Question about Lynksis WRT54G wireless router

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/12/2008 06:07:38 AM · #1

So I am moving out of my place and have been in charge of the wireless connection. Pretty easy stuff really connect to the computer and go. But I am taking the computer that runs the router and interweb. The router, Lynksis WRT54G, will be staying. My question is, is it possible to have the wireless network up and running without it connected to a computer all the time? The other computer is a laptop and is being moved around to and from work. I suppose it could just have a long ethernet cable, at the house and hook in all the time, but I am pretty sure that is not going to be alright. Any advice, I can follow instructions but am no network wiz. :) Thanks for any help.
Joe
~~Also how do I copy and paste bookmarks and send(get) them to another computer, in Firefox and maybe IE7?~~ Figured this one out easy enough, Export!

Message edited by author 2008-01-12 06:21:35.

roba

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/12/2008 06:28:33 AM · #2

hey Joe... it definitely doesn't require the connection. You only need the hardwired PC for the config utility. Once you get the encryption keys generated, feel free to run it standalone :O)

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

01/12/2008 08:41:24 AM · #3

I have one machine hardwired to my router, however that computer can go months at a time without being turned on in fact we dust it more than we use it. Never have any problems connecting with other devices.

Just make sure that whoever is left in charge of the router has the set up disk so if they ever need to tap into it and repair an issue and believe me Linksys will throw one out there someday they will be able to do so.

CEJ

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

01/12/2008 08:51:42 AM · #4

I have the same router. I used the cable to set up the router when I first got it. It is now tethered only to the cable line and nothing else. In fact, this makes it much easier for me. I have the modem and router where they are out of the way and easiest to run the cable to without worrying about where the computer may or may not be located.

01/12/2008 01:58:14 PM · #5

Thanks alot everyone. I'll unplug it later today. :)

01/13/2008 01:52:21 PM · #6

Like any good plan, it seemed to have failed miserably...
I unplugged the computer completely and the network went out. Re-plugged everything in and now the network is down. I thought I replugged everything the way it was before and nothing works. For the network connection that doesn't work, I have the ethernet cable plugged from the modem into the linksis router plug that says internet. Then from one of the ports to the PC. Thats how it worked before unless I have some cables backwards. Even when I plug into the router, no lights change on it to say it has a signal. I can only connect to the internet if I go directly from the modem to the PC. I need to get the laptop in the house onto the internet so I can download a driver for the printer, (we lost the disc. If I plug the ethernet directly from the modem to the laptop it doesn't connect me to the internet. Can someone tell me why, or what I need to change? If anyone can tell me why the network is belly up to and how to get that running again. That would be amazingly helpful. Thanks alot!
Joe

kirbic

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

01/13/2008 02:03:14 PM · #7

The fact that you can get on the 'net using the one PC and an ethernet cable connection directly to the moden tells me:
- The modem is operational (duh)
- The PC is set up to make the connection to the internet provider

This implies that the network was set up to let one computer make the connection, and then to share that connection. That should not be necessary. What you need to do is to configure the router to make the connection. Bring the router's administration page by connecting a computer, opening a browser window and typing:

//192.168.1.1/

Enter "Admin" in the user name, and whatever you set the password to.
On the Setup page, look at the "WAN Connection Type" area and configure per your connection type and account information.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

01/13/2008 02:14:53 PM · #8

It won't connect me to that page, but others work. do I need to be running trough the router? Because that no worky. Thanks for the help. :)
ETA: I am running arund packing so I will check in a few minutes. If I plug the ethernet directly from the modem to the laptop it doesn't connect me to the internet. Do you know how I can make this work?

Message edited by author 2008-01-13 14:17:13.

cryingdragon

Canon EOS-10D

01/13/2008 02:16:30 PM · #9

Use a pin or something and hold the reset button for 45 seconds (I think it's that long), then it should work.

Message edited by author 2008-01-13 14:16:54.

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

01/13/2008 02:35:43 PM · #10

Thanks guys, I will have to check in tomorrow and see if I can figure it out. Things are a bit too scattered to focus. I appreciate all the help.
Joe

NathanWert

Canon EOS-90D

01/13/2008 05:04:11 PM · #11

The only problem I have with not having the "main" or hardwired desktop not turned on is I cannot print from my laptop with the desktop off. Other than that the desktop is hardly ever turned on.

Citadel

Nikon D7500

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/13/2008 05:06:46 PM · #12

Originally posted by kirbic:

The IP might be 192.168.100.1

hajeka

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS USM

01/13/2008 05:49:56 PM · #13

Not really an answer to your question, but just sharing an experience.

I just unplugged my WRT54G after many years of good service. Got too many problems.
Still don't know if it was my new computer (with Vista) or too many neighbours having a wireless
router. Changed to a WRT150N. No problems since. (But it's running only for a week)

01/14/2008 07:16:30 PM · #14

Originally posted by Citadel:

Originally posted by kirbic:
The fact that you can get on the 'net using the one PC and an ethernet cable connection directly to the moden tells me:
- The modem is operational (duh)
- The PC is set up to make the connection to the internet provider

This implies that the network was set up to let one computer make the connection, and then to share that connection. That should not be necessary. What you need to do is to configure the router to make the connection. Bring the router's administration page by connecting a computer, opening a browser window and typing:

//192.168.1.1/

Enter "Admin" in the user name, and whatever you set the password to.
On the Setup page, look at the "WAN Connection Type" area and configure per your connection type and account information.

The IP might be 192.168.100.1

thanks citadel, that link is for the modem, I think I need the one for the router. I am going to do the hard reset that crying dragon suggested and then try and run the start up dick for the router from the laptop. does anyone know why when I plug the ethernet from the modem directly into the laptop, it dosn't connect to the internet? If I could atleast get that it would be a good start.
hajeka, thanks worse case scenario I may have to look into that.

kirbic

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

01/14/2008 07:48:36 PM · #15

Originally posted by jdannels:

does anyone know why when I plug the ethernet from the modem directly into the laptop, it dosn't connect to the internet?

Because the laptop is probably not configured to connect. What you have to do depends on the type of connection, and whether you want your provider's software installed on the machine. The provider will almost always suggest loading their software, however they also have to have a procedure that does not require software to be loaded (because routers can't run their software and still need to connect).

01/14/2008 08:00:10 PM · #16

hmm, I tried the reset button and ran the installation program again on the Desktop to see if I could get it to work that way(how it was before) and it says it is not wired properly and couldn't connect. Does that mean it the router is busted?

01/14/2008 09:00:36 PM · #17

I called comcast and got the laptop online! I had the firewall on, drrr. I also had to run some thing in the cmd from the control panel. ipconfig/renew I think. Unplug the modem, turn off the computer and turn it back on. Presto change-o it works now. on luck with the router though. If I plug in power all the lights in the ports and the internet come on, run installation and it says its disconnected, but ethernet cables work so I think its just screwed up. Hopefully they can handle having to sit at a desk or I tihnk I'll have to get another one. Thanks for all the help an ideas everyone.
Joe
ETA: I don't think I used any software like kirbic thought I might have too. They just walked me through the XP/windows menu.

Message edited by author 2008-01-14 21:01:58.

kirbic

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

01/14/2008 09:06:35 PM · #18

Originally posted by jdannels:

ETA: I don't think I used any software like kirbic thought I might have too. They just walked me through the XP/windows menu.

They did the right thing. There is always a way to connect without additional software, but some providers don't want to tell you that.

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/14/2008 09:26:07 PM · #19

Yup a lot (read as most) DSL providers require PPPoE (simple terms a client that logs in using a username\password combo) ISPs give you a Client like WinPoet to do the logging in for you... they do not tell you that if you have a Router that you don't need it.

As mentioned below a Router is a completely self maintaining piece of equipment and the only time anything needs to be hard wired into it is to configure it, or if you are sharing a printer on a pc obviously you would want the pc (acting as a print server) on.

Now you mention that you unplugged the wires/cables. Was that all of them? Did you get the cable from the modem in to the WAN port? On the back of the Router there are 4 LAN ports and 1 WAN port... the modem needs to be plugged into the WAN port or no talkie talkie to the host on the net.

ED: Also to the guy (sorry can't see the post here) that swapped his WRT54G out... don't toss that thing; flash the firmware with one of the Open Source Firmware files available... The 54G uses Linux and there some really highend (makes a 40 dollar router act like a 600 dollar one) firmware files for it.

Message edited by author 2008-01-14 21:32:39.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/14/2008 09:31:30 PM · #20

Originally posted by awpollard:

Now you mention that you unplugged the wires/cables. Was that all of them? Did you get the cable from the modem in to the WAN port? On the back of the Router there are 4 LAN ports and on WAN port... the modem needs to be plugged into the WAN port or no talkie talkie to the host.

I have completely unplugged everything and started from scratch a couple times. I even ran the installation disc to make sure i followed the steps correctly. When I plug in the router(power) all 4 ports are on(green light in my case) and the internet light even if nothing is plugged in.
I have the ethernet from the modem going into computer for internet access now going into the router where it say "internet" then plugged another plugged into a port to the computer. All lights stay the same. I tried holding the rest button for a minute or so and nothing happened either. Any suggestions?

Message edited by author 2008-01-14 21:32:12.

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/14/2008 09:43:05 PM · #21

Oh yeah... Linksys is funny with the reset button did you (or try this):

Unplug the Routers Power Cord.
Press and hold the reset button for about 30 seconds
(continuing to hold reset) Plug the Power Cord in.
Hold Reset for a few more seconds and release.

This should put you completely back to Factory defaults.

Browse into the Router and Configure for your type network.

Is the provider there Cable or DSL?

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/14/2008 09:45:41 PM · #22

Are your TCP/IP settings on the computer set for DHCP/Obtain IP address automatically?

01/14/2008 09:54:56 PM · #23

Originally posted by awpollard:

I'll try that, its cable.

@grandwazoo-it is set to do it automatically. :)