[JohnWill]

If you aren't going to try the tests we're suggesting, what's the point. I have no idea how your friend comes up with the "fact" that you need a wireless card! If you can't afford a $5 cable, how are you ever going to pay for this wireless card that you quite likely don't need?

I suggest you let your "friends" solve this since you seem inclined to listen to them more than people that have been doing network support for years!

[TerryNet]

One way to fix things is to buy new stuff until the problem goes away. Another technique is to try to determine the cause of the problem, or at least isolate it to a small area.

Since this is "tech support" and not the "home shopping channel" you might guess that we favor the latter technique.

Have you tried an ethernet connection to determine whether you have a wireless only problem or something more general?

Have you tried connecting with encryption disabled to see if your problem is the common one of encryption key mismatch?

[joybri93]

hey i can afford a cable
but im 15 how am i gonna get it? i can't drive and my moms not gonna take me to the store for one I'm gonna see if we have one because my sister said that we probable do and i'm gonna see if the internet works
and my friends were just trying to help and I know that you are too but I don't know how to do the things your telling me to do I wanted to know about the wireless card cuz I don't know what they are and I thought you could tell me if it would fix the problem if nothing else works!!!

terry, could you tell me how to disable encryption? I don't know what that is or how to disable it =]

thank you again for the help!!

[TerryNet]

You may need your sister's help with the encryption.

You use a computer that is connected to the router by ethernet cable; login, find the wireless section, and set the encryption (maybe called security) to none or off or disabled.

Then if you can connect your computer by wireless you re-enable the encryption and try to reconnect your computer. If it fails again with encryption, tell us what kind of encryption (WEP or WPA) and, if WEP, whether the key is HEXadecimal or an ascii passcode.

Details on the router address, login, etc., are in the user manual, which should be on a CD that came with the router and available on the manufacturer's web site.

Isn't networking fun?

[joybri93]

no it's not fun lol not for me too confusing
I'll work on this today when my sister gets home from work so I can see her laptop thank you again

[ranjinitripati]

before getting wireless card connect router and pc through the Ethernet cable and try

[JohnWill]

Originally Posted by ranjinitripati

before getting wireless card connect router and pc through the Ethernet cable and try

Suggested and apparently rejected way up in the thread.

[Jbirk]

What do you mean, "How do I get a cable?" I do not know how 15 year olds get anything being they cannot drive... beg, borrow, ask your parents for a cable? I don't know but you do! I mean, somehow you manipulated someone to get you a computer this way didn't you?

joubri93, TerryNet was using verbal iroy to describe the pain of finding the manual as in RTM (Read The Manual). We have ALL been in similar situations and empathize with you; that is all he is saying.

The manual describes how to get into the Web Interface, which is why you should find it.

If you look at your IPCONFIG readout on the first page, the Default Gateway will be the IP address you put into the address field of your web browser. From there, if you tell us what Wireless Access Point you have, we can probably lookup the default username/password for you; since, we know you kept the manual (more sarcasm).

[joybri93]

okay I connected with a cable and the internet works infact I'm on it right now what should I do to get wireless now? I'm confused with EVERYONE telling me what to do! not that I'm not greatful that your helping me =] thank you!!

[joybri93]

okay there's a different thing for when I want to connect to wireless when i'm connected with a cable would it help you guys if I give you all the options/choices I have????

[TerryNet]

Now that we know that this is a wireless problem only, disable encryption on the router (see post # 19) and try to connect that way. If successful you can probably re-enable encryption and reconnect.

[joybri93]

so you want me to put under "data encryption" NONE?
okay that didn't work...

I have a choice between "Infrustructure- connect to an access point" or "Ad hoc- connect directly to other computers"
which should I do??

[Jbirk]

You want to disable the encryption on the device itself not within Windows. For what you pulled up, you should set "Infrastructure"

You were "Media State Disconnected," last time you ran IPCONFIG /ALL

If you could run that again, it would be great.

Regardless, what you want to do is refer to your manual that came with your WRT54G2 V1 and login to it through the web interface and manage the encryption through there.

The book will have the IP address of the device as well as the username/password; though, you have provided us enough information to make an educated guess.


If you do IPCONFIG

Then find the IP Address Next to "Default Gateway," it should be the management IP of the device, too.

For instance:

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

If that is the case, put "http://192.168.1.1" into your web browser as a URL (without the quotes)

You will be prompted for a Username/Password, which would require a lot of digging or the manual to be certain; however, almost all Linksys devices have a blank username and the password is typically "admin" (no quotes), but this is not a rule only a common practice.

Now that you are only 15, I am going to do a lilttle bit of research for you to deomonstrate the importance of research (and keeping manuals).

I did a Google Search for Linksys
I Clicked on Support
I Selected your Model Number
I Put in Version 1 (V1)

Then I found your firmware and an owners manual.

Drumroll:
http://downloads.linksysbycisco.com/...UG_C%20web.pdf

Read that.. It will totally walk you through configureing your device :-)

You will also learn a great deal about hom/home-office networking. If you read it and have any questions, we are here to help. You can also search the Internet and will find a lot about any network Topic. For instance, say you are interested in QoS... an Internet search will tell you all about Quality of Service...

There is also a "XP, Vista Setup Wizard" Ver.4.9.9020, but it is huge at 104 MB and should be un-necceary; since, WiFi is generally very easy to configure, but it is there for you if you would like to try it.


There is probably also a support number on the box, on your manual, or in that PDF manual I attached. If not, you can probably find the Contact info online by doing a little research. Regardless, if the device is new enough, you should have technical support. These people sit around all day (and night) just waiting for their phone to ring, so they can help you setup your router. They typically do not have the same level of experience many of us do in Networking; however, they know their individual products very well and have a lot of practice working through the common problems people experience. You can give them a call with your Serial Number ready.