Issue:
I normally have 4 computers hooked to the Internet through a Linksys cable modem and Linksys wireless G network router and am running a firewalled, but otherwise non secure network. Occasionally there is a 5th laptop computer is connected. The 5th computer now will only recognize both network and internet connection if it is connected wirelessly. If I connect it to the router with a wired connection it will recognize the network, but not an internet connection.
Things ran as they should have for two years. My first problem was with a computer running Vista Home Premium (32 bit). It stopped connecting wirelessly. I replaced the wireless G adapter with a Linksys USB adapter. Even with Linksys technical support help I could not get that to connect to the network or internet even though device manager indicated it was hooked up and working properly. Eventually I moved the router to where that computer was located and did a hard wire connection to the router. It works fine with the hard wire connection.
The problem was that with new location of cable modem and router I could not get a strong enough signal where 2 computers are located. Eventually I solved that by hard wiring them to the router. Those two computers run XP Home and XP Media Center. I also currently have one computer hooked up wirelessly that runs successfully and runs XP Media Center.
As mentioned above if I turn on a 5th laptop computer it will connect wirelessly. The problem is that where I need to use it with the new location of the router the signal is too weak. If I remove a wired connection from one computer that is working, turn off wireless adapter, and connect that wire to the laptop, the laptop will recognize the network but no applications will recognize the always on internet connection. That computer runs XP Pro. I have tried establishing a new internet connection on the laptop but that did not help. Since the wired connection is working with another computer I do not believe there is an issue with either the router or wiring. Further since the laptop recognizes the network and I can transfer files it is not likely that there is an internal issue with the networking card on the laptop.
It only two things I can think of that I have not tried on the laptop are rebooting the router after the wired connection is changed to the laptop and trying to hook up the laptop to a 4th wire. It would seem that the first should not be needed and I would really prefer not running a 3rd wire behind walls and to a separate floor even it it worked.
Equipment summary
1 Vista Home Premium – only wired connection works – recognizes wireless card but will not connect trough it even though device manager indicates it is working properly.
1 XP Media center – both wired and wireless work but have to use wired due to distance
1 XP Media Center – using wireless successfully – never tried wired
1 XP Home – both wired and wireless work but have to use wired because of distance
1 XP Pro laptop – only wireless will fully work and wired connects to network but not internet.
I am really not sure what to try next.
By any chance, are you trying to use something other than Windows to manage the wireless adapter? If you are, remove it.
Now, Click on Start, right click on Network highlight properties, and click on manage network connections on the Tasks menu.
Your two options will be the icons for your LAN and Wireless Network. Is it enabled and without red or yellow marks? It could be disable, it could be not connected and you can't view wireless networks because the switch is off, or it may just nut see your unsecure network (unlikely).
If the above is clear, right click on the wireless and highlight Properties and left click so it brings up the Networking tab. Highlight IPv4 and click on Properties. Make sure the Obtain dots are ticked. That should work, since you are running unsecured.
If it already is, check the red X or if it isn't click OK and close down the box.
Now, back to where your Wireless card is showing, right click it and you have Disable, Connect/Disconnect, Status, Diagnose etc.
If you're still Disconnected but not Disabled, click on Connect/Disconnect. Does it show your wireless network?
By this time, it should. If it doesn't post back. The other possibility is that you take your computer to a wireless internet cafe, McDonalds, Panera Bread, or motel with WiFi and test it there.
Carl
NOTE: The image may vary depending on the computer and modem you're using.
Connecting the Devices Together
After confirming the Internet connection through the modem, connect
the modem to the Internet port of the router; connect the computer to
any of the four Ethernet ports at the back of the router. For
instructions, click here.
Checking the Router's LEDs
After connecting the devices together, check the lights on the front
panel of the router. Ensure that the Internet light, as well as
numbered light corresponding to the Ethernet port where the computer is
connected, is lit. For further instructions, click here.
Setting Up a Linksys Router for Cable Internet Connection
Step 1:
Access the router's web-based setup page. For instructions, click here.
NOTE: If you are using a Mac computer to access the router's web-based setup page, click here.
Step 2:
On the Setup tab, click the MAC Address Clone sub-tab.
Step 3:
Select Enabled then click Clone My PC's MAC.
Step 4:
Click Save Settings.
Step 5:
Click the Status tab.
Step 6:
Check the Internet IP Address. If the Internet IP Address has
numbers, this means the router has been properly configured. You
should now be able to access the Internet. If you're still unable to
access the Internet, powercycle the modem, the router and then restart
the computer.
NOTE: If the IP address is still 0.0.0.0, click IP Address Release then, click IP Address Renew. If this does not change the IP Address, powercycle the modem, the router and then restart the computer.
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Carl,
Thanks for the reply, but keep in mind I can connect wirelessly with the problem laptop. The problem is where I need to use it the signal is too weak. My problem is with a wired connection. I have no problem connecting to the network, but for some reason it will not recognize that I am connected to the internet at the same time I have a network connection.
I am connecting through a Linksys Wireless G/Wired router and all works OK if I hook up the same wire to another computer.
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