Problem setting up LAN with Netgear Router

My system is XP Home SP2 with all MS Updates fully up to date. I am endeavouring to set up a LAN using a Netgear WGR614 v6 Router connected to an X-Modem with Ethernet connection. The modem is a recent replacement for my original ADSL modem which only had a USB connection, but is working OK and is in use for making this posting. Using the Netgear Smart Wizard for the router setup process, I eventually get to a point where it is asking for the Static IP, Subnet Mask, Gateway, and Primary and Secondary DNS servers. I feel that this should not be necessary as the Netgear Tutorial shows a means of getting to Local Area Connection Properties, selecting TCP/IP then selecting 'Obtain an IP Address automatically'. On my system both 'Obtain an IP Address automatically' and 'Obtain DNS server address automatically' are both selected, so why is the relevant info not being passed to the Netgear Wizard?

My ISP allocates a Static IP which I know and have confirmed by looking at my account settings on the ISP's website. From that site I have also found the Primary and Secondary DNS servers settings. The one thing I couldn't find is the Gateway setting. However I have run Belarc Advisor on my system and it reports the Gateway setting. It also shows the Static IP but the fourth figure is followed by "/24" (without quotes), and the subnet mask has '0' instead of '255' in the final group. (Can anyone explain why these are at variance from what I see on my ISP's site?) Trying permutations of these settings still results in the wizard being unable to connect to the Internet and enable the wireless feature of the router.

I would appreciate all suggestions please, but as I am in completely new territory (networks) please do not get too technical.

 

I think a first start is to try and simplify what you are trying to do here. Your posting suggests you may not realise that you are dealing with two networks here: your internal network, and the external internet network. Your router is the link between the two networks.

PC --- internal network --- router -- modem --- external network (internet)

It appears that your problem is the link between the router and the internet (via the modem)

First job is to set up the network between your router and your PC. This appears to be working or you would not be able to read and set settings on your router. The automatic settings applied to your PC affect just the PC's connection to the internal network. They do not affect anything on the router. Same applies to the information you are getting from Belarc Advisor. All BA is telling you is the address of the PC on the internal network. The gateway address for your PC will be the internal IP address of your netgear router. As this connection is working, you shouldn't have any problems here.

On the router there will be a section about DHCP settings. This controls the way the router gives out IP addresses to the internal network. Again, this appears to be working fine, or you would not be able to connect to the router admin screens.

So the problem is the connection between the router and the modem.

It is not totally obvious from your posting, but I am fairly sure these settings will be for the router's external connection to the internet (so not related to setting made to your PC). These should either be supplied by your ISP or dynamically assigned by the ISP when you connect to the internet (the usual arrangement). Again, the fact that you are having problems here indicate your problem is somewhere between the router and the modem.

Unfortunately we need more information before we can give you an answer. First go to the command prompt (run > cmd) on your PC and enter IPCONFIG and note down the IP address of the PC, the subnet mask and gateway address. Do this twice, once with the PC connected to the internet via the modem, and once with the PC connected to the netgear router. Post the results to this thread. That will tell us something about how the router and modem are set up.

Also post the make and model of modem.

Your problems demonstrate the difficulties of setting up a router and modem combination. It isn't straight forward. I alway recommend people invest in an "ADSL" modem when connecting to an ADSL connection. These routers have in built ADSL modems and therefore you don't have to worry about the router to modem set up (its done for you). I am assuming you don't have a way of changing the WGR614 for a DG834G which is the ADSL version of your router. If you can swap the router, it will make your life a lot easier.

 

Hi ReggieB

Thank you for your detailed reply. First a word of explanation. My son, who is better informed in these matters than I, advised getting just the same Netgear router as he has, forgetting that my ADSL modem was a USB instead of Ethernet connection.

The tech person at AdslNation (makers of the X-Modem) assured me that it will work with the Netgear WGR614, and I am sure it will. I just need to find out where I am going wrong. Having bought the router and modem from two different sources it will be difficult to change them for a combined modem & router.

For the moment I have disconnected the router and rebooted using just the modem, and this is how I am accessing the Internet to make this reply. I have tried your suggestion of Run > cmd > ipconfig but all that happens is a black 'DOS-like' window briefly opens (and appears to be completely blank) then closes. I have tried this two or three times with the same result.

 

Please forgive the rubbish I wrote above re what happens after Run > cmd > ipconfig!!! As you have probably already guessed I just keyed Run > ipconfig!!!

Having realised the error of my ways I have now got the settings for PC connected with modem. Will go off line to reconnect the router then try to get the other settings and will then post back here.

 

Run>cmd

when you get a black "DOS-like' window

Then type "ipconfig" under the DOS prompt.

 

Jason Qi

Thanks, but as stated in my last post I have realised the error of my ways, and having correctly keyed the command, I saw the relevant settings. See my next post.

 

Hi ReggieB

Having made a mess of my first try, I have now followed your instructions and got the following results: -

1. With modem (Adslnation model X-Modem M3) only connected -

IP Address 212.56.101.38
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway 212.56.101.39

2. With both modem and router connected -
(This was after I had used the 'Erase' feature to restore the router to factory default settings)

IP Address 192.168.1.2
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway 192.168.1.1

N.B. According to the manual, after restoring factory settings the LAN IP address should be 192.168.0.1 and the wireless router's DHCP client will be enabled.

When I clicked on Internet Explorer it immediately opened the Netgear Wizard Welcome screen (as the manual says it should) which stated "You are now connected to your Netgear router. Next we will guide you through connecting to the Internet, and enabling your wireless network "

The next screen said "Static (fixed) IP Detected "

The following screen called for the entry of the IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Gateway address and I keyed in the details as per 1 above. It also required entry of the Primary and Secondary DNS addresses which I keyed as follows: -

Primary 212.159.13.49
Secondary 212.159.13.50

As stated in my opening post I obtained these from my account details on my ISP's website.

Clicking on 'Next' gave a message "Updating settings" and then "Testing Internet Connection ". The next screen stated "Could not connect to the Internet" and gave possible errors: -

1. Possible incorrect configuration settings.
2. Possible error in the sequence of Network Restart. (I had carefully followed
the instructions - modem first, wait 2 mins, then router, wait 1 min then reboot PC)
3.Possibly Smart Wizard Detection Failure. (But it had correctly detected that I have a Static IP.)

Despite reviewing all the settings I could not achieve an Internet connection. One thing that did puzzle me was that one piece of information that I was not asked for by the wizard - my Account Name - was shown on the review page as "WGR614" which of course is the model number of the router. I tied putting in my account name but all to no avail.

I am not sure where this leaves us, except that I cannot get an Internet connection via the router, so will be grateful for any advice to overcome this problem.

 

Because ReggieB is offline currently. I try to give you some what I am thinking

Does your ISP register your MAC address?

If so, you have to change it from your PC's MAC address to your router's MAC address.

You can use "ipconfig /all" to find out your PC's MAC.

On router side, if there is a function called "clone MAC ", you can try it and no need to change your MAC register.

BTW, in your first post. /24 = 255.255.255.0

 

Jason Qi and ReggieB

Thank you both for your attempts to help with my problem. Glad to say I managed to contact my son who was able to talk me through various set-up details and eventually we got it to work. Eureka! I am at this moment accessing the Internet through the modem and router.

The problem seemed to hinge on changing the default selection on one of the Wizard screens from No to Yes in answer to the question 'Does your Internet connection require a login?' This brought up another set of settings which ultimately ensured the successful completion of the configuration.

Next step will be to get a laptop I have bought for my wife onto the network, but as it is late now I think it will have to wait until tomorrow.