I got it all set up, but one) my desktop connection refused to work at all, and two) while my laptop *said* it was working - and that the signal was excellent - my browser came up completely blank. And the wizard cd kept freezing my screen during the last steps, so I kinda didn't finish it, so I don't know if it was supposed to put some sort of software on my laptop or something. GAH!
Unfortunately, I'm at work, so it's not in front of me right this moment, but any advice will be met with HUGS AND KISSES!
Oh, the one I had...and a right arse to set up - it took me at least three attempts to get mine working how I wanted. The guide they give you, or at least the one I had, was frightfully basic, and gave you no help whatsoever. Try HERE (http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1149562300349&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper) - the PDF one is a hell of a lot more info packed. Linksys also have an online support section for routers called 'Easy Connect (http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Content_C1&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1114037290855&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper)' - plus a raft of other useful features - like a forum.
If I recall, contary to the CD-ROM instructions, it's better to shut the whole system, including your modem, down and make the connections. Then power it up and run the setup. I did mine on a cable connection as DHCP - (A)DSL connections are different.
On the issue of the laptop, while your wireless device will detect signal, if you haven't input the security details, such as your WEP key into its settings, the connection won't work.
The CD does a lot of other stuff your router needs to work - and it should be allowed to do this. You can just ignore all the crap that comes at the beginning about removing your modem wire from the PC and plugging it into the router.
You should do this with the PC that was originally connected to the broadband, so your desktop. You need this stuff so that you can make changes to the router's firmware - though once it's set up and working, you don't need your desktop to be permanently connected to the router. When I used one of these routers it was to connect a second desktop in the house to my internet connection - it was just that it was at the other end of the house - and the connection worked just fine once I disconnected my PC from it when I moved out. It should also work fine with the desktop turned off once set up. It's not really so much of an installation in the conventional sense - the disk helps you to change the router's settings so that it works.
WEP is a type of security key. If you don't secure your router, you will quickly find you have people outside your house in cars with their laptops using your bandwidth for all kinds of unsavoury stuff. There's nothing that says you have to secure it, however, if you don't fancy visits from the friendly local 5-0 asking about child porn and other dodgy dealings, I'd recommend you do.
Once you have set this up in the router, there should be software for your laptop's wireless card that allows you to enter the name of your router and the key into it.
Okay, so I *did* try it on my desktop at one point, and it got to the part where it asked me for a password, and I couldn't figure out where to get that from, so I gave up.
Basically, I should start again, right? With the cd in my desktop, and then I should be okay?
Yep...that should do it. If you want the router's default password, the user is blank and the pass is 'admin'. You should change this once you've set it up, to something you can remember - because it's a right pain if you forget it.
thank you for putting up with me! you've been a HUGE help, and I'm going to try all this once I get home, and pray to the sweet baby jesus it works, so I'll be back online in time for stargate :)
Try here (http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirelesssetup.mspx), here (http://reviews.ebay.com/Wireless-networking-with-Linksys-products-on-DSL_W0QQugidZ10000000000919188?ssPageName=BUYGD:CAT:-1:LISTINGS:5) and here (http://www.practicallynetworked.com/support/troubleshoot_wireless.htm) for help :)
also if you feel around the back there is a handy little restart button. if you have trouble once it is started push that. lights flash (some are red) and then things go back to green. the three most important lights that you want on are: power, WAN Link, Link. my Act light tends to flash but the internet works fine. good luck
I did try that, and it didn't do much of anything *sigh*. I suspect my security stuff isn't set up right on the laptop, but I have NO CLUE why my desktop isn't working. The worst part is taht when I'm actually at home setting it up, I have no way to go online for help!
I had MAJOR issues setting up my linksys thingie, and I still don't think I hvae it encrypted. Argh. (And also ironic, seeing as I spent the first two weeks in my new place stealing internet until my furniture arrived.)
What finally worked for me was unplugging everything, then plugging the cable wire into the cable modem, then the modem into the router, then I think the router into my computer to finish the setup. Now it works, but I have no idea why.
You are not alone, little skooziepants! It was HARD. It took me about three nights of fucking around with it, a week of pouting and buying a really long network cable in a fit of pique, and then another couple of days fussing because I *had* to have wireless so I could chat while watching SGA. You dig? Hang in there, somehow miraculously it all comes together.
I was really hoping to have it all set up for SGA tonight! This is so disappointing. At this point, I'd take the "works but no clue why" route, because at least I'd be online!
I think I'm going to try uplugging everything, like you said, and starting over. *crosses fingers*
When I set mine up (desktop plugged directly into the router & second desktop with wireless card) I followed their meagre instructions to the letter and it didn't work for two days. I just kept restarting both machines and the router until everything synched up.
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skoosiepants
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(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 12:59 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 01:13 pm (UTC)I got it all set up, but one) my desktop connection refused to work at all, and two) while my laptop *said* it was working - and that the signal was excellent - my browser came up completely blank. And the wizard cd kept freezing my screen during the last steps, so I kinda didn't finish it, so I don't know if it was supposed to put some sort of software on my laptop or something. GAH!
Unfortunately, I'm at work, so it's not in front of me right this moment, but any advice will be met with HUGS AND KISSES!
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 01:35 pm (UTC)If I recall, contary to the CD-ROM instructions, it's better to shut the whole system, including your modem, down and make the connections. Then power it up and run the setup. I did mine on a cable connection as DHCP - (A)DSL connections are different.
On the issue of the laptop, while your wireless device will detect signal, if you haven't input the security details, such as your WEP key into its settings, the connection won't work.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 01:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 01:55 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 02:24 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 05:26 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 01:55 pm (UTC)Omg, what's a WEP key? Do I have to find it somewhere? *is so hopeless*
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 02:08 pm (UTC)You should do this with the PC that was originally connected to the broadband, so your desktop. You need this stuff so that you can make changes to the router's firmware - though once it's set up and working, you don't need your desktop to be permanently connected to the router. When I used one of these routers it was to connect a second desktop in the house to my internet connection - it was just that it was at the other end of the house - and the connection worked just fine once I disconnected my PC from it when I moved out. It should also work fine with the desktop turned off once set up. It's not really so much of an installation in the conventional sense - the disk helps you to change the router's settings so that it works.
WEP is a type of security key. If you don't secure your router, you will quickly find you have people outside your house in cars with their laptops using your bandwidth for all kinds of unsavoury stuff. There's nothing that says you have to secure it, however, if you don't fancy visits from the friendly local 5-0 asking about child porn and other dodgy dealings, I'd recommend you do.
Once you have set this up in the router, there should be software for your laptop's wireless card that allows you to enter the name of your router and the key into it.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 02:17 pm (UTC)Basically, I should start again, right? With the cd in my desktop, and then I should be okay?
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 02:31 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 05:28 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 01:09 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 01:10 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 01:11 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 01:17 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 01:56 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 01:41 pm (UTC)What finally worked for me was unplugging everything, then plugging the cable wire into the cable modem, then the modem into the router, then I think the router into my computer to finish the setup. Now it works, but I have no idea why.
You are not alone, little skooziepants! It was HARD. It took me about three nights of fucking around with it, a week of pouting and buying a really long network cable in a fit of pique, and then another couple of days fussing because I *had* to have wireless so I could chat while watching SGA. You dig? Hang in there, somehow miraculously it all comes together.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 01:58 pm (UTC)I think I'm going to try uplugging everything, like you said, and starting over. *crosses fingers*
(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 01:52 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 01:59 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-08-04 02:43 pm (UTC)