Wireless Desktop Adapter Card

Install sequence:
download user manual for N1:
http://www.belkin.com/support/download/downloaddetails.asp?lang_id=1&file_id=2585

run the setup program on the cd that comes w/ the router:
Setup Assistant
The Setup Assistant, second generation of Belkin’s renowned Easy
Install Wizard, takes the guesswork out of setting up your Router.
This automatic software determines your network settings for you
and sets up the Router for connection to your Internet Service
Provider (ISP). In a matter of minutes, your Router will be up and
running on the Internet.

 

My preferred method of setup:
1. read & understand manuals
2. never use router manufacturer wizard cds.
3. setup router using ethernet cable connection. (wifi connection & security, etc.)
4a. if pci wifi adapter, shutdown, install card, reboot.
4b. if pcmcia wifi adapter, connect adapter.
4c. if usb wifi adapter, go to #5, then connect usb adapter.
5. follow Windows' prompts to manualy select the driver from the cd. If no joy, run the driver install from the cd. (sometimes the drivers are not standalone and are packed inside the install exe program)
6. use regedit to remove the manufacturer connection software from loading at boot. hklm/software/microsoft/windows/current version/run -delete value (sometimes loads at boot via All Programs/Startup)
7. use Task manager to End Task the manufacturer connection software.
8. setup Windows to manage the wifi connection.
9. unplug ethernet cable.

 

Not really, more like a false sense of security.
Use WPA-PSK
It will NOT slow down the network.
WEP is very insecure. I could sit in my car 2 blocks from your house w/ my laptop and crack your 128 WEP security key in 5 minutes, and you'd never know that your wifi network has been breached. (note: I don't go around cracking security keys, but I could, just stressing that WEP is insecure, that's all)

 

Use WPA2-PSK.
No need to use "obscure ".

re connecting from the computer:

The adapter cd probably installed 3rd party connection software from the manufacturer, Zonet. You do not need this software as Windows wifi connection software is much easier to use & is better product anyway. You don't want to uninstall the Zonet software vecause it may also remove the drivers for the adapter, but is best to disable that software completely.

To disable it, check in Start Menu > Programs > Startup & if Zonet stuff there delete it. Also check the software itself, there may be an option to "load at startup or not ".

If no joy, go to: Start Menu > Run > type: regedit & press OK.
Then go to:
HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run.
Click on the Run folder.
In right frame, look for Zonet connection software.
If it's there (probably is) then do this:

always backup registry stuff prior to editing it, so:
right click the Run folder & select Export.
Give it a name like "runkey-backup.reg" w/out the quotes in the name and save it to some directory like My Documents/My Backups/Registry Files/
After it has been backed up, rt click the Zonet stuff in right frame and select Delete.
This deletes the value and the software will no longer load at system startup.

next:
Right click the My Network Places icon on desktop & select Properties.
Right click Wireless Network Connection & select Properties.
Click the Wireless Networks Tab.
Put a check next to "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings ".
Click General Tab.
Put checks at bottom next to "Show icon in notification area when connected" & "Notify when this connection has limited or no connectivity ".

As the Zonet software is probably still loaded & running, reboot comp now.

When comp reboots, Windows will notify you that "wireless networks detected ". Follow the prompts and select YOUR wifi network from the list of detected SSIDs. You will be prompted for the WPA password and will have the opportunity to let Windows save it so you don't have to type it every time you connect.

fyi-
SSID = Servive Set IDentifier. An SSID is also referred to as a network name because essentially it is a name that identifies a wireless network.

If use some type of security like WEP (Wireless Equivilancy Protocol) or WPA (Wifi Protected Access) then no one can piggy back your connection unless they know the WEP key or WPA password. The WEP key can be discovered in a few minutes using free software tools designed to do so, whereas WPA2 is almost 100% uncrackable at present.

I have setup many many wifi networks for clients and friends and I have found that most all manufacturer wifi connection software is troublesome & limited at best, and letting Windows manage the connection is the way to go.

 

I understand!

Delete: Start > Programs > Startup | Ralink
It IS a shortcut to the Ralink.exe that loads when the comp starts. (that's what the Startup folder does, shortcuts there will launch the program they point to at boot)

re other networks in list:

Any with the same name as yours? If so, access the router control panel using a web browser & change the wifi Network Name (SSID) to something unique like "mccoady" or "McC-wan ".

The signal should not be weak UNLESS the wifi router is far away from the comp such as on a different floor in the house w/ brick or concrete wall between rooms. Chances are that the Ralink utility is not displaying the signal strength accurately which is why it appears to be a weak signal UNTIL connected. This is one of the reasons why it's better to let Windows manage the wifi connection.

The signal strength is "perceived" using what is known as a "network sniffer" software. The wifi sniffer built into XP is very good, it often detects available wlans (Wireless Local Area Networks) that manufacturer sniffers don't detect.

You have a Ralink utility because the wifi adapter has a Ralink chipset inside it. Ralinks generally work "OK" in Windows. Common other chipsets used in wifi devices are Atheros, Prism, Hermes, Orinoco, Broadcom, Agere, Intel...Manufacturers usually don't state on the box what chipset is being used, but by law it will be stated on the device somewhere in small print. I prefer Atheros chipset devices because they are easy to setupr in Windows and other operating systems and they work well.

Turn ove wifi connection mgmt to Windows and dump the Ralink connection utility and reboot...trust me, you will be happy!

 

Did you reboot after deleting the Ralink shortcut?
Go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services
Scroll to bottom and double click on Wireless Zero Configuration
Set it to Automatic & Start it. Press Apply button.

To show My Network Places on Desktop:
rt click Desktop & select Properties
click Desktop Tab
click Customize Desktop button
General Tab: put check next to desired Desktop icons

 

Yippie! It works! Well done.
It was set to Automatic and Started in the default XP install. The 3rd party connection software changed it.

By default, a wifi router or access point will broadcast the SSID x times per x seconds. SSID broadcast is not much of a security issue at all. As long as your connection is encrypted using WPA then no worries. Disabling SSID broadcast does NOT means others cannot detect your wlan. It means that if a neighbor or someone in a car outside using Windows op sys will not be able to see your wlan in their list of available wireless networks.

However, the SSID is contained inside every packet sent over the wifi network, thus all one need do is use a wifi packet sniffer software to discover the SSID. The average user won't know how to do it and it takes a skilled user to be able to do it in Linux. There are Windows versions of these special sniffers but they are commercial products costing thousands of dollars. I use Linux on my laptop to do demonstrations & security tests for clients & friends.

I did a demo once for friends/clients as I sat in a parking lot in DC next to an apartment bldg and used Linux to "listen" to the wireless traffic on about 18 wlans at the same time. The list of detected nets began with 12 and after 1 minute all 18 SSIDs were known. 12 of 18 wre open unsecured wlans!

re disconnects:
There may be a connection setting in the router for "keep alive ". This is usually for dsl connections. The router sends occasional "pings" to ensure the modem stays connected 24/7.

 

block icmp ping:
This means the router does not respond to pings coming at it from outside your network, the wan. Remote comps that ping your ip...the router will not respond to them. This is good security.

PING:
A utility to determine whether a specific IP address is accessible. It works by sending a packet to the specified address and waiting for a reply.

ICMP:
Internet Control Message Protocol - ICMP supports packets containing error, control, and informational messages. The PING command, for example, uses ICMP to test an Internet connection.

Thus, if the router did not block icmp ping then anyone could ping a range of ip addresses at one time, hundreds, and sit back and wait to find out which ones respond, telling him in essence "here I am, there is a live comp here ". Hackers use network tools to scan thousands of ip addresses at a time looking for available networks. Ping tells them a network exists. Other tools can be used to investigate further.

ppoe:
Yes, dsl is usually set as PPOE. But before you change anything, tell us what dsl modem you have. Most dsl modems in US now also have a built in router. If this is the case, then you will have to connect the modem directly to the comp using the wiired connection, access the modem control panel similarly to accessing the router control panel, and then change some settings in the modem. So: What dsl modem & model number? Which isp?