Ethernet vs WiFi

I installed WiFi some time ago, but the Win 7 PC downstairs did not have WiFi capabilities. I bought an adapter and it worked fine for a short time so I bought and installed another adapter. The other night it failed again so I dragged out my Ethernet cable and hooked it up to the PC. I contacted Linksys and went to Office Depot to make sure that I plugged the other end into either the router or the modem.

The original modem and router are connected to my Win 7 desktop which does not have WiFi either.

My Netbook and laptop still have WiFi as does my phone. But I can NOT get Internet on the PC downstairs with the Ethernet cable. I took the second adapter out before attaching the Ethernet cable.

I'm not smart enough to change anything on my ISP settings for that has to be done.

Does anyone have a simple suggestion? Or having any ideas why this is an issue. Should have been simple connect, I would think.

Before installing WiFi, all of my computers used an Ethernet cable, so why not now?

 

Hi vegaspat, I've been through this recently. Have you had a look in Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Centre?
Click on your Wireless Network > Menu should open where you can click on Diagnose. This will ensure your system is OK.
What Adapters did you use - Card or USB Dongle type?
Did they come with CD Software?
Have you checked Network Drivers in Device Manager? Neil.

 

I've diagnosed it several times.

The adapter I bought TWICE came with software that I used.

No, I didn't check the Device Manager drivers. Didn't want to mess up something that had not been an issue before.

Just can't figure out why the Ethernet connection is an issue at this point in time. NEVER had any problems with the Ethernet cables before I installed WiFi.

 

Does that same Ethernet connection work with another computer?

 

Didn't want to try that since the laptop and Netbook have WiFi. Afraid it might mess them up also.

I guess I could drag out another cable and see if that's the issue.

When I tried to connect the Ethernet into the router, my desktop started acting a little flaky.

I'm wondering if the adapter software configured my ISP settings which I don't know how to change. :-(

 

You can undo a System Restore.

And, if you can't afford to have anything change, or get deleted, corrupted or misplaced you need to start making regular backups. EaseUS Todo Backup Free

 

I tried a System Restore and that didn't do anything.

Guess I'll try to figure something else out.

Thanks anyway.

 

BTW, after checking with Linksys and Office Depot where I bought the Router I still didn't understand why I was supposed to connect the cable in the back of the Router. I fully realize that the modem I had for my Desktop which never had WiFi and is connected to the Router shouldn't have been where I needed to plug the Ethernet cable into. I would think that would be an issue.

But since I know nothing about WiFi and it took me 6 hours and a lot of tech support from Linksys to install WiFi for the computers that had built in adapters I'm just totally confused.

But thanks again for the help supplied.

 

The modem only supplies one wired connection into your home. You then attach a router to the modem in order to share that single connection between the many devices, wired or wireless that you might have in your home.

 

I rebooted my modem and my router twice. Then I momentarily lost the Internet access on my desktop which really scared me. But that's back up.

I even tried using a different Ethernet cable to no avail.

While trying several things on the PC downstairs, twice I got a browser window asking for a password and User ID for that site that an AT&T tech who I allowed Remote Access to a couple of years ago brought up. Of course I had no idea what those were.

I guess I'll keep fooling around with this and perhaps at some point I will figure out what's going on.

Thanks again for the ideas and help. If I ever find out how to solve this I will let you folks know.

 

Hi vegaspat, When the Techo helped you set up your WiFi - he may have disabled your Realtek ethernet drivers in Device Manager.
You should have a set of Wireless drivers installed to run the adapters.
My thought would be to enable the ethernet drivers if you want to use a cable connection. (It may not do this automatically).
I have installed 4 adapters (2 in XP comps & 2 in W8.1 comps) which didn't have Wireless in the M/B's.
The correct WiFi software install was to fit the adapter (USB) and then use the CD. They recommended removing any other driver software that might conflict with it.
When I connected my HP 2540 (Wireless all in one printer) I had to connect the printer to PC cable while the HP software found the unit - then disconnect the cable after the install was successful.
As I said in my 1st Post, I've recently connected to UFB (Fibre Optic cable) and a FRITZ!Box 7360 for WLAN with a new ISP and had to make all the WiFI connections afresh from previous copper wire Broadband.
Usually the username/password requested is Admin/Admin so that will be worth a try for you.
The Security code for your WiFi will be on the bottom of your Router. Neil.

 

I've printed your suggestions off and will check it out later. One thing, is that the computer that won't recognize my Ethernet cable never had WiFi capabilities. So that's why I used the cable for a while and decided to buy an adapter and then another one when that one went out.

I was at Office Depot today with a friend who was checking out to buy a PC. I once again explained my issue with the cable to the tech guy there. He said that adapters almost never go out and after I explained everything he wondered if maybe the PC was the issue.

I've even thought about returning the PC to its original state but hate to think about all the Windows updates that would be a problem.

Thanks.

 

If you want a Motherboard with WiFi built in:
http://www.asus.com/nz/Motherboards/Z97PROWiFi_ac/

http://www.gigabyte.co.nz/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4980#ov

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132117

Just to give you an idea - here in NZ the price for a M/B with WiFi is around $350.00 and upwards.
It's much cheaper to use an adapter as we've done. The adapter comes with the Drivers on a small CD and when I ran the CD on my comps - the Icon appeared in the Systray (bottom right) and clicking on that a window opens showing WiFi connections within range and to connect it asks for your Security code.
Once that is inserted it will connect to your WiFi provided the signal strength remains stable. If you have construction materials in your house that prevent/weaken the signal or you are too far away from your Router/Modem then you may have connection problems.
Some of the Wireless Routers have higher power aerials available to extend/boost the signal. Neil.

 

This issue has now become even more bizarre.

This morning I had the time to finally concentrate on the deal with the Ethernet cable.

I have an older PC down there with XP which I only use to store files, etc.

I was going to connect the cable to that and see if I could get an Internet connection.

I saw that the light on the back of the Win7 PC was on, indicating to me that there was a connection, but no! No Internet connection.

Before I put the cable into the XP computer I thought I'd put the WiFi adapter in just for kicks. I looked and I had an Internet connection and then a window popuped saying something about having two Internet connections. Blew my mind.

So right now, I was able to update my Windows and am going to update other things that needed to be updated.

I have NO idea what is going on or why this was such an ordeal. But I've printed off suggestions offered here and if it happens again I will be ready.

Thanks to everyone who offered help.

 

Here's a good link which may be worth reading and watching all the way through. "Wired and Wireless Networks "
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-NZ/...1&v2h=win7tab1&v3h=winvistatab1&v4h=winxptab1
Bookmark for later in case you need it. Neil.

 

Neil,

Will do. Thanks again for the link.

I've also sent the link to myself to make sure I don't lose it.

 

Never did get it to work so just gave up.