O.K But is it the same process if I am using a desktop p.c. I havn't even taken the router out of the box yet so I havn't read the manuel yet. I talked to you last time I tried to set up a wireless network and the reason it didn't work is because my internet provider and the roter's IP addresses conflicted. I was hoping you would be the one to respond to this and I didn't want to get started untill I asked you about the encryption process. I will set it up and try what you have suggested. If there is any more info. please let me know.

$159 seems like an awful lot to do a job that takes about 5 seconds.   Encryption is necessary because it keeps other people off your wireless network and keeps your information confidential while it is passing through the airwaves. 

 

Have you read the manual that comes with your wireless router?  It should have very clear instructions on how you set it up.  You go into your router's configutration page, find the security settings, choose an encryption method (WPA or WPA2 is best) enter a network key, write it down so you will remember, then enter it on you laptop the first time you attempt to connect through the router.

 

Steve

One more question before I get started. the HP desktop that will have the wieless-g USB network adapter has Windows vista home basic and the PC that it will have the router not wirelessly hooked up to has windows 2000 professional, does that matter at all?

Encryption is only on the wireless side of the connection.  Any computer that is connected by ethernet will not use encryption.  Different versions of Windows on each computer will not make any difference.  Set everything up without any encryption enabled and make sure everything works before adding the encryption settings.  Make sure that whichever method of encryption you choose to use when you set up the router is also available on the USB wireless network adapter.

 

Steve

GOOD GOD!!! I have now got the HP on the internet(i am posting this message with it) but now I can't get on with the dell. Please help me, for the love of god, why can't it just go as planned. Thank you for your help before by the way, it worked and saved us $159.00. from having the "geek squad" come to our house.

How is the Dell connected to the router?  To help troubleshoot the problem on the Dell, go to Start > Run and type cmd then click OK. In the command prompt window that opens, type ipconfig /all then hit the enter key. Write down the output from this command or select it and save it to a txt file, then copy this output into a reply to this message.

 

Steve

Do you still have the Dimension connect to the modem by USB?  This will not work.  The USB cable must be unplugged from the modem and the ethernet cable must be connected from the etherent port on the Dimension to one of the LAN ports on the router.

 

Steve

I just tried to disconnect the USB from the modem and could not get on. After I connected it again I had to restart my computer and then I could connect. If I tried to restart with just the ethernet cable in it still would not connect. Maybe I should start over from the beginning and redo every thing. Now the HP won't get on at all. How do I set up the router or my computer(the Dell) from this point so that the HP can get on.

It seems that wichever computer starts up or connects to the internet first is the only one that can be on there and right now I have the dell connected to write this message. I can't get them on at the same time, do I have to crate a new connection or network on one of them?. But here is the output from that.

 

Microsoft Windows 2000 [Version 5.00.2195]
(C) Copyright 1985-2000 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>ipconfig/all

Windows 2000 IP Configuration

        Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : D6CNQ901
        Primary DNS Suffix  . . . . . . . :
        Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
        IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
        WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connecti
on
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-03-47-4E-BD-60
        DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
        IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
        DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . :

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 8:

        Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Cable Disconnected
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Efficient Networks Enternet P.P.P.o.
E Adapter
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 44-45-53-54-77-77

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 5:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Efficient Networks USB/Ethernet ADSL
 Modem #2
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-20-EA-B5-D8-6F
        DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.95.179
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
        DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . :

PPP adapter Connection through Efficient Networks USB_Ethernet ADSL Modem #2:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
        DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
        IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 72.160.15.145
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 72.160.15.145
        DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 209.206.184.249
                                            209.206.160.253

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>

Shut everything off including the modem, the router, and all computers.  Turn on the modem.  Wait 5 minuters.  While you are waiting diconnect any USB cables from the modem and connect the an ethernet cable from the modem to the WAN (sometimes called Internet) port on the router and connect an ethernet cable from the Dimension to one of the LAN ports on the router.  Then turn on the router and wait a few more minutes.  Now turn on the computers.   The Dimension should be able to connect by ethernet and the HP should be able to connect by wireless.

 

Steve