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General discussion

Desktop/Notebook wireless connection help... maxed out below

Jan 6, 2005 12:38PM PST

Okay, I am back on the desktop. Wow, this is getting to be more than I can handle! I think what happened is I was reading the network adapter guide and thought it would be great to share the printer and files.... so I made the suggested changes and that's what I think did it. I removed the changes and restarted. Seems okay now but a little slow but sometimes it is at this time of day.

I still can't find a way to change security settings. The router worked immediately with the notebook and desktop so I never went through any screens telling me to change my password. I went to the Linksys page and tried to change it there but when I got to the end it told me access was denied.... How secure is this connection - is it broadcasting all over? Also, do I need to change settings on both computers or just one? Any additional info is appreciated....

Hopefully, I will find a solution to this... thanks to you both.

Discussion is locked

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I think this is good
Jan 6, 2005 1:11PM PST

It does now ask me for my password on the Linksys page....do I need to put a password on at the Notebook also. I still don't find a place where there's an SSID code...

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Found SSID! Another ?
Jan 6, 2005 10:20PM PST

Okay I found it and changed it on the desktop.... now when I sign on to the notebook it gives the name of the SSID and says it is not secure - do I want to sign on....? I thought this was supposed to make it secure but how can it be if it's broadcasting my SSID?

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Wi-fi -- you do not have encryption until you activate it
Jan 7, 2005 3:12AM PST

When you initially hook up the wi-fi router you are unprotected and anyone can access your connection and hack your network. There is a default SSID broadcast (usually linksys) for those routers until you change it.

When you access the wi-fi router setup correctly and set your encryption (64 or 128 I think on my D-link) you will set it up with a password.

Then, when you go to the notebook it will see the wi-fi signal (named with your new SSID code) but you will have to enter the same password there to access the network. If you don't change it you won't have to do this again - it will automatically connect.

If you are worried about the SSID itself broadcasting you can elect to hide the SSID but then you won't see the network name on your notebook and you have to type in the network name -- the main thing is to have the encyrption activated so I don't hide my SSID.

My D-link has a built in Hardware firewall so the Linksys probably does as well. In conjunction with the Windows XP SP2 firewall (at least on your noteobook) and a good anti-virus program you should be well protected.

D-link has 24 hour customer support so Linksys should have something similar if you can't figure out how to access the wi-fi router options from the manual.

Also, if you are running only 54G connections (no B wi-fi connections) there is usually an option in the setup to run 54G only which will give you a faster more stable connection.

Wi-fi defaults to the lowest common denominator so if you hook up a b connection (like an HP wi-fi printer) all the computers on the network will run at b so don't do that...........

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Is my wi-fi active?
Jan 7, 2005 3:32AM PST

I changed the SSID on the Lynksys page from my desktop but the notebook did not ask for a password..... it let me in - just said it was not a secure connection

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Encyrption needs to be activated with password (not SSID)
Jan 7, 2005 3:40AM PST

You are not activating the encyrption by changing the SSID title -- I would not want to have Linksys as my SSID as everyone who had a Linksys and did not block the broadcast or rename the SSID would have linksys as the name --therefore, pick your own SSID name.

You are unprotected and the notebook will continue to log in (as anyone else in range can also) until you get into the wi-fi router setup and activate the encryption and set a password.

Then, you have to enter that same password the notebook or any other computer to get in (others without the password will now be blocked).

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I did put in the password
Jan 7, 2005 3:57AM PST

I did put in a Password on the Lynksys page where I changed the SSID and it did ask for the password on the desktop when returning to the Lynksys page. It did not ask for it when going on to the internet on the notebook. I'm assuming that's where configuring the router comes in which it wouldn't let me do on the desktop as the configuring software does not accept Windows 98.

Hmmmm, as you suggested before since I can't connect the desktop through the ethernet cable to download the configurations should I connect by wiring through the notebook and configure with the notebook?

Or, should I reset the router and start over....

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You have a password for setup--- encyption not activated yet
Jan 7, 2005 5:27AM PST

I think when you are entering a password to change the SSID address that is just the password to ACCESS the linksys wi-fi router setup area.

However, you have still not found the area to activate the router encryption which would be a different password.

If you set up encryption you will not be able to access your wi-fi without the correct SSID address showing on your notebook (you have to key it in if you hide or block your SSID address) and the valid password setup in your encryption area.

If you can log in still on the notebook with no password you still are unprotected with no encryption activated ...........

You can use the notebook unencrypted for a few days until you figure this out (I did until I saw the light) but if you can't find how to activate the encyption in the set up manual call linksys........

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Thank you Ken & Ryan....
Jan 8, 2005 5:18AM PST

Just wanted to let you both know how much I appreciated your help.... we just weren't ready to buy a new desktop... have to pay off the new laptop first! I couldn't have done this without you!

I called Linksys and they helped me through setting up security... everything is up and running and SECURE!

Again, thanks so much!