Wireless Internet - Recommendations Please

[jonjo]

Out of the box many of these devices require an urgent firmware upgrade for which you will need a working internet connection ha ha!

Netgear WiFi works for me, before that I returned a noisy D-Link for a cash refund.

 

[cruisingsam]

BrendanS, thanks for all the advice, I guess that 90% of the problem is operator error at this end!

AFrogley, thanks also, the D-Link went back for exchange when it stopped working altogether so I'm at square one with the Belkin. It seems strange that the D-Link would connect whereas the Belkin doesn't with the same settings.

I think I'm going to have to wait for my computer guru to come back off her holidays and try to sort this out for me.

 

[PeterStone]

Have you ticked the box in network settings that says 'never dial a connection'? If this remains unticked then the computer attempts every time to make a connection via dial up, bypassing all the wireless/broadband wizardry.

I've got Belkin wireless too and I had difficulty setting the thing up and ended up posting on a computer buff website for the answer. This vital piece of knowledge doesn't appear to be contained in Belkin's instructions.

Go to control panel - internet options - connections - tick box 'never dial up'

Apologies if you've tried this and still doesn't work

 

[BustinAround]

Yup, I would say that the most important thing to do once you've got a router home is to upgrade the firmware straight away.

Go to the manufacturers website, updates are usually in "support" or are linked to from your products page.

Now if you'd asked me, I would've told you to stay clear of both netgear and dlink when it comes to routers, as I've have serious problems with both of them.

Linksys has been the only decent performer so far!

 

[BustinAround]

As far as I know, most things called "wireless broadband routers (or gateway)" have the modem built in, you just plug the phone line in the back...

 

[Mike21]

Have a Belkin wireless setup, although the one I have doesn't have a built-in modem. Works fine
It may be worth ensuring that you first uninstall any software you had for the D-link router, before installing the belkin software as different manufacturers use different addresses and your computer could be looking for the wrong one. I would then try running the network wizard under windows, though as previously suggested ,I would use a cable connection to the hub first before trying to set up the wireless network

 

[simon501]

Can I throw my two cents worth in - when I set up my wireless network (3 PC, Belin Router and Netware ADSL modem), I started by setting up everything with fixed IP addresses (not 'obtain IP address etc.') and no WEP (encryption). This sorted out the basics for the connection and then I set up everything else, one step at a time.

Whatever else you do with networking, do it slow and easy, one step at a time (Sounds like linedancing or sex??)

Hope this helps.

 

[jonjo]

[ QUOTE ]
Linksys has been the only decent performer so far!

[/ QUOTE ]
But does your Linksys router have flashing perimeter lights just like an extra terrestrial spaceship?

I agree that Linksys is the better brand in general but they got behind in technical features such as flexible firewall configuration.

 

[Colin_S]

Did you get it sorted? Assuming you are seeing the red "not connected" message via http://192.168.2.1/ in your browser it sounds to me like it is a problem with the settings in your modem and nothing to do with your PC, firewall, etc.
Who is you internet provider?

 

[cruisingsam]

Hi, it still is not working and having just spent another 2 hours onto the helpline the only advice they can give is to take it back and get another one. The bizzare thing is they expect me to get another Belkin and ignore the faulty one, the four & a half hours in total on to the helpline and the total unhelpfulness of Belkin!

My ISP is UTVInternet in Ireland. The settings are correct (verified several times with UTV)

I reckon I'll get the Linksys next. It can only be better than this one!

 

[stevebirch2002]

Had big problems when I tried with a Linksys box but a techie friend introduced me to NETGEAR DG834 (I think)

It is an ADSL Modem, 4 port ethernet, wireless and Firewall. Setup took less than five minutes and is jut about automatic. So good I bought two and installed one at home. Used a Belkin PCMCIA Wireless Card for the laptop, again just about self-installed. Buy from EBUYER for about £69, Belkin Card about £18

 

[Colin_S]

Assuming it's one of these or the software is the same

When you open http://192.168.2.1/ in your browser you get a login page. Click on wizzard at the top and the PPPoE radio button should be green. Click on 'next' and the following page should show your username as an email address, 2 lines of dots for your password and 8 and 35 in the last 2 boxes. This is the information from the UTV website.

Have you tried the connect 'button' on the modem homepage? Have you tried the reset button on the modem?

 

[Mike21]

According to the manual I have for the Belkin there is a reset button on back off machine which if you press and hold for at least 10 sec will reset it back to factory defaults. I presume you are able to connect ok using your usb modem. It might be worth trying the line cable from the usb modem and connect it to the belkin , in case it's just a faulty cable. I assume from your posts you can access the router, but can't connect to the net

 

[cruisingsam]

Correct on all these and have done a factory reset and started from scratch. Still no joy

 

[cruisingsam]

Yep, all correct. the laptop to router connection is fine using ethernet cable, it is just the router/ISP connection that is a problem. Have been using different cables and micro-filters to make sure it is not either of them and they work when using the USB modem. Have tried the factory reset and that didn't help either

 

[Colin_S]

Out of curiosity, I clicked on the disconnect button, changed my password and then tried to connect. The modem failed to connect but gave no error message of any description.

I can only guess that either your login details are incorrect (possibly something as simple as a capital letter instead of lower case), your telephone connection is faulty somewhere or the modem is U/S

 

[cruisingsam]

I think it is the modem/router. the password & username have been checked countless times and I'm using the phone line, filter and cable from the Belkin to connect now. I'll take it back on friday, get a different one and keep my fingers crossed that it will work.

Thanks for all the advice

 

[Mike21]

Looks like you've tried everything, so could be a duff modem, Presume you also tried re-installing the software and running thru the check list again. The easy setup should detect that you have an internet connection before entering your isp details.
Presume with the d-link one it's not possible to reset to factory defaults
The Belkin wireless router got a recommended in a pc magazine group test.

 

[Colin_S]

One last thought, you have plugged the line into the correct socket in the filter???
I'm guessing it would make a difference. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[Vara]

Have been sidelining this debate after having purchased Belkin 6 months ago and having spent many happy hours trying to install it.Filleting the relevant bits of advice for my set up means that I am now WIFI enabled!!!Many thanks for the tips and advice.

PS I now discover that the battery on my Laptop is knackered and I can only use it for 10 minutes before it closes down----As one door opens another slams in your face /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif