help with setting up a wireless LAN

[minus1972]

hi-

I'm trying to set up a wireless network at home and it's not going well. I'm replacing a 4port Linksys Router with a 4port 802.11g wireless Linksys Router, and I'm stuck. The wired connections all transfered over fine, with no problems. However, the wireless is proving to be a huge problem. I set it up initially with 64-bit WEP and the two laptops I'm working with find the network and seem to connect but don't get online access. I checked the keys several times and used a few different setups, but I got nothing. After that, I turned off WEP and the same thing happens. Finally, after reading a suggestion here, I turned on MAC filtering and it still does the same thing. Can anyone recommend anything else?

 

[grumm3t]

Start -> Cmd

type in 'ipconfig /all'

Make sure you are getting a DNS server under your wireless card. If you are not, you can do the same on one of the computers that is hard-wired to the router and write them down, and then setup a static (LAN) ip for the computers and see if that gains access.

 

[CWilkins32]

I believe there is a software out there that would make it easier to setup. Try looking for it on the internet.

 

[JackMDS]

If possible connect the Laptop via a Wire (CAT5) to the Router to make sure that the Laptop Network settings are correctly done.

If you are using WinXP do not try to use Windows native Wireless menus. Switch Zero Config off. Use the Software drivers that came with the Wireless Client Card to configure the Wireless settings on the Laptop.

1. Disable on the Laptop Firewall, and or any other TCP/IP interceptors/blockers.
2. Put the Laptop in the same room with the Router.
3. Make sure that the Laptop is configured to infrastructure mode (NOT Ad-Hoc).
4. Make sure that WEP is OFF on the Laptop Wireless Client Drivers, and SSID is the same as the Router.
5. In the Router, Switch OFF WEP, MAC filtering or ant other filter/blocker.

If you manage to make it work under these conditions you can try (one by one) switching on Firewall, Virus Blocker, WEP, MAC filter etc.

Link: Wireless Security for the Home User.

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
If possible connect the Laptop via a Wire (CAT5) to the Router to make sure that the Laptop Network settings are correctly done.

If you are using WinXP do not try to use Windows native Wireless menus. Switch Zero Config off. Use the Software drivers that came with the Wireless Client Card to configure the Wireless settings on the Laptop.

1. Disable on the Laptop Firewall, and or any other TCP/IP interceptors/blockers.
2. Put the Laptop in the same room with the Router.
3. Make sure that the Laptop is configured to infrastructure mode (NOT Ad-Hoc).
4. Make sure that WEP is OFF on the Laptop Wireless Client Drivers, and SSID is the same as the Router.
5. In the Router, Switch OFF WEP, MAC filtering or ant other filter/blocker.

If you manage to make it work under these conditions you can try (one by one) switching on Firewall, Virus Blocker, WEP, MAC filter etc.

Link: Wireless Security for the Home User.

Interesting. I've run into a few config issues over the past few months w/all my wireless linksys gear and one of the items the Linksys tech's always told me was to NOT install the Linksys wireless manager if using wireless NICS and Win XP. On more than one occasion they've told me that XP's Wireless connection manager works better.

Step #1 - Check the status page of your router (preferrably via CAT-5 as was previously mentioned) and make sure your DNS is calling out properly.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: SketcherOn more than one occasion they've told me that XP's Wireless connection manager works better.

I would recommend not using managing software by any one if it is not absolutely necessary. I.e. there is no other way to get to configuration settings.

Microsoft released WinXP at Aug. 2001. There is no way they could anticipate the variety of Network Gizmos that are concocted by the Network Entry Level hardware manufacturers.

Using WinXP Network Wizards Managers, ICS etc. is constant source of Network trouble. It has to do with inflexible default settings, and thus back to square one changes that occur without your knowledge every time you run some of these things.


The best way is to configure network Settings and Hardware directly at the source. (G-d helps me if I know why you need software to install and configure a Cable/DSL Router).

In any case it always good to pass the buck, tell people to Use Windows wizards, and if it does not work it is Microsoft fault.