Livebox, wireless and France

Question

I bought a Dell Inspiron 1300 notebook computer so that I could use it in both England and France. It has built in wireless (IntelProWireless 2200 802.11b/g Mini PC1 Wireless LAN Card). It has the McAfee antivirus package. When I was in England I was able to connect to the internet. When I went to France I installed Livebox (Orange/Wanadoo) so that I could get ADSL. The instructions for this required uninstalling McAfee. I installed Livebox selecting the wireless option (using the USB Wi-Fi adaptor). During the installation process I remember that the computer (not Livebox installation) came up with a message asking if I wanted the computer to recognise a new network. I chose to ignore this since it was not part of the Livebox installation and I thought if I agreed to let the computer recognise it, it might interfere with the installation process. Livebox appeared to have been installed correctly – the check boxes included at the end of the process were all ticked. When I tried to go on line it disconnected and I was stuck with that situation. Later I tried connecting using the appropriate wire. I was then able to connect. I reinstalled McAfee. Then it disconnected again. I uninstalled McAfee again and tried to connect. This worked. So I was able to connect with a wire (when I had installed using the wireless version with USB adaptor) but was unable to use McAfee anti-virus. Clearly this was not an acceptable situation. I then returned to England and have the Orange/Livebox installation and need to get the computer to recognise my original (in England) wireless connection.   Three questions arise from this account. 1. How do I get the computer to recognise my original (in England) wireless connection? 2. How do I overcome the problem I had in France to make the Orange/Livebox work (as it should) with my wireless card? 3. How do I get the computer to recognise both my set up in England and the Orange/Livebox set up in France?   I would be very grateful for any assistance you can offer.

Jacques00 · Answer

Hello Hugh,

I have had my own share of troubles with Wanadoo's so-called Liveboxes, and may be able to help with one of your problems.

What is not very well explained in their instructions and seems a bit of overkill, is that the Livebox needs to be put in a form of 'receiving' mode before you can actually input the lengthy password so that you can connect to it in wireless mode.

There should be a small button underneath the box, next to the power socket if my memory serves me right. This was underneath, not on the side. Sometimes there are two buttons, so you have to read the instructions to know which one to use, as they're not identified on the box (one of them is for resetting the box).

You need to press the (correct) button to put the Livebox in 'reception' or 'recognition' mode. I beleive one or some of the lights start flashing while it stays in that mode.

You then have a couple of minutes to try to connect by WIFI and input the lengthy password. This is the same procedure you would normally use for any WIFI connection, only now the stupid box will accept your computer and memorize its identity.

Once the Livebox has added your computer to its list of 'OK' computers, you should be able to connect to it by WIFI without further ado in the future.

Beware : these boxes seem very prone to power surges during storms and may become useless if left turned on and unprotected. I have had to have ours exchanged for free, but it was still a bit of a pain.

Hope this helps,

Jacques.

Hugh South · Answer

Hi Jacques

Thanks for the advice. I found the button under Livebox and followed the instructions correctly I think. Perhaps the best thing will be to unistall Livebox and start again. Good warning about power surges and I'll certainly get a surge protected socket. Thanks again,

Hugh

jtg123 · Answer

Dear Hugh,   I have experienced similar problems in France trying to connect to Livebox and wonder if the same problem arises in the UK with a wireless connection. I have a new Dell Inspiron 9400 laptop (with wireless built-in) and tried to connect to the Orange livebox (formerly Wanadoo). I tried to use the CD provided and then was told by technical support to skip this step and let Windows manage the installation. Bottom line: after numerous attempts the best I can do is to show that the network is trying to connect with the message 'acquiring network address'. The problem is that it never does connect. Orange France finally told me that there is a compatability problem between the Livebox and wireless enabled dual core technology computers. I was told that to benefit from the wireless connection I would need to disable the security protection on my wireless settings otherwise to go for a fixed connection or another router!   Since the whole point of going with Orange was to receive good service I was badly mistaken. I wonder if Orange UK is better organized on this or UK customers are  experiencing the same problems. I am so fed up that I intend to go out tomorrow and buy a Netgear router. Two articles from the Orange knowlege base might help, reference numbers kb7225 and kb7286.   I'm sorry I can't help but would be interested in hearing others experiences.   Keywords: Inventel modem, dual core, can't connect, network security

Jacques00 · Answer

Hello Hugh,   I'm not sure I can help you with all your questions, but here goes: 1- It seems to me your English wifi connection should not have been affected by what you did with the Livebox. It should still be there and operational.   2- read my previous response and try to find the 'recognition button' on the Livebox (mine was underneath) which will put the box into recognition mode, and allow your computer to establish a relationship with it. Your computer should say something about 'nearby networks' being available and from there you should be able to complete the protocole and type in your password to establish a wifi connection with the box.   3- Both networks should be set up, or at least the one from England and afterward the one from France also. In your bottom right icon bar, you should see the icon for 'Intel ProSet Wireless', otherwise find it under 'Start', 'All Programs'. It will show you all the network wifi connections your computer has connected to. You may see the Livebox connection, and it may even have the user and setup information, but since your computer has not managed to establish a relationship with the box yet, this will not work until it does. As I mentioned in my previous response: I'm convinced the problem is not with your computer, but with the stupid box and its awkward protocole.   By the way, I'm still convinced McAfee has nothing to do with your Livebox connection problems, and should not be uninstalled any more. Good luck.

Hugh South · Answer

Thanks for your advice. I've found that I can still use wirelss in England but need to have a fixed connection in France. So that's what I'm working with. All the best.

Hugh South · Answer

Thanks for your experience. It's good to know I'm not the only one. I have given up trying to use wireless but have found that if I use a fixed connection it works. So that's what I'm using.   Hugh

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Was this post helpful?