Disconnecting laptops

[Gizmo1888]

I have two laptops, one which is connected through the ethernet on my WRT54GS wireless router, the other is connected wireless.....

When I boot up the wired laptop while the wireless one is connected to the network the wireless lappy loses its connection and the wired one doesn't connect. I then have to power off the Virgin BB Modem and the router, leave them for a few seconds.....power up the modem till the ready light is solid then power up the router...... this process allows both laptops to connect.

Any ideas?


I have read while the wireless laptop is connected to the network it has been issued an IP address and when I boot up the wired laptop the router may be giving the same IP to the wired one which isn't allowed. I'm unsure if this is the case or how to check if thats whats happening.

[RDDearing]

To rule out IP allocation you could give each laptop a fixed IP address instead of letting the router assign them.

[Gizmo1888]

Originally Posted by RDDearing

To rule out IP allocation you could give each laptop a fixed IP address instead of letting the router assign them.

I don't know how to do this.....

Also, would setting static IP's to each laptop affect wireless ability if I were to try and connect to a hotspot elsewhere, say in a Net Cafe

[RDDearing]

Setting static IPs would affect connections elsewhere but for testing purposes it would at least rule out the router's DHCP assignment.

To change the laptops from DHCP to static you need to (assuming XP):

1. Go into Control Panel, Network Connections and right-click the icon for the wireless connection.
2. When the properties box opens, select TCP/IP and click Properties.
3. Change the first radio button from "Assign an address" to "Specify an Address" and enter the IP that the laptop has been getting from the router.
4. Enter a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 (assuming the IP address is 192.168.something) and enter the router's address as the gateway.
5. Change DNS from automatic to specify and enter the router's address as the first or primary DNS server. Click OK until it's all saved and applied.

You should then be able to type the router's IP address in a web browser and see the router's home page. If so, then try some web addresses.

[DaiNasty]

Originally Posted by RDDearing

[*]Change the first radio button from "Assign an address" to "Specify an Address" and enter the IP that the laptop has been getting from the router.

It might be interesting to know what that IP has been up to now. That could indicate if the DHCP server is even running.