Oh how I hate technology! (HELP?)

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 5:51 am

Remember in Terminator when the world was overtaken by machines with guns and lasers and tanks and such? That's far fetched. All the machines need is a couple of cords of different types and things that may (or may not) be connected by said cords.

In an effort to get rid of some of these cords, some kind soul bought a wireless router for my parents. They have, of course, had me doing tech support on the thing. I thought there would be no worries, but oh FSM, was I wrong.

They want to connect a wireless router to their computer. In order to do this, it must be run through their DSL modem. The problem lies with the fact that their DSL modem is connected to the computer itself via a USB cable. This, unfortunately, plays havoc with connecting the router.

If anyone has any idea what I'm talking about, HELP!

Post by **Denyer** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 12:56 pm

Is the modem of a type that can also be run through a standard network connection? Mine's plugged in via USB, but has connectors for both on the back. Trouble with USB is that it needs a (usually device-specific) driver to communicate.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 5:41 pm

It does have an ethernet cable on the back of the modem, but disconnecting the USB cable disconnects the system from the network.

Post by **Denyer** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 5:53 pm

The chain you're looking for is

computer--wireless card--router--modem--outside world

http://www.homenethelp.com/web/diagram/ ... reless.asp

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 6:34 pm

I've done everything, but when I get the router connected, the internet light does not come on.

Gekigengar · Post by **Gekigengar** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:55 pm

Who is your provider?

I had trouble connecting my grandparents BellSouth DSL Modem to my wireless. however, having a standard router (non-wireless) works just fine.

Usually the direction calls that you would have to reset the network once your router is connected.

For my NetGear... it's instruction required that:

I did a hard wire first prior to adding a computer with wireless connectivity.

1: Computer and Modem are both off.
2: Connect all the pieces
3: Turn on Modem wait 2 min.
4: Turn on Router wait 1 minute
5: Turn on Computer
6: Configure Router Settings

No, it still did not work for me.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 4:56 am

This is also a NetGear. What did you wind up doing?

Gekigengar · Post by **Gekigengar** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 6:01 am

Professor Smooth wrote:This is also a NetGear. What did you wind up doing?

After doing all this for 4 hours:

1: Computer and Modem are both off.
2: Connect all the pieces
3: Turn on Modem wait 2 min.
4: Turn on Router wait 1 minute
5: Turn on Computer
6: Configure Router Settings

(forgot to mention that I connected via cat5 first prior to doing it wirelessly)

Trying it the instructional way, wirelessly and re-instating dsl services back onto the master computer.

I gave up... and I started at about 3am.

However... I should have used the connection cd that came with the ISP.

Prof... have you use the connection software that came with your ISP?

Use the software after you have installed the router according to the router instructions.

I will try that as well when I get back to grandparents home again this weekend.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 7:19 am

Thanks for the tips, this'll give me something to screw around with for a couple hours tomorrow.

Gekigengar · Post by **Gekigengar** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 3:30 am

Please, let me know what happens... just do not release your science experiment onto the world, remember the last time you let loose giant robot replicas of your parents.

Gekigengar · Post by **Gekigengar** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 4:06 am

I just came from my grandparents home in Miami and I was not able to to obtain a signal via hardwired thru the wireless, even after using the installation CD from the provider.

However, the basic landline router works.

Any luck in your end?

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:01 am

No luck yet. I believe buying a non USB modem would expediate the process.

Gekigengar · Post by **Gekigengar** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 1:21 pm

Professor Smooth wrote:No luck yet. I believe buying a non USB modem would expediate the process.

Don't forget to ask for a return policy on compuer hardware, you should be able to get 100% back, I still recommend asking.