Help for a newbie

[rob'sbus]

Help for a newbie
This is my first post but I've been lurking on this site in search of assistance at how to hook up my network. It seems that everyone here really knows what they're doing, and I apologize if some of my questions are stupid or if I leave out any crucial info.

I have a desktop computer running Win XP and I just purchased a Sony laptop with an integrated 802.11g card in hopes of networking wirelessly. I also purchased a DLinks 802.11g wireless router. I have high speed cable for internet. My desktop did not have an ethernet port so I installed on last night.

I ran my ethernet line from my internet cable modem to the back of the router (I think in a slot called WAN). I then ran an ethernet line from the router to the back of the computer into my newly-installed ethernet port. Unfortunately I'm not connecting to the internet now. I tried to use the installation CD from the router and pull up the internet and type in the required ip code. However, it just says the address can't be found.

I assume my problems stem from not setting up the software properly. The only time my internet connection allows me to put in the router's ip is when I unhook the router from the desktop.

Someone please help

[Direct1]

Welcome to SysOpt! :t

When you first hooked everything up, did you re-start your computer or release and renew the IP address? It should work out-of-the-box.

At a command prompt (Start > Run > type cmd > Hit Enter) type:

ipconfig /release <hit enter>

Then type:

ipconfig /renew <hit enter>

Did you check Device Manager to make sure your NIC working?

Did you re-set the modem?

Good luck! :D

[rob'sbus]

Direct1, I haven't done that but I will when I get home this evening. Thanks for the info.

[dajogejr]

D1 is dead on.
You can also read and learn a little here::

Practically Networked (http://www.practicallynetworked.com/)

Lots of good articles...:)

[BipolarBill]

When switching from a direct connection to a router, it's best to unplug the modem power for about 30 minutes. The modem is looking for the old connection, so you have to reset it.

Afterward, run the Home Networking wizard again. If you were using a USB connection before, uninstall the USB modem drivers and software before running the wizard.

[dajogejr]

Good Ponit...BP.

Same goes for the other way.

I've built a few PCs at home for customers, hooked 'em into my router, but...when they got the PC home, their broadband doesn't work, since the PC was looking to hit the 192.x.x.x address, and they weren't using the router, just straight from the cable modem.

Turn off the modem, PC, etc.
Turn the modem on for a good 2 or 3 minutes, then...bring the PC up.

[cat5e]

Log to this page it has a lot of links to instructions to Windows Network Setting and Sharing.

Link to: Network - Installing and Sharing. (http://www.ezlan.net/Installing.html)

:t

[rob'sbus]

Thanks to all for the guidance. I now have the network up and running and all seems well. Thanks again.