Ethernet cable

[emmie]

laptop had problems yesterday, or should say the wireless router, we lost all connection to the web, so had to spend an age talking it through with ISP
how to get it back, long process, anyway it works, he said it happens sometimes, but what we can't do is use laptop without an ethernet cable plugged in. A mate who knows about computers set it so you wouldn't need the ethernet cable plugged in,but he is not around at the minute to sort it out, can anyone tell me how to do it. I am not overly computer literate, have Windows 7, and work my way round net etc, but nothing technical.

[emmie]

no tech people awake yet, help please

[ChuckFickens]

Whats the make and model of the router?

[emmie]

on base of router it says Broadband wireless router, Echolife HG520s
not sure if thats what you are after

[chrissa1]

Have you tried the "Connection Troubleshooter? Also try switching it off for 10 seconds and switching it back on. I lose my signal sometimes and it works everytime. Also has your router got a small reset button, press that too.

[emmie]

no its not that, its all working now, it wasn't a simple switch off and back on, the router had tripped out, not sure how the tech people would explain that, but its the second time its done it. And spent a long time with the ISP on the phone going through each menu, to get in back on line, he told me the routers do that some times, everything works, obviously as i am on here, but before it went doolally i was able to e mail, do whatever without needing the ethernet cable plugged into laptop. So if i take out the ethernet cable from router to laptop, i have no connection. Its a nuisance because its a long cable that gets tangled, and also can't move it far with all this wiring.

[ChuckFickens]

OK, while connected to the router using a cable open a browser and click this link http://192.168.1.1 then when prompted enter the user name of "admin" and the password of "admin" and you should be logged into the routers admin pages.

Once there click the little plus next to basic on the left hand side to expand it and then click on wireless LAN to bring up the wireless config page. then use the following settings... from the top...

Access point: enabled

channel ID united kingdom and then just pick any channel number (if you get problems with it disconnecting later come back and change the channel)

SSID index: 1

Broadcast SSID: yes

SSID: this is the name used to identify your network that everyone in range will see when they search for wireless networks and can be anything you like.

authentication type: WPA-PSK

Encryption: TKIP

Pre-shared key: this is going to be your password you need for connecting to your wireless, you can put anything you like in here but make a note of it or use something you won't forget.

The rest of the settings below this you can just leave as they are, so scroll down to the bottom of the page and click submit...

Once you've done the above, disconnect the ethernet cable, make sure your wireless is switched on and search for wireless networks, you should see one called whatever you named yours above under SSID, click on that and enter the password you entered above under pre-shared key and you should be good to go.

[dotty.]

I had to use the ethernet cable for 3 years on my old laptop as any wirelss dongle i used always failed. this new laptop is wireless in built and it's ace, I don't know the answer, except to re-set the hub, but being tied to a cable is hard work.

[chrissa1]

Aha!!! You might need a USB internet adaptor. Hang on while I go upstairs to check my pc as I needed one to get a signal up there from my router down here.

[ChuckFickens]

Come on people... stop confusing the issue! the hub has already been reset, that's why the wireless needs setting up again, and it's a windows7 laptop, it will have wireless built in so no need for a dongle.

Will people please stop suggesting things like resetting the router when you've clearly got no idea how to set up a router.

[chrissa1]

It's a Netgear USB Adaptor. I don't know how much they cost as mine was given to me but it allowed my pc to get the signal from my router no problem. Hope you get it sorted em10.

[chrissa1]

We're only trying to help chuck :(

[ChuckFickens]

I know that you are only trying to help but to suggest resetting the router would leave em with no internet connection at all, even with a Ethernet cable, and as the laptop was working wireless before then it clearly doesn't need a USB wireless adaptor. answers based on opinion and/or your own systems are rarely going to be relevant to anyone else's system.

We all make mistakes on here sometimes but making suggestions when there is no understanding of what the problem or the question is will only leave people in a worse situation then they already are.

[emmie]

a mate got it to work before, without using any USB adapter, or anything, he just knows more about computers, so we have been able to use it for the last 6 months without the ethernet cable, he's not around for a while otherswise would ask.
Chuckfickens will try your instructions, will have to print it off and read it carefully, don't want another horlicks, like yesterday, half a day on the phone to ISP, add to that the cooker stopped working so was a really bad day. Thanks for the help, if i manage to sort it will let you know.

[dotty.]

I think I was only showing empathy for em having to use an ethernet cable rather than suggesting a solution to the problem chuck, : (

[emmie]

You are all nice people, so thank you for suggestions, if worse comes to worse, will get back onto ISP people, because we rent line/broadband from them, doesn't cost to speak to their sales/tech depts, if it did, would have cost a fortune.

[AlBags]

Always try a router reboot first Em.
Some (like the Livebox I use) have a reboot button. Failing that turn off then on after a few secs.

[emmie]

chuckfickens got through three quarters of the instructions, go to submit, ok. unplug ethernet cable from laptop and router, but the bit i keep getting stuck on is the last paragraph, search for wireless network, mine is listed in box, so fine, but when you say click on that, i can't figure what i am supposed to be clicking on. Say this my network (**********) do you take out the network name and add my password, bit confused sorry

[AlBags]

He means after disconnecting ethernet cable .. look at available wireless networks. Yours should show there now.
Try a reboot if it doesn't .. or scan/search for networks.
Click on your network name entry there, and connect, or try r/click and connect to .. It should ask for the network key.
Enter what you saved earlier as pre-shared key.
Laptop 'should' connect.
Al.

[emmie]

on right hand side of the screen box gives all available networks, ours is top one, small box within, connect, if you click on that, message comes up and say not connected to network, ahhhh how to do things remotely, not easy, follow instructions to letter but falling at that bit

[AlBags]

Does it show it connected to anything in that display?
and if you r-click on it? ... connect to?