If I didn’t know it before, I know it now - wanna know what I know? Jack Shit about wireless :::sigh:::
So, today I installed a new cable modem and wireless router on my computer. They’re running just fine TYVM.
Then I moved to my son’s computer and installed this SMC Wireless PCI Card . I assumed that once it was installed, that it would automatically detect the wireless internet connection and presto bingo would work.
Nope. What else do I need to do? I’m a complete dweeb when it comes to things like this, so please help me look like a bonafide nerd in front of my kids.
I’m willing to bribe you for help - authentic pralines made by my very own hands (in high demand around these parts) will be shipped to your door
I have the same router. You need to set up the connection parameters on the SMC card. The big thing to check is that the Network name (SSID) is set to linksys. That may do it.
Did you install the software that came with the card? It should walk you through the steps necessary to detect your network.
Do you have WEP or WPA encryption turned on with your wireless network?
Even if you can’t access the internet, try typing in this URL in a browser:
192.168.1.1
That will access your router if you’re on your network at all. If that works, then run Windows’ network setup wizard. If it doesn’t work, then fire up the software that came with the card and run through the connection steps again.
Have you done the obvious?
Go to [Start], [Connect to], [Show all connections], choose your wireless network, click [Connect], then type in your wireless password if you had set one up. If this does not work, where in this process does it break down?
I’m assuming the router is connected between the modem and main computer (your post implies otherwise).
Did you try the URL I suggested above? If you get your router page by doing that (username left blank, password “admin”), then power down everything and bring it back up. Power up this order:
Router
Modem
Main computer
Other computers
Are the kids computers connecting to the wireless network?
On the computer that IS getting internet access go to “start” > run and type “cmd”
When the dos box opens type in “ipconfig”
Jot down the adapter information. Go do the same on the other computers. Idealy the results should match except for the IP address.
In my home network this computer is
IP - 10.0.1.2
subnet - 255.255.255.0
Gateway - 10.0.1.1 (that’s my wireless router)
Another computer on the network is:
IP - 10.0.1.10
subnet - 255.255.255.0
Gateway - 10.0.1.1
Your computers should reply with the same sort of thing. You might be in the IP range of 192.168.x.x though (that’s the default of most routers). That shouldn’t make a difference though. Just make sure the kids computers have an IP in that range and the gateway on their computers match the ones on the computer with access.
Something tells me they aren’t getting assigned an IP address.
As a former helpdesk technician for a major US cable ISP, I recommend turning on your cable modem before your router. Other than that, I second everything flex727 and Seven just posted.
Thanks for all of your suggestions. I’m sure that if I understood more about this they would make perfect sense
My 14 year old son got on my computer last night to “fix” things and unbelievably made a a bad situation even worse, so I think I’ll be calling a local geek that hopefully does housecalls. (I’m posting this from work - now I don’t have internet at all on ANY of the computers at home - which is why I was delayed in responding to you!)
I’m prepared to offer you all pralines for your helpfulness tho - just reply here in the thread if you’re interested and your email address is in your profile. I’ll email you for mailing directions.
Hmmm… before your 14-year-old made the situation worse, I would have suggested calling SMC’s tech support. I have a BS degree in computer science, have worked as a computer programmer for almost ten years, and still could not get the wireless card in the back bedroom to work until I called them and we walked through it (it was a D-Link card, but I own an SMC card or two as well).
One thing that can make a difference is the router’s MAC address filter. I have this enabled at home, and what it does is compare a unique sequence of numbers which identify each child system to an established list stored on the router. If the MAC address of the child unit (we have three desktops, a laptop, and a TiVo) is not on the list, it will not be allowed to connect to the router. On my router, this is true even for wired connections (it has a built-in four-port hub), not just the wireless ones.
If your son turned on the router’s MAC address filter, but neglected to add any of your machines’ addresses to the list of acceptable users, then none of them will be allowed to use the router’s connection.
Second the above - I called tech support for Linksys when certain people who shall go nameless hosed up my router.
He was Indian from his accent, but he was very helpful, and fixed the problem. I don’t remember the details, but I typed the 192.168.1.1 address into the browser and then adjusted the settings. And it worked.
I’m crazy busy working on a fund raiser for our middle school band this week and will try these suggestions later on this weekend.
Thanks ever so much for your help - and the praline offer is good (although I won’t get to make them until early next week & get them in the mail - just email me - address is in the profile)
