Networking blues...

I have a Dell Dimension 8250, WinXPPro, SP2, 2.4ghz P4;
Linksys LNE100TX Fast Ethernet Adapter(LNE100TX v4); Speedstream 5200 DSL modem; to which I'm trying to network through a Linksys Wireless G Broadband router (WRT54G) to a Toshiba Satellite A105-S4334 notebook.
The notebook has 1394 Net adapter; Intel Pro/100 VE Network Connection; Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection. I have been thru the router's setup instructions, Microsoft's instructions, scoured this forum for a possible solution. I'd like to get this straightened out before I die. I want my wife's next hubby to at least have internet access. TIA

 

Could you provide more info before you die ? (just kidding)

What happend with your netowrk? or what do you want with that?

 

I reckon I don't know what info you need. I want to be able to get on the internet with my laptop, wirelessly. I have finally got it to recognize the network but it just keeps trying to connect. I'm completely in the dark about this networking stuff. Ideally, I would like to access my desktop also. Thanks.

 

Thanks Tony, I'll take a closer look at that tomorrow when I have both eyes open... That scenario obviously didn't enter my mind..

 

Wireless Woe's

Welcome to the world of wirleless networking.
You seem to be overly demanding even at this early stage of your career.
Basically the router puts out a wireless signal.
You scan with the utiltiy of windows or whatever connect to it.
It may be an encrypted signal in which case you have to insert the encryption key.
Go into the control panel of the router.
Set it up for the right type of broadband connection - either for cable ( get ip automatically) or dsl - pope or whatever it is called.
You will have to have the information from your isp for logon- the login account name ( here it is account@resx.isp.com and your login password which may well be diffirent than your email password)
You may have to tell the router to connect in the case of dsl.
At the worst unplug both the router and the modem wait seveal minutes replug. Let the lights stop flashing on both. In the case of dsl you may have to tell it manually to connect the first time.
Go the status area of your router .
Look to see that you have an ip from the isp.
If you do you can try connecting a computer by cable just to make sure that are connected.
Next you can try to lock onto the wireless signal.
You can leave it unencrypted to get the procedure down.
Then if you wish you can set up the encryption.
You might want to try a very handy and usefull network connection network utility Network Magic that will make your life somewhat easier

http://www.networkmagic.com/download/

the biggest problem with wireless is infterfence from neighbour's routers.
You may not even see the neighbour's router on your screens. You have a good signal but cannot connect tp the internet. Just change the channel from the default of most wireless routers of channel 6 to whatever else you prefer. Channels 1 and 11 ( at either ends of the 12 channels) are the next best bets . But it may be trial and error and if your neighbour's routers are on some automatic setting you may have to change your channel from time to time.

Wireless networking though amazing can be rather finicky. It has been reported that up to 40 % of the wireless products are returned to big box stores. At the local big box store where the salesmen main income is from selling extended warranties they do not like selling extended warrantes on wi fi stuff since " so much of it comes back." Most of these problems could be solved as said with a simple channel change in the wireless router.
You seem to be overly demanding at your point in life. You can always call the Geek Squad . They only charge $ 150 for wireless network setup
( adapters and cables extra).

 

[FONT= "Comic Sans MS"]Overly demanding... not once, but twice.. My apologies... I'd be satisfied if I could get on the net with my laptop, wirelessly. I really appreciate all the suggestions and help I have recieved in these forums. I am a bit closer, but not quite there yet. I'll try to be less demanding... [/FONT]

 

Wi Fi Setup Linux Wi Fi Woes

Just trying to help out.
Wireless networking is very impressive - however as you have found out it is not the easiest thing to do or maintain.
I remember the first time i set up a network adapter - it was a smc router and a dlink adapter.with a less wirless native os- windows 98 None of the engineers at d-link even stated that the ssid had to be the same at both ends.
I am still not perfectly sure what you want to do.
Do you simply want to set up a network to browse the intenet or are you setting up a more complex network - sharing files for example.
Are you using the router or are you trying somehow to connect the two computers without the router ( point to point so to speak) ?
The easiest way to start is to use the router. Do a simple set up without encryption. Use that program network magic . It will make setting up the network much easier. Networking is "vodoo science ". This makes much of the chore much easier. The program offers some advanced features in the paid version of the program for the first 30 days . Sharing of printers and files as well as remote access. After 30 days it reverts to a more basic version without those features ( mild nagware) and still very usefull.
Make sure you change the channel in the router. 1 and 11 are the next best choices . Make sure the router is high and not in a cluttered spot.
You can then add encyption and other features if you like.
If you want to send files between computers you can use a messenger program such as microsoft messenger or whatever to connect the two computers ( two diffirent accounts). The messengers will connect over the internet . However the router will route ( hence the name) the traffic between the two computers on your network at high speed. The data will be sent over your network not via the internet . ( slower) You can also use a program called Hamachi ( http://www.hamachi.cc/ _ to share between the computers or even at a distance.
Let me know how it works out. Just out of interest I tried to run wi fi in Linux where the better wi fi tools are ( apparently). It turned out to be just as frustrating as your experience with windows wi fi networking. If the card is supported as native fine but if not lots of luck. Then try to install software .
Just out of interest the record for unamplified wi fi is 125 miles.
However this is in the desert with little interference from other routers, microwaves or cordless phones and the antenna looks like a modified odl C band satellite dish.

http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/31/unamplified-wifi-distance-record-set-at-125-miles/

 

I really appreciate the help and information you've offered, including the links. This networking is a foreign language to me and digesting the "geek speak" takes me a little longer. I'm your proverbial "old dog" trying to learn new tricks. I am less interested in hooking two pcs together than getting on the internet. Although both are goals... Thanks again...

 

Life should be easy -

Try the program network magic .

http://www.networkmagic.com/nmlp/home-networking.php?src=google&kw=network magic

The first 30 days are the premium product. After that it is the "free" version which should be more than enough for you.
You are right about networking and its terminology. Networking people are the primma donnas of the computer world ( at least in their mind). They either have no time for anyone else or are afraid of sharing information or both. Old networking books at rummage sales will often explain what I want to know but the network people think it is not worth explaining.
Try the program I recommended. Its purpose is to make the networking much easier and common sense for the average user who after all just wants to get on the internet and share computers.

 

Many, many thanks for the Network Magic link. That one application bailed me out of a lot of headaches. Much appreciated.

 

Network Magic

I am wondering when someone is going to ask if I work for Network Magic as I recommend it so often.
Very few computer programs are functional for ordinary users let alone networking.
Network magic seems to be a very functional program for ordinary users.
Interestingly I was trying to setup a high end Brother color laser printer on a network with a Linksys router with 2 xp machines.
Network ready......
No matter what with simple Windows XP networking wizard I was unable to set up even the network.
When you set up printers on a network usually ( is it otherwise) you have to install the drivers and / or printer program on all the computers.
I installed network magic alone on both computers.
Bam I was able to use the printer from computer number 2 on which I had been unable to install the brother printer software as it would not find the printer on the network.
As well I could see all the printer drivers that had previously been installed on computer number one.
The basic program ( what you get after 30 days) covers most networking.
If you want to share a printer, files or remote access then you need to purchase the premium version after 30 days.

No matter what is a well done , functional easy to use for most computer users program.
Wish there were more of these simple functional programs. Some people have children , others have computer programmers.