Configuring a wireless network. Gahh! Thud.

[Hitcher]

Last week, thanks to a power surge or some other mystery ailment, my D-Link wireless router shat itself. I went out and bought a new one, as you do.

The nice man in the shop recommended a D-Link Wireless N Router, model DIR-615, which is what I went home with.

"Run the CD before doing anything else!" warning labels screamed.

Roger that.

Step-by-step followed. Internet connection made on desktop. All systems go.

Turn on laptop.

"Wireless networks found, Master!"

I locate one with the same as the SSID I created a few minutes earlier.

But can I connect to it? No way, Jose!

The install wizard had the option "most secure WPA" which I thought was a good idea. But there is no option of a similar moniker displayed amongst the laptop's various options.

I chose the default randomly generated access code that the install wizard created. It's 10 characters long. Some options on the laptop's menu only want 5, some want exactly 13.

D-Link's call centre is open during business hours, which is an extremely useful service when the three necessary components (me, my home desktop and laptop) are not in a contiguous space at those times.

I suspect I am missing something glaringly obvious here, and would appreciate considered assistance from learned persons who know what the fuck they're talking about.

Many thanks in advance, etc.

[cowboyz]

first step is getting the whole thing working with with an open network.

Log on to the router (which happens to be what I am using and it is a good unit) and disable all encryption. Then once you can get it connecting then you can add a key.

I have found on 1 laptop I was using it just couldnt resolve the key. Delete the key and it worked. Add WPA and it stuffed out. WEP was no good.

[Fooman]

It is possibly WPA2 on the router and WPA on the laptop. If so, and if the laptop is running XP SP2, then there is a microsoft patch (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357) that may be required, otherwise check the laptop's wireless doodad for compatability with WPA/WPA2. Try setting the router to plain WPA.

Cheers,
FM

[James Deuce]

I'll be around tomorrow if you want help.

[sil3nt]

Wireless networks are crap! My dads laptop loses connection all the time although lifting it up above the couch allows it too connect again. And moving it two metres into another room makes the signal go from low to strong.

I don't know why only half the house has CAT5 running through it as spending a day wiring the other half would save a lot of headaches for us!

[Gremlin]

As said, first set it all up without security, then add it on later.

Please ignore the label screaming to use the CD first. I haven't found a modem/wireless AP setup CD that actually ever worked.

Best you find a helpful kb'er reasonably close by that knows his/her IT stuff, and a full setup always seems to run about 1 hour.

[Hitcher]

Signal strength isn't an issue. There's mind-raping signal all over here and through the neighbour's too!

I'll see if I can figure out how to hack the router and create an open network.

Sigh.

[Hitcher]

"User name or password incorrect."

Now that's really helpful!

[Gremlin]

One other thing I should note, and its becoming more and more of an issue. Before setting up your wireless network, take note of all the wireless networks around you, and what channel they are using.

When setting up yours, don't give it an obvious name, like your name, address etc, and set it up on a channel not used by anyone else.

Nothing more maddening than having your clients network have issues and you have to go back, to find out someone has set their network up on the same channel.

edit: I think D-Link might still use the default of admin, admin for credentials, otherwise, there are passwords for different models. Once the network is set up, don't keep the default passwords, and secure the network.

Visited one client who had a lawyer from a big firm next door. Wireless was his name, unsecured. Password to modem was default as well... *sigh*

[Hitcher]

OK, I'm in now, but I have no idea what I'm looking at.

I think that's enough for a biker of little brain for one evening.

[James Deuce]

Pick me up after work and we'll sort it. No worries.

[Blackshear]

"User name or password incorrect."

Now that's really helpful!

If you haven't set a password for your router through 10.1.1.1 or whatever it is, usually 'admin' and no password is default. Alternatively, google your router and chuck 'default password' on the end.

I tried setting up wireless once, just for my mate so he could leech off mine from his laptop across the road. Didn't really work.

[steve_t]

I run my home network without network authentification (open instead of WPA etc etc) and without encryption. All I have is a MAC filter. Yes any moderately computer savy person could come with a MAC sniffer and get on my network but I doubt any one around here could be bothered!!
Encryption also makes the connection slower.

Haha! D-Link. It is still User Name: Admin. Password: Admin for every router??

[CookMySock]

Wireless networks are crap! My dads laptop loses connection all the time although lifting it up above the couch allows it too connect again. And moving it two metres into another room makes the signal go from low to strong.

Get a proper wireless router, and not the cheapest one.

Yeah get it working without encryption first. If you cant figure out the encryption then just use MAC filtering - thats easy to set up and it always works on all systems.

Steve

[James Deuce]

I run my home network without network authentification (open instead of WPA etc etc) and without encryption. All I have is a MAC filter. Yes any moderately computer savy person could come with a MAC sniffer and get on my network but I doubt any one around here could be bothered!!
Encryption also makes the connection slower.

I'm not having baggy arsed local script kiddies leeching off my connection and launching "hilarious" DoS attacks from any IP addy that I happened to pick up from my ISP thanks.

The world is full of morons looking for a free ride. Stop handing out free rides.