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Wi-Fi - Schmi-Fi!

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by var1016

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Hello.

This time a wi-fi problem.

There is an IP provider's (Orange Livebox) box here at work. The boss's laptop connects fine via wi-fi to this. I cannot connect using my Belkin wireless dongle.

Quick history: The dongle picks up the signal fine. If I leave the computer to assign automatically an IP address there is no connection ("Windows could not assign an IP address"). If I assign the same address as on the boss's laptop, then I get "connected" but not to the Internet. Then if I connect via ethernet cable, suddenly I have a wireless connection according to the Belkin software.

Help please!
Thanks in advance
Paul

16 replies

by .martin.

if MAC filtering is enabled on the router?

by var1016

No; unfortunately I have never heard of MAC filtering!

N.B. there is no "router" as such, just the "modem - livebox" supplied by the IP

What is it?

Paul

by oh smeg

Quite Often there is sufficient Security involved to prevent more than 1 Concurrent Connection from Happening this is mostly MAC Filtering, well it's the most common method anyway.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAC_filtering

It's not sufficient to have a valid IP Address you must setup the computer to attach correctly and be accepted by the WiFi Access Point. These are normally locked down to 1 Access Point by Default and to add more you need to enter the Devices Setup and change the number of Concurrent Connections and ideally the Default Password & User Name at the same time to prevent others Hacking the WiFi network and stealing both the Companies Bandwidth and Data. Also the Device Supplied by the ISP is most likely a Router + the Modem to access the ISP and allow a WiFi Connection. Most of these modems have a Router Piggybacked/ included into them. ;)

Here I would say that the Wireless and Wired LAN's are Bridged so that when you connect with a wire the WiFi Software suddenly see that you have a correct WiFi Connection.

Col

by .martin.

look on the modem/router, it should have some info like default access with an IP address like 192.168.1.1 (that is the default setting)
and a username and password (usually admin and password respectively)

you want to type in the address, then enter the username and password (case sensitive).

once in the modem/router it may take a bit of looking around (as every router is different, but I can find MAC filtering on my router under Advanced Wireless Settings, and again it may not be called MAC filtering, it may be called Wireless Card Access List (or something like that)

keep us informed (and I hope I haven't confused you :D )

.Martin.

by dmambo

To determine the IP address of the router, on the boss' PC, open the command prompt (type CMD in the run text box) then type IPCONFIG in the black command window. You should see an entry for "Default Gateway" with a 4-part IP address. Enter that IP address into the address line of your browser. If you have the manual for this router, it would help. You can probably download it from the manufacturer's web site.

Bon Chance

(sorry .Martin. Based on the other posts, I thought he might need some remedial help.)

by var1016

Well I have to get the login and password before I can proceed with this.

I do not want to screw up because after a lot of swearing the boss managed to get his laptop working via wi-fi from this box...

Paul

by .martin.

as that is what is supplying the WiFi.

without the router portion it would just have a phoneline port and an ethernet port (or USB in some cases)

by var1016

The box has phone ports and a couple of ethernet outlets, one marked with a red band (which works) and one yellow (which doesn't!)

Paul

by var1016

Hello and thanks very much for this. I am afraid I find it rather hard ro understand. If I understand correctly I have to set up my computer yes?

So where do I go to do this set up? I have looked at various things in Control Panel, but nothing seems to relate to what you wrote.

Sorry to be so thick!

Paul

by oh smeg

This is generally through a Web Page Interface where you type in a HTTP address and then when you get the Log In Screen you enter the User Name which with most devices is [b]Admin[/b] and the Password which is so hard to work out [b]Password.[/b] But you'll need to read the manual for the device which should be a PDF File on the CD that comes with the thing from the ISP.

Ideally you should change these when you are in there to to something different so that you don't get someone from outside cracking the unit and adding themself as a Power User who has access to everything.

I always use a Wired Connection to setup these devices initially as it's simpler and then you need to use the Wireless Setup Wizard in XP at least which is found in the Menu under Start, All Programs, Accessories, Communications. Wireless Network Setup Wizard. ;)

Col

by var1016

Thanks, I did run CMD and got the ip address. I deleted "automatically assign IP etc.) and entered the address. It was then I got connected - but without Internet of course. WIndows told me that the address was invalid. This is the point when the idea of throwing stuff out the window starts to appeal!

As an aside, I recall my girlfriend buying a wireless transmitter and receiver to connect her laptop to her PC. "Five minutes" the blurb said to set up. This was an outrageous lie. Hours of fiddling and swearing. We went out for beer. She finally figured it out next day - I had to walk away from it - something to do with channels. Naturally there was no mention of this in the instructions, so I had to have another rant!

Thanks again

Paul

by .martin.

is they are based around someone who knows what they are doing (no offense)

for example it took me five to ten minutes to set up my last router

by var1016

Yes this was pointed out to me by somebody at the time.

My point is that if these things are complex, which it seems they are (!) then either a) the instructions should be complete and thorough - a useless "help" facility does not count - or b) then these devices should be sold only to professionals.

And if those marketing these things say "five minutes" then it should be five minutes - for anybody who buys them. If not then it is a gross mis-representation.

After all one would not buy a car (a complex thing when all said and done) that does not start or has no transmission!

Thanks

Paul

by .martin.

you could try hooking up another router to the Ethernet of them modem (Netgear and Belkin are by far the easiest to set up)

Good Luck :)

.Martin.

by oh smeg

If you look at anything they say Easy Setup for TV's, Video Recorders and so on and you piratically need a PhD from your Local Uni to unpack these things let alone set them up as described in the Destruction Manual. :D

Or the [b]Easy Start[/b] lawn mower it's only easy to start when you don't need it to be the moment you need a easy start thing you can guarantee that it's almost impossible to start. ;)

I had to install a fridge the other day should have been simple but when it came time to set the clock in it so that it shut off overnight to be Frost Free you needed a Computer to read the CD so you could look at the Destruction Manual. Guess who didn't have a computer handy because I didn't take my NB with me to my mothers place to install the [b]Bloody Fridge.[/b]

I had a friend buy a Vacuum Cleaner a while ago and it wasn't a expensive one just sort middle of the range and it came with a CD on how to use it as well. At least though the main part was a Video so the DVD Player could display it but have you ever tried to read a PDF File in a DVD? :^0

Col

Col

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