26 replies to this topic

[paieye]

I use various notebooks to go on-line here, via Nildram broadband. My router is a Netgear DG834GT. Until recently, I have had no trouble connecting, whether with a MacBook or with a PC. All that changed about a week ago.

MacBook

This finds about 8 wireless-connexions, the strongest being our own. However, if I choose that connexion, I can only occasionally get on to the Internet. Instead, I choose what must be a distinctly less strong connexion in a neighbouring property, and that works every time.

Toshiba Portege (XP Home) or IBM ThinkPad (XP Pro)

These at best will connect only via ethernet. They do not show a single wireless connexion. Device Manager shows all the Network Adapters as enabled, and I have repeatedly disabled and re-enabled them. Both have drivers that are fully up-to-date.

Can any kind person help ?

[paws]

Hi first of all a disclaimer...a Mac expert I am not..... However, the fact that you can "see" your own connection, along with others, indicates that your router is transmitting a wireless signal....so there is either something wrong with the signal/reception, perhaps there is a mismatch between the channel number your Netgear is using and the channel that your network adaptior card is receiving on or the encryption you are using is breaking down. Two suggestions: 1 Try a different router this will narrow down the the problem area....try it first with 2 way software firewall disabled and with SSID Not inhibited (on the replacement router) 2 Unless you have a valid permission to use someone elses wireless connection don't connect to it........in a lot of jurisdictions this is a criminal offence! Back now to familiar ground!..........With your pcs....your Replacement router may now work fine but if not: 1Reboot (power cycle) your router and both Pcs 2 ensure wireless is switched on in your PC 3 enable Windows Wireless config utility 4 from a command prompt try the following commands ipconfig /release hit enter ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /renew hit enter Note there is a space between the config and the / in all the commands finally ipconfig /all hit enter now write down the message you receive (all of it) and post it back here so we can see what needs to be done next regards paws edit I just saw that this is your first post to the WTT forums...so a warm welcome to you...

Edited by paws, 06 June 2008 - 09:30 AM.

[paieye]

Thank you for your prompt and helpful answer, and I shall report back as soon as I can get back to the PCs, which will be later -- possibly quite late -- today.

[paws]

[paieye]

Attachment or pasted into body of message ?

[paieye]

I see that attachments are in fact permitted, and, as the file is rather a long piece of text, here it is.

Attached Files

•  WTT1.doc   26.5KB   62 downloads

[paws]

Hi,
There is no connection between your Pcs router and the Pcs ( sorry to state the obvious) could your firewall be blocking things?
If you are running a software firewall try and disable it for a short test and see how you go (your Netgear Router contains its own hardware firewall so this is not a risky procedure to undertake in your own home with your computer.

You need to do this :
Open Network connections, click on your wireless connection, click on properties, click on Internet Protocol/TCP/IP, click on Poperties and ensure that both
Obtain an IP address automatically
and
Obtain DNS server address automatically
are selected.
Ok your way out
now close down and restart both your pcs and your substitute router with encryption turned off and SSID being broadcast and see if you get a connection between them.
Let us know how you go
Regards
paws
Ps I will be off on my hols shortly but some of the other "regulars" on the forum will be sure to drop by if I dont reply for a while

Edited by paws, 06 June 2008 - 02:44 PM.

[paieye]

If you are running a software firewall try and disable it for a short test and see how you go (your Netgear Router contains its own hardware firewall so this is not a risky procedure to undertake in your own home with your computer.

Yes, I have already done that.

You need to do this :
Open Network connections, click on your wireless connection, click on properties, click on Internet Protocol/TCP/IP, click on Poperties and ensure that both
Obtain an IP address automatically
and
Obtain DNS server address automatically
are selected.

There is no tab or window corresponding to that.

close down and restart both your pcs and your substitute router with encryption turned off and SSID being broadcast...

Remind me how I reach the encryption- and SSID-settings, please -- after 18 carefree months of Apple Macintosh, I am a bit rusty...

Ps I will be off on my hols shortly but some of the other "regulars" on the forum will be sure to drop by if I dont reply for a while

Thank you, and have an excellent holiday !

[paieye]

I have found the IP- and DNS- settings, which were already automatic, but am still wondering about encryption and SSID...

[paws]

Hi,
The encryption settings are set up initially in your router....... and should be the same as those set up in your wireless network adapter.
Most DG834G's can be accessed from a machine that is connected by an Ethernet cable to the router. (Instructions for similar routers are not too different...)
on this machine (dg834G) open your browser and type
http://192.168.0.1
and hit enter.
This should take you to the opening page of your router set up configuration (log in screen)
This is "protected" by a user name and password....if you have this already filled in with admin as the user name and "stars" as the password then just hit enter and you will be in, and can then click on Wireless" and check set up/alter your SSID and encryption..
NOTES
if http://192.168.0.1 doesn't take you to the router log in screen
then try
192.168.1.1
and if still no joy then
www.routerlogin.com
if by any chance your log in screen has not been allocated an individual password ,personal to you, (an insecure situation that really need to be remedied) then the current default is
admin
admin
for both user name and password (both lower case) If the router is old then the default password is likely to be different and we can advise you of the older ones....but try the curent one first!

Here's a link to the Netgear installation instructions and owners manual ( just in case you can't find your own copy)
http://kbserver.netg...ira/default.asp

If after this you still can't get in, then you will need to post back here for further instructions and one of the other regulars will take you through the next steps.
Good luck and I hope you get it sorted soon..
Regards
paws

[paieye]

paws, a big thank-you, and I shall report back as soon as I can get to the wretched PC.

[paieye]

I am now back with the Netgear router, and the MacBook is unable to go on-line using it whether with ethernet or with wireless. I replaced the router with a Netgear DG834G v 3, and the result is precisely the same for the MacBook and for the Toshiba.

[paieye]

After long discussions with Nildram and tinkering with the settings, this connexion using the Netgear router is now working. Nildram blames the router, but I have tried 3 different ones, so am bound to feel a little sceptical in that respect. That leaves only the question of how to get wireless to work on the PC.

[tonka001]

After long discussions with Nildram and tinkering with the settings, this connexion using the Netgear router is now working. Nildram blames the router, but I have tried 3 different ones, so am bound to feel a little sceptical in that respect.

That leaves only the question of how to get wireless to work on the PC.

Hi paieye,

I hope paws doesn't mind me throwing in just a couple of things.

Please don't be offended, but have you checked the wireless switch on the toshiba? Also along the same lines does the wireless indicator show glowing?

I haven't read up on the IMB yet. I have found others that have had the same "disconnected media" problems. There were several ways to correct it. But it depends on what going on 1st.

Post back when you get a chance and someone will be around to lend a hand.

Best regards
Tonka

[paieye]

Tonka -- Thanks for your message, and I am not a bit offended. Yes, I have repeatedly checked the switch at the front of the Toshiba to ensure that it is set to On, and the wireless-indicator at the front of the router -- whichever one I use, by the way -- glows.