Help with Wireless Networking

[Pammi 0]

I am wanting to set up my laptop (HP Pavillion ZT1135 - shut up, it was given to me!) with wireless internet at home. Right now our desktop is hooked in with Earthlink DSL. Would something like this
work? Can the desktop plug into this router too or will it need a wireless pc card as well? (Or perhaps there's a wireless router to plug the desktop into that the wireless can also use??

Pammi

[indyz 1]

That wireless router also has four wired ports, so you can plug the desktop right into it.

[Pammi 0]

Ah, very good. Looks like a great deal but my eyes started crossing reading all the specs right about the time it stopped absorbing into my brain. Big surprise!

Thanks!
Pammi

[pilotdave 0]

That will work but you might want to save some money and get 802.11b instead of 802.11g. b is a little slower, but PLENTY fast for surfing the net. Much faster than your DSL connection, so it won't be a bottleneck. Use 802.11g if you want to share files quickly between multiple computers within your network. Then again, g is cheap enough now that it might be worth the extra money. But your internet wont be any faster with g than b.

Also I prefer linksys over netgear, but there's nothing wrong with netgear.

Also, yeah, there will be ethernet ports on the router for your PC, but you might find a USB wireless adapter more convenient. That way you don't need the wireless router even in the same room as the computer. That's how I set up a network for my parents. Router connects to their cable modem, next to their cable box. Their PC is in another room, and I can use my laptop wirelessly all over the house... except the kitchen for some reason. Fridge must block the signal.

Dave

Dave

[lummy 4]

I'm not sure how it would work with Earthlink DSL because I think they use software on the computer to login. I was talking to a friend yesterday who ended up getting the Earthlink business DSL because the family plan only supports one connection. He had lots of problems with one PC getting it to connect but the other 2 were fine

Ordinarily,How you'd get it to work is to plug the network cable from the DSL modem directly into the router where it says WAN. You would then plug the network cable from the PC into one of the 4 ports.
You would then use the desktop and a webrowser to configure the router for wireless and the wired settings as per the router manual.

IF it were me, I'd look to see if there were PPoE settings on the router to see if there is a way to avoid having the software on all PC's.

I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. eat sushi, get smoochieTTK#1

[kathyg 0]

I would personally recomend getting something like this http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10336746&loc=101&sp=1

[PhreeZone 20]

All the netgears come with PPoE ready to go.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[mattjw916 2]

I have set up Earthlink DSL for a business in SoCal with a linksys router... no problems.

Personally I have used Linksys and NetGear for a variety of home/home office situations and they both worked nicely.

If you need any specific setup instructions/help feel free to ask. I am a gov't IT-lackey.

NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

[Pammi 0]

PPoE....??

[mattjw916 2]

PPPoE is a protocol that enables your ISP to authenticate you over an "ethernet" network.

It stands for Point-to-Point-Protocol-over-Ethernet.

Basically it means that the ISP can sell the physical line you are using to connect to the internet to several users at once and still differentiate between them using the login/password they supply to you.

I tried to keep the answer simple, I swear I did.

NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

[PhillyKev 0]

Quote

I tried to keep the answer simple, I swear I did.

Try this

It's the software that connects your computer to Earthlink. The Netgear and Linksys routers have it built in so you don't need to run it on your computer anymore. And as far as Earthlink is concerned, you only have one device connected to them (your router) but you can have 1000 hooked into that and they would never be the wiser.

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

That will work but you might want to save some money and get 802.11b instead of 802.11g. b is a little slower, but PLENTY fast for surfing the net. Much faster than your DSL connection, so it won't be a bottleneck. Use 802.11g if you want to share files quickly between multiple computers within your network. Then again, g is cheap enough now that it might be worth the extra money. But your internet wont be any faster with g than b.

After the considerable $45 rebate, the cost of this package was $48 for her, so I'd go with the faster speed. Just be sure to lose that Earthlink software - if it's anything like the SBC stuff it makes networking very screwy.

Invite a friend over to make it all work, be sure to at least put a MAC filter requirement so that only your notebook can connect to the wireless port. If you live in an apartment building, you may find 3 or 4 other routers within range, and you might find someone leeching off your connection. Normally harmless, but if they can do that, they can access any open shares or services on your computers.

I've had bad luck getting WEP encryption to work, and I make a living with the WWW. Better to use it, but if not, the filter restriction gets you most of the way to where you'd like to be.

[lummy 4]

Quote

Quote

I tried to keep the answer simple, I swear I did.

Try this

It's the software that connects your computer to Earthlink. The Netgear and Linksys routers have it built in so you don't need to run it on your computer anymore. And as far as Earthlink is concerned, you only have one device connected to them (your router) but you can have 1000 hooked into that and they would never be the wiser.

couldn't have said it better myself.

So it's safe to assume that Earthlink doesn't use some proprietary BS software then?

Pammi, there's some other things you'd want to change when you setup the router mostly for the wireless security. You'll want to change the SSID which is the name of the wireless network, turn off broadcasting of that SSID (you already know what it's named, no need to tell the world too) and you will also want to set up WEP key in a shared environment (WEP key is basically a password that you use to connect to the wireless network) write the key down along with the SSID because you'll need it to setup the laptop. There's some other types of security such as WPA but I believe you need Windows XPsp1 to use it.
You should see all this stuff when you do the router setup wizard. If you don't I'm sure myself or any of the other ubergeeks around here can walk you thru setting it up. The important thing is to not use the defaults. Better yet, if you know a local geek, bribe them with a 6pack to set it up for you

I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. eat sushi, get smoochieTTK#1

[hookitt 1]

That's a good DSL router.802.11b would suffice but the price is right. If you wish to use multiple computers with wireless, additional network cards will be needed.

It's snap to configure. The CD that comes with it will tell you how or... write this down

Power on the router. connect it according to the Diagram.

Open an internet browser window.
Type in: 192.168.0.1

username: admin
Password: password

The wizard will appear, don't be frightened, he's there to help. Ok.. actually that's annoying so configure the router yourself.

Select yes to this question.

Does the isp require a logon? (not verbatum)
type in your username and password

pammi-n-merrick@earthlink.net
*******

click connect.

Poof, you're online.

No need to use the earthlink program.

For the wireless configuration, just read the directions. It's simple. Change the SSID and Set up wep, it's easy. The ssid is the name of the wireless network. The default is Netgear so change it. Turn off broadcasting as well. Just be sure to type in the exact name to both the router and the computer. Wep is wireless encryption protocol

If you run windows 98, I don't know how to set up wep so you're on your own, 2000 and xp, it's a piece of cake. PM me if ya need to.

Some local geek can help you out or if you read the instructions, it's actually quite easy.

Hope that helps.

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[hookitt 1]

ok.. I guess we agree

[lummy 4]

LOL... me thinks you're right :)


As a side note, for Win XP, you'll want to use it's built in wireless network functions. Put the wireless card in and install the driver from the CD. After restarting , a little bubble window should pop up saying "Wireless Networks available" click on thrat icon. If you don't see your network listed (and you shouldn't because you turned off broadcasting) click on advanced button which will lead you to another 2 window box. In the bottom box, click on ADD. This is where you'll put in your network name (SSID). click on the box that says "open" and change that to shared. Now unselect the box that says "this key will be provided for me automatically" the next two boxes will turn white and this is where you will type in your WEP key twice. click on OK.
I've had the best luck if you restart the laptop. That should be it.
(scary that I can type that from memory )

For 98/2000, you would typically use the software that comes with the wireless card. If it was a setup wizard, follow the instructions and type in the SSID and WEP when it asks for it. It MIGHT ask for what channel the netgear is using, I would try 6 first if you don't know.


OOOPS almost forgot, CHANGE THE ROUTER PASSWORD!!!! write THAT down with the SSID and WEP key

I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. eat sushi, get smoochieTTK#1

[Zenister 0]

ok since Pammi got all you wireless guru's spun up...

can anyone tell me why the Linksys2.4GHZ (802.11g) PCI card (WMP54GS) i just put in this machine..(overlocked 800Mhz P3 Win XP) (the lan cable was annoying the roommates) keeps disconnecting from the Airport wireless router(MAC) they have installed? i get good to excellent signal strength at 54mb and we've set up WEP and it seems to work well, but after about 10 min (in use or not) it drops the connection...its easy to reset, but this simply wont work for gaming at all....

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[hookitt 1]

Edit because I didn't read the question right:

Answered below as well.

Possible Driver issue, and since i'm not a gamer and don't overclock, I have no opinion on that.

I'm not familar with the MAC airport.

*stepping away from the keyboard*

[mattjw916 2]

Does this problem manifest itself when you are not overclocking your system?

Are your drivers up-to-date?

If you are just LAN-gaming why are you using WEP?

For home networks I often don't use WEP and take the extra time to lock the box down instead. But to each his own...

Personally I think the voltage differentials, additional heat, and slight alteration of the PCI bus timing frequencies are likely the source of the problem.

Good luck!

NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

[PhillyKev 0]

Quote

So it's safe to assume that Earthlink doesn't use some proprietary BS software then?

Absolutely. Here are the instructions.

Quote

Mindspring (Earthlink Mindspring)

General Setup
Host Name = Enter the User Name that you use to logon

Domain Name = Leave blank, the router will get this on its own.
ISP Parameters for Internet Access
Encapsulation = PPPoE

Service Type = Blank

User Name = Enter full email address (e.g. ELN/username@earthlink.net)

Password = your password you use to logon to service.

Idle timeout = 300 Seconds
WAN IP Address Assignment, DNS Server and WAN MAC Address
Wan IP Address Assignment = Get Automatically From ISP (Default)

DNS Server Address Assignment = Get Automatically From ISP (Default)

Wan Mac Address = Factory Default

Special Notes
You may also need to reinstall the logon software. This needs to be done on one of the PCs, preferably the one which was originally connected to the DSL/cable modem directly.

With some Mindspring installation, the web wizard does not save the username and password correctly. To ensure this information is entered correctly into the router, you can telnet into the router. To telnet click on the Start button and go to RUN. Then type: telnet 192.168.0.1 {enter}. Password is 1234 then hit enter. You now should be in the main menu. Now go to menu 4 Internet Access Setup by pressing 4 then enter. Hit enter until you get to My Login then delete your username and retype it, then delete you password or the * and retype your password. Then hit enter all the way down to the bottom of the screen and perform the internet setup test (type: Y {enter}). The last line should say Open. If so, you have correctly configured the router and should be able to connect to the internet.

And here they are for dozens of other isps.

http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n100472.asp

[lummy 4]

Mac Airports are Orinoco (Agere) products resold in a shnazzy case. Linksys is Cisco. Two very solid names in the wireless market

Are you picking up any other networks on your PC? I'd try changing the channels first to rule out interference and possibly picking up another network. Get the latest drivers for the card and check out Linksys and Agere's sites for similar problems.If you can reset the Airport, setup a straight open network and test the config. IF it works great, start adding the WEP and mac filtering til you find the culprit

I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. eat sushi, get smoochieTTK#1

[PhillyKev 0]

Are you connecting to a VPN? Lots of hot spots either block or intermittently interrupt vpn ports to keep people from using them as their business network.

[Zenister 0]

hmm thanks for the help... seems to have settled..the drivers were up to date, but the linksys 3rd party client didnt seem to have installed correctly..still configuring it thru XP but the client now shows in the tool bar and give the full statistics..

tis not my network to play with, or I'd probably set up authentication by MAC address, but its easier just to use WEP the way machines move around here...

VPN has worked on my laptop here before, but it is a pain and this is my gaming machine so i dont bother with it...

edit:hopefully its not an overclock issue...ive been running this one this way for nearly 2 years (with an extra heatsink/fan for that reason) and it hasnt hickuped yet, but she is getting a bit behind the times, even overclocked....

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[Pammi 0]

Quote

ok since Pammi got all you wireless guru's spun up...

No kidding! My eyes are crossing again as I read through all that Seriously, thanks for the help. I'll print out the thread and read thru it all as I work on setting it up. As a last resort, I'll find one of you geeks who lives near Raleigh to help me...I know anyone on a skydiving board will come over if beer is involved!

Pammi