Thread: Wireless network help needed

Thinking I could easily setup a wireless network, I recently relocated my desk to an area of the Gadget home without a direct cable modem connection. With school about to start and only one computer in the house, it was a good time to add a second computer that would also run off this new-fangled network. No surprise, our new MacBook works perfectly with the Apple Airport Extreme router. Unfortunately, the PC does not want to communicate with the router and I'm tired of speaking with someone in India that is of little or no help.

The existing computer is a PC running windows XP Professional
The new computer is a MacBook
The wireless router is an Apple Airport Extreme
The wireless network adaptor is Linksys WUSB300N

I will happily buy a day pass or beer for the maggot/maggette that can help me unscrew this cluster.

More info will definitely be needed. Does the XP system even see the Airport Extreme? Does the XP system see any other wireless access points by any chance?

What I'm getting at is do you know for sure that the wireless adapter in the XP machine is working?

well, it wouldn't surprise me if the drivers for an apple router were flaky with windows. but before jumping to conclusions, i'd be sure your wireless network adapter is working and on. you should be able to see your home wireless network, and probably a couple others in your neighborhood. that will be totally independent of your router...the wireless adapter will be able to pick up signals of all kinds. whether it can talk to them depends on your security status, etc...

unfortunately, i've only had to mess with wireless adapters in laptops, so I have no experience with desktops. but you could always test the router by running a lan cable directly to your pc and seeing if you get access. once you know a bit more about the problem, the solution will likely present itself.

Does the wireless pc adapter work with other wireless networks?

If not, it might be a propriatary software that is necessary.

We are talking about a pc yes?
Having installed d-link wireless network cards before, I can tell you that it was absolutely necessary to use their software.

(for Laptops) Also, with companies like lenovo and sony they usually require you to use their software or suffer wierd connections, dropped connections and funky wireless usability (yes I know you can turn them off)

Also, if it is a laptop, could the adapter be turned off. Sometimes (depending upon the computer) you can have a physical on off toggle switch, a disable/enable switch in the software AND a function f5 (or other) switch.

Also, note firmware revisions. you may need to upgrade your airport

The following items were part of the previous 6.1 release and are also included in this firmware:

- AirPort firmware updates are now packaged in a new utility application which simplifies the process of installing firmware updates. This application is available for use on Mac OS X computers (10.3 and later) and on Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP computers

Step by Step for some troubleshooting:

Does the XP machine have the Linksys wireless listed in it's device manager (Settings, Control Panel, System then select the device manager) It will also appear as a network card on the Network Connections. Then launch the wireless connectivity software wizard and see if the Apple router is found... (If this does not work, then you may want to try to download NetStumbler and see if it finds the signal.... If it is showing check the address of the connection, do a run..cmd... the type ipconfig and see if the IP address is showing (and not a 169.x.x.x address either- usually a 192.x.x.x address). Also check the gateway setting to see if it is the router address.

On the Apple router, is DHCP enabled to assign addresses? Is security enabled ( I assume if it is that it is WEP) so do you have the pass code?

Is the Apple connecting wireless? If so then check the IP address and settings (since it should work weith Apple router better than the PC)

Can you surf and reach web sites with the Apple?

Finally if the wireless does not work on the PC, can you temporarily try it next to the router with a cable and see if you can connect with that.

Originally Posted by RShea

Step by Step for some troubleshooting:

Does the XP machine have the Linksys wireless listed in it's device manager (Settings, Control Panel, System then select the device manager) It will also appear as a network card on the Network Connections. Then launch the wireless connectivity software wizard and see if the Apple router is found... (If this does not work, then you may want to try to download NetStumbler and see if it finds the signal.... If it is showing check the address of the connection, do a run..cmd... the type ipconfig and see if the IP address is showing (and not a 169.x.x.x address either- usually a 192.x.x.x address). Also check the gateway setting to see if it is the router address.

On the Apple router, is DHCP enabled to assign addresses? Is security enabled ( I assume if it is that it is WEP) so do you have the pass code?

Is the Apple connecting wireless? If so then check the IP address and settings (since it should work with Apple router better than the PC)

Can you surf and reach web sites with the Apple?

Finally if the wireless does not work on the PC, can you temporarily try it next to the router with a cable and he see if you can connect with that.

The Linksys adaptor is listed in the device manager. However, when I run the wizard or do a run ipconfig, I get a message that says "Some of this computer's network hardwareis still disconnected. Before you can continue, you must either plug in or otherwise connect all of your hardware, or select "Ignore disconnected network hardware."

The Apple is connecting wirelessly as I type and I'm surfing my thread as I bang my head against the desk.

Download and run netstumbler.

If you can't run it, it's a problem with the adapter.

If you can see the AP but can't connect to it, it's the adapter/AP not playing nicely together... most likely adapter since cisco is known for fucking up wireless RFCs. Apple firmware upgrades or new linksys drivers/utilities may fix that.

EDIT: If all else fails, save your head and go buy a rounter/switch and run a cable.

Originally Posted by wi3dzmin

EDIT: If all else fails, save your head and go buy a rounter/switch and run a cable.

Before I went out and did that I would try a different wireless adapter from another company. This should work and it's probably something simple.

Some of this might be helpful, specifically steps 2 and 3 of the "How to troubleshoot..." section. I'm still wondering if the XP machine can see any wireless access points. Steps 2 and 3 should help determine that.

edit: also, as was suggested above you probably should check to make sure you have the latest firmware for the Airport. Check here for that.

OK, here's the latest.

After way too many hours screwing around with the Linksys adaptor, the fine help desk people in India told me to get lost. Maybe not in those words, but close. I returned the Linksys adaptor and purchased a Netgear adaptor. After messing with it for, again, too many hours, I called in a professional.

This guy does work for Mrs. Gadget's employers; after giving my desktop a thorough douching, he went to work on the network. He was able to get the system to work as long as there wasn't any encryption, but there was no joy with WEP or WPA encryption.

However, now I can't access the internet or my email. The desktop sees the network and the network sees the desktop, but that's where it ends. I can only guess that a firewall(?) is preventing the two from engaging in binary intercourse.

I will likely be calling the computer guy back for another visit. In the meantime, do you have any thoughts or suggestions?

In windows shell...

ipconfig /all

and

tracert google.com (or anything on the internet)

Post the results.

There\\\'s never a starving Zambian kid around when you need them

Originally Posted by InspectorGadget

OK, here's the latest.

After way too many hours screwing around with the Linksys adaptor, the fine help desk people in India told me to get lost. Maybe not in those words, but close. I returned the Linksys adaptor and purchased a Netgear adaptor. After messing with it for, again, too many hours, I called in a professional.

This guy does work for Mrs. Gadget's employers; after giving my desktop a thorough douching, he went to work on the network. He was able to get the system to work as long as there wasn't any encryption, but there was no joy with WEP or WPA encryption.

However, now I can't access the internet or my email. The desktop sees the network and the network sees the desktop, but that's where it ends. I can only guess that a firewall(?) is preventing the two from engaging in binary intercourse.

I will likely be calling the computer guy back for another visit. In the meantime, do you have any thoughts or suggestions?

So now the desktop can connect to the router but not surf the web? And the Apple still works on the web with the same set-up?

You should try to do a few things next- first on the Windows desktop, try booting with an F8 (even before the Windows logo appears- right after the memory count up or logo of the computer brand) and try to select safe mode with network and see if anything is still not working. Again you may also have to haul it over to the router and try wired connection also.

Also there could be firewalls running- the Windows XP Sp2 or something from an anti-virus or security package (like Norton Internet Security, or a few other brands similar) disable any and all firewalls (Windows will have a nag screen that it is not protected with a red shield and an x through it. Then try again to surf- since a 3rd party firewall is smarter and can block both incoming (which Windows firewall does too) and they can block outgoing connections too (which the standard Win SP2 firewall can't do.)

Report back results.

If now nothing including the Apple can't surf through the Airnet connection then I'd suspect the pro that came in made some sort of changes that screwed up both computers or the internet connection (but hope that is not the case)....

Originally Posted by RShea

S...
Also there could be firewalls running- the Windows XP Sp2 or something from an anti-virus or security package (like Norton Internet Security, or a few other brands similar) disable any and all firewalls (Windows will have a nag screen that it is not protected with a red shield and an x through it. Then try again to surf- since a 3rd party firewall is smarter and can block both incoming (which Windows firewall does too) and they can block outgoing connections too (which the standard Win SP2 firewall can't do.)...

This would be my first guess. Also check that the linksys and netgear setup didn't install any firewalls...XP firewall is a pita, disable it right away. Also look for blocked ports.

I'm no tech guru, but had something similar happen to me. PC sees Router and vise versa, but no internet love.

Turned out the pc was on the outer edge of the wireless range, so could receive a signal, but not exchange data. Added a range extender and all was good.

I just hooked up a Wirless-G broadband router that my room mate bought. The cable connection's in my room. It won't detect his laptop, or it won't connect or something.
My connection is just fine, which is a change from the belkin he bought that was REALLY slow.

After beating my head against the wall for far too long, I finally ditched the Apple Airport Extreme and bought a Netgear router. I was still having trouble getting everything working so I called the Netgear support line and was connected to a gentleman in India named Candy. To Candy's credit, he had both the desktop and the MacBook connected, with WEP encryption, in no time.

Now that it's been more than 60 days, I hope the Apple store will allow me to return the Airport Extreme.


I offer my sincere gratitude to everyone that took the time to offer help.