Questions about networking

Question

I'm new to networking and wireless so please bear with what may appear to be simple questions. First, I have the Dell Truemobile 2300 and the TrueMobile 1300 PC card. When I used the CD to install the wireless router the program would not recognize my internet connection. I called the Tech Help and about three hours later got set up. How come the program didn't recognize the internet connection? Next, when I go to the Dell web site to adjust settings it asks for a user name and password. It looks to be defaults - and I am wondering if I can change these, and if so, how can I do it - there doesn't appear to be a simple way to do this. When I was talking with web support I asked about disabling the SSID function. Looking at the users manual it states that there is a block to check to do this. I do not see this, but I do see a block that says to check it in order to hide network. Is this the same thing? We set the system up with WEP security. I would like to set it for WPA security, yet when I enable it and enter the security word - it stops the connection. I have downloaded the XP fixes that are mentioned on this  board. What could I be doing wrong. I am assuming that the hardware firewall is working. I see nothing to adjust with that. Is this correct? Lastly, the name of my wireless has a default word. Should I change that? Thanks for the help.

viper11885 · Answer

I don't know the answers to all your questions, but I'll do my best with the ones I know.

For password, go into your router's settings. There should be a section in there where you can change the username, password, or both.

For SSID, it looks like that is the setting to turn it off. Try it out.

Hardware firewall, check to make sure that it is enabled in the router's settings. No need to adjust anything else unless you specifically want to open ports, etc.

SSID Name, it is best to change it to something else other than default.

johnallg · Answer

I can add that the cd Utility addresses the wrong IP address for the router and thus doesn't work.  Two things you can do - change the IP address of the router to the one the utility addresses or better yet wing the cd out the window and use the web interface to do the setting up and you also learn more about the router and network control in the bargain.  It has been posted many times here about the cd Utility being worthless.

NewWonk · Answer

Thanks for the advice. As far as I can tell I am now connected very well using WPA security. I never could find the setting for the router firewall. Where can I find that? Also, when I was setting the router and the card to WPA it had a pull down for something like AE ..something or TK...something. What are these? I put it at the AE..something. Is that ok?

johnallg · Answer

I have no in-depth knowledge of WPA (I use w2k) so maybe search the Microsoft KB section for clarification.  I do know they are encryption methods but no specifics like the differences or advantages.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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