Linksys router connection problems

[Tefler]

Having got advice from various people on here (The Prof, Ethel, etc), I bit the bullet and bought myself a Linksys router (ADSL Gateway with SpeedBooster, Wireless-G) and a Linksys Wireless-G USP Network Adapter (with SpeedBooster).

I've followed the instructions to the letter (I think!), but don't seem to be getting anywhere. I've connected the ethernet cable to the computer through the network adaptor connector (is that the right thing to do?) and the router, but the router doesn't seem to recognise my PC. (One of the 'computer connected' lights should come on and it doesn't).

The instructions do say to refer to the Ethernet adapter's user guide if the PCs Ehternet adapter is not set up - but I don't know how to do this!

Does anybody have any idea what I might have done wrong/not have done? Feel welcome to mention even the most basic things, as I'm not brilliant with these machines (but I'm learning!) Thanks in advance.

[TEAK36]

Hi Tefler,I had loads of problems setting my wireless connection up, and in he end I ignored the insructions and got some excellent advice from various AnswerBank users.Im no expert, and I dont know if this will be of any help to you,but this is how my wireless conection is set up.If your PC already has built in wireless technology,then you do not need the wireless adaptor.

I have my NTL cable connected to my modem.My modem is then connected via ethernet to my wireless router.If I remember correctly, this gave me an unsecured connection to the internet.I then had to secure my connection, and this was a little more complicated, but I recall connecting my router to my laptop and typing in an ip address into my browser, which then gave me access to the routers settings, and I was then ables to name and secure my connection.I had to make sure that the name I gave to my wireless connection, and the security code (I used WEP) were identical.

[Ethel]

Have you looked at this site

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_C ontent_C1&childpagename=US%2FLayout&ci d=1114037290855&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon% 2FVisitorWrapper

[Tefler]

Thanks, Teak and Ethel.

Ethel, I've just been to the site you suggested and got the response 'your computer does not meet minimum requirements'. Unfortunately, it didn't say what I was missing. The computer is a Dell Dimension, bought about this time last year. Surely it should have everything I need? If not, do you have any ideas what it might be that needs installing?

[wideboy]

Which model of Dell Dimension is it? Have you checked in your device manager (right-click My Computer and choose Properties or go through Control Panel and System) that there is a Network Card available (even if there is a socket on the computer his doesn't necessarily mean it has a Network card!). There may be on-board Network capability which would need enabling through the Bios.

Just a thought, seeing as how the light doesn't come on.

[Ethel]

My guess now is that you don't have the wi-fi card - the bit inside your computer that picks up the signal, as wideboy says.

If this is the case it can be easily fixed for a few more pounds.

[Ralph]

Hang on there Ethel! We'll look for a wired ethernet port before we worry about the wireless.

Telfer, if you do as wideboy suggested and have a look in device manager for a network adaptor. The quickest way to get there is to right-click on the My Computer icon on the desktiop and choose Manage. Click on Device Manager in the left hand side, then click on the + beside Network Adaptor. There should be something there like Ethernet NIC or Gigabit or 10/100. If it's there, then we need to worry about something else. If it has a red or yellow mark next to it, it may need a driver reinstalling. If there's nothing there (1394 doesn't count, that's firewire) then you need to make sure that you actually have a network card in your computer. It looks like in the first photo here.

If it's physically there but doesn't appear in Device Manager, then it will need to be enabled in the BIOS as wideboy said.

Let us know whether or not you've got a working ethernet port, then we'll go from there.

[Ralph]

PS, just a quickie, make sure you've plugged the computer into one of the ports on the router named 1-4, not the one marked Internet. In fact, on my Linksys wireless G router, I had to avoid the Internet port completely (even for the modem) to get it to work.

[Tefler]

Thanks for your time, Wideboy, Ethel and Ralph. I'm really grateful!

I've followed Ralph's instructions and under Network Adaptors, have found the Speedtouch one that I usually use. There's also something called Broadcom 440x 10/100 intergrated controller. It's got a red cross over it - would this be what we're looking for?

The computer has a socket at the back that the ethernet cable fits into and which looks like the picture. The Dell manual calls it a 'network adaptor connector'. As for what type of Dell Dimension it is - I can't remember and can't find anything on the thing to tell me!

I have installed a Linksys Wireless G network adaptor (via a USB port) shouldn't that have done the trick?

[wideboy]

Tefler, yes the one with the red cross is what you need. I would delete it (!) then shut Restart and let Windows find it again. I would have thought that the USB wireless would have worked. Have you typed in an address to link to the router - something like http://192.168.1,0 (from the manual)?

[wideboy]

Tefler, if it's integrated and the previous attempts don't work, then it probably needs for you to go into the BIOS to activate the on-board Network controller. Here are some links to Dell Support:-

Diagnostic

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/type.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=DIM_PNT_P4_CEL_2400&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=3597

Installation Guide

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/network/P42509/en/BACS.htm

Troubleshooting Guide

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/network/P42509/en/trouble.htm

[dodgyshirt]

Have you bought a Modem/router or just a router. If the latter, do you have a modem installed within the system?

[Quizmonster]

Good thought, Dodgy - yes, it's a modem/router.

After the advice from all of you kind people (thanks for taking the time to help me, it was really useful), it occurred to me that I might be better trying to configure the router using my wireless-enabled router, which I knew had an ethernet adaptor. That seems to have worked, but now I have a further problem. As it is a new problem, I'm going to start a new thread.

Thanks again, Wideboy, Ethel, Teak, Dodgyshirt and Ralph.

[Tefler]

Another 'senior moment'? Needless to say, that wasn't Quizmonster's response, but mine! This signing in and out on Answerbank when using the same computer sometimes just seems beyond me!