Wireless router issue
 

My wireless router (Linksys WRT54G) seems to have bit the dust after 5+ years of faithful service.

Bought another Linksys (WRT54G2), hooked it up and powered it on. Setup can't detect the router.

Thinking maybe its the desktop, tried to set up the router by plugging it directly to a spare laptop. Same issue - set up can't detect the router on either computer.

I'm thinking I've got a DOA Linksys - am I missing anything?

Configuration is cable modem to router, then router to PC or laptop - simple. Even tried different ports on the router, thinking #1 might be bad. No joy. 2,3,4 all work (or not) the same.

PC has an internet connection when connected directly with the cable modem, so its not the network adapter.

Thinking I'm going to buy something non-Linksys. Other wireless devices have G-adapters, so wouldn't get the benefits of N without upgrading the other adapters.

Basic usage - internet, printers etc., no gamers or video sharing.

Need to try and resolve fast so wife can do her thing on the pc before we leave for vacation tomorrow, so I'm limited to what Best Buy has in stock.

Thoughts?

Hook it up

In a browser window type in 192.168.1.1

That's the default IP address for the box and will get you into the built in config.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was DOA. I have not been impressed with linksys stuff.

Out of curiosity you did power cycle everything when you hooked it up?

Consumer devices default to Dynamic IP address acquisition and distribution on boot.

If you did not power cycle then IP addresses could be out of sync.

The new router was off and then powered on. Did I need to also power off the cable modem? (I did not).

If so, in what order should they be powered off and then back on?

Thanks!

Just turn them both off/on at the same time.

My cable provider recommends to turn the modem on first and wait for all the lights to stabilize. Then power up the router.

My cable providers are nincompoops. I'd ask my dog for networking advice first (and the chances of him providing a correct answer are greater).

YMMV...

Turn both off/on simultaneously.

+1

If I read your original post correctly you are hardwired into the router with your laptop right? Did you try the IP address already suggested?

When all else fails follow the instructions provided by the company that connects you to the internet. If that does not work than try your own solutions. They did not just pull the start up order out of the air. It may well not matter at all, but it will not HURT.

When all else fails follow the instructions provided by the company that connects you to the internet. If that does not work then try your own solutions. They did not just pull the start up order out of the air. It may well not matter at all, but it will not HURT.

Out of habit I give my cable modem a head start.

What is happening is the cable modem may need to acquire it's address before it starts distributing addresses to the LAN side.

You don't want the router to time out waiting for its address from the modem.

And will not hurt to reboot your PC after the router is on line.

True, true, but most first level tech-support folks at the IP's are morons (did you power-cycle the modem sir?) who were working behind the counter at McDonald's last week.

Or the cable modem will need to sense what's on the LAN side before linking up with the outside world.

Cable modems look for a MAC address of a network card. It keeps track of the MAC address and if another device is plugged in that has a different MAC address, the cable modem will not hand out an I.P. address. Unplug both devices, wait about 2 minutes, plug the cable modem in first (as said before), wait for it to stabilize, then plug the router (Linksys) in, wait or it to stabilize, then....

Most, if not all DSL modems do not capture the MAC address. Still safe to unplug and follow the above procedures though.

does it make a high pitch squeeking sound?

Mine did, it would not respond, hard reset, then good again for about 5 minute..
It did that out of the box, sent it back and got me a refund ,also a wrt54g2

Hate to be the bad guy but did you read the manual?

http://linksys.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/linksys.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=3687

Manual? I thought that was a type of transmission. How can I read my transmission :)

http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/auto/images/res3.jpg

start at the beginning

P

then R

N

D

2

there you go