Wireless Problems

imranmann · 13-07-2006, 16:56

Hi Everyone!

I have been experiencing problems trying to set up a wireless connection.

The modem I have is a Motorola SB5101E Surfboard and today I bought a router which is a NETGEAR WGR614.

So what I want to do is set up both my PC and my Laptop to become wireless enabled as I have a wireless MSI USB adaptor for my PC which was working fine when I was with BT. I seem to be getting a signal from the router to my laptop but no internet connection which I cannot understand. When I was installing the router it was asking me to connect the ethernet lead that came with the router to the PC, but the problem is my PC doesn't have an ethernet connection as it's pretty old and connects to the Motorola modem via a USB lead. So how it is currently setup is there is a USB lead that connects from the modem to the PC & I have connected the router to the modem via the ethernet cable that came with the router but still there is no internet coming on my laptop. Does this mean I have to reset the settings for both my laptop and PC?

I'm really confused!!

So if anyone can help me on how to resolve this problem it would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks,

Imran

MovedGoalPosts · 13-07-2006, 17:03

to Cable Forum

your modem can only support one connection - USB lead , or ethernet, at a time. One wire, or the other can be connected, not both. When ever you wish to swap over, you must power off the modem.

For you to get it working you must set it up:
modem <wired> router <wired or wireless> PC(s) It's easier to configure it initially wired, and then move to wireless.

Aragorn · 13-07-2006, 17:04

Imran,

to CF

First problem - the modem only supports ONE connection. In this case it should be the ethernet cable from modem to the router - you USB cable should not be connected now. You also need to power off the modem for 30 secs each time you change cables.

Does your laptop have an ethernet connection? You will need an ethernet link between one of the computers and the router in order to setup the wireless link. If the laptop doesn't have ethernet either, you will prob need to get a ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£5 ethernet card from PCWorld.

Once you have a working ethernet connection from a PC to the router you should be able to follow the Netgear setup instructions.

HTH

imranmann · 13-07-2006, 17:40

Hi again, thanks for the swift response.

I am still having problems unfortunately. My Laptop does have an ethernet connection. Furthermore, I connected the modem via the router via the laptop with the internet working fine. However, when I was trying to install the NETGEAR it was saying network not detected.

In advance how do I make the transition from a wired connection to a wireless one if I do get through the installation guide. As I stated before I have a wireless USB adaptor for my PC and my laptop has built in wireless. Do I have to change the settings of both computers to get a wireless connection?

Thanks in advance.

Imran

MovedGoalPosts · 13-07-2006, 19:04

With your laptop, you'll have to enable the inbuilt wireless. You'd probably have to reboot the laptop too when you want to swap from wired to wireless as the wired connection would dominate (it does on my Dell).

I'd suggest initially running the laptop wired, while you then configure the USB wireless desktop. Once you know you have the wireless network running, then you can get your lappy wireless too.

If you have the Netgear setup to allow wireless, any wireless enabled computer in range should detect the network. If you are using a USB wireless adaptor, you're going to need to install that adaptor's software on the USB based PC.

imranmann · 13-07-2006, 19:38

Alright Rob, firstly thanks for the reply.

Further to your advice, I have done the opposite of what you suggested and managed to get the laptop working wireless. However, the problem is trying to get the USB desktop connected to the NETGEAR router, as it is picking up the signal, but when I am pressing the connect button, the box shows as trying to connect and then after a couple of minutes just disappears without connecting.

So do I have to change the settings of my desktop PC to enable it to be compatible with the NETGEAR router? the USB adaptor is already installed on the desktop PC and was working fine with a BT Voyager but doesn't seem to want to connect to the NETGEAR router.

Thanks again! It's becoming rather tedious I know but your help is greatly appreciated.

Imran.

MovedGoalPosts · 13-07-2006, 19:49

hmm, yep I'd suspect the desktop's USB adaptor is picking up the old settings that it used for the Voyager. Somehow you're going to need to delete those so it can attach to the new network. I'd ahve expected it to realise there is a new network inthe area, but clearly it can't.

imranmann · 13-07-2006, 19:57

The USB adaptor is detecting the netgear wireless network but it just isn't connecting to it. It's really strange & I can't work it out.

imranmann · 13-07-2006, 23:14

Can anyone else offer me advice on how to solve this time-consuming problem?

The big question is how do I connect my Desktop PC to the router wirelessly?

Do I have to change the IP address or something?

MovedGoalPosts · 13-07-2006, 23:23

Were you on a fixed IP address with the Voyager, it would be unusual. Check in all your network settings to see that everything is set to auto. On your router, for the time being so you can at least establish there is a connection, turn off any security settings / wireless encryption.

Do you have antivirus or firewalls on the USB computer - disable those too. Basically set everythign off or on auto and move forward from there.

Aragorn · 14-07-2006, 09:35

What OS are you running on the desktop (Win XP, ME, 98 etc)?
I've seen problems before on an ME system that had been using USB which would work correctly on ethernet until I uninstalled the NTL USB drivers. Could be something similar here!

imranmann · 14-07-2006, 12:28

I am using windows xp. When I type ipconfig on the cmd it shows as disconnected on my desktop. I even managed to get the wireless working on my Sony PSP! So I know there isn't a problem with the router.

Aragorn · 14-07-2006, 13:02

How many adapters does ipconfig report (and what are they)?

imranmann · 14-07-2006, 17:17

just says wireless ethernet disconnected

imranmann · 17-07-2006, 15:57

Hi everyone I managed to fix the problem by changing the settings on the router.