Advice needed please re. wireless setup

[cherrypinks]

Hi there, I've been trying all afternoon to solve this problem but going around in circles with it now so any advice very greatfully received ...

I got my Netgear Wireless-G Router through today from Virgin and I rang them to ask if I could keep my desptop wired and my laptop wireless, they said i could and not to install the set up CD in the desktop if this is the case but on my laptop instead. I told them my laptop has no CD drive so he said ring back when you're ready to start and we can help you do it manually.

So far so good but the only problem is the laptop I have is an Acer Aspire One Netbook which runs on Linux, which I know Virgin don't support. I read on another site that the Netgear router itself supports Linux but I don't want to ring Virgin back and for them to start to talk me through the windows screens when thats not what I will have ??? I feel like as soon as I say its Linux they will say they can't help...

So I'm stuck now I have a laptop I can't connect and a router I don't want to set up on a desktop... does anyone have any advice, is this problem solveable or should I just try and sell the Laptop and buy a new one with XP and a CD drive on instead? I feel very frustrated as it was a christmas present and I hate to think of there money going to waste :(

I hope all that makes sense, many thanks ...

[RubberyDuck]

You shouldn't need the CD to install the router.

Switch on the router, give it a few minutes to do it's thing.

The linux netbook should be able to connect to it regardless of what version you are using. You can generally configure them by browsing to one of the following web addresses:

192.168.1.254
192.168.2.1

I guess the router is new, so a password should not be set already, if you are prompted for one.

I would at least enable WPA and put a password on it.

The Desktop can be directly wired to it assuming their are Ethernet ports, which I can't believe there won't be.

HTH.

[cherrypinks]

Thank you so much for that, I'm beginning to feel more hopeful now but can I ask for a couple of things to be explained because this is all really new to me...

What does this mean ..

You can generally configure them by browsing to one of the following web addresses:

192.168.1.254
192.168.2.1

and this .....

I would at least enable WPA and put a password on it

Sorry to need it so simplified I am a total novice and wouldn't be even attempting this if I hadn't got the netbook as a gift,

Many thanks in advance

[danielf]

Thank you so much for that, I'm beginning to feel more hopeful now but can I ask for a couple of things to be explained because this is all really new to me...

What does this mean ..

You can generally configure them by browsing to one of the following web addresses:

192.168.1.254
192.168.2.1

You can generally visit your router's configuration pages by typing that address into your web browser. (Try this from the desktop, which is connected by cable). Generally, it is easiest to try and connect your machines with cable first anyway, and only try to sort out the wireless later on.



and this .....

I would at least enable WPA and put a password on it

Sorry to need it so simplified I am a total novice and wouldn't be even attempting this if I hadn't got the netbook as a gift,

Many thanks in advance

WPA is a security protocol that prevents others (your neighbours for instance) from piggybacking off your wireless connection (which is not something you want, particularly if they were to use your connection for downloading kiddie porn).

[xpod]

I feel like as soon as I say its Linux they will say they can't help...


Your not far wrong but it can be fun trying:)

I got my Netgear Wireless-G Router through today from Virgin and I rang them to ask if I could keep my desptop wired and my laptop wireless, they said i could and not to install the set up CD in the desktop if this is the case but on my laptop instead. I told them my laptop has no CD drive so he said ring back when you're ready to start and we can help you do it manually.

Have you actually disconnected your modem from your desktop and reconnected it to the routers INTERNET port,powered up the modem,then router....then the PC`s connected to router?

[cherrypinks]

No I haven't tried to connect the router yet because in the set up guide that comes with the CD is says "Don't connect any PC's to your router before or during set up" and "Don't connect your modem to your router until you are told to" -

I'm guessing these instructions would be on the CD installation but as I can't run that should I just set up the router as if i had bought it from PC World or somewhere and didn't have an installation CD or is there something on the CD that I will need to complete the set up? Once its running do I just plug my desktop PC into the router and it will recognise it? Also if this all goes wrong can I just unplug the router and plug the PC back into the modem and everything be back to normal?

Sorry for all the questions !! Many thanks

[Raistlin]

You don't need the CD.

Your connection can be set up manually.

I'm not a VM customer myself, so I'm not sure of the exact steps, someone here should be able to help you through it though :)

[xpod]

Forget the CD:)
Unplug your modem and plug it into the Routers WAN port.
Plug one of your PC`s into one of the routers 4 LAN ports.
Power up the modem and wait till the 2 right hand lights(sync & ready) are solid then power up router.
Once that`s powered up turn on your PC...preferably a wired one for the time being,till you setup your own wireless security.

My own VM Netgear address is 192.168.1.1 although i cant recall if it had any wireless security in place when i first got the thing.
You will be able to plug your desktop back in if needs be but i dont think it will come to that.

[chickendippers]

The default SSID and passwords are printed on the bottom of the router :)

[xpod]

The default SSID and passwords are printed on the bottom of the router

I`ve just dug mine out the drawer to check and all the bottom of this one tells me is the address and username/password,which is virgin & password respectively.I was able to change the password but not the username if i remember correctly.It`s been a while since i actually used it.

I think it did have some kind of wireless security in place when we first got the thing but i just cant remember.

[moaningmags]

The wireless security is enabled from first turn on. Default SSID is Virgin Broadband.
After you connect, easier with a wired connection first, opening Internet Explorer will give you a page requesting you make a new SSID, new passphrase, channel and router password. Enter these, click apply and that's it.

[Joxer]

Easiest thing to do in you case:

1. Unplug power from modem and router.
2. Connect modem to router using ethernet cable - it goes in the yellow socket on the router
3. Connect one of the four spare socket (any one) to the dektop.
4. Open a web browser, you should get the router setup page.
5. Enter a network name (SSID) and passphrase (don't forget it).
6. Close the window when prompted, reopen browser and check it works.
7. Refer to the Acer manual fo r how to connect to a wireless netwok, use the network name and passphrase in step 5.
8. Happy surfing.

Points to note - If you can't browse on the Desktop after step 6. try it with another browser, it seems to not like some browsers though not particularly usefully, I can't remember which. If it fails you will just get the setup page again. Check the Acer supports WPA - if it doesn't, post back for info on how to set up WEP.