Connecting a Linksys Router to an AOL Broadband Connection

I am having trouble setting up a Linksys WRTGS54 Wireless router to an aol Broadband connection. (for a friend) Something tells me it requires a different setup than the regular. I still connect to the internet with the router in place, but it does not recognize the router. Any help is appreciated!

 

Sorry what do you mean by that? If you can connect to the internet via the router what recognition do you require?

 

Ok – I’ll toss in 2 cents here.
Was on AOL for 8 years as ISP before switched to broadband.
They then gave me 3 months free (am I SURE want to switch) so for awhile was using it on broadband although no longer as ISP.
Still have some memories of it – lol.

AOL setup asks you for type of Internet Connection.
It then uses that connection to get you to startup and beginning screens.

You can get to AOL thru Internet by going to aol.com and even sign in there. But startup and beginning screens are totally different if do that. Almost like two different AOL’s in existence.

So problem appears to be how to get AOL icon on desktop to connect.
AOL setup won’t recognize router – why it has to is a mystery.
When I was using it n selected broadband in setup – I was finished it never asked or searched for anything else. But sure that was an older version then current.

Since you’re evidently not using it as ISP n want to connect thru desktop icon
think you need to call AOL support. Heard it’s much improved since the olden days when all you got was a – duhhh- it’s your computer problem.

EDIT Just thought of it - was a few times when switched connections or even upgraded had to uninstall aol - then reinstall it. Seemed only way for it to catch changes. That's probaly what their support will first tell you to do.

 

Thanks for the 2 cents. It was connected properly to the router but it did not recognize it at all, but I still connected to the broadband. Hallelujah! I did figure it out tonight! Here is what I did in case anyone has the same problem: (I got it from a combination of a couple of forums!)

1. connect computer to port one of router and restart router.
2. go to internet explorer (online) and type 192.168.1.1
3. log in with no username and password "admin "
4. click on Mac address clone sub tab and click on Clone your PC's MAC then save settings.
5. on basic tab set internet connection type to detect automatically. Then enter aol username and password and click the small button that says Keep Alive, then save.
6. Power on, modem, then router, then PC
That did it.

 

It should be fairly standard
With dsl its another type of connection ( poppe where you add the dsl isp user name and password)
Most likely somewhere in your frustrations something was changed in the settings
Reset the router by holding the reset button on the back for 20 seconds or so and start over
You can use the disk from linksys if they gave you one
I would prefer to do it manually as you know what is going on

make sure your browser proxy settings are off
type 192.168.1.1
you may have to use firefox and / or reboot the computer
can be iffy
You will see the control panel log on
defaults are admin user admin password
Just set it up

good resources are

linksys tech support

http://www.portforward.com/english/routers/wireless/routerindex.htm

http://www.askmarvin.ca

( he also has guides on how to speed up your broadband internet connection)

If you reset the router it may work but wireless settings will be open and at defaults

best to change the ssid even if you only add a digit
change the channel of the wireless router from channel 6 to anything else
channels 1 and 11 are first picks
Ensure that the router is high and uncluttered
Get it all going before you go one more step and turn on the encryption if you want it turned on

A very good program for routine maintance of your home network is network magic
The free version is fine

www.networkmagic.com

 

AOL Networking

Yes, you are right, DSL is also different and you use the Poppe setting. The Network Magic is a great program for keeping you connected and especially file and print sharing is made really easy. You also get a free Net2 Go address so you can access the files you share anywhere with a password protection. It is a fairly good deal at 29.99 for lifetime for up to 3 pc's. On my home page I have a 20% coupon off of that also. I think Linksys should add a page in their packaging with the instructions for AOL users. It would save them a lot of support issues.