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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Cannot connect linksys router

lynnzie27 - Dec 28, 2006 - 7:06 pm

I have just purchased a linksys wireless-G with speedbooster for my Macbook Pro and it won't connect wirelessly or wired. I tried troubleshooting but my Mac says I'm connected to the internet but the sites may be typed in wrong. I think that the Mac just wont recognize the signal. Any suggestions? Do I need to set up the router using a PC or can I secure the network using Mac? Thanks!!!!

earthsaver - Dec 28, 2006 - 8:25 pm

First, did you make sure all the cables are connected properly?

A couple things to try. One is to disable all but your Ethernet port in Network Port Configuration of the Network pane in System Preferences. Then try, to connect to the router. You might try doing a hard reset of the router first, just to make sure you have a clean slate. (Hold the reset button for at least 10 seconds.)

In terms of solidifying your Internet connection, I've often found that Linksys routers eventually decide that they don't want to maintain Mac connections unless I assign a manual IP address and DNS servers. The latter you'll have to get from your ISP (I can help you with this if you provide me the name).

To do this, create a new location in Network preferences and choose to configure IPv4 Manually. Enter an IP address for yourself (say, 192.168.1.5). The subnet mask that appears when you tab to that field is fine (255.255.255.0). And enter your router's IP address in that field (192.168.1.1). You'll enter the DNS Server addresses in the next box. Usually there are at least two, entered on separate lines. Click Apply Now and try to connect to the router or to a Web page.

- Ben

lynnzie27 - Jan 6, 2007 - 1:09 pm

Thanks for your help! My ISP is Charter Communications. I called them but they said the DNS information is automatically sent to the computer. If you could help I would really appreciate it. My location is in Roscoe, IL 61073 if you need that. Thank you

earthsaver - Jan 6, 2007 - 4:39 pm

Well, that's just an unacceptable answer. It's true that DNS info is retrieved automatically by your computer, but that doesn't prevent the user from trying to enter it manually. Try entering these two addresses in the DNS Servers box:
209.225.8.42
24.240.141.241

Enter the IP address, subnet mask, and router as i instructed before, click Apply Now, and let me know how it goes. You can find the above numbers in the Additional section when you use Network Utility to do a Lookup for Charter.net.

lynnzie27 - Jan 7, 2007 - 12:16 pm

Well...I followed the instructions but no luck Maybe I am still doing something wrong but I tried about 10 times. My computer works fine with the modem connected to the built in ethernet, but when I connect my modem to the router and plug the router into the ethernet port, I cant get the connection. I followed your instructions for both the built in and airport but again, my computer says that the connection seems to be working properly but that the address I typed may be wrong.
Do you think that if I ran the linksys start up CD on a PC and followed those instructions that it might somehow help to improve my connection? Any other suggestions would be great!

earthsaver - Jan 7, 2007 - 12:27 pm

Did you powercycle (turn off/on) your modem after you connected it to the router? Some ISPs won't restore a connection when the local network setup changes until you reset the modem.

Does the connection also not work wirelessly? In Network preferences, under Network Port Configuration, what is the order of the ports? Best practice is to have Ethernet first and AirPort not first, as the former is faster and will only be used if it's available.

(I've never had a problem setting up a Linksys router manually and the setup assistant confuses me. I don't know if that would help.)

lynnzie27 - Jan 7, 2007 - 1:28 pm

Got it! Thank you so much for your help and quick response. I cant say enough how helpful you are

earthsaver - Jan 7, 2007 - 1:47 pm

Yay! Glad the simple solution worked. Now, of course, you can try returning to your Automatic network location and see if it still works. And you'll know that you can switch to the manually configured one if it doesn't, now or later. (Thanks, Mom, for having similar troubles over the years with RCN. That's what brought the powercycle tip to consciousness today.)