Problem With Router

Hi, I have a problem that I can not solve, I am on cable Broadband Windows XP Pro SP2 and have a TP-LINK TL-R460 Router (Wire). My internet connection is ok the Modem works fine using Ethernet the Router seems to work I have followed the instructions the problem I think is that I can not login the Router.
The Routers IP Address is 192.168.1.2 ~192.168.1.254. but my PC’s IP Address appears to be 192.168.2.99 which appears to be outside the Range.
The Network cards are installed and working correctly according to the device manager and in Control Panel under network it tells me that I am connected to the Internet, but I can not actually get into it.
My Internet works fine without the Router.
Any advice is greatly appreciated
Hawk22

 

At the moment your computer isn't getting the signal it wants from the DHCP service on the router. That could mean a connection problem, or it could be that DHCP isn't working correctly. Let's start by checking the connection.

I expect this is something basic. First start by making sure the cable connection is OK. Most routers have an LED on the front that lights up when a live network cable is connected to the router. Disconnect the lead from the PC and reconnect it. - this should cause an LED to go out when you disconnect, and on when you reconnect. If this is the case your cable connection is probably OK. If not try another cable. It could be that there isn't an LED of this type on your router so don't get bogged down here if you don't see the LEDs change.

Next try setting the IP address manually. Set the IP address for 192.168.1.12, mask as 255.255.255.0, default gateway as 192.168.1.1, set DNS as 192.168.1.1 (I'll assume the router relays DNS - that is usually the case). Now see if you can connect to the internet.

If this works, you've probably got a DHCP problem. You could leave the settings as they are, or you can try setting them back to automatic and rebooting the PC. See if you can then access the internet. Quite often DCHP won't work the first time you set up a network, and then starts working once you've manually set it up and go back to auto.

If you still don't get anywhere, go back to the manual settings and ping the following:

127.0.0.1
192.168.1.12
192.168.1.1
66.102.9.99
www.windowsbbs.com

Make a note of which of these work, and post your results here. We should then be able to give you some more help tracking down the problem.

 

Hi and thank you ReggieB, As this is my first time meddling in Networking, my knowledge is rather limited in understanding it all. So please be patient with me, as I will need some step by step guidance here. All I have done so far is followed the instruction book, but as you could see it did not get me very far.
Steps so far: The cables are ok as far as I can see as the connections are registered in the PC’s the lights on the Router are as they should be according to the manual.
It is a 4 Port Router.
My setup ended at : Login to the Router. "Obtain an IP address automaticallyâ€
Connect to the Router by typing: http://192.168.1.1 in the address field of web browser. After a moment a login window will appear Enter admin for the User Name and Password and so on.
I did this but there was no response from my browser by entering this IP address.
Now I do not know how to carry out the instructions that you suggest.
As I had mentioned when I disconnect the Router and plug my Motorola Surfboard Modem into my No 1 PC I connect to the Internet instantly.
I hope you have the patience to guide me further.
Hawk22

http://www.tp-link.com/product/show.asp?ProductNO=370

this is the Router

 

Hi, I have been reading up a bit on "DHCP" http://webmonkey.wired.com/webmonkey/00/39/index3a_page2.html?tw=backend
Very usefull and have some more info here for you.
This is what I have found in my No 1 PC
a. Address Type: Assigned by DHCP
b. IP Address : 220.239.221.37
c. Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
d. Default Gateway: 220.239.221.1

 

hawk22, where is the problem - in No.1 PC or other computer ?

 

That's a strange set of numbers. Is this a new router or have you bought it second hand?

I am even more sure that the way forward is to set your computer up manually:

You should then be able to access the router and check it's settings by browsing to it as your manual suggests.

Failing that, read through the router manual and see if there is a "reset to factory default" option. This is often a case of holding certain buttons while you switch the router off and on, or using a pin to hold a concealed button while you start the router up.

Reset the router and step through the documented start up procedure again.

 

Thank you, I did try to connect 2 PC’s to the Router , which is brand new, but nighter would connect to the Internet so I then tried just with my No.1 and those strange Numbers are the numbers from my No.1 when not connected to the Router.
And the Router has a reset Button at the back.
Now to set up the Computer Manually I need step by step instructions sorry. The Manual that comes with that Router only gives instructions on how to install and configure TCP/IP in Windows 95 and 98 not XP.
Hawk22

 

Strangely though when I look for my IP Address via Run cmd ipconfig I read different Numbers.
This is what comes up:
Windows IP Configuration
Ethernet adaptor Local Area Connection 3
Connection "“ specific DNS Suffix: vic.optushome.com.au (optus is my ISP)
IP Address : 220.237.182.208
Subnet Mask : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 220.237.182.1
Anything here make sens "¦.
Hawk22

 

This connection has been setup manually & you are using the IP settings provided by your ISP. Change it to DHCP.

 

Hi thanks, somehow I think I need to get back to Basics.
Everytime I look for the DHCP I find different numbers I have just now looked in Control Panel Network Connections and I have different set of numbers again.
There are two different numbers there under properties the set of numbers is different in Support then what it is in Details.
How and where do I get a valid DHCP Assigned IP Address from, do I have to have the Router connected or not.
hawk22

 

You need to have a DHCP server somewhere in your network so that clients can pick up the info from there. Your router would be acting as a DHCP server in your case & thus must be on & connected before switching on all other computers.

 

Hi sorry I have not been responding here, but I have been away on a well earned holiday, and when I have my Mouse problem sorted out (Hardware) I will be back trying to sort this out. I have one question though I did not mention before, my PC's that I want to network (Internet with 4 port router) they are connected to a 4 Port Belkin KVM Switch is this causing the problems??
hawk22

 

As long as the KVM is just allowing you to share Keyboard, video and mouse, then it shouldn't affect the network behaviour of your system.

I'm assuming the KVM is a cheaper model and isn't a unit that connects into the network, but rather just joins cables. Did you need to install drivers to use the KVM (you don't usually need to). If you did there is a slight possibility of drivers clashing, but I would be very surprised if that was the case.

 

This bring back memories. And not good ones either. YES !! the Router must be on first.

I have 3 machines and a Printer hooked to a Lynksys Router and then of course the Router to the Modem. The Router was originally powered from the same surge protector as this machine and if it did get shut off it was start all over again.

At first I had all kinds of problems untill I put the Router, Modem and the Printer onto a separate power source that does not get shut down unless we are going to be away for an extended length of time. And that is the thing that gets turned on first when we return.

And even then when I do turn it on I may go get a cup of coffee beforer turning any machines on. I add this because over the years I have found that getting in a hurry may cause problems and waste more time.

And of course the way things are set now any machine has access to the Internet or the Printer without any other one being on.

BillyBob

 

Hi, ReggieB & Billy Bob, rsinfo,
My KVM switch is Key-Board "“ Video "“ Mouse "“ and Sound, cables only no drivers. At the Moment I have disconnected the whole lot and will start from scratch.
Hopefully with lots of help from you Guy’s so I don’t have to do it all over again. I like the Idea of having the Router on a separate Power Board and I have a new one sitting here just waiting to be used.
Now should I try and set up the Router before the KVM or fix the KVM setup first, the last time I had my KVM set up first.
Thanks
Hawk22

 

The KVM will not cause any routing issues.

I'd set the KVM up first, as you'll want to make sure internet access works from all the PC as part of the router testing. That will be easier if the KVM is up and running as then it will be easy to jump from PC to PC.

 

Thanks Reggie will do.
hawk22

 

I was not going to ask but my curiosity has gotten the best of me.

What does KVM refer to ?

Have I got it and don't know it ?

BillyBob

 

Keyboard, Video, Mouse. A KVM switch, is a device that allows you to connect a number of computers to one set of Keyboard, Video Monitor and Mouse. Smaller units also allow you to use a single set of speakers. They tend to only support a couple of computers. Larger units can be used to access 10 to 20 PC. There are also network varients that allow you to access the shared interconnects across a network.

At work I use them to access my servers. I have three servers, and using a KVM switch means I only need one Keyboard, Video Monitor, and Mouse in the server room. Save a lot of space. In server rack systems you can get a 1U monitor that slides into the rack. Combine that with a KVM switch and you can house twenty odd computers in a single rack and include the user input/output system within the rack. Have a look at the picture top right on this page. A KVM unit would allow all the servers in the racks to be controlled by that one draw mounted monitor.

At home I have a main PC and one I mess around on (installing new operating systems, trying out new web scripting languages). Using a KVM means I only need one Keyboard, Video Monitor, and Mouse in my study.

Have a look at the information on the Belkin site for some information on their switches. However, there are a lot of other companies producing their own KVM switches.

 

Thank you for the clarification.

BillyBob