-01-2006, 16:22

Thanks, I''ll try that tonight. I did also buy a linksys usb adaptor so the ma111 can go as well. What you've decribe sounds exactly what i've needed. I'll post results later.

neilmc · 10-01-2006, 19:45

Thanks Rob C, up and running. Also my thanks to Paul. 1st time i've used forum, i'ts been great to get your help. I'm happy with telewest but i think supplying a wireless that has limited cababillities must be confusing to others? Neilmc

MovedGoalPosts · 10-01-2006, 20:44

Glad we were of assistance