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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Problem with wireless connection

septugenarian - Jan 12, 2007 - 11:56 pm

I have a Linksys Wireless B router (802.11b), firmware upgraded.

I also have an iMac and an iBook.

We also have a PC in the house.

I can connect the iMac to the router using an ethernet cable. However, with this set-up I cannot get a wireless connection for either the PC or the iBook.

If, at the same time I try to connect the PC or iBook to the router using another ethernet cable it doesn't work.

I've also tried connecting the PC and/or the iBook to the modem (we have a modem AND wireless router) by ethernet cable when the iMac is connected to the router by the ethernet cable, and that doesn't work either.

I can connect the router to the PC using the ethernet cable in which case the wireless connection to the iBook actually works OK.

Any help/advice'd be much appreciated.

Stephen

Cheryl - Jan 14, 2007 - 7:32 am

Stephen,

First, when you installed the router, did you set it up to allow several computers? Did you turn on the wireless option and note the WEP key? Do you have the computers set correctly for a wireless connection?

Your Linksys router should have come with a manual that explains the settings. Some models have a firewall that may need tweaking. Just point your browser to:
192.168.1.1 enter your user name and password (if you did not change this at setup, then it is the default of user name is blank and admin is the password in lower case).

You need to check the wireless settings. Rather than retype all the instructions here, Linksys has a web page that you should refer to for instructions.

http://linksys.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/...i=&p_topview=1

If these instructions are confusing to you, let me know and I will help to make them understandable. I do need to know the exact model number of your Linksys router. Also - do you have a cable or DSL modem? What is the model name and number of your modem?

Cheryl

septugenarian - Jan 15, 2007 - 9:16 am

First off, thanks for your swift reply. Secondly, for some reason I can't even get into the router settings - even after having cleared Safari's history, cookies and cache and restarting the modem and router.

The model number of the router is BEFW11S4 (v. 4).

Cheryl - Jan 15, 2007 - 10:38 am

Stephen,

Until you have the wireless set up correctly on the router, you will need to connect to the router using an ethernet cable and connecting direct from the computer to the router. Make sure you have your outside internet connection (cable or DSL) connected to the modem. Then connect the modem to the router using an ethernet cable. Make sure the cable is CAT 5 (or the newer ones which are CAT 6).

What ISP are you using and do you have a Cable or DSL modem? Are you set up for PPoE or DHCP connection in the Network pane on your Mac computers?

I'll be able to give you more precise instructions with the answers to those questions.

Cheryl

septugenarian - Jan 16, 2007 - 4:12 am

We currently have precisely that setup - with the iMac connected to the router via an ethernet cable. The router itself is connected, via another ethernet cable, to the modem.

In the Network settings on the iMac, it is configured for PPoE.

We're running on 3Mb/sec cable.

Cheryl - Jan 16, 2007 - 10:33 pm

Stephen,

I found step by step instructions on the Linksys web site.

http://linksys.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/...i=&p_topview=1

You want to start with step four on that web page.

Once you have that set up, go to the Wireless section of the router's set up page. You have to make sure wireless is enabled, using channel 6. Now click on WEP key setting. Follow the prompts to generate a WEP key. You must write this down, or copy and paste it to a blank email or word processor page. You need this to enter in on the wireless computers. The key is for security purposes so no one else can use your internet connection.

There are step by step instructions on this web page:

http://linksys.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/...i=&p_topview=1

I give you these web pages because they have snap shots of the pages you are working on in setup.

Remember that when you do any changes to the router's setup pages, to click on Apply for the changes to take place before you move on to another section of the setup.

If your wireless computers still do not connect, double check the settings on the wireless panel of the computer. Your wireless cards should work smoothly with the Linksys router.

Keep me posted on how you do and let me know if you have any questions about the setup.

Cheryl

septugenarian - Jan 17, 2007 - 1:52 am

Alas, I still can't get into the router settings - even after having restarted the iMac, the router (as well as pressing the reset button) and the modem.

Cheryl - Jan 17, 2007 - 7:13 am

Stephen,

Try connecting the PC directly to the router and the router to the modem alone. That is - disconnect the iMac and iBook from the internet connection. You can do this by shutting down the computers, or just unplug the ethernet cables.

Now try getting to the router setup page -- 192.168.1.1 from the browser on the PC.

Does that connect and allow you to log in?

What is the modem of your modem and what is the name of your ISP? There could be a setting that is important between the two that needs to be addressed first.

How did you connect to the internet before you got the router?

Cheryl