Trying to setup a wireless network at my apartment so my roommates can use their laptops anywhere in the apt. I have Roadrunner for my ISP. I spent all night online with Linksys tech support and we couldn’t get it figured out. I’m using a Linksys 2.4 GHz Broadband Router (Model #: WRT54G)
anyone else out there have this router setup with the modem that TWC uses?
any help will be greatly appreciated. :wacko:
I have RR and a Linksys router with a wireless feature but we have it hard wired. Where are you having trouble?
I get an internet signal when i have my pc connected to the cable modem. Can’t get any signal when I have my modem feeding to the router, and then router to my pc.
I get an internet signal when i have my pc connected to the cable modem. Can't get any signal when I have my modem feeding to the router, and then router to my pc.When you try to connect though the router, do you have the computer hard wired to the router? If not, I would try that first to see if the router even works properly.
If you try connecting wirelessly, and the router does work when you use a hard line, the only thing I can think of is you don’t have your computer set up for a wireless connection. You have to have a chip in the computer so that it reads wireless signals.
I hope that helps. If its not something simple like and the Linksys people couldn’t even help, I’m afraid I wouldn’t know what else to do.
[EDIT] We do have the very same router it seems so let me know if you need more help. Maybe I can help figure something out.
I have my set up Road Runner to router, hard wired to my computer, and then sending wireless to the laptops. I had to install some software on the hard-wired computer (came with the router) in order to get it to work the first time out of the box.
If you can’t figure it out by tomorrow, give me a call and I’ll drop by.
ok, i have to work though. Prob won’t be back until 7:30 or so.
I got a wireless router and could not make it work. I ended up getting a wireless modem and that did the trick. It was more expensive but worth it. There were no snafus in hooking it up and getting three PC’s to communicate with it.
Mine is called a “2wire modem.”
Before you try to use it wirelessly, you should hard wire the router into your network. Basically, just run the incoming ethernet cable into your cable modem and then run an additional ethernet cable from the modem to the input port on your router. Then you can connect your router to your laptop with another cable. It doesn’t matter which of the 4 ports you use.
Once you do that, you need to go into your network settings and make sure you’re wireless and LAN connections are both enabled. Actually, I’d do that before even making the connections. At this point, even though you’re using the router, you’re not Wi-Fi so you should be able to get online. If you can do that, you need to get into your online Linksys router settings. In your info that came with the router, you’ll see the IP addy for doing so. Usually something like 192.168.0.0. And I think the default username is “Admin” and default password is “password” for Linksys. Once you’re in, check over all your settings and completely disable your encryption. Until you’re able to actually get a Wi-Fi signal on an unsecure network, don’t enable WEP/WPA.
Make sure all of your settings look okay but most of the default settings, aside from security, are what you want. Once you do this, you can save/exit out. And then you can try to unplug the ethernet from your laptop and try to get on. You may want to reset both your router and cable modem. TW’s modems are VERY glitchy when it comes to making changes and often need a reset to work properly. You can just unplug them for about 10-30 seconds and plug back in.
Does your laptop have a built-in Wi-Fi card? If so, you need to make sure you have no confliction with your laptop’s wireless software and Windows Wi-Fi management. I had someone with a problem similar to yours (same router) and that was their problem.
Another question: Are you able to see your SSID when you “view available networks?” If so, are you prompted to enter a password? I can tell you that with Linksys, you may have trouble logging in if you enter the passphrase. I’ve come across several Linksys routers that will only connect when you enter the 26 alpha/numeric string instead of the passphrase, which is used to generate those 26 characters.
Hard to diagnose it without knowing exactly what you’re seeing. I did notice you said you can’t get a signal when you incorporate the router, via hardwire. I know it sounds overly simplistic, but if you haven’t tried resetting the modem/router after making that connection, then I would try that first. With TW, more often than not, a cable modem reset will fix the bug. And don’t use USB to connect your modem. Always seems to be a problem with TW’s modems via USB. After that, I’d check your network settings via Control Panel to make sure you’re enabled. I don’t think you’re having an encryption issue if you can’t get on with it hardwired.
Network fixes are easy to accomplish in person but a pain via phone/online chat.
Before you try to use it wirelessly, you should hard wire the router into your network. Basically, just run the incoming ethernet cable into your cable modem and then run an additional ethernet cable from the modem to the input port on your router. Then you can connect your router to your laptop with another cable. It doesn't matter which of the 4 ports you use.Once you do that, you need to go into your network settings and make sure you’re wireless and LAN connections are both enabled. Actually, I’d do that before even making the connections. At this point, even though you’re using the router, you’re not Wi-Fi so you should be able to get online. If you can do that, you need to get into your online Linksys router settings. In your info that came with the router, you’ll see the IP addy for doing so. Usually something like 192.168.0.0. And I think the default username is “Admin” and default password is “password” for Linksys. Once you’re in, check over all your settings and completely disable your encryption. Until you’re able to actually get a Wi-Fi signal on an unsecure network, don’t enable WEP/WPA.
Make sure all of your settings look okay but most of the default settings, aside from security, are what you want. Once you do this, you can save/exit out. And then you can try to unplug the ethernet from your laptop and try to get on. You may want to reset both your router and cable modem. TW’s modems are VERY glitchy when it comes to making changes and often need a reset to work properly. You can just unplug them for about 10-30 seconds and plug back in.
Does your laptop have a built-in Wi-Fi card? If so, you need to make sure you have no confliction with your laptop’s wireless software and Windows Wi-Fi management. I had someone with a problem similar to yours (same router) and that was their problem.
Another question: Are you able to see your SSID when you “view available networks?” If so, are you prompted to enter a password? I can tell you that with Linksys, you may have trouble logging in if you enter the passphrase. I’ve come across several Linksys routers that will only connect when you enter the 26 alpha/numeric string instead of the passphrase, which is used to generate those 26 characters.
Hard to diagnose it without knowing exactly what you’re seeing. I did notice you said you can’t get a signal when you incorporate the router, via hardwire. I know it sounds overly simplistic, but if you haven’t tried resetting the modem/router after making that connection, then I would try that first. With TW, more often than not, a cable modem reset will fix the bug. And don’t use USB to connect your modem. Always seems to be a problem with TW’s modems via USB. After that, I’d check your network settings via Control Panel to make sure you’re enabled. I don’t think you’re having an encryption issue if you can’t get on with it hardwired.
Network fixes are easy to accomplish in person but a pain via phone/online chat.
If none of the above works, for future reference, free modems from the cable or telephone company have compatibility issues with many routers. I had a Belkin Hardwire Router and a Linksys Wireless Router. Connecting to the modem for Time Warner or the modem from SBC DSL was a pain because no connection would be made between the modem and the router 9 times out of 10.
OT: has anyone tried the Wireless N router from DLink? Its less than $100 from TigerDirect and I wanted to see if it works with the XBox wireless network adapter. Currently running an Airlink MIMO G router, and its security settings make connecting to it impossible (in a bad way, like a gateway is never determined) except for my old Dell 9100. Would like to get rid of it for something little easier to work with, but at least its secure.
If none of the above works, for future reference, free modems from the cable or telephone company have compatibility issues with many routers. I had a Belkin Hardwire Router and a Linksys Wireless Router. Connecting to the modem for Time Warner or the modem from SBC DSL was a pain because no connection would be made between the modem and the router 9 times out of 10.
Free modems from TW have issues, period. I’m convinced that pretty much every piece of hardware (modems, DVR, cable boxes, etc.) that TW provides to customers is a refurbished piece of crap. I’m on about my 4th Toshiba modem through them and 3rd DVR. Guess I shouldn’t complain too much considering the equipment is free but none of it is very reliable.
I haven’t read enough about Wireless N to be convinced it’s even worth getting at this stage of that technology. But if you’re having compatibility issues, then it’s an option. Were you looking at the 635 or another model?
I haven't read enough about Wireless N to be convinced it's even worth getting at this stage of that technology. But if you're having compatibility issues, then it's an option. Were you looking at the 635 or another model?
I’ll go on record for N… I have a pre-N router, the Belkin. pre-N, meaning it was prior to the official spec, but it’s close to what became official. For me it is worlds better that 802.11g. All of my wireless NICs are just your run of the mill 802.11g, so I don’t get any speed benefits. The range increase I got was unbelievable as compared to my old 802.11g router.
That being said, if you live close to other people, more range might not be what you want. I can pick up my wireless at the neighbor’s across the street which is over 1000ft and through a solid wall of leaves. It’s a weak connection, but it works. Anyway, the new standard is definitely good for extended range without having to resort to better antennas.
CakeWalk, if you want a top of the line router, get oneof the linux based routers and install one of the open source firmwares on it. The Linksys Wrt54G is one, although certain newer models have limitations. You can even up the power on the Radio in it with the software to extend range. From my experience, it’s pretty rock solid. If you’re not having problems with throughput or range now, I wouldn’t pay teh extra expense of 802.11g to be honest.