Wireless adaptor/network nightmare

Hi folks, would be grateful for help on any of the following. I am a relative beginner to computing so please keep amy answers as plain as possible - thanks. I have an HP Pavilion running ntl broadband perfectly and I have recently added a Dell dimension 1100 together with a netgear MR814 (802.11b) wireless router. I have managed to get both pc's running the internet perfectly using the LAN cables but when I try to use the recent addition - MA111 (802.11b) wireless USB adaptor it does not seem to work. I have tried disabling the LAN connection but to no avail. I did not get any software for the adaptor and downloaded it from the Netgear website but the configuration utility appears to be missing. It is present on the start menu but when I open it nothing happens. Is it possible that my firewall prevented a complete download? I am running McAfee on the Dell and Panda on the HP. Everything I read about this said it would be simple and it seemed so at first but I am almost at my wits end. I used all the (so called) wizards but cant get it to work. Please, please, please help. Many thanks in advance, Neil.

 

You can find out if the firewall is blocking something by shutting the firewall down for the download. Actually I know nothing about that firewall but if it is blocking something I don't think you could download at all. Maybe you could point me to the support page for that MR111, I can't find it.

Does Windows recognize it when it is inserted? This is the first thing you should look for. Either a sound or it will show up in Device Manager. If Windows recognizes it then what I need to know is if the install instructions require the software to be installed before the USB device is inserted or not.

It might help to uninstall everything to do with the MR111 and start over.

 

Thanks Maggie, sorry it's MA111 (I've amended text). I'm presently re-installing having downloaded again to pen drive with all firewalls off and I'll let you know what happens.
Windows recognised it ok and all was said to we working in device manager but when asked to work it could not acquire a network address.
Yep, I've got to load the software first.
Will be back asap, thanks again.

 

Hi again Maggie. Same thing again. Got a funny sceptical feeling that I've got the network key wrong somehow, so I'm gonna try completely removiing the router, adaptor, et al., and reinstall the whole lot tomorrow. Will let you know what happens before I start to go bald!

 

Sometimes rebooting a couple of times gets things uninstalled, so you can start over. If everything else on your network is OK then I would concentrate on that USB card and maybe redownload the 2.5 drivers for the card.
Windows might be pointing the install to the wrong place. I have to manually point Windows to the update of my USB devices. Windows doesn't seem to automatically find them.

 

Hi again Maggie, tried everything else and a bit more today but still cant get the wireless adaptor to achieve network address. I've now bitten the bullet and got the 30m cable running upstairs and Internet works perfectly on both machines. I haven't even considered if they are Networked together or not. For the time being this will do 'cause I'm fed up with the whole thing. Will maybe try again at the weekend. Just wanted to let you know that I am very grateful for the advice and assistance you offered - thanks a bunch, Neil.

 

HaHa I had a 50ft. cable running through my house, to my laptop, for a couple of weeks. Does that wireless adapter work on any other computer?

 

hey guys, don't let this die! At least wait until the weekend till I try and get it amended. I'm totally determined to get this resolved - and I will! When I do I will let everyone know exactly how and why the issue occurred and how t prevent it and how to repair it, or otherwise. So, please let it ride for a bit, thanks, Neil.

 

OKay