Wireless Connection Setup Questions

[AgaBoogaBoo]

First, we have an old Lucent Technologies Orinoco wireless router (maybe hub, not sure). It was sent to us with some Orinoco "Turbo" 11MB 802.11 IEEE Compliant cards. We also got a tablet PC recently which has an 802.11B wireless card integrated. The two can not work togethr and we've t ried asking about this at other forums and working on it ourselves, to no luck. The router is most likely too old we think because I couldn't even find drivers for it and the Lucent website only mentions it in a place or two on their entire site.

We're looking for a new wireless router/hub. What price are these going to run? We aren't looking for anything fancy at all... just the most basic one to get the job done. Also, we'd like to get one 802.11B compliant.

One more question, will the 802.11B router/hub work with our current Orinoco wireless cards? It says IEEE 802.11 compliant on the top and that its an 11mb card. BTW, we aren't expecting these to work because we were sent the whole setup 3 or 4 years ago for free, and so we aren't complaining, just trying to see if it'll still work.

 

[JackMDS]

802.11b Wireless hardware work together even between brands.

This will give you an idea about rock bottom prices.

Link: EZ Connect 802.11b Wireless PCMCIA Network Adapter. $9.99 (after rebate)]

Link: Barricade 11Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router with 4 Port $29.99 (after rebate)

The Orinoco line is more expensive than the regular entry level.

The Orinoco PCMCIA cards are excellent.

Routers or Access Point (what you probably call Hub) do not need drivers.

The client cards do need drivers.

If you post the Model numbers may be more help can come your way.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

BTW, here is the current router:
http://www.proxim.com/products/all/orinoco/gateway/rg1100/index.html

Also, why was it that even though at their website it is listed as 802.11B compliant, the wireless card integrated in my Compaq Tablet PC cannot connect to it? It can identify it and everything but even wit h the encryption code, it can't connect. Any ideas?

Also, the problem of not being able to connect at all through wireless just started a few days ago on both our tablet PC and our laptop at home. We have 2 wireless cards that fit in the Tablet PC and Laptop and neither of them allows us to connect to the router even though they did before. Could something be interfering now? We haven't moved anything at all in the area. I'd really like to get our current one working because by going to their site, the cards we were sent 3 or 4 years ago are still selling for $80+ each and are 802.11B compliant...

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Guidance on solving this problem would be appreciated too because after checking around, the things are still worth some money, with the cards being $80+. Here is a more detailed version of the problem:

First, we get the router and wireless cards. Everything goes fine for 2, maybe 3 years. We get a tablet PC from Compaq, the integrated 802.11B card isn't working and so we use the extra wireless card from Orinoco we have and it connects through fine.

Then, one day we can't connect with the wireless cards at all, after trying both cards on the tablet pc and laptop, nothing works. Our AT&T Sierra Wireless card for Internet Access doesn't work either. I think they are related, but how? What would cause both of them to stop working?

Ever since then, we've had to use a network connection (Our entire house is wired with Cat5) going from room to room, while it isn't a big pain, being wireless is much better because I can be lying in bed, outside, in the car, wherever I want, and have Internet access and connection to our home network. Any and all help is appreciated.

 

[JackMDS]

The RG1100 is a very good product there is no reason that it can not work with any 802.1b card.

If possible try to connect the computers to the wired ports of the Router. Make sure that all Network settings are correct and the computer and the tablet can network.

Than out them next to the Orinoco Router with Encryption Off and see if you get connection.

Right now it is impossible to find a reason since it can be configuration problem In the Router or and the Client drivers, or and your computers Network settings.

Log to the following page.

You will find info, and links to solve settings problems.

Link: Basic Networking

And this page has a lot of Wireless Help.

Link: Wireless Network Troubleshooting.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
If possible try to connect the computers to the wired ports of the Router. Make sure that all Network settings are correct and the computer and the tablet can network.

Thanks for the other tips. I can't directly connect the other computers because it doesn't have any ports on it other than one for ethernet or the same port can be used for Internet access. I have the RG1100 router connected to a router in the basement which all the other network wires feed off of. If I remember correctly, it could connect without any encryption with the router through the tablet PC but the problem is that I can't access anything. I can see that I'm connected, but I can't access or see any of the other computers or access the internet, but it does have connection with the router. When I say "see" the connection, I mean in the network properties of it, it say the connection signal is excellent but I still can't access anything at all. Even with the encryption code, the internal card on the tablet PC won't work with it. None of the wireless cards are working either...

I'll post back tomorrow or so when I have tried the Orinoco Silver wireless cards I have without encryption.

 

[ktwebb]

You can definitely configure it with a wired PC. You may need to use a crossover cable to do it but it can be configured, and generally should be, with a wired client. Since the 1100 is a NAT router and you say you have it connected to a router already, your pretty much going to have to do some configuration with it since your probably trying to double NAT right now, which isn't likely to work. You need to turn off the routing functionality and have it act as a simple AP.

If your showing a wireless link then the next logical step to test for connectivity is pinging. Ping the AP, then if that is successful, ping another node on the network. If that works then "seeing" other PC's or internet connectivity is a simple resolution problem. In that case you need to make sure your DNS information is being assigned, or correct if your manually assigning TCP/IP info.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: ktwebb
You can definitely configure it with a wired PC. You may need to use a crossover cable to do it but it can be configured, and generally should be, with a wired client. Since the 1100 is a NAT router and you say you have it connected to a router already, your pretty much going to have to do some configuration with it since your probably trying to double NAT right now, which isn't likely to work. You need to turn off the routing functionality and have it act as a simple AP.

If your showing a wireless link then the next logical step to test for connectivity is pinging. Ping the AP, then if that is successful, ping another node on the network. If that works then "seeing" other PC's or internet connectivity is a simple resolution problem. In that case you need to make sure your DNS information is being assigned, or correct if your manually assigning TCP/IP info.

Ok, I'll go and try it wired right now and post back in a little, maybe tomorrow or later today.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I tried it and its not seeming to work. I first tried it with a crossover cable and I can't connect to it with the Setup program on their website, I can't ping it at all, but two of the lights on the hub/ router, whatever it is, were flashing a little which they hadn't done before.

I tried the same things with an Ethernet cable with no luck.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Bumpity Bump Bump

 

[ktwebb]

What's the IP of the router and what have you assigned as an IP to the client?

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: ktwebb
What's the IP of the router and what have you assigned as an IP to the client?

The router is 192.168.0.171
The client is set to automatically take whatever it gives it (DHCP I believe)

 

[ktwebb]

If your running Xp then go to a command prompt and type ipconfig /all to find out what the client IP is, or winipcfg in 9X/ME