Computers & Networking

[KingJames88]

I'd like to start by saying I don't know much about networking. I bought a new wireless router a while back after my previous one stopped working. I'm using an older computer running on XP so I picked up a fairly simple router, Linksys WRT54GL. From the moment I set it up, or attempted to, I've had problems. My devices always find the router but always give me some sort of error message when I tried to connect with it. I went through hours of fourms and online help and entering all types of info in manually to make it work. When I try to use any security such as WPA, it never works and I end up having to turn it off. The router is set up for auto configuration DHCP, however when I try to use it with a new device, I get error messages that supposedly my router doesn't use DHCP or something. If I don't enter an IP address in manually, the device which im trying to configure can never ever find an IP address on it's own either. Not to mention the internet connection isn't all too great most of the time with this router. I'm afraid to try and fix it however because every time I try something I end up losing internet access and struggle to get it back, and prety much scare myself into trying to get any more devices to work. Basically it's just been a ton of problems and I don't know what to do as I'm looking to upgrade to a smart phone but want to be able to use my own wi-fi on the thing, however as I said when trying to configure a new device, it never works. Anyone have any suggestions at all? Thanks for any help.

[CrystalWoW Community Veteran]

I would suggest having someone come out and set it up properly as it sounds like it needs to just be reset and start from scratch. If you feel comfortable doing that, definitely do it yourself and for ease of use, just either use wep security or set up the router to not broadcast it's ssid and always type it's name in manually.

[KingJames88]

When I attempt to use security, I get all types of problems for some reason. Also, I need to enter IP addresses in manually as devices I use don't seem to find it, and I also used to have DNS errors as well. Would this be something geeksquad could fix? Don't really want to pay to get my own wifi working properly but I don't know what else to do.

[CrystalWoW Community Veteran]

I would do this:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Geek+Squad%26%23174%3B+-+Home+Networking+Made+Simple/1015382.p?id=121821...

You can go into the store, ask for that service and I don't know if this is still going on, but you used to be able to get a new router with the setup for 99.99 and a new n router with the setup for 129.99. If you get the 99.99 package, you then know you have a new router so that factor wouldn't apply in case it is just a broken router. Yes they will get it all working correctly without issues in your home.

[xl]

Have you considered Linksys to walk you through the configuration?  There were a great help to me.

Don't ignore the value of security.

• do you want to be offering free adult content in the neighbourhood?
• do you want your Internet to be slow as unwanted freeloaders are using it?
• do you want your user id's and passwords exposed because your signals are not encrypted?

There is no cost to add security.  Trouble makers will seek out the weakest targets.  Unlike the past, I notice 90% of networks are secured now.  Don't make yours unsecured.

http://digitallife.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/03/09/6227119-is-a-criminal-using-your-wi-fi

[NoNoBadDog]

First off, it is absolutely essential that you do a factory reset on the router.  As a self-admitted neophyte, it is likely that all of the changes you made in the router settings have contributed significantly to your having problems.

The router is one of the all-time best selling routers, and has been for perhaps 5 years.  There are tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of that model (and it's variants) being used all around the globe with no problems.

I suspect your issue may be as simple as your having a nearby wireless network using the default channels, and it is causing interference with your network. 

You need to give your network a unique name, and make sure that your devices connect to that network and set that as the default network. 

I would also recommend having someone come out and set it up for you.  I suspect you are overthinking your issues and changing settings that do not need to be changed.  Setting up a single home network, regardless of how many devices you want to connect to it, is not a difficult task, and if you have GS come out they can have your network up and running in less than an hour.

[RealGeorgeW Valued Expert]

Can I just toss in that if at ALL possible, figure out how to get WPA working, as WEP's.... well archaic compared to WPA.

[TheLexMachine]

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KingJames88 wrote:

I'd like to start by saying I don't know much about networking. I bought a new wireless router a while back after my previous one stopped working. I'm using an older computer running on XP so I picked up a fairly simple router, Linksys WRT54GL. From the moment I set it up, or attempted to, I've had problems. My devices always find the router but always give me some sort of error message when I tried to connect with it. I went through hours of fourms and online help and entering all types of info in manually to make it work. When I try to use any security such as WPA, it never works and I end up having to turn it off. The router is set up for auto configuration DHCP, however when I try to use it with a new device, I get error messages that supposedly my router doesn't use DHCP or something. If I don't enter an IP address in manually, the device which im trying to configure can never ever find an IP address on it's own either. Not to mention the internet connection isn't all too great most of the time with this router. I'm afraid to try and fix it however because every time I try something I end up losing internet access and struggle to get it back, and prety much scare myself into trying to get any more devices to work. Basically it's just been a ton of problems and I don't know what to do as I'm looking to upgrade to a smart phone but want to be able to use my own wi-fi on the thing, however as I said when trying to configure a new device, it never works. Anyone have any suggestions at all? Thanks for any help.

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You either have an improperly configured router or your wireless devices are not compatible with the wireless router, which is quite common these days. Reset the router and run the Linksys setup software through a computer connected to the router with an Ethernet cable. Then you can determine if your devices are not working with the router. You may also have to configure the router a specific way to work with your service provider's network, which is the case with DSL and some cable providers.

[BillV]

You need to reset it to default settings, plug it into a computer via network cable, and configure from there.

If your computer that you're plugging the router into directly receives an IP address, then you know DHCP is working properly. Assuming your router is connected to some sort of modem or gateway to the Internet, make sure you can access the Internet.

First, change the administrator password.

Then configure your wireless SSID. How many (and what) devices are you trying to connect wirelessly? Make sure at least one of your wireless devices can "see" the access point and associate to it successfully. Once connected, try and access the Internet. If you can't connect, try configuring your wireless frequency to a different channel. Do you use cordless phones in your home? Do you know what frequency they are on? Is there a cradle/station near the router? Do you have a microwave? Is it anywhere near the router? Both of those items are known to cause problems but typically only do so when in use (e.g., heating something in the microwave or an incoming call).

Once you've successfully connected a device to your wireless network and can access the network, go back to the PC connected via network cable. Configure the security settings (preferably, use WPA2 and set a STRONG password). As already pointed out, WEP only provides a false sense of security. Disabling the SSID broadcast is just as useless. I would check that whatever you're trying to connect to the wireless network supports whichever encryption you choose (so long as it's not 7+ or so years old, you should be good).

If all else fails, pay someone to come fix it for you.

Never leave it open and unencrypted. If you have to, disable the wireless altogether and just connect via cable.

[NoNoBadDog]

The old wives tale about turning off SSID is bunkum, and leaving SSID on is the way to go. Using readily available free software, it is easy to find the SSID even if broadcast is turned off.  Turning it off causes the clients to poll the router significantly more often, thus making it actually easier to capture pertinent information about the router with SSID turned off.