Router Settings [Wireless connection to Tivo]

A few months ago I tried to setup my mom's Tivo so it would run off of her wireless network but could never get her DLink DI-624 wireless router to recognize the Tivo's wireless adapter. The wireless adapter is Tivo's own brand designed to work with it. I was on the phone with Tivo tech for quite awhile and the only conclusion (for what it's worth) he could come to was maybe the signal wasn't strong enough since the wireless adapter wasn't recognizing it. I must mention she has another computer running off her network and no problems although it is in the same room as the router. My mom's phone bill is pretty high since her local Tivo number is long distance so I told her I would try again maybe tomorrow.

Before I begin with trouble shooting questions, she recently had her harddrive replaced and I just hooked up her modem and router back up and let Windows (XP Home) recognize them. I didn't install the router software and her network is working fine, but do I still need to install it to be able to make changes to the settings or should I just be able to type in http://192.168.2.1/ and make them?

I know some older versions of the Tivo firmware didn't support some security settings on the router, but since she lives out on a farm I didn't use any so I don't think that would be an issue why the router didn't recognize the wireless adapter. I'm also pretty sure the router's SSID was turned on.

The wireless router is pretty much in the middle of her house and is maybe 20' to 30' from the Tivo. The router is in a office and the other side of a sheetrock wall is the living room and Tivo.

So going by what the Tivo tech said (and he may or may not be right) should I be having a signal strength problem at this distance? Does this sound like some router setting not set right? Do I need some different hardware, an antenna, a different router with range booster, a stand alone booster? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!



Mike

 

I'm not familar with the Tivo kit so can't help with specific answers. I've edited the title of the thread to include a note about the main issue you are trying to resolve.

No, you don't have to load any software. All that router CDs do is set your TCP/IP settings to automatic and open a browser to the router address. The router will have a DHCP service that will assign an IP to your PC if TCP/IP is set to pick up an address automatically as yours obviously is (or you most probably would not be able to browse the internet via the router).

The main issue I expect will be what that wall is made of. I'm not familar with the term "sheetrock ", but it appears to be what we in the UK would call plasterboard. If this isn't a load bearing wall and there is nothing between the "sheetrock" each side of the wall, then I don't think the wall will attenuate the wireless signal too much. However, if the sheetrock is covering a load bearing structure such as a reinforced concrete wall, then that could kill the signal pretty effectively. Also if a metal frame supports the sheetrock, it may be that the metal is acting as a shield to the signal.

The only way to work this out is either to bring the Tivo into the room with the router, (or vice versa) and see if you can then get the two to communicate. If you can, I'd be fairly sure that there is a signal problem if you then can't get the two talking when the two are returned to their normal position. An alternative approach would be to get a wireless enabled laptop and use that to determine the signal strength at the Tivo location.

 

So you're saying I can still change any router setting by typing in http://192.168.2.1/? Since I can now browse the internet via the router then the current router settings should be acceptable for the Tivo adapter?

Yes I was talking about plasterboard or drywall, I'm a country bumkin so we always called it sheetrock but I guess that's not politically correct nowadays. So the wall is just plasterboard and wood studs.

Well bringing the Tivo and tv into the same room as the router would be pretty much of a chore but it may come to that. You mentioned using a wireless laptop, so if I just set it at the same postion as the Tivo and if I could log on to the network from there then that would mean it wasn't a signal strength issue?

 

Probably - though your Tivo wireless NIC may not be as sensitive as the one in your laptop. What you can be reasonably confident about, is that if you have a problem connecting with the laptop, then that would be a pretty good indication that there is a signal strength problem. Otherwise, most wireless connection software includes a signal meter. It might be worth moving around with the laptop and seeing how the signal strength changes. You may just have the Tivo in a bad spot. If so moving the Tivo or the router may give you better reception.

 

Well I'm out to my moms and I hookup the Tivo adapter and what do you know it recognized it immediately! The Tivo must have needed a firmware update when I had tried it several months ago.

I typed in http://192.168.2.1/ so I could see what settings the router had and all I get is "A problem loading page" so how do I get to the settings without installing the router software? I might like to look at them from time to time.

 

What is the IP address of a PC that is using the router to connect to the internet? I don't think that IP address for your router is right. If you post one of your IP addresses, we should be able to see if that matches the router address you have.

 

How do I find the IP address?

 

Enter ipconfig at the command prompt.