Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Wireless Network Difficulties

Aug 11, 2004 1:33AM PDT

I am currently setting up a wi-fi network at home and am having some problems.

1st Computer- Mac, attached with ethernet cable directly to wireless router/modem connects to internet fine

2nd Computer- PC with usb connected wireless adapter-At first, it was receiving a strong signal, but I couldnt connect to internet/etc. I rebooted the system. When it was turned off, the wireless router didnt see any wireless modems and stopped transmitting the signal. When the system reboots, it is not receiving any signal and still wont work, even if I reset the router and it begins transmitting again. It ends up being an endless cycle really.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Re: Wireless Network Difficulties
Aug 11, 2004 1:58AM PDT

My first suggestion. Follow the forum tip.
"Tip: If you are asking for help to troubleshoot a computer-related problem, please be sure to include all the necessary information (ie: operating system, model number, hardware, software, etc) that will help others identify your problem for a speedy resolution."

All I can do is share that I'm updating too many wifi routers and WAP firmware. In fact, the last Dlink I opened wouldn't have anything to do with any client until the firmware was updated. It was new too.

Bob

- Collapse -
Re: Wireless Network Difficulties
Aug 11, 2004 3:00AM PDT

Mac is a running OSX...dont know too much about the details.

PC is running XP...1.2 AMD 512mb ram 128 mb geforece4ti4200 80 GB hard drive

The router is from timewarner/roadrunner...free with our boradband service. It didnt have a brand listed. The main problem is that even when I get a signal, i can access teh internet.

Thanks!
-Nick

- Collapse -
Sorry, no make/model = call the supplier.
Aug 11, 2004 3:03AM PDT

The poor thing can't be helped by me. I've shared what I've been doing.

If you've set it up per the instructions (which I don't repeat here), then you call the place you got it from since without the make/model I can't do a thing with the Wifi router.

Bob

- Collapse -
Re: Wireless Network Difficulties
Aug 13, 2004 9:29AM PDT

When you say you "rebooted the system", do you mean you RESET the router? If so, go through the setup page again, as you've flushed out all the info in the router.

- Collapse -
Re: Wireless Network Difficulties
Nov 18, 2004 3:35PM PST

Given the limited information (and my own very recent experience), here is what I would suggest.

1) Presuming that you can still access the wireless router/modem's admin page/settings with computer #1 (the Mac), to see what the SSID is currently set to. Write it down.

2) Check to see if 'MAC filtering' is enabled or not. Turn it off for now if it is.

3) On your PC, use whatever configuration utility that came with the adapter, to set the wireless adapter to the same SSID that the router/modem was set to.

4) Turn off both computers and the router/modem.

5) Turn on the ROUTER/MODEM FIRST. Wait for all the normal lights to come on (per the router/modem manual). It will probably take a minute for the router/modem to fully boot up.

6) Turn on the PC with the wireless adapter, and logon. You should probably wait a couple of minutes to make sure the PC and router/modem finish negotiating a connection (I found mine took a minute or so after I logged on to the machine).

7) THEN see if you can access the router/modem's setup page or the Internet. If you can, then you can turn on computer #1 and it should be fine too.

Cool If you still could not connect wirelessly, follow the router/modem instructions to fully reset it to the factory default settings. Then repeat steps 1-7.

9) If you CAN connect wirelessly, you should change the SSID on both the router/modem, and the wireless adapter. Also get the MAC address of the adapter, and enter it into the router/modem for MAC filtering. And I would suggest turning off the broadcast of the SSID on the router/modem. Remember, you should follow steps 1-7 after you make those security changes.

These steps MAY help you get wireless access regardless of equipment brands. I know from my experience, setting up a wireless connection was harder than I expected, even with a fair amount of PC experience. The issues involved with wireless were something I was not used to. And I haven't yet gotten it all figured out and set up the way I want. I had to get advice from the Network Admin at work. Haven't tried what he said, but it makes sense, and I expect it to work as I want.