Wireless Router set up - am I being a bit thick?

[Rab]

I've done a fairly thorough search and struggled to find the answer to this numpty question.

I have always used a wired connection to a desktop, but have just purchased a new laptop for Mrs Rab to which she expects to connect wirelessly to the internet.

got a free router from Tiscali (Thomson TG585) and tried to install last night without success. Instructions are a bit pants to say the least

Now this is the bit I just don't get :-

I assume you have to wire the modem to the Router, but I don't seem to be able to do this. Only ports on the modem are the incoming telephone point and an outgoing plug to a usb connector on the computer.

I firstly just wired the Router (bypassing the existing modem) thinking there was a modem included in it, but I just get the message "no dialtone" when trying to connect.

The Router is connected to the desktop via an ethernet cable currently. is there anything else I need to do.

Completely confused by this

Thanks in anticipation

 

[Dan B]

The router has ADSL builtin, according to my googling, so you don't need the modem any more. It should have an RJ11 (US-style phone) socket for that plugs into the phone point, and four ethernet points one of which can be connected to the desktop

If you're getting "no dialtone" my guess is (1) dodgy cable, or (2) the router needs configuring for UK operation, or (3) your desktop is still trying to talk to the modem (which I assume you have now unplugged) and it's the driver for the old modem that's complaining not the new router. Actually (3) is the most likely

Does the router have lights on the front? Which of them are lit?

 

[Dan B]

Note also that whereas the old modem probably appears in windows as some kind of dial-up connection, the new router is more likely to be a local-area network and not require starting/stopping by hand.

You could maybe run the networking wizard and see if that helps. But windows is really not my area of expertise, so if someone else comes along and sounds more convincing in their advice they're quite likely to be correct

 

[bikepete]

Documentation is here:

http://www.thomsonbroadbandpartner.com/dsl-modems-gateways/products/product-detail.php?id=161

You need to connect the grey 'DSL' socket on the right (looking at it from the back) to your phone line, probably via a microfilter which should have been supplied with it. Plus connect power lead of course.

Then an ethernet cable from (any) one of the yellow sockets to a computer - that should let you get into the admin interface (you may need to type an IP address into your web browser to get to it). You may then need to enter various bits of info to the admin screen to configure the connection i.e. username etc - your broadband provider should give these details. Those last two stages depend rather on what software etc they provide so may be other ways...

 

[rh100]

I think Coruskate is correct that the old 'modem' would be like a dial up type affair, but the router will give you a lan connection 'always on'.
To get rid of the dial tone error - open internet explorer, go to tools, internet options, connections tab, select never dial when network connection present, and select 'set default' then click ok. This stops windows trying to use a dial up modem whenever anything tries to connect to the internet, unless the lan is not connected.

As for setting up the router, you may need user names and passwords etc from your ISP. I'm not familiar with that router, but a search of the web may get you an easy setup guide of some sort.

Once this is done, then do a search for a guide for setting up the wireless.

So firstly just try plugging the router into the wall, then your pc into the router with a lan cable, adjust the settings above, reboot.

To test your pc is talking to the router click start, run, type cmd and hit enter, in the dos box that opens type ipconfig and the result should show an ip address something like 192.168.1.2 and gateway address 192.168.1.1, whatever is shown as the gateway address is the router address, typing this into the address bar of internet explorer will give you the setup page for the router.

 

[Dan B]

Little-known fact about microfilters: as a rule they don't actually do anything to the adsl connection, just pass it straight through. It's the sockets you want to plug voice phones into that really need them

 

[rh100]

Little-known fact about microfilters: as a rule they don't actually do anything to the adsl connection, just pass it straight through. It's the sockets you want to plug voice phones into that really need them

yep, just filters the high frequency noise from the phone user I think - if you suspect a duff one just remove it to test the router. Only need filters where there are phones in the socket.

 

[Rab]

Guys

Thanks a million, this is really helpful, I am at work just now so will try it this evening when I get home

I think number 3 of the 3 numbered points coruskate made in the first reply, may have something to do with this. The modem is still plugged in to the pc throught the usb cable

I shall report back later

Many thanks for all your help

 

[Rab]

Good news

I am now connected through my router, as stated above, my computer was trying to communicate through the old modem.

Haven't got the laptop to communicate yet as I am waiting for santa to deliver it

I am sure I have read somewhere that I need to sort out security for the wireless network - I'll do a search but any tips greatly appreciated

Thanks once again for all your help

Robert

 

[2Loose]

Yay! Glad you got it going.

For security, use the Home Install Wizard which comes with your router, which should make it all easier for you now you have it going.
Ignore the WEP options because your router can do the WPA encryption ones, so choose those options instead...

Did I get that right Gaz? RH100?

 

[rh100]

Yay! Glad you got it going.

For security, use the Home Install Wizard which comes with your router, which should make it all easier for you now you have it going.
Ignore the WEP options because your router can do the WPA encryption ones, so choose those options instead...

Did I get that right Gaz? RH100?

Sounds good to me, lol,

Glad you got it going rab, a proper router is much more versatile than the usb modems. 2Loose makes a good suggestion with the WPA option for security (WPA is one of many types of wireless security - I consider it to be enough to put off most hackers).

 

[Rab]

Thanks Guys

Set up the security through the WPA option, I have a humungous password of over 30 characters which should hopefully defeat those naughty enough to try and piggy back.

Really appreciate all your help, was pretty confused about how all this works but think I have my head around it now

 

[Manonabike]

WPA2 is the latest and most difficult to brake encryption type. In addition and only as an addition (not to be trusted on its own) you can use a MAC filter too. Every wireless device has a unique MAC address. You can configure your router to accept the wireless devices you want by using the MAC address.

 

[rh100]

Glad you got it working rab

 

[Rab]

WPA2 is the latest and most difficult to brake encryption type. In addition and only as an addition (not to be trusted on its own) you can use a MAC filter too. Every wireless device has a unique MAC address. You can configure your router to accept the wireless devices you want by using the MAC address.

I think the thing I set up said "WPA + WPA2"

whatever that means

Would the Mac code be the big long password referred to above?