Laptop won't work on network
scrumptous
Florida
I've installed a wireless broadband router on my desktop that runs Windows XP Home Edition. I have this pc, an older pc that runs Wins 95 or 98, and a new laptop. I can't get the network to recognize the laptop. Any suggestions as to what to do would be greatly appreciated.
Whit
Whit
0
Comments
(love your Avatar btw) What do you mean by "installed the broadband router on your desktop"? Normally, a router is installed connected to your cable/dsl modem via the WAN ethernet port. In turn, the clients (computers on the LAN) connect to the router's LAN side via ethernet (patch) cable or wirelessly.
Next, who can see each other on the LAN? Who's wireless and who's wired?
thanks for the avatar compliment. i feel just like that when dealing with computer issues. ha ha
i purchased an installed (on desktop) a linksys wireless broadband router so that i could network a newly purchased laptop through the internet. the modem is also connected to the desktop. these are home computers. the older desktop is not hooked up at the moment, but i would like to include it on the router eventually. this desktop is wired and the new laptop is wireless. would i have to buy a wireless notebook card?
Don't mean to be obtuse..... In what way are the modem and router connected to your desktop PC. IOW, what kind of cable(s) is/are used to connect them???
the modem is connected to a phone line, and the ethernet cable is attached to the router. a blue cable is attached from the router to the ethernet plug on the back of the hard drive.
i hope this helps. i know i'm lost!
Okaaay. Gotcha. Tha's what I thought. Your router and broadband modem are not "installed" on any of your computers rather they are independent devices. In the case of your router, although you must control and configure your router from one of your computers on your network, it is not actually "installed" on any one computer rather it is "attached" or "connected to" your network computers via ethernet (patch) cables and/or wirelessly.
That blue cable you mentioned is an ethernet cable. It has a jack on both ends that is called an RJ45 jack. It looks like an overgrown phone jack (RJ11).
The ethernet (patch) cable you mentioned is connected from your computer's NIC (Network Interface Card) to one of the LAN (Local Area Network) "ports" on your router. Your router likely has a total of (5) ports - (4) LAN ports and (1) WAN (Wide Area Network) port. To support wireless connectivity, it sports (1) or more attenae as well.
In turn, your router is connected via its WAN port to your broadband modem w/ another ethernet (patch) cable. Think of the WAN as the Internet network and the LAN as your local network. Your router is what links them together w/ the WAN (Internet) on one side and the LAN (your computers connected wired and/or wirelessly) on the other side.
So here's how it works if you can picure it:
1st there is the Internet "cloud" we call it.
2nd is your ISP (Internet Service Provider) represented by the broadband modem. It stands between the Internet and your router.
3rd is your router which stands between your ISP/broadband modem and your network computers.
Internet --> ISP/broadband modem --> router --> [branches off to each of your network computers either wirelessly or wired (w/ ethernet cable)]
Here are some links that might be helpful, too:
http://www.pcguidebook.com/homenetwork.asp
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/homenetworking/Home_Networking_Setting_Up_a_Home_Network.htm
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,102461-page,1/article.html
I'm assuming that your ISP is a DSL service, yes? (You mentioned a phone line that connected to your modem...)
When you are using a router w/ a DSL Internet service provider, the router must be configured for that type of service (PPPoE requiring a login and password). Without the router (one computer connected directly to your DSL broadband modem), the login and password is entered at your computer. W/ a router, the login and password are provided automatically by the router. You no longer need to log onto the Internet from your computer.
(1) How many computers on your network have Internet access right now?
(2) Are each of the computers connected to the router w/ an ethernet (patch) cable?
(3) Are you attempting to use wireless connectivity on any of your computers? If so, which one(s) running which OS?
(4) Which, if any, of the computers can see one another on the network?
The more details the better.
I'm thinking of taking the laptop and the desktop hard drive into the computer store and let them fix my mistakes. I think we'd (computers and me
ONCE IT'S WIRED LIKE IN THE PHOTO, get on the wired desktop PC and open a browser. Go to http://192.168.1.1 and enter the default username/password (most likely blank username and "admin" (without quotes) as the password). The first page you see an "Internet Setup". This will need to be configured correctly to enable you to get online.
With DSL, most likely the connection type needs to be changed from Automatic to PPPoE. You'll be presented with a username and password field to fill out with the same credentials as had been used on the desktop to get online. Click save once done. You should then have internet after the router finishes (1-2 minutes).
When you've got the network wired correctly and have Internet on the desktop PC (through the router) then we'll help you set up wireless correctly (with security enabled, etc).
PRINT THIS OUT TO HELP YOU! If you get lost, simply plug the CAT5 cable from the modem back into the PC like it is now to get back online and ask for help!
Good luck
But first to be sure I'm right, (this is v-e-r-y important)
(1) Is your router connected to your DSL modem (via an ethernet (patch) cable)?
(2) Is there only one ethernet "patch" cable connected to your desktop computer?
(3) Are there any telephone cords connected to your desktop computer? It's true, there's a lot to digest and you'll have to be patient w/ yourself. We all started at the same place. You'll just have to eat the elephant a bite at a time, that's all.
You will find that you'll make the best progress towards learning and understanding these complicated topics if you make a concerted effort to educate yourself. You can do this by seeking out support on Forum's like this one, visiting the sites that we give you links to, following links and references you find on other sites, look up definitions, perhaps even purchase "how to" books at your local bookstore, and research research research. All of this can be very time consuming and feel overwhelming at times but that's how it's done. The good news is learning about computers is frequently cumulative. As time goes by you'll find that you learn more quickly and can often apply what you've learned already to a new area you need help w/ or wish to understand.
Having said that, let's save the networking b-e-t-w-e-e-n the computers for last. First thing to do is to get all your computers connected to the Internet - preferably over a wired (using ethernet (patch) cable) connection first. Let's leave wireless alone for now, too. "Peer-to-peer" networking (networking between computers) and setting up wireless connectivity are subjects/issues unto themselves. We need to get the horse before the cart first. First, terminology: This is a very common mistake - referring to one's computer as the "hard drive". A "hard drive" or "hard disk drive" or "HDD" (http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,290660,sid5_gci213993,00.html) is actually a "hardware" device located inside your computer. What you are referring to is what we call the "computer", "laptop" (if it's a laptop computer), "tower" (if it's a desktop computer in a tower case), "desktop", "system", "rig", etc. All of these terms refer to your computer as a whole rather than individual components or parts. Devices that are connected to the outside of your computer are called "peripherals" (e.g. printer, scanner, monitor, etc.)
W/ respect to the older laptop, it might be very useful for you to take this laptop into the computer store and have the techs get the networking configured and functioning on it for you. This will mean installing (if necessary) a wireless or wired "PC" or "PCMCIA" network interface card ("NIC"). When we are talking about laptops, we refer to cards that we can use to add functionality to the laptop as "PC" or "PCMCIA" cards. These cards plug into the side of the computer in special slots. Older laptops will not have wired and/or wireless networking functionality built in. It must be added by installing a "PC" NIC. Depending upon the age of this computer, you may experience obsolescense issues. IOW, you may not be able to find a "PC" card NIC whose hardware and drivers are compatible w/ your laptop's hardware and/or OS (operating sysem). The tech(s) in the computer store can make that determination for you.
The computer store tech(s) will not be able to help you w/ resolving Internet access issues on this computer but they can get the networking functioning. In doing so, a huge part of the process will be taken care of. The rest of the Internet and networking setup needs to performed in your home where the network and your Internet connection are located.
As for your new laptop, the wired and wireless networking funcionality is most likely already built in. Get another ethernet "patch" cable and connect it to the ethernet port on your laptop. The ethernet port looks like an overgrown phone jack. The ethernet port will be on the side or at the back of the laptop. Connect the other end of the patch cable to one of the LAN ports (see previous entry by me) on your router. It doesn't matter which one. Reboot the computer and see if you can get onto the Internet w/ it after it's rebooted.
I don't see any need to take in your desktop computer to the computer store as you already have the networking functioning and Internet connectivity on that computer.
FYI: A very useful site for finding definitions of computer-related words and terms is http://www.whatis.com
Go here for instructions on how to connect to your wireless router wirelessly:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirelesssetup.mspx
Before you begin...:
(1) Make sure that the "wireless radio" switch is in the ON position on your laptop. What this switch or button looks like and where it is located varies from laptop to laptop. You'll need to consult your laptop owner's manual to find out where it is located.
(2) Disconnect the ethernet cable from your laptop if you've already connected it.
You'd indicated that you were unlear about this...:
When you connect your laptop to your wireless router via a "wireless" (as opposed to "wired") connection, you will not need to connect any cables between the computer and the router. The connection will be made via radio signals between the computer and the router.
i do appreciate all your help and responses. i am adding the urls you've left to my favorites folder so i can read up and become more familiar with all this. now....about the older computer, which is a pc and not a laptop.........when i do get it set back up, what do i need to do to get it on the network with the other 2?
My recommendations don't change much re: the OLD DESKTOP system:
W/ respect to the OLD DESKTOP, it might be very useful for you to take this computer (just the tower - they don't need your keyboard, mouse, monitor, power cord, etc.) into the computer store and have the techs get the networking configured and functioning on it for you. This will mean installing (if necessary) a wireless or wired "NIC" (network interface card). Depending upon the age of this computer, you may experience obsolescense issues. IOW, you may not be able to find a "NIC" whose hardware and drivers are compatible w/ your OLD DESKTOP's hardware and/or OS (operating sysem). It will depend upon how old the computer and its Operating System are. The tech(s) in the computer store can make that determination for you. If they do manage to get it set up for networking, make sure they test it for Internet connectivity as well.
whit
Okay. Let's take this a bite at a time. There is a lot of information to take into account for such an, on the face of it, simple question.
There are a lot of variables that come into play when connecting to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) through a router. This process is further complicated if the ISP is a DSL provider.
When you connect the ethernet cable from your computer directly to the DSL modem, that computer will be the only computer that will be able to connect to the Internet.
The only way that you will be able to connect two or more computers to the Internet simulatneously is to use a router. Amongst other things, that is the router's main function - to share an Internet connection over a network.
So, if you have your desktop computer directly connected to your DSL modem, the laptop will not be able to connect to the Internet.
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I've provided a no. of links in this post. (The links are embedded in the words that are blue in color. When you click on the blue word or letters, your browser will be directed to another web site.) Please, follow the links and read the information you find there. Also, if you have not done so already, please, follow the links provided to you in the previous posts and read the information there as well. This is not to put you off. Quite the contrary. It just makes sense to provide you with links to articles, definitions, etc. that have already been nicely put together or well written (often w/ illustrations and other related links).
When you have been able to do that, please, come back and we will take the next step (this is a process - you'll need to be patient w/ those of us helping you and, most importantly, with yourself.)
Please note: If time is a factor and you need to get your network up quickly, you might want to hire a consultant to come in and set it up for you. Then you can set about learning the intricacies of how home networking is done at your own pace.
wired the computer, router, and modem like the diagram. went in to the internet setup page. entered the info and updated it and it went back to the set up page. i wasn't able to get online after entering that info. i also followed the url that was given in an earlier post...4 steps to set up your home network....followed those directions, and i still cannot connect to the internet.
also, from an earlier post from you, you had asked a few questions....right now the dsl modem is connected to the desktop computer. there is only 1 patch cable connected to the desktop computer (from dsl modem). there are no telephone cords connected to the desktop, only 1 from the phone jack to the dsl modem.
i've followed all directions on setting up my home wireless network, and it just doesn't work when i have the dsl modem connected to the router and the router connected to the desktop computer. it's like the modem cannot communicate to the router.
i've had the phone company wire all the phone jacks with the dsl filters and even checked the wiring on the phone jack where the desktop is hooked up. when i have the modem connected to the router and the router to the desktop computer, all lights are on, there is just no connection. the only exception....the dsl and ethernet lights do not blink when the modem and router are connectedlike they do when only the modem is connected (if i just have the modem connected to the desktop, i have a great connection and the 2 green lights are constantly blinking).
have i totally confused you yet? :confused2
whit
There could be a few things keeping the router and DSL modem from talking.
A simple fix could be to "power cycle" the modem to make it start fresh. This is done by hooking everything up like the diagram and powering everything on except the modem. Leave it unplugged for 60 seconds while everything (at least the router) is on. After that minute, plug in the modem and if that's the only problem it should then be connected.
The difficult solution is this: some Internet companies only allow one MAC (Media Access Control) address assigned per account. This MAC address is unique to every network device in the world, sort of like a social security number. Your desktop network card has a different MAC than the wireless router does and the ISP may refuse to give a valid connection to the new MAC (router). This would explain why it works perfect with the desktop's MAC (it's probably the way you've had it set up since you got DSL, right?) This is fixed by calling the ISP and asking if they have a MAC associated with your account. If they do, ask them to clear it. They may ask you for the new one, which is on the label located on the bottom of the router, but that's unlikely. They will learn of the new MAC by setting up everything like in the diagram and power-cycling the DSL modem (unplugging it for 60 seconds then plugging it back in).
Those two are the only true reasons I've seen that a properly configuration worked the way it used to be setup and not with a new way.
Good luck! :bigggrin:
i'll try the simple fix first, and if that doesn't work, I'll call my provider about the other.
do you guys build computers for sale...or recommend a brand? laptops preferrably.
referring to being set up with only one MAC....at one time, i had the older desktop pc (the one i haven't set back up.) set up with a router because i had another laptop (no longer have that one) with a wireless notebook card. the older router died, (after the old laptop), so i never bought a new router until now (after purchasing a new desktop pc and a new laptop).
Park_7677, would you mind stepping Scrumptous through checking the following...?
It could be that she's attempting to continue to use her PPPoE Internet connection configuration on the desktop even after she's connected her desktop computer to the router.
Don't know if this has been done already but, just a reminder...the router needs to be configured for PPPoE w/ the DSL account login info. a password entered.
Regarding the desktop computer: W/ DSL, (as opposed to cable access, for instance) the Internet connection wizard needs to be run again once the user has switched from connecting directly to the DSL modem to connecting to a router (and vice versa).
IOW, the Internet connection setup needs to be performed again and set for "direct" always-on connectivity (as opposed to PPPoE) once she is connected to the router.
Truthfully, the DSL connection software is not needed on any of the PCs anymore. Some people like the Yahoo! skinned browser and Yahoo! Messenger package for AT&T/SBC DSL so I don't always suggest removing it but it's no longer vital to get online.
Windows has several different ways to switch from PPPoE (dialed connection) to Ethernet/DHCP only network so we'll try the easiest first.
1. Open Control Panel (Start > Settings > Control Panel)
2. Double click "Internet Options" (if in Classic View). For Category View click "Network and Internet Options" and then "Internet Options on the bottom half of the window.
3. In the window that pops up, choose "Connections" tab at the top. There should be a list of VPNs and dial-up networks listed. Under the list are three radio buttons. Make sure it's set to "Never dial a connection".
4. Click "Okay" and try to visit a website.
A slightly more guided (but more confusing to most) is the Network Setup Wizard.
The Network Setup Wizard is located in Step 3 of the previous list. Instead of click the radio button there is a "Setup" button at the top, just under the Connections tab. Here is a list of the options you need to choose:
Connect to the Internet > Set up my connection manually > Connect using a broadband connection that is always on > Finish. Try to visit a website after.
With your ability to view the router configuration at http://192.168.1.1 I would say that you're not too far from having it down. You can check the status of the connection between Router and Modem by logging into the router (http://192.168.1.1) and going to the "Status" tab at the top. I believe there is an Internet section with IP Address, Subnet Mask, Gateway, DNS all listed. If the IP Address is not blank or 0.0.0.0 and the majority of the other fields are filled then it's most likely working.
If you don't mind, I'm going to provide step-by-step instructions here (to compliment the instructions you outlined in your previous post # 22) for using the New Connection Wizard (just in case scrumptous needs more detail)...
Scrumptous, if you need more details re: how to use the Internet Connection Wizard or New Connection Wizard (as it is called in Windows XP operating systems), please, follow the steps below.:
These steps must be performed any time you change from connecting your computer directly to your DSL modem to connecting your computer to the router instead.
Configure Internet Settings for "Always On" Connection
http://www.csus.edu/uccs/helpdesk/network/howtoconfigurexp.stm
So....I just wanted to thank you guys for all your time, patience, and help. I really love this site and tell my friends if they ever have any questions or problems...this is the place. I have printed the posts so I can refer back to them if needed.
Again, thank you!
Whit
And, you are most welcome! We guys and gals here on Short Media are here to help. Come on back anytime, and yes, by all means, bring your friends!!