Setting up a wireless network

[annemayer]

I have bought my daughter a laptop for Christmas and have a wireless router currently. But my set up is all weird and a mess - I know nothing about computers,all of this was done by someone else. Basically,the desktop is connected to a modem,done by Metrocast. Then,the direct tv guy came out and suggested a wireless router so one of the DVR's could pick up internet access. But when he did the connection,he never connected the desk top. Now,I have a laptop and a wireless printer to get functioning. I need someone to suggest who I can hire to get this stuff taken care of,or walk me through it. Yes,I am a dumbass - I can't do it myself.

 

[Floyd2004]

192.168.1.1
Type that into your address bar and it should take you into your router. From there you can setup what your wireless network is called (SSID) and setup a password. Normally people use WPA2 because its the most secure home password setup.
From there its as simple as searching for the wireless on the laptop and typing in the password that you choose.

Good luck and remember there is a whole WORLD of info out there on how to setup wireless networks. Heck even the user manual for the router should tell you how to set it up.
I know its America and no one reads those things but cmon give it a try

 

[BOP]

I have bought my daughter a laptop for Christmas and have a wireless router currently. But my set up is all weird and a mess - I know nothing about computers,all of this was done by someone else. Basically,the desktop is connected to a modem,done by Metrocast. Then,the direct tv guy came out and suggested a wireless router so one of the DVR's could pick up internet access. But when he did the connection,he never connected the desk top. Now,I have a laptop and a wireless printer to get functioning. I need someone to suggest who I can hire to get this stuff taken care of,or walk me through it. Yes,I am a dumbass - I can't do it myself.

Wire your desktop into the router. That's the simplest thing to do right now. It is possible to run the whole thing entirely wireless, but again, it's simpler to just run a cable from the desktop to the router.

You should have a wire going from the router to the modem. Follow the directions that came with your router. If you need help, here's a place to start:

4 steps to set up your home wireless network

 

[annemayer]

Yes! Thank you...I considered hiring geek squad to come out,but it seemed like too simple of an issue to pay so much for,when I just needed a bit of advice. I just want to be sure this is up and running so when she opens it on Christmas,it isn't useless because we don't know what to do. The only problem I am still having is there is a button on the front of the router that says WPS. In the manual it makes it sound like all you do is press the button,and it will recognize the device. But I am getting a message saying it is essentially locked,and to enter the password. I do that,to no avail.

 

[TurboK9]

Yes! Thank you...I considered hiring geek squad to come out,but it seemed like too simple of an issue to pay so much for,when I just needed a bit of advice. I just want to be sure this is up and running so when she opens it on Christmas,it isn't useless because we don't know what to do. The only problem I am still having is there is a button on the front of the router that says WPS. In the manual it makes it sound like all you do is press the button,and it will recognize the device. But I am getting a message saying it is essentially locked,and to enter the password. I do that,to no avail.

That button will allow you to automatically set up security, but the laptop has to be capable too. If it doesn't have a 'button', it won't work. Easy enough to do manually anyway.

If it is a Cisco (or Linksys), do as BOP and Floyd said, wire your laptop to it first.

Go to 192.168.1.1 in Internet Explorer, you should get a screen from the router. When it asks for username and password put in "admin" for both, that is the usual default user / password. If that doesn't get you in post the model # for the router.

If you get in OK, let us know and there are enough of us here that know we can help you.

You did get the router new right? If it is used or a 'hand-me-down' you may need to reset it to get into it.

 

[GopherM]

That button will allow you to automatically set up security, but the laptop has to be capable too. If it doesn't have a 'button', it won't work. Easy enough to do manually anyway.

If it is a Cisco (or Linksys), do as BOP and Floyd said, wire your laptop to it first.

Go to 192.168.1.1 in Internet Explorer, you should get a screen from the router. When it asks for username and password put in "admin" for both, that is the usual default user / password. If that doesn't get you in post the model # for the router.

If you get in OK, let us know and there are enough of us here that know we can help you.

You did get the router new right? If it is used or a 'hand-me-down' you may need to reset it to get into it.

You might also try using admin for the user name and password for the password. I have two routers (Netgear and Westell) that used that configuration.

 

[BlackKnight]

Don't hire geek squad, they will charge you an arm and a leg to come out and try to fix it! If the suggestions for your router password don't work, google the router name and model # along with 'default credentials' and that should tell you what the username and password is if its not what has been mentioned above.

Definately just plug your desktop into the router, and if you want help setting up the wireless security, any of us would gladly help!

 

[SJSWING]

Yes! Thank you...I considered hiring geek squad to come out,but it seemed like too simple of an issue to pay so much for,when I just needed a bit of advice. I just want to be sure this is up and running so when she opens it on Christmas,it isn't useless because we don't know what to do. The only problem I am still having is there is a button on the front of the router that says WPS. In the manual it makes it sound like all you do is press the button,and it will recognize the device. But I am getting a message saying it is essentially locked,and to enter the password. I do that,to no avail.

If you are still having problems getting everything set up, depending on where you live, I would be willing to come by and take a look. Check your PM's for information.

 

[annemayer]

That button will allow you to automatically set up security, but the laptop has to be capable too. If it doesn't have a 'button', it won't work. Easy enough to do manually anyway.

If it is a Cisco (or Linksys), do as BOP and Floyd said, wire your laptop to it first.

Go to 192.168.1.1 in Internet Explorer, you should get a screen from the router. When it asks for username and password put in "admin" for both, that is the usual default user / password. If that doesn't get you in post the model # for the router.

If you get in OK, let us know and there are enough of us here that know we can help you.

You did get the router new right? If it is used or a 'hand-me-down' you may need to reset it to get into it.

I got the router new,it is a Belkin Surf. Going to be working on it today and I'll let you all know how it went.

 

[TurboK9]

I got the router new,it is a Belkin Surf. Going to be working on it today and I'll let you all know how it went.

Just in case, on that router the username and password are both blank from the factory.

 

[BOP]

That button will allow you to automatically set up security, but the laptop has to be capable too. If it doesn't have a 'button', it won't work. Easy enough to do manually anyway.

If it is a Cisco (or Linksys), do as BOP and Floyd said, wire your laptop to it first.

Go to 192.168.1.1 in Internet Explorer, you should get a screen from the router. When it asks for username and password put in "admin" for both, that is the usual default user / password. If that doesn't get you in post the model # for the router.

If you get in OK, let us know and there are enough of us here that know we can help you.

You did get the router new right? If it is used or a 'hand-me-down' you may need to reset it to get into it.

My netgear router is 192.168.2.1.

Having said that, I let it set itself up...probably the easiest one I've ever done. It automatically set the security and everything. My Belkin was just a pain in the arse.

 

[TurboK9]

My netgear router is 192.168.2.1.

Having said that, I let it set itself up...probably the easiest one I've ever done. It automatically set the security and everything. My Belkin was just a pain in the arse.

I prefer the Cisco, because I flash the firmware with DD-WRT so I can set them up in bridge mode (I have multiple routers) for better home coverage and much awesomer wireless speeds.

 

[annemayer]

I prefer the Cisco, because I flash the firmware with DD-WRT so I can set them up in bridge mode (I have multiple routers) for better home coverage and much awesomer wireless speeds.

Flashing the firmware means something entirely different in my mind. That aside,I saved the box and receipt. It sounds like the Belkin is a pain. I bought it thinking it was what I needed,even though I felt it was rather expensive - 60.00. Basically,in a one level house,which isn't huge,with no neighbors at all for about a 1/2 mile-so no one trying to use this but us,and one desktop,the laptop,and a wireless printer,was buying this particular one overkill? I wasn't sure what to get and just grabbed what looked good. Plus,when I flipped over th boxes,this was the only one that said it works with a wireless printer,so I figured I had to get this one.

 

[TurboK9]

Flashing the firmware means something entirely different in my mind. That aside,I saved the box and receipt. It sounds like the Belkin is a pain. I bought it thinking it was what I needed,even though I felt it was rather expensive - 60.00. Basically,in a one level house,which isn't huge,with no neighbors at all for about a 1/2 mile-so no one trying to use this but us,and one desktop,the laptop,and a wireless printer,was buying this particular one overkill? I wasn't sure what to get and just grabbed what looked good. Plus,when I flipped over th boxes,this was the only one that said it works with a wireless printer,so I figured I had to get this one.

They should all work with wireless printers... That one just happens to make it a selling point.

Both Netgear and Cisco are better. If you aren't worried about getting max speeds (if you aren't gaming or downloading movies and big software and crunched for time) I would get a 'last gen' speed wise... No need for the latest / greates, really.

Netgear tends to be a more intuitive setup, and the Cisco/Linksys tend to be a little more powerful and reliable... you may want to go netgear?

Bestbuy has several netgear Wireless N in the 45-80 price range, they should do you fine.

 

[BOP]

I prefer the Cisco, because I flash the firmware with DD-WRT so I can set them up in bridge mode (I have multiple routers) for better home coverage and much awesomer wireless speeds.

never had much luck setting up bridge mode with Belkin. Generally what happened was I would get a pair of computers on the network, but then add a third, and one of the other ones would drop off.

I've got 4 computers, 2 printers, a Wii and an xbox all linked, with Mrs BOP's desktop wired in, so I'm a happy boy.

 

[TurboK9]

never had much luck setting up bridge mode with Belkin. Generally what happened was I would get a pair of computers on the network, but then add a third, and one of the other ones would drop off.

I've got 4 computers, 2 printers, a Wii and an xbox all linked, with Mrs BOP's desktop wired in, so I'm a happy boy.

I've got a home theater PC (for the drive storage mainly), WiFi Home theater, 360, PS3, 2 lappytops, Wii, plus when friends come over or I bring work home... 3 Linksys/Cisco wrtg 54's w/ DD-WRT - one is acting as the router and the other 2 are bridging... it's nice. I originally set it up that way so I wouldn't have to buy a wireless adapter for the 360, and so the PS3 and Wii would get better speed... now I have the new 360 w/ the built in wireless though, but it is much faster if you cable into the bridge routers and let them do the wifi...