Advice for a newbie with Wireless Broadband

Hello all & thanks in advance for any advice.

I live in an area of DE (USA), with no cable or DSL for internet access.
I've just signed up for a 30-day trial period for Broadband wireless through
Verizon Wireless. I've purchased a USB720 modem for access. We have 3
computers, 1 laptop & 2 desktops that I'd like to be able to share this
internet access (no more than 2 would be online at 1 time). The laptop is a
1-yr old Dell currently running Media Edition 2005 & is located on the main
floor of our home. One desktop is a 3-4 year old HP/Compaq running XP Home
Edition, & it's located in an outbuilding (husband's cave), about 100' from
my laptop. The 3rd PC, is a 5-yr old Dell located upstairs from the laptop
running XP Pro (least likely to need internet access, I could always move USB
modem to this PC if necessary).

In speaking with the sales personnel at both Verizon Wireless & Circuit City
yesterday, they both advised this is almost impossible to do, even for a
person with extensive networking experience, but in reading some of the
posts, it seems to be possible.

For now, my questions are:

Is this in fact possible?


Does it matter which computer the USB 720 modem is attached to? Verizon
Wireless advised that using the laptop as the internet source would "bog
down" the laptop to the point it would be difficult to use (and he claimed to
have a lot of networking experience).

Do I just need a wireless router and cards for the desktop PCs? What about
the PC in my husband's "cave"? Is there reasonably priced equipment that
will effectively reach the 100' from my laptop to his PC (presuming we
hook-up to my laptop).

Is there additional equipment must I purchase & does brand matter? While
cost is always a concern, since Comcast wants $12,000 to run 1 mile of cable
from the nearest (3/10) mile current access, a wireless home network seems
more cost effective. I'm also interested in connecting a Nintendo Wii through
his internet connection, & from Nintendo, understand that a couple of Belkin
wireless routers are not compatible.

Thanks again

Justpast40 wrote:
> Hello all & thanks in advance for any advice.
>
> I live in an area of DE (USA), with no cable or DSL for internet access.
> I've just signed up for a 30-day trial period for Broadband wireless through
> Verizon Wireless. I've purchased a USB720 modem for access. We have 3
> computers, 1 laptop & 2 desktops that I'd like to be able to share this
> internet access (no more than 2 would be online at 1 time). The laptop is a
> 1-yr old Dell currently running Media Edition 2005 & is located on the main
> floor of our home. One desktop is a 3-4 year old HP/Compaq running XP Home
> Edition, & it's located in an outbuilding (husband's cave), about 100' from
> my laptop. The 3rd PC, is a 5-yr old Dell located upstairs from the laptop
> running XP Pro (least likely to need internet access, I could always move USB
> modem to this PC if necessary).
>
> In speaking with the sales personnel at both Verizon Wireless & Circuit City
> yesterday, they both advised this is almost impossible to do, even for a
> person with extensive networking experience, but in reading some of the
> posts, it seems to be possible.
>
> For now, my questions are:
>
> Is this in fact possible?
>
>
> Does it matter which computer the USB 720 modem is attached to? Verizon
> Wireless advised that using the laptop as the internet source would "bog
> down" the laptop to the point it would be difficult to use (and he claimed to
> have a lot of networking experience).
>
> Do I just need a wireless router and cards for the desktop PCs? What about
> the PC in my husband's "cave"? Is there reasonably priced equipment that
> will effectively reach the 100' from my laptop to his PC (presuming we
> hook-up to my laptop).
>
> Is there additional equipment must I purchase & does brand matter? While
> cost is always a concern, since Comcast wants $12,000 to run 1 mile of cable
> from the nearest (3/10) mile current access, a wireless home network seems
> more cost effective. I'm also interested in connecting a Nintendo Wii through
> his internet connection, & from Nintendo, understand that a couple of Belkin
> wireless routers are not compatible.
>
> Thanks again
>
>

Yes, you can set up a wireless network with this modem. It might even
work to your husband's cave if you can get an unobstructed line of sight
from a window in the main house to a window in the cave. It's not as
difficult as it looks -- but print this out and study it for a while.
If you have questions, just ask. www.linksys.com has some flash
presentations ("learning center") that explain the basics of setting up
networks.

In the typical home network (wireless or wired), there is a modem
(dial-up, DSL, cable, or, as in your case, EVDO broadband) that connects
to the Internet. Ideally, you would then have a wired or wireless
router (your choice) connected to the modem. All of your computers and
other networkable devices connect to the router. Configured in this
way, all of the computers can share the Internet connection and the
computers can also be configured to share resources (files and
printers). Moreover, only the router need be left powered on in order
for any of the computers to access the Internet.

Unfortunately, I do not know of any home router that connects to a modem
using USB. Almost all routers expect to connect to the modem using an
Ethernet cable (or, in the case of dial-up, perhaps by a serial
connection). There are wireless routers that accept the PC-card style
broadband modem, but none that I know of that will accept the USB type
that you have.

Therefore, what you will need to do is set up Windows Internet
Connection Sharing (ICS) on one of your computers. This computer must
be powered on and active (not in hibernation or sleep mode) when any of
the other computers needs to access the Internet. You can use any of
your computers for this, but you might want to use the upstairs Dell
because otherwise you'll be connecting and disconnecting things from one
of your laptops.

While you're thinking about which computer to use, consider that to
increase the possibility that the wireless signal will actually be
usable in your husband's "cave," the wireless router (or at least its
antenna) should be in front of a window facing the "cave" with no
intervening obstructions (like trees). At the same time, the tiny
antenna in your USB720 probably also will work best if it is higher up
and near a window. (The USB720 does have a connection for an external
antenna if that proves to be necessary.)

Radio communication -- whether it's your broadband connection to Verizon
or your local wireless network -- is highly dependent on the
environment. You won't know how well things work (or if they do at all)
until you try different locations.

In addition to your USB720, you will need to buy a wireless router plus
wireless adapters for all computers (except the one that's going to have
the USB720). Your laptops may or may not have built-in wireless
adapters already.

The first step is to install the USB720 on your chosen computer and make
sure that you have Internet access. This computer must have a USB
connector (obviously) and an Ethernet network adapter.

Once you're confident that the Internet connection is working, setup ICS
on the network adapter. Here's a good tutorial:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/
also: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306126/

Now you have to have to create your wireless network. The devices
called wireless routers typically are 3 devices in one box: a router,
which translates addresses from one network (the Internet) to another
network (your local network); a switch (most home routers have 4
Ethernet jacks to which you can connect computers); and a wireless
access point, which acts essentially as a wireless extension to the
4-port switch.

In your setup, Windows ICS is acting as the router, so you DO NOT want
to use this function of your wireless router. In order to achieve this
condition, you need to do 3 things to the router:

1. When you connect the router to the ICS network adapter on your chosen
computer, do NOT connect to the router's WAN or "Internet" jack.
Instead, use one of the 4 "LAN" jacks.

2. You will need to turn of the DHCP server in the router because ICS
already provides this functionality. You can do this be accessing the
router's configuration utility. The simplest way to do this is to
connect one of your other laptops to one of the router's LAN jacks with
an Ethernet cable and enter the router's default IP address in a web
browser (IE or Firefox) as explained in the router's User Guide.

3. All routers come set with a default IP address that is "seen" by
computers connected to its LAN jacks and to its wireless system.
Linksys routers, for example, are set to 192.168.1.0. D-Link is set to
192.168.0.1. Other brands vary. Because the ICS network adapter is set
(and can't be changed) to 192.168.0.1, you must change the default IP
address of the router to 192.168.0.x (I suggest 192.168.0.10) with a
"subnet mask" of 255.255.255.0. This change also can be made using the
router's configuration utility. Write this new address down and tape it
to the top of the router. You will need to use this address whenever
you want to access the router's configuration utility.

As far as picking hardware is concerned, I suggest a name brand:
Linksys, D-Link, Buffalo, Netgear, etc. The least expensive versions
are "plain" Wireless G. If you want to pay more for "range booster,"
"turbo," "108" or similar devices, I suggest that you get all of the
devices (router and adapters) from the same manufacturer and the same
"family." There is a newer wifi standard, 802.11n. Although it has not
been made an official standard yet, some people report good results
anyway. In particular, Barb Bowman, a Windows MVP who writes articles
for Microsoft on networking and often posts in this newsgroup, reports
good results with the D-Link DIR-655. Again, if you pay extra for this
router, be sure to also buy D-Link "Xtreme N" adapters for the other
computers. If you just want to go with wireless G, the Buffalo
WHR-HP-G54 has a built-in RF amplifier, which should help increase the
likelihood that your network will extend to your husband's cave:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162134
Buffalo also sells hi-gain antennas for use with its products. The
WHR-HP-G54 is one of Buffalo's "125 high-speed" products, so if you get
this router, get compatible adapters.




--
Lem -- MS-MVP - Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

"Lem" wrote:

> Justpast40 wrote:
> > Hello all & thanks in advance for any advice.
> >
> > I live in an area of DE (USA), with no cable or DSL for internet access.
> > I've just signed up for a 30-day trial period for Broadband wireless through
> > Verizon Wireless. I've purchased a USB720 modem for access. We have 3
> > computers, 1 laptop & 2 desktops that I'd like to be able to share this
> > internet access (no more than 2 would be online at 1 time). The laptop is a
> > 1-yr old Dell currently running Media Edition 2005 & is located on the main
> > floor of our home. One desktop is a 3-4 year old HP/Compaq running XP Home
> > Edition, & it's located in an outbuilding (husband's cave), about 100' from
> > my laptop. The 3rd PC, is a 5-yr old Dell located upstairs from the laptop
> > running XP Pro (least likely to need internet access, I could always move USB
> > modem to this PC if necessary).
> >
> > In speaking with the sales personnel at both Verizon Wireless & Circuit City
> > yesterday, they both advised this is almost impossible to do, even for a
> > person with extensive networking experience, but in reading some of the
> > posts, it seems to be possible.
> >
> > For now, my questions are:
> >
> > Is this in fact possible?
> >
> >
> > Does it matter which computer the USB 720 modem is attached to? Verizon
> > Wireless advised that using the laptop as the internet source would "bog
> > down" the laptop to the point it would be difficult to use (and he claimed to
> > have a lot of networking experience).
> >
> > Do I just need a wireless router and cards for the desktop PCs? What about
> > the PC in my husband's "cave"? Is there reasonably priced equipment that
> > will effectively reach the 100' from my laptop to his PC (presuming we
> > hook-up to my laptop).
> >
> > Is there additional equipment must I purchase & does brand matter? While
> > cost is always a concern, since Comcast wants $12,000 to run 1 mile of cable
> > from the nearest (3/10) mile current access, a wireless home network seems
> > more cost effective. I'm also interested in connecting a Nintendo Wii through
> > his internet connection, & from Nintendo, understand that a couple of Belkin
> > wireless routers are not compatible.
> >
> > Thanks again
> >
> >
>
> Yes, you can set up a wireless network with this modem. It might even
> work to your husband's cave if you can get an unobstructed line of sight
> from a window in the main house to a window in the cave. It's not as
> difficult as it looks -- but print this out and study it for a while.
> If you have questions, just ask. www.linksys.com has some flash
> presentations ("learning center") that explain the basics of setting up
> networks.
>
> In the typical home network (wireless or wired), there is a modem
> (dial-up, DSL, cable, or, as in your case, EVDO broadband) that connects
> to the Internet. Ideally, you would then have a wired or wireless
> router (your choice) connected to the modem. All of your computers and
> other networkable devices connect to the router. Configured in this
> way, all of the computers can share the Internet connection and the
> computers can also be configured to share resources (files and
> printers). Moreover, only the router need be left powered on in order
> for any of the computers to access the Internet.
>
> Unfortunately, I do not know of any home router that connects to a modem
> using USB. Almost all routers expect to connect to the modem using an
> Ethernet cable (or, in the case of dial-up, perhaps by a serial
> connection). There are wireless routers that accept the PC-card style
> broadband modem, but none that I know of that will accept the USB type
> that you have.
>
> Therefore, what you will need to do is set up Windows Internet
> Connection Sharing (ICS) on one of your computers. This computer must
> be powered on and active (not in hibernation or sleep mode) when any of
> the other computers needs to access the Internet. You can use any of
> your computers for this, but you might want to use the upstairs Dell
> because otherwise you'll be connecting and disconnecting things from one
> of your laptops.
>
> While you're thinking about which computer to use, consider that to
> increase the possibility that the wireless signal will actually be
> usable in your husband's "cave," the wireless router (or at least its
> antenna) should be in front of a window facing the "cave" with no
> intervening obstructions (like trees). At the same time, the tiny
> antenna in your USB720 probably also will work best if it is higher up
> and near a window. (The USB720 does have a connection for an external
> antenna if that proves to be necessary.)
>
> Radio communication -- whether it's your broadband connection to Verizon
> or your local wireless network -- is highly dependent on the
> environment. You won't know how well things work (or if they do at all)
> until you try different locations.
>
> In addition to your USB720, you will need to buy a wireless router plus
> wireless adapters for all computers (except the one that's going to have
> the USB720). Your laptops may or may not have built-in wireless
> adapters already.
>
> The first step is to install the USB720 on your chosen computer and make
> sure that you have Internet access. This computer must have a USB
> connector (obviously) and an Ethernet network adapter.
>
> Once you're confident that the Internet connection is working, setup ICS
> on the network adapter. Here's a good tutorial:
> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/
> also: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306126/
>
> Now you have to have to create your wireless network. The devices
> called wireless routers typically are 3 devices in one box: a router,
> which translates addresses from one network (the Internet) to another
> network (your local network); a switch (most home routers have 4
> Ethernet jacks to which you can connect computers); and a wireless
> access point, which acts essentially as a wireless extension to the
> 4-port switch.
>
> In your setup, Windows ICS is acting as the router, so you DO NOT want
> to use this function of your wireless router. In order to achieve this
> condition, you need to do 3 things to the router:
>
> 1. When you connect the router to the ICS network adapter on your chosen
> computer, do NOT connect to the router's WAN or "Internet" jack.
> Instead, use one of the 4 "LAN" jacks.
>
> 2. You will need to turn of the DHCP server in the router because ICS
> already provides this functionality. You can do this be accessing the
> router's configuration utility. The simplest way to do this is to
> connect one of your other laptops to one of the router's LAN jacks with
> an Ethernet cable and enter the router's default IP address in a web
> browser (IE or Firefox) as explained in the router's User Guide.
>
> 3. All routers come set with a default IP address that is "seen" by
> computers connected to its LAN jacks and to its wireless system.
> Linksys routers, for example, are set to 192.168.1.0. D-Link is set to
> 192.168.0.1. Other brands vary. Because the ICS network adapter is set
> (and can't be changed) to 192.168.0.1, you must change the default IP
> address of the router to 192.168.0.x (I suggest 192.168.0.10) with a
> "subnet mask" of 255.255.255.0. This change also can be made using the
> router's configuration utility. Write this new address down and tape it
> to the top of the router. You will need to use this address whenever
> you want to access the router's configuration utility.
>
> As far as picking hardware is concerned, I suggest a name brand:
> Linksys, D-Link, Buffalo, Netgear, etc. The least expensive versions
> are "plain" Wireless G. If you want to pay more for "range booster,"
> "turbo," "108" or similar devices, I suggest that you get all of the
> devices (router and adapters) from the same manufacturer and the same
> "family." There is a newer wifi standard, 802.11n. Although it has not
> been made an official standard yet, some people report good results
> anyway. In particular, Barb Bowman, a Windows MVP who writes articles
> for Microsoft on networking and often posts in this newsgroup, reports
> good results with the D-Link DIR-655. Again, if you pay extra for this
> router, be sure to also buy D-Link "Xtreme N" adapters for the other
> computers. If you just want to go with wireless G, the Buffalo
> WHR-HP-G54 has a built-in RF amplifier, which should help increase the
> likelihood that your network will extend to your husband's cave:
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162134
> Buffalo also sells hi-gain antennas for use with its products. The
> WHR-HP-G54 is one of Buffalo's "125 high-speed" products, so if you get
> this router, get compatible adapters.

> --
> Lem -- MS-MVP - Networking
>
> To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
>

Lem, thanks so much for the detailed, easy to read explanation. I've
printed it out, will study, & try the set-up tomorrow. The USB720 (which
installed as a Novatel720) is currently connected to my laptop, & I do have
internet, although the service could be stronger. I'll try an antenna if
necessary. The upstairs Dell may actually have slightly better reception from
Verizon Wireless, as it is also closer to a window vs. the laptop, which is
in the middle of the house.

On the way home from work today, I (stopped at the local Wally World - they
don't have much) purchased a Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router with
SpeedBooster (WRT54GS) & 1 Linksys Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter
with SpeedBooseter thinking that if I could use the upstairs Dell to connect
to the USB720 & wireless router that the desktop PC in my husband's "cave"
can use the Wireless-G USB Network Adapter, & my Dell laptop has a built-in
wireless adapter. As I read your post, these may not work for the "cave",
but if I can successfully set-up the wireless network & share the wireless
broadband with the 2 inside computers & this equipment, then I'll at least
know I can do the networking before I invest in the "range booster" or
"turbo" devices you mentioned.

I've found the following sites referencing a wireless router & USB modem:


http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/1973/64/
http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/kr1-...tech-specs.htm

Even if this were to work, wouldn't I still have an issue of the distance
between the wireless router & my husband's cave?

Thanks again, & will try to post again tomorrow after attempting to set-up
with your instruction & my equipment, reading additional references & the
Linksys site info if necessary.

Justpast40 wrote:
> "Lem" wrote:
>
>> Justpast40 wrote:
>>> Hello all & thanks in advance for any advice.
>>>
>>> I live in an area of DE (USA), with no cable or DSL for internet access.
>>> I've just signed up for a 30-day trial period for Broadband wireless through
>>> Verizon Wireless. I've purchased a USB720 modem for access. We have 3
>>> computers, 1 laptop & 2 desktops that I'd like to be able to share this
>>> internet access (no more than 2 would be online at 1 time). The laptop is a
>>> 1-yr old Dell currently running Media Edition 2005 & is located on the main
>>> floor of our home. One desktop is a 3-4 year old HP/Compaq running XP Home
>>> Edition, & it's located in an outbuilding (husband's cave), about 100' from
>>> my laptop. The 3rd PC, is a 5-yr old Dell located upstairs from the laptop
>>> running XP Pro (least likely to need internet access, I could always move USB
>>> modem to this PC if necessary).
>>>
>>> In speaking with the sales personnel at both Verizon Wireless & Circuit City
>>> yesterday, they both advised this is almost impossible to do, even for a
>>> person with extensive networking experience, but in reading some of the
>>> posts, it seems to be possible.
>>>
>>> For now, my questions are:
>>>
>>> Is this in fact possible?
>>>
>>>
>>> Does it matter which computer the USB 720 modem is attached to? Verizon
>>> Wireless advised that using the laptop as the internet source would "bog
>>> down" the laptop to the point it would be difficult to use (and he claimed to
>>> have a lot of networking experience).
>>>
>>> Do I just need a wireless router and cards for the desktop PCs? What about
>>> the PC in my husband's "cave"? Is there reasonably priced equipment that
>>> will effectively reach the 100' from my laptop to his PC (presuming we
>>> hook-up to my laptop).
>>>
>>> Is there additional equipment must I purchase & does brand matter? While
>>> cost is always a concern, since Comcast wants $12,000 to run 1 mile of cable
>>> from the nearest (3/10) mile current access, a wireless home network seems
>>> more cost effective. I'm also interested in connecting a Nintendo Wii through
>>> his internet connection, & from Nintendo, understand that a couple of Belkin
>>> wireless routers are not compatible.
>>>
>>> Thanks again
>>>
>>>
>> Yes, you can set up a wireless network with this modem. It might even
>> work to your husband's cave if you can get an unobstructed line of sight
>> from a window in the main house to a window in the cave. It's not as
>> difficult as it looks -- but print this out and study it for a while.
>> If you have questions, just ask. www.linksys.com has some flash
>> presentations ("learning center") that explain the basics of setting up
>> networks.
>>
>> In the typical home network (wireless or wired), there is a modem
>> (dial-up, DSL, cable, or, as in your case, EVDO broadband) that connects
>> to the Internet. Ideally, you would then have a wired or wireless
>> router (your choice) connected to the modem. All of your computers and
>> other networkable devices connect to the router. Configured in this
>> way, all of the computers can share the Internet connection and the
>> computers can also be configured to share resources (files and
>> printers). Moreover, only the router need be left powered on in order
>> for any of the computers to access the Internet.
>>
>> Unfortunately, I do not know of any home router that connects to a modem
>> using USB. Almost all routers expect to connect to the modem using an
>> Ethernet cable (or, in the case of dial-up, perhaps by a serial
>> connection). There are wireless routers that accept the PC-card style
>> broadband modem, but none that I know of that will accept the USB type
>> that you have.
>>
>> Therefore, what you will need to do is set up Windows Internet
>> Connection Sharing (ICS) on one of your computers. This computer must
>> be powered on and active (not in hibernation or sleep mode) when any of
>> the other computers needs to access the Internet. You can use any of
>> your computers for this, but you might want to use the upstairs Dell
>> because otherwise you'll be connecting and disconnecting things from one
>> of your laptops.
>>
>> While you're thinking about which computer to use, consider that to
>> increase the possibility that the wireless signal will actually be
>> usable in your husband's "cave," the wireless router (or at least its
>> antenna) should be in front of a window facing the "cave" with no
>> intervening obstructions (like trees). At the same time, the tiny
>> antenna in your USB720 probably also will work best if it is higher up
>> and near a window. (The USB720 does have a connection for an external
>> antenna if that proves to be necessary.)
>>
>> Radio communication -- whether it's your broadband connection to Verizon
>> or your local wireless network -- is highly dependent on the
>> environment. You won't know how well things work (or if they do at all)
>> until you try different locations.
>>
>> In addition to your USB720, you will need to buy a wireless router plus
>> wireless adapters for all computers (except the one that's going to have
>> the USB720). Your laptops may or may not have built-in wireless
>> adapters already.
>>
>> The first step is to install the USB720 on your chosen computer and make
>> sure that you have Internet access. This computer must have a USB
>> connector (obviously) and an Ethernet network adapter.
>>
>> Once you're confident that the Internet connection is working, setup ICS
>> on the network adapter. Here's a good tutorial:
>> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/
>> also: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306126/
>>
>> Now you have to have to create your wireless network. The devices
>> called wireless routers typically are 3 devices in one box: a router,
>> which translates addresses from one network (the Internet) to another
>> network (your local network); a switch (most home routers have 4
>> Ethernet jacks to which you can connect computers); and a wireless
>> access point, which acts essentially as a wireless extension to the
>> 4-port switch.
>>
>> In your setup, Windows ICS is acting as the router, so you DO NOT want
>> to use this function of your wireless router. In order to achieve this
>> condition, you need to do 3 things to the router:
>>
>> 1. When you connect the router to the ICS network adapter on your chosen
>> computer, do NOT connect to the router's WAN or "Internet" jack.
>> Instead, use one of the 4 "LAN" jacks.
>>
>> 2. You will need to turn of the DHCP server in the router because ICS
>> already provides this functionality. You can do this be accessing the
>> router's configuration utility. The simplest way to do this is to
>> connect one of your other laptops to one of the router's LAN jacks with
>> an Ethernet cable and enter the router's default IP address in a web
>> browser (IE or Firefox) as explained in the router's User Guide.
>>
>> 3. All routers come set with a default IP address that is "seen" by
>> computers connected to its LAN jacks and to its wireless system.
>> Linksys routers, for example, are set to 192.168.1.0. D-Link is set to
>> 192.168.0.1. Other brands vary. Because the ICS network adapter is set
>> (and can't be changed) to 192.168.0.1, you must change the default IP
>> address of the router to 192.168.0.x (I suggest 192.168.0.10) with a
>> "subnet mask" of 255.255.255.0. This change also can be made using the
>> router's configuration utility. Write this new address down and tape it
>> to the top of the router. You will need to use this address whenever
>> you want to access the router's configuration utility.
>>
>> As far as picking hardware is concerned, I suggest a name brand:
>> Linksys, D-Link, Buffalo, Netgear, etc. The least expensive versions
>> are "plain" Wireless G. If you want to pay more for "range booster,"
>> "turbo," "108" or similar devices, I suggest that you get all of the
>> devices (router and adapters) from the same manufacturer and the same
>> "family." There is a newer wifi standard, 802.11n. Although it has not
>> been made an official standard yet, some people report good results
>> anyway. In particular, Barb Bowman, a Windows MVP who writes articles
>> for Microsoft on networking and often posts in this newsgroup, reports
>> good results with the D-Link DIR-655. Again, if you pay extra for this
>> router, be sure to also buy D-Link "Xtreme N" adapters for the other
>> computers. If you just want to go with wireless G, the Buffalo
>> WHR-HP-G54 has a built-in RF amplifier, which should help increase the
>> likelihood that your network will extend to your husband's cave:
>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162134
>> Buffalo also sells hi-gain antennas for use with its products. The
>> WHR-HP-G54 is one of Buffalo's "125 high-speed" products, so if you get
>> this router, get compatible adapters.
>
>> --
>> Lem -- MS-MVP - Networking
>>
>> To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
>>
>
> Lem, thanks so much for the detailed, easy to read explanation. I've
> printed it out, will study, & try the set-up tomorrow. The USB720 (which
> installed as a Novatel720) is currently connected to my laptop, & I do have
> internet, although the service could be stronger. I'll try an antenna if
> necessary. The upstairs Dell may actually have slightly better reception from
> Verizon Wireless, as it is also closer to a window vs. the laptop, which is
> in the middle of the house.
>
> On the way home from work today, I (stopped at the local Wally World - they
> don't have much) purchased a Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router with
> SpeedBooster (WRT54GS) & 1 Linksys Compact Wireless-G USB Network Adapter
> with SpeedBooseter thinking that if I could use the upstairs Dell to connect
> to the USB720 & wireless router that the desktop PC in my husband's "cave"
> can use the Wireless-G USB Network Adapter, & my Dell laptop has a built-in
> wireless adapter. As I read your post, these may not work for the "cave",
> but if I can successfully set-up the wireless network & share the wireless
> broadband with the 2 inside computers & this equipment, then I'll at least
> know I can do the networking before I invest in the "range booster" or
> "turbo" devices you mentioned.
>
> I've found the following sites referencing a wireless router & USB modem:
>
>
> http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/1973/64/
> http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/kr1-...tech-specs.htm
>
> Even if this were to work, wouldn't I still have an issue of the distance
> between the wireless router & my husband's cave?
>
> Thanks again, & will try to post again tomorrow after attempting to set-up
> with your instruction & my equipment, reading additional references & the
> Linksys site info if necessary.
>
>

Good luck. The Linksys equipment ought to work well for you. If you
run into difficulties, post back. Also, there is a very active Linksys
user community at www.linksysinfo.org.

Given that you have a husband, you probably do not have the usual male
aversion to reading directions. Take a look at the Linksys User Guide.
It's actually pretty understandable. If you understand what you are
attempting to accomplish, you won't be as likely to get into
difficulties by repeatedly running "wizards" -- which sometimes seem to
have flunked out of Hogwarts.

Set things up in stages. First get one computer working with the
router, then the next. Do not configure any encryption or other
security measures initially -- get things working first.

Do change the SSID (network name) on the router from its default
(Linksys) to something recognizably yours (but not your last name or
address). You should also change the password used to access the
configuration utility (default = admin). Do not disable SSID
broadcasting (this sometimes is suggested as a security measure, but it
offers very minimal security with the potential for problems).

When you get around to configuring wireless encryption, use
WPA2-Personal if available on ALL computers (it may not be available if
your laptops are a few years old; or you might have to get a newer
driver from the laptop mfr). If WPA2-Personal isn't available, use
WPA-Personal. If given the choice between AES and TKIP, choose AES.
Pick a reasonably long (8-20 character) passphrase. Ideally, don't use
dictionary words, include some numbers and/or special characters, and
vary the case. You do have to remember it though. Set up properly
WinXP will remember your password and connect to your wireless network
automatically.

--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

"Lem" wrote:

> >
>
> Good luck. The Linksys equipment ought to work well for you. If you
> run into difficulties, post back. Also, there is a very active Linksys
> user community at www.linksysinfo.org.
>
> Given that you have a husband, you probably do not have the usual male
> aversion to reading directions. Take a look at the Linksys User Guide.
> It's actually pretty understandable. If you understand what you are
> attempting to accomplish, you won't be as likely to get into
> difficulties by repeatedly running "wizards" -- which sometimes seem to
> have flunked out of Hogwarts.
>
> Set things up in stages. First get one computer working with the
> router, then the next. Do not configure any encryption or other
> security measures initially -- get things working first.
>
> Do change the SSID (network name) on the router from its default
> (Linksys) to something recognizably yours (but not your last name or
> address). You should also change the password used to access the
> configuration utility (default = admin). Do not disable SSID
> broadcasting (this sometimes is suggested as a security measure, but it
> offers very minimal security with the potential for problems).
>
> When you get around to configuring wireless encryption, use
> WPA2-Personal if available on ALL computers (it may not be available if
> your laptops are a few years old; or you might have to get a newer
> driver from the laptop mfr). If WPA2-Personal isn't available, use
> WPA-Personal. If given the choice between AES and TKIP, choose AES.
> Pick a reasonably long (8-20 character) passphrase. Ideally, don't use
> dictionary words, include some numbers and/or special characters, and
> vary the case. You do have to remember it though. Set up properly
> WinXP will remember your password and connect to your wireless network
> automatically.
>
> --
> Lem MS MVP -- Networking
>
> To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
>


I’ve cut my initial question & your initial response because of the length.

……….I love a computer tech with a sense of humor – I do read instructions.
…I’m stuck! I’ve been working on this for the better part of the day. I can’t
get the laptop to share the internet connection, & right now, it is sitting
next to the upstairs Dell & both are connected to the router with network
cables (the router lights 1 & 2 are a steady green, so I presume that means
OK)

I have the USB modem working on the upstairs Dell, although the signal
strength is the same as when connected to the laptop when in the middle of
the house yesterday before I changed connections, the speed seems to have
increased from when it was attached to the laptop. Under Network Connections
the USB modem it is showing as connected & shared, so I presume I got the ICS
for this correct, but maybe not, because I can’t get the laptop online.

On the upstairs Dell with the USB modem & router, the Internet Gateway is
showing as disabled, which I would think is correct since this is the
connection; it’s not connecting from another PC. Under LAN, the Local Area
Connection is showing as enabled. When using the Linksys automatic set-up it
could not detect the router but since the Power, LAN, & 1st & 2nd lights
(Upstairs Dell with USB modem & laptop attached with network cables to 1st &
2nd router ports), are all green I presume both PCs recognize router.)

I think I followed the instructions in your 1st post.

I changed the router’s address, & disabled the DHCP. I think I followed the
instructions in the Microsoft link you provided for using ICS for both the
host & client computers. I presume the client computer at this point is the
laptop I’m trying to connect, but is not connecting (will try to connect to
the cave after getting laptop connected).

The laptop has options for both a wireless & wired connection.

Where do I go from here?

Is it possible that a prior dial-up connection setting or attempt to set up
the network before I posted when I tried to connect a Belkin router (found to
be not compatible with the Nintendo Wii) with USB modem to the laptop are
interfering with the laptop now connecting to the network?

Thanks again.

Justpast40 wrote:
> "Lem" wrote:
>
>> Good luck. The Linksys equipment ought to work well for you. If you
>> run into difficulties, post back. Also, there is a very active Linksys
>> user community at www.linksysinfo.org.
>>
>> Given that you have a husband, you probably do not have the usual male
>> aversion to reading directions. Take a look at the Linksys User Guide.
>> It's actually pretty understandable. If you understand what you are
>> attempting to accomplish, you won't be as likely to get into
>> difficulties by repeatedly running "wizards" -- which sometimes seem to
>> have flunked out of Hogwarts.
>>
>> Set things up in stages. First get one computer working with the
>> router, then the next. Do not configure any encryption or other
>> security measures initially -- get things working first.
>>
>> Do change the SSID (network name) on the router from its default
>> (Linksys) to something recognizably yours (but not your last name or
>> address). You should also change the password used to access the
>> configuration utility (default = admin). Do not disable SSID
>> broadcasting (this sometimes is suggested as a security measure, but it
>> offers very minimal security with the potential for problems).
>>
>> When you get around to configuring wireless encryption, use
>> WPA2-Personal if available on ALL computers (it may not be available if
>> your laptops are a few years old; or you might have to get a newer
>> driver from the laptop mfr). If WPA2-Personal isn't available, use
>> WPA-Personal. If given the choice between AES and TKIP, choose AES.
>> Pick a reasonably long (8-20 character) passphrase. Ideally, don't use
>> dictionary words, include some numbers and/or special characters, and
>> vary the case. You do have to remember it though. Set up properly
>> WinXP will remember your password and connect to your wireless network
>> automatically.
>>
>> --
>> Lem MS MVP -- Networking
>>
>> To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
>>
>
>
> I’ve cut my initial question & your initial response because of the length.
>
> ……….I love a computer tech with a sense of humor – I do read instructions.
> …I’m stuck! I’ve been working on this for the better part of the day. I can’t
> get the laptop to share the internet connection, & right now, it is sitting
> next to the upstairs Dell & both are connected to the router with network
> cables (the router lights 1 & 2 are a steady green, so I presume that means
> OK)
>
> I have the USB modem working on the upstairs Dell, although the signal
> strength is the same as when connected to the laptop when in the middle of
> the house yesterday before I changed connections, the speed seems to have
> increased from when it was attached to the laptop. Under Network Connections
> the USB modem it is showing as connected & shared, so I presume I got the ICS
> for this correct, but maybe not, because I can’t get the laptop online.
>
> On the upstairs Dell with the USB modem & router, the Internet Gateway is
> showing as disabled, which I would think is correct since this is the
> connection; it’s not connecting from another PC. Under LAN, the Local Area
> Connection is showing as enabled. When using the Linksys automatic set-up it
> could not detect the router but since the Power, LAN, & 1st & 2nd lights
> (Upstairs Dell with USB modem & laptop attached with network cables to 1st &
> 2nd router ports), are all green I presume both PCs recognize router.)
>
> I think I followed the instructions in your 1st post.
>
> I changed the router’s address, & disabled the DHCP. I think I followed the
> instructions in the Microsoft link you provided for using ICS for both the
> host & client computers. I presume the client computer at this point is the
> laptop I’m trying to connect, but is not connecting (will try to connect to
> the cave after getting laptop connected).
>
> The laptop has options for both a wireless & wired connection.
>
> Where do I go from here?
>
> Is it possible that a prior dial-up connection setting or attempt to set up
> the network before I posted when I tried to connect a Belkin router (found to
> be not compatible with the Nintendo Wii) with USB modem to the laptop are
> interfering with the laptop now connecting to the network?
>
> Thanks again.
>

I'm not sure why "Internet Gateway" is shown as disabled. Most likely,
Windows is detecting the presence of the router (which IS the
"Internet Gateway" in the typical configuration of modem <--> router
<--> computer) but since your router is not connected to the Internet,
it is showing as disabled. What happens if you right click on the
"Internet Gateway" icon and select enable?

Aside from that, open a Command Prompt window first on the Dell and then
on the laptop [Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt]. On
the Dell, do this while you are in fact connected to the Internet.

In the window that opens type:

ipconfig /all > c:\myconfig.txt

Then press Enter.

Open the file C:\myconfig.txt using Notepad and copy/paste the results
in your next post. You can delete the file after you paste the info.
Be sure to identify which info goes with which computer.

I haven't used an EVDO or similar broadband connection myself. When you
connected from the Dell, did you have to enter a userid and password, as
if it was a dial-up modem? If so, did you check the box to "Establish a
dial-up connection whenever a computer on my network attempts to access
the Internet"?

Your output should look something like this:
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : able
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/100 Network
Connection
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-07-E9-ED-0C-47
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 207.69.188.186
207.69.188.185
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, September 11, 2007
7:33:15PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, September 12,
2007 7:33:15 PM


--
Lem -- MS-MVP - Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

"Lem" wrote:

> Justpast40 wrote:
> > "Lem" wrote:
> >
> >> Good luck. The Linksys equipment ought to work well for you. If you
> >> run into difficulties, post back. Also, there is a very active Linksys
> >> user community at www.linksysinfo.org.
> >>
> >> Given that you have a husband, you probably do not have the usual male
> >> aversion to reading directions. Take a look at the Linksys User Guide.
> >> It's actually pretty understandable. If you understand what you are
> >> attempting to accomplish, you won't be as likely to get into
> >> difficulties by repeatedly running "wizards" -- which sometimes seem to
> >> have flunked out of Hogwarts.
> >>
> >> Set things up in stages. First get one computer working with the
> >> router, then the next. Do not configure any encryption or other
> >> security measures initially -- get things working first.
> >>
> >> Do change the SSID (network name) on the router from its default
> >> (Linksys) to something recognizably yours (but not your last name or
> >> address). You should also change the password used to access the
> >> configuration utility (default = admin). Do not disable SSID
> >> broadcasting (this sometimes is suggested as a security measure, but it
> >> offers very minimal security with the potential for problems).
> >>
> >> When you get around to configuring wireless encryption, use
> >> WPA2-Personal if available on ALL computers (it may not be available if
> >> your laptops are a few years old; or you might have to get a newer
> >> driver from the laptop mfr). If WPA2-Personal isn't available, use
> >> WPA-Personal. If given the choice between AES and TKIP, choose AES.
> >> Pick a reasonably long (8-20 character) passphrase. Ideally, don't use
> >> dictionary words, include some numbers and/or special characters, and
> >> vary the case. You do have to remember it though. Set up properly
> >> WinXP will remember your password and connect to your wireless network
> >> automatically.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Lem MS MVP -- Networking
> >>
> >> To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
> >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
> >>
> >
> >
> > I’ve cut my initial question & your initial response because of the length.
> >
> > ……….I love a computer tech with a sense of humor – I do read instructions.
> > …I’m stuck! I’ve been working on this for the better part of the day. I can’t
> > get the laptop to share the internet connection, & right now, it is sitting
> > next to the upstairs Dell & both are connected to the router with network
> > cables (the router lights 1 & 2 are a steady green, so I presume that means
> > OK)
> >
> > I have the USB modem working on the upstairs Dell, although the signal
> > strength is the same as when connected to the laptop when in the middle of
> > the house yesterday before I changed connections, the speed seems to have
> > increased from when it was attached to the laptop. Under Network Connections
> > the USB modem it is showing as connected & shared, so I presume I got the ICS
> > for this correct, but maybe not, because I can’t get the laptop online.
> >
> > On the upstairs Dell with the USB modem & router, the Internet Gateway is
> > showing as disabled, which I would think is correct since this is the
> > connection; it’s not connecting from another PC. Under LAN, the Local Area
> > Connection is showing as enabled. When using the Linksys automatic set-up it
> > could not detect the router but since the Power, LAN, & 1st & 2nd lights
> > (Upstairs Dell with USB modem & laptop attached with network cables to 1st &
> > 2nd router ports), are all green I presume both PCs recognize router.)
> >
> > I think I followed the instructions in your 1st post.
> >
> > I changed the router’s address, & disabled the DHCP. I think I followed the
> > instructions in the Microsoft link you provided for using ICS for both the
> > host & client computers. I presume the client computer at this point is the
> > laptop I’m trying to connect, but is not connecting (will try to connect to
> > the cave after getting laptop connected).
> >
> > The laptop has options for both a wireless & wired connection.
> >
> > Where do I go from here?
> >
> > Is it possible that a prior dial-up connection setting or attempt to set up
> > the network before I posted when I tried to connect a Belkin router (found to
> > be not compatible with the Nintendo Wii) with USB modem to the laptop are
> > interfering with the laptop now connecting to the network?
> >
> > Thanks again.
> >
>
> I'm not sure why "Internet Gateway" is shown as disabled. Most likely,
> Windows is detecting the presence of the router (which IS the
> "Internet Gateway" in the typical configuration of modem <--> router
> <--> computer) but since your router is not connected to the Internet,
> it is showing as disabled. What happens if you right click on the
> "Internet Gateway" icon and select enable?
>
> Aside from that, open a Command Prompt window first on the Dell and then
> on the laptop [Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt]. On
> the Dell, do this while you are in fact connected to the Internet.
>
> In the window that opens type:
>
> ipconfig /all > c:\myconfig.txt
>
> Then press Enter.
>
> Open the file C:\myconfig.txt using Notepad and copy/paste the results
> in your next post. You can delete the file after you paste the info.
> Be sure to identify which info goes with which computer.
>
> I haven't used an EVDO or similar broadband connection myself. When you
> connected from the Dell, did you have to enter a userid and password, as
> if it was a dial-up modem? If so, did you check the box to "Establish a
> dial-up connection whenever a computer on my network attempts to access
> the Internet"?
>
> Your output should look something like this:
> Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
> (C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.
>
> Windows IP Configuration
>
> Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : able
> Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
> Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
> IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
>
> Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
>
> Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/100 Network
> Connection
> Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-07-E9-ED-0C-47
> Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
> Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
> IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100
> Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
> Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
> DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
> DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 207.69.188.186
> 207.69.188.185
> Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, September 11, 2007
> 7:33:15PM
> Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, September 12,
> 2007 7:33:15 PM
>
>
> --
> Lem -- MS-MVP - Networking
>
> To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer


When I try to enable “Internet Gateway" it attempts to connect & says
“connection failed� (after which I could not load web page without D/C modem
connection & reconnecting).

When I initially used USB modem on both the laptop (yesterday), & the
upstairs Dell today, I did not need to enter any username or password info,
but at 1 time today, I say a popup for it on the upstairs Dell with a default
username as the phone # @vzw3g.com. All I’ve done on the laptop is try to
open IE or Netscape.

Command prompt from upstairs Dell connected to internet & router:

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Upstairs
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : GVC-REALTEK Ethernet 10/100 PCI
Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-C0-A8-80-91-14
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, September 11, 2007
7:15:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, September 12, 2007
7:15:24 PM

PPP adapter NationalAccess - BroadbandAccess:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 75.196.92.140
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 75.196.92.140
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 66.174.95.44
69.78.96.14

NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

There is no text file on the C directory of the laptop when entering the
command into the prompt.

>

> When I try to enable “Internet Gateway" it attempts to connect & says
> “connection failed� (after which I could not load web page without D/C modem
> connection & reconnecting).
>
> When I initially used USB modem on both the laptop (yesterday), & the
> upstairs Dell today, I did not need to enter any username or password info,
> but at 1 time today, I say a popup for it on the upstairs Dell with a default
> username as the phone # @vzw3g.com. All I’ve done on the laptop is try to
> open IE or Netscape.
>
> Command prompt from upstairs Dell connected to internet & router:
>
> Windows IP Configuration
>
> Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Upstairs
> Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
> Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
> IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
> WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
>
> Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
>
> Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> Description . . . . . . . . . . . : GVC-REALTEK Ethernet 10/100 PCI
> Adapter
> Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-C0-A8-80-91-14
> Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
> Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
> IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100
> Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
> Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
> DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
> DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
> Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, September 11, 2007
> 7:15:24 PM
> Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, September 12, 2007
> 7:15:24 PM
>
> PPP adapter NationalAccess - BroadbandAccess:
>
> Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
> Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
> Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
> IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 75.196.92.140
> Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
> Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 75.196.92.140
> DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 66.174.95.44
> 69.78.96.14
>
> NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
>
> There is no text file on the C directory of the laptop when entering the
> command into the prompt.
>
> >


Need to clarify sentence that says “All I’ve done on the laptop is try to
open IE or Netscape.�

I mean today after connecting USB modem & router to upstairs Dell.

Tried to open browsers on laptop after wiring router to upstairs Dell & then
laptop.

If USB modem is connected to laptop it works (no router info if modem &
router connected to laptop B4 trying to connect Upstairs Dell)

After reading a post on Linksys, I restarted the upstairs Dell with the
attached router & USB modem & repaired both the wireless & wired adapters on
the laptop. They both attempted to obtain IP addresses, but wireless failed.
The wired connection has an error message of limited or no connectivity that
I did not have before. The laptop runs Media Edition 2005 & must have
recognized some sort of internet connection because for the 1st time since
I’ve been trying to do this, the Media Guide which is set to download (TV)
guide information whenever it detects an internet presence attempted to
download the Guide, but failed.

After the above, I ran the ipconfig, & whereas last night I had no file on
the C directory (presume no IP address), after repairing both network
connections I got the following file on the laptop.



Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : MyNotebook
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated
Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-14-22-99-86-EC
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.125.64
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 169.254.125.64

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG
Network Connection
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-16-6F-6E-91-4C

Justpast40 wrote:

>
> When I try to enable “Internet Gateway" it attempts to connect & says
> “connection failed� (after which I could not load web page without D/C modem
> connection & reconnecting).
>
> When I initially used USB modem on both the laptop (yesterday), & the
> upstairs Dell today, I did not need to enter any username or password info,
> but at 1 time today, I say a popup for it on the upstairs Dell with a default
> username as the phone # @vzw3g.com. All I’ve done on the laptop is try to
> open IE or Netscape.
>
> Command prompt from upstairs Dell connected to internet & router:
>
> Windows IP Configuration
>
> Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Upstairs
> Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
> Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
> IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
> WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
>
> Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
>
> Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> Description . . . . . . . . . . . : GVC-REALTEK Ethernet 10/100 PCI
> Adapter
> Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-C0-A8-80-91-14
> Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
> Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
> IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100
> Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
> Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
> DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
> DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
> Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, September 11, 2007
> 7:15:24 PM
> Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, September 12, 2007
> 7:15:24 PM
>
> PPP adapter NationalAccess - BroadbandAccess:
>
> Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
> Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
> Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
> IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 75.196.92.140
> Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
> Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 75.196.92.140
> DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 66.174.95.44
> 69.78.96.14
>
> NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
>
> There is no text file on the C directory of the laptop when entering the
> command into the prompt.
>

I know that you said that you had enabled ICS and disabled the router's
DHCP server, but the settings on your "upstairs" network adapter (the
GVC-Realtek) are what I would expect to see if ICS was NOT enabled and
the router's DHCP server WAS enabled. Also, it looks as if the router's
default IP address was not changed. Perhaps you didn't click the "Save
Settings" button after making changes in the router's configuration
screens.

On the other hand, looking at the info for your laptop, you may have
successfully turned off the router's DHCP server but didn't change the
router's IP address.

First, check the router. Disconnect the router from upstairs, leaving
only a cable from your laptop to the router connected.

Open IE or Firefox and in the address box enter 192.168.1.1 and press
enter (or click GO).

Do you get the login screen for the router?

If yes, then at least some of the changes you made didn't get saved
after you made them. On the Basic Setup screen, make sure that the
"Local IP Address" (just above the radio buttons for enabling/disabling
the DHCP server) is set to 192.168.0.x (x can be 2 through 254). Make
sure the DHCP Server is disabled. Click the "Save Settings" button at
the bottom of the screen.

If no, then enter the IP address you selected for the router, enter the
router's configuration utility, and make sure that the DHCP server is
disabled.

Now check ICS on upstairs.

Leave the router disconnected from upstairs. Reboot the computer.

In Network Connections, right-click on the icon for your Local Area
Connection, select Properties, click the Advanced tab, and make sure
that the "firewall" box is UNchecked. Go to the General tab, select
Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties. Confirm that the radio
button for Obtain an IP Address automatically is selected and click the
Advanced button. Click the WINS tab. Select the radio button to Enable
NetBIOS over TCP/IP. OK your way out.

If the icon for your USB720 indicates that it is shared, disable sharing
by going to the properties, advanced tab, and unchecking the box, OK
your way out.

Now we'll re-enable sharing. Step through the procedure for enabling ICS
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...rverdialup.htm

The icon you want to right-click on to share is the one for your USB720.

On the Properties | Advanced tab, check the boxes to enable the
firewall, to allow other users to connect through this connection, and
to allow other users to control or disable the shared connection. If
there is a box to establish a dial-up connection whenever a network
computer attempts to connect, check that also.

If there is a drop-down box to select a home network connection, make
sure you select Ethernet connection.

Click OK. Answer Yes if you see this:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...roadband06.gif

Open a Command Prompt window and type
ipconfig /all
and press Enter (this is the same as what you did before except that the
output will only go to the screen and not to a file). In the data for
the GVC-Realtek adapter, the IP address should be 192.168.0.1.

If you have a different IP address, please post it.

If the IP address of the network adapter IS 192.168.0.1, you have
successfully configured upstairs to use ICS. Connect the router to
upstairs and to the laptop, reboot the laptop and see if you can now
access the Internet from the laptop.

--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer