Hi, my problem concerns trying to access my new SBC DSL service in a wireless mode from my IBM Thinkpad with Windows 2000 and a Linksys model G wireless adapter card. I set up the DSL service on my primary desktop computer, a Mac G-4 a week ago using the home installation kit from SBC, which includes their own modem/router. The installation went smoothly, and I'm operating with no problems on the Mac. However, when I tried to run the CD start-up program on my IBM as directed, halfway through the process it tells me that I'm not connected to the network. I've tried over and over with no results. The card is working properly, and in fact recognizes about six other networks in close proximity (I live in a high-density area.)
First I called SBC. I was told that because I didn't buy SBC's own brand of wireless card, they couldn't vouch for the possibility of my accessing the network. I was also told to direct my question to Linksys. Also, the quite unhelpful technician told me that SBC instructions are set up primarily for Windows XP users, and he wasn't sure he could help somebody with Windoes 2000 anyway.
I called Linksys, and that person told me that my problem is that I didn't buy a Linksys router, and that until I had a router there was no solution to the problem.
I just keep getting the run around no matter who I call. It would seem that the problem comes down to adjusting the settings on my Linsys card (I think). I finall was told in another call to Linksys that the SSID should be the word wireless followed by the last three digits of the serial number of my modem/router. I've entered this in the card program, but it's also asking me for a password and a WEP key in hexadecimal format. When I try entering the password, a number/letter sequence has sometimes appeared automatically in the WEP window. I'm told that the WEP is something that's encrypted in my modem. Another SBC person said it would be the number printed in brackets under the serial number on my modem, but that doesn't appear to be it--that is simply a sequence of ten numbers. I take it that the WEP should be a longer sequence of both letters and numbers.
I'm sorry that this message is so long, but I can't seem to get any really basic information from anyone. I need to know exactly what information is necessary to program the card to recognize the network, and where I might find that information. Terms like SSID and WEP are unfamiliar to me, and they are not defined in any of the support material I've received for installation.
Thank you for your advice.
First I called SBC. I was told that because I didn't buy SBC's own brand of wireless card, they couldn't vouch for the possibility of my accessing the network. I was also told to direct my question to Linksys. Also, the quite unhelpful technician told me that SBC instructions are set up primarily for Windows XP users, and he wasn't sure he could help somebody with Windoes 2000 anyway.
I called Linksys, and that person told me that my problem is that I didn't buy a Linksys router, and that until I had a router there was no solution to the problem.
I just keep getting the run around no matter who I call. It would seem that the problem comes down to adjusting the settings on my Linsys card (I think). I finall was told in another call to Linksys that the SSID should be the word wireless followed by the last three digits of the serial number of my modem/router. I've entered this in the card program, but it's also asking me for a password and a WEP key in hexadecimal format. When I try entering the password, a number/letter sequence has sometimes appeared automatically in the WEP window. I'm told that the WEP is something that's encrypted in my modem. Another SBC person said it would be the number printed in brackets under the serial number on my modem, but that doesn't appear to be it--that is simply a sequence of ten numbers. I take it that the WEP should be a longer sequence of both letters and numbers.
I'm sorry that this message is so long, but I can't seem to get any really basic information from anyone. I need to know exactly what information is necessary to program the card to recognize the network, and where I might find that information. Terms like SSID and WEP are unfamiliar to me, and they are not defined in any of the support material I've received for installation.
Thank you for your advice.