[colecampbell666]

OK. I created a new network on my desktop, thinking that my mom would like using the photo printer in her office. One problem: it killed my wireless connection. At least, I think it did. At first I thought that it was using Linux that did it, but I had the same problem in XP. The WEP key is the same, but it can't find the connection. And now I can't get the stupid home network off of either PC. Is there any way to tell what caused this, or et the network off? I reset my router, and still nothing, even when creating a new connection it doesn't see the wireless.

[MP-Ryan]

You have to be the most unlucky computer user ever... or the most creative with their screwups.

I'm assuming you used the idiotic Microsoft "Network Setup Wizard" wizard in Network Connections? Anyway, you've muffed up the IP settings on your local machine for the Wireless Connection, most probably.  Hence, the wireless is still active but you've successfully caused your computer to be unable to see it.  If you reset the router to factory defaults, the WEP key should be erased.  If you simply reset the power, you've only eliminated a possible confounded router (which does occur, especially with cheaper models).

There are many ways to fix it but without knowing precisely what you've done, you're probably just going to have to wipe the network settings and start over.  Reset the router to factory defaults (the little button on the underside or back, you'll need a pen to push it), delete your network connections, and re-run the router's setup disk to re-create a working wireless connection.  That's not the most elegant fix, but it's certainly one that is pretty much impossible to screw up.

It's probably a really simple fix but I have no idea how to go about explaining it to you.

Never use the Network Setup Wizard.  Ever.  It's completely unnecessary.

[FUBAR-BDHR]

If the other computer still works via wireless then check it's TCP/IP setting for the wireless and compare them to yours. The subnet and gateway should be the same.  The IP should be close.

[Fearless Leader]

You have to be the most unlucky computer user ever... or the most creative with their screwups.

I would like to point out that Im the most creative with screwups when it comes to networks... when on a private network using windows XP NEVER make a short cut from one computer to another, then another shortcut from there to and external device that is mapped on the network, then YET another shortcut to another networked drive, then back to your desktop, then from another computer create a shortcut going from the 1st computer's desktop to the 2nd computer's desktop, then tie all the shortcuts together into one place on the 2nd network drive, and NEVER  click on the first shortcut because if you do your fellow employees that are transferring files will start yelling (because you just crashed the network). Thats when you pretend like you dont know what is happening, delete the shortcuts, and find a better way.

[TrashMan]

I have to say that Windowns, for all their simplicity have one weak point - networks..LAN...Heck, getting that to work is a truly amazing feat! 

[colecampbell666]

Thanks MP. Nope both laptops are screwed, and I did reset my router. I used the Network Setup Wizard, how do delete the network?

P.S: I can't create a new connection on the laptop and see the wireless. Even after I reset the router. Do I need to unplug it? Do I need to delete all connections on which PC?

[Nuke]

did you try using wpa instead? wep sucks, .

[colecampbell666]

I tried to delete the connection, no dice. It won't let me delete it. I uninstalled the wireless card and reinstalled it, no dice. No wonder I'm getting Linux. M$ has caused me more problems...

EDIT: My router only supports up to WEP 128-bit.

[MP-Ryan]

*boggles*

I have no idea what you're doing, but you should be able to delete the LAN connection (and the wireless one) and then re-configure the new one.  For that matter, you should be able to reconfigure the connection you have providing it is set to automatically pull the IP from the router.

Wait... question of questions:  is your computer even detecting a wireless connection as being present?  If so, do the following:
Start -> Run
Type 'cmd' (no quotes) and press enter.
Type 'ipconfig /release' and press enter.
Wait for the prompt.
Type 'ipconfig /renew' and press enter.
Reboot.
See if you get Internet.

I'm also wondering if you somehow magically switched off the DHCP server on your router.

Seriously... if you don't know how to fix your mess, don't create it in the first place =P

[Nuke]

I tried to delete the connection, no dice. It won't let me delete it. I uninstalled the wireless card and reinstalled it, no dice. No wonder I'm getting Linux. M$ has caused me more problems...

EDIT: My router only supports up to WEP 128-bit.

you may want to consider not using encryption then. wep is very easy to crack i hear.

[colecampbell666]

It doesn't see the connection.

Seriously... if you don't know how to fix your mess, don't create it in the first place =P

You don't have to help, and generally creating a home network doesn't kill your internet.

[IceFire]

In the router settings for the wireless is the router set to broadcast a SSID?  I'm unclear as to exactly whats going on or how you got that but might as well start at the basics.  If its broadcasting the ID then you should at the very least "see" it from the browse wireless connection area.

[karajorma]

Hang on a sec. I think we're going about this all wrong. How does the internet come into your house? How does it get to your machine? How is the home network set up?


Cause if you are able to connect to the router and check what it's settings are then the problem is likely on the router itself or upstream and not your machine at all.

[colecampbell666]

Yes, the router is set to broadcast an SSID. I can connect through a wired connection, just not wireless. I have a DSL connection, it comes in on a standard phone cable. I can connect to my router from a hard connection and change the settings.

[IceFire]

If its broadcasting you should be picking it up.  Somewhere anyways...

[karajorma]

I have a DSL connection, it comes in on a standard phone cable.

Yes but then where does it go is what I'm getting at. If you're trying to share the connection with the other machines of your home network it should be going into the router but from what you're saying it sounds like you're trying to get a single wireless interface to connect to your router in order create the home network AND connect to a wireless access point in order to get the internet on your own PC. I don't know wireless that well but I always though it was the same as ethernet in that respect 1 NIC = 1 IP address.

[MP-Ryan]

You don't have to help, and generally creating a home network doesn't kill your internet.

It does when it erases your wireless settings.

Did you do the hardware reset on the router?

Most routers come with an install CD, so the easiest way for you to fix this (short of getting a networking guru to come for a visit) is to start over.  Reset the router to factory defaults, then run the install CD again to configure the wireless connection.

If all you did to create your home network was on the laptop(s) with the network wizard, then the problem is not with the router but the laptop configuration.  If you DID adjust router settings in your tinkering, a hardware reset should get rid of your changes and restore the defaults.  Now, if even after the reset the router isn't actually broadcasting, power cycle it.

Out of curiostity, what make and model is the router?

One last thing - did that redonkulous wizard "bridge" your connections together?  I've seen it do that before, and for some odd reason that kills internet access.

If none of that works, your mission is to go into the router configuration through your wired connection and screenshot every single page of settings and post them.

[DeepSpace9er]

If you are using Linksys, which sounds like you are, here is what you do. You unplug the router, put it behind your car and run over it a few times. Then you keep driving in the car to the store and get a Netgear or d-link router. I've actually found D-link to be more reliable and stable than Netgear so go for that. Linksys is absolute bottom of the barrel garbage. Their wireless just stops working randomly and requires a reset. Right now im running an Adtran 2050 router with a Motorola access point seperate from the router. Its always a good idea to use access points.. ive found that its more stable that way. You computers are plagued, you need a new router and to reset your network settings.

[colecampbell666]

I have a DSL connection, it comes in on a standard phone cable.

Yes but then where does it go is what I'm getting at. If you're trying to share the connection with the other machines of your home network it should be going into the router but from what you're saying it sounds like you're trying to get a single wireless interface to connect to your router in order create the home network AND connect to a wireless access point in order to get the internet on your own PC. I don't know wireless that well but I always though it was the same as ethernet in that respect 1 NIC = 1 IP address.

The phone cable goes to my router. An RJ45 cable (or whatever) goes to my desktop. Each laptop has a wireless and a wired NIC. At least one of them works through the wired (didn't check the other) neither work on wireless.

You don't have to help, and generally creating a home network doesn't kill your internet.

It does when it erases your wireless settings.

Did you do the hardware reset on the router?

Most routers come with an install CD, so the easiest way for you to fix this (short of getting a networking guru to come for a visit) is to start over.  Reset the router to factory defaults, then run the install CD again to configure the wireless connection.

It doesn't have a CD AFAIK, but there is an  is an install process to set up wireless when you connect to the router through IP.

If all you did to create your home network was on the laptop(s) with the network wizard, then the problem is not with the router but the laptop configuration.  If you DID adjust router settings in your tinkering, a hardware reset should get rid of your changes and restore the defaults.  Now, if even after the reset the router isn't actually broadcasting, power cycle it.

I reset it, how do I power cycle it?

Out of curiostity, what make and model is the router?

Siemens SpeedStream 6520.

One last thing - did that redonkulous wizard "bridge" your connections together?  I've seen it do that before, and for some odd reason that kills internet access.

I think it may have. How do I fix that?

If none of that works, your mission is to go into the router configuration through your wired connection and screenshot every single page of settings and post them.

[karajorma]

I'm a little lost as to how your wireless network is working if it's not via the router. That leads me to think that either you've misconfigured your default gateway or the connection into the router is the problem.

Call up a command prompt and type in

Code: [Select]

ipconfig \all Tell us what the IP address of your machine and the default gateway are.

Now type that address into your web browser. You should be on your routers configuration page. If not then get to the configuration page and try to figure out what the default gateway should be. It's the LAN side address of your router.