Forum Moderators: bakedjake
I bought myself a wireless hub access point ADSL modem three in one thing (D-Link 604+) yesterday together with a Belkin wireless NIC.
All installed ok, no apparent problems or warnings. I thought I'd start out easy and engaged the wireless access point to work with no WEP and no MAC authorisation (anyone can get in).
The wireless card can see the hub (it's listed in the utility that came with the card), tells me I have a terrific signal (well it's a foot from the access point) but Windows XP tells me there's "no available network".
What gives? I know I'm doing something stupid, but it makes no sense to me.
Thanks,
TJ
I had the same thing. Be aware that a wireless access point is probably not what you need. You need a wireless router. A wireless access point need a computer attached via cables to manage it. A route does not.
atob.c
It's a wireless access point/router and ADSL modem in one.
What did you do to fix yours?
TJ
atob.c
Ideally I'd like to ditch the horrible Belkin card and get a card which is recognised by XP and I can install without having to put in all that horrible software you get with these products (all you should really need is a driver).
Any recommendations? I'm pretty sure the access point is ok, I think this is a card/software conflict. The card sees the AP, but XP doesn't.
TJ
The wireless card can see the hub (it's listed in the utility that came with the card), tells me I have a terrific signal (well it's a foot from the access point) but Windows XP tells me there's "no available network".
Your going to hate me for this. It should like you don't have a problem. If it can see the access point but windows can't, then I would suspect that it needs a computer at the other end and not an internet connection.
atob,c
Your going to hate me for this. It should like you don't have a problem. If it can see the access point but windows can't, then I would suspect that it needs a computer at the other end and not an internet connection.
I hear what you're saying, but I just can't believe that would be the case. If it is then it's a case of the worst misdescription by D-Link in the history of misdescriptions!
TJ
atob.c
So if they're lying, then they're going to get a rocket from me on the phone as I spent about 4 hours last night trying to get the damn thing working.....
TJ
After all, mine is an educated guess (but a guess none the less).
atob.c
After all, mine is an educated guess (but a guess none the less).
I know - don't worry - 50% of me is just venting. You know how frustrating it is when you get a new toy and the damn thing won't work..... ;-)
TJ
My advice is to waste no more time but to phone their support line (the number's towards the back of the thicker of the instruction manuals, I don't have it to hand). I guarantee that they'll get it working. Incidentally, once it's working it seems very good.
Good Luck
Ross
Hopefully they're around in the evenings or on Saturday.
It shouldn't be like this though - I'm tempted to return the Belkin card and get one that works off the bat.
Any advice on card brands which work nicely would be appreciated.
TJ
Hopefully they're around in the evenings or on Saturday.
It shouldn't be like this though - I'm tempted to return the Belkin card and get one that works off the bat.
There must be some "typical" mistakes though? I'm sure I'm making one of them.
The channel thing is a good one - I'll try changing both.
Anything else that might be semi-obvious that you can think of from your experience?
TJ
D-Link 604+
Do you mean a 614+ as the 604+ is not a wireless unit?
Does it have one or two antennas?
Does your notebook/PC have an ethernet adapter that you can hook up to the router/access point?
(it helps if you can connect to it via ethernet)
If yes - did you download and install the latest firmware for the router/access point?
What Operating System?
I have used Dlink products for a long time and currently use their wireless products...
Let me know the above and I'll see if I can help ;)
Edited:Just went to Dlink.com and cannot find any info on the product you mentioned "wireless hub access point ADSL modem three in one thing (D-Link 604+)"..
[edited by: The_Contractor at 1:56 pm (utc) on Dec. 12, 2003]
The 604+ is not a wireless unit?
My one is. Or maybe D-Link have just stuck a couple of antennas on a wires only unit and stung me for £100.... lol
Does it have one or two antennas?
Two.
Does your notebook/PC have an ethernet adapter that you can hook up to the router/access point?
Yes. And that all works fine. And the DSL conncetion is also cool and the gang. The only problem is the wireless side (the card sees the access point, as does WinXP, but WinXP says "no network available").
If yes - did you download and install the latest firmware for the router/access point?
Not yet. I was assuming it would actually work as they released it.... naive of me?
TJ
Most Dlink routers setup screen are similiar:
Remove your wireless adapter from your PC.
First - I would connect up to the router/access point via ethernet and log-in to the Dlink control panel. Go to "wireless" and under "Network ID(SSID)" create a network called "home" or something to that effect-> change the "Channel" to 6 and "Security" to "Disable Encryption". Under "Mac address control" - I would disable this for now. Make sure to save all settings. Reboot the router from the main login page under "tools".
You can change security settings later, after getting things working
Disconnect your ethernet from the router.
Re-insert your wireless adapter - you should see a couple of little "television" sets/computer screens show up down by your clock in WinXP. Double click the icon and select "properties".
Make sure you have the following network protocols installed (general tab):
Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks
QoS Packet Scheduler
Internet protocol - TCP/IP
Under "Advanced Tab"
UNCHECK the firewall protection
Under Wireless Networks (Tab)
Go to "Advanced" and check/select:
"Any Available Networks" & "Automatically connect to non preferred networks".
See if your network shows up under "Wireless Networks"
See if this works....
Edited: Make sure to shut down any software firewall you may be using like ZoneAlarm or NIS before doing any of the above
[edited by: The_Contractor at 2:31 pm (utc) on Dec. 12, 2003]
I did everything in your post last night except the part:-
Under Wireless Networks (Tab)Go to "Advanced" and check/select:
"Any Available Networks" & "Automatically connect to non preferred networks".
See if your network shows up under "Wireless Networks"
But I couldn't get to the "Advanced" part - it's grayed out.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
TJ
<edited>No firewall running or anything else. I'm trying to make it as simple for it as possible!</edit>
I had an ethernet card (no LAN connection) and a wifi adapter (connected at 95% strength to my AP) in my machine when trying to move from 56k modem to an 802.11 ADSL modem/AP/router bundle. I found that I needed to disable the ethernet card via the device manager and then restart so that the network traffic passed through the wifi adapter rather than getting stuck at the disconnected ethernet card. This took me the best part of 2 days to work out, especially since the restart part was important.
I'm sure there is a more elegant solution but this one worked for me. Despite the fact that this was a likely configuration they didn't mention this in the two-page "set-up guide" - the only reason I spotted this is one of the product reviews mentioned it in passing.
If that doesn't help you I'd try connecting to the device itself just to check that it's all working on the inside before proceeding any further (mine had ethernet + wifi so I just used ethernet to configure it initially).
Assuming you can connect to the device, my second step would be to update the device firmware and check for the latest drivers for the adapter - often the device you recieve is often running either v1.0 drivers/firmware or a version other than the latest.
If all else fails there will be an unofficial support forum for your choice on hardware, have a read around there as if you're having a problem someone else probably is too.
- Tony
[edited by: Dreamquick at 2:44 pm (utc) on Dec. 12, 2003]
Now that could just save me many days of messing around.
I'll try removing the existing RJ45 NIC.
Everything works fine on ethernet. Everything. The only problem is the wireless side....
Many thanks,
TJ
Is "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings" selected/checked under properties on the "wireless networks" tab?
edited:What shows up when you select by double clicking the icon in system tray under the "Support" tab
Hopefully something like:
Assigned by DHCP
IP: 192.168.0.1xx
subnet: 255.255.255.0
gateway:192.168.0.1
[edited by: The_Contractor at 2:44 pm (utc) on Dec. 12, 2003]
Ha!
LOL! I can see the light-bulb going on above your head!
Is "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings" selected/checked under properties on the "wireless networks" tab?
Don't know - at the office at the moment and I forget to set my VNC server running this morning.
Will check that and also try taking out the RJ45 NIC when I get home.
Your "Ha!" makes me think you're quite convinced that's the problem....?
Many thanks again,
TJ
What is the model of your wireless card?
Dreamquick is correct - sometimes WinXP will try to bind your ethernet and wireless together. You can go to "My Network Places" on the desktop and right-click->choose "properties" and right-click on your ethernet connection and choose disable.
Updating the firmware on the adapter is always a good thing - just don't upgrade your access point firmware on many of the Dlinks unless you are connected via ethernet...
h*tp://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=201522&pcount=&Product_Id=136479
Will bear in mind all the other comments.
As I said before - ethernet works absolutely fine. I'm using the ethernet routing and the ADSL on this device, it's only the wireless side that I'm having trouble with.
TJ
Thanks. AP already does DHCP etc..... everything works absolutely fine on ethernet. The 604+ has both RJ45 and wireless networking. It's only wireless that has the problem.
I did disable the NIC network connection and reboot to see if the wireless came up - but nothing. I don't get the two-PC's network icon in the sys tray - I get the one PC with the "X" for not connected.
ipconfg probably won't tell me anything as there is no connection present in that state?
The card can see the access point, XP can too. I hovver over the icon with the single PC and the "X" and it says something along the lines of "..... 2 access points" (I think one is a neighbour) but underneath it says "no network connection available".
TJ
Ideally I'd like to ditch the horrible Belkin card and get a card which is recognised by XP and I can install without having to put in all that horrible software you get with these products (all you should really need is a driver).
I have just come accross this thread, and that is exactly what I have done... just yesterday. My router is working great on the PC, hard wired but the laptop pcmia card sort of gets up and running... and gets a great connection, but when I next strat up XP the whole thing dies on me, saying that there was a problem with a recent installation. Thereafter, putting in the card hangs... or at least immensely slows... everything on the laptop and the card doesn't get recognized properly.
To be fair, Belkin support did try hard to help, and we were getting down to "maybe your laptop is not getting enough power to the card" when suddenly it sprang into life... only to die again after I put the phoine down :(
So ... MAYBE it is my laptop, but we'll see when I try the US Robotics one this weekend. I'll let you know if it works better...
Dixon.
If you cannot find access to the manual settings under - "My Network Places" on the desktop and/or right-click->choosing "properties" and the right-click on your wireless adapter "view available wireless networks" shows nothing - I would try downloading/installing the drivers from here:
h*tp://web.belkin.com/support/download/download.asp?download=F5D7000&lang=1&mode=
