Clueless newbie questions

I am completely new to the concept of wireless internet and both the
terminology and technology involved, so please forgive me for asking
probably stupid questions. Please also forgive me for being long-winded
in my explanation, but I hope if I explain things as clearly as I can,
someone may be able to help me.

I have a Belkin ADSL Modem with Wireless-G Router (# F5D7632uk4) and want
to set this up on my computer so that I can connect my son's computer
wirelessly to the internet.

2 main problems here:
1) When connecting to the internet via said modem/router, my internet
connection kept dropping after about an hour or so and I couldn't work out
how to get it back. It just seemed to work again when it felt like it.

2) I'm completely confused as to how to share my internet connection (when
it does work) with my son's computer. The user manual that came with the
modem/router tells me how to configure the router (and yes, I checked that
all my settings were correct), but I couldn't find any explanation on how
to get my son's computer to wirelessly share my internet connection.

We both have network cards in our computers - mine's a Desktop Network PCI
card, so I can connect the modem/router to my computer, his is a Wireless
Desktop Network card with one of those black aerial things sticking out
the back, which is meant to connect a desktop PC to a wireless network.
Both cards are made by Belkin.

We use different operating systems (my computer is on WinXP, his on WinMe)
but I checked thoroughly via WinXP's troubleshooter for incompatibilities
and didn't find any.

I got everything working on my computer, but although his computer
detected my internet connection, nothing happened when he tried to browse
the internet. So... I ran the WinXP network setup wizard on my computer,
made a network setup disk as instructed, ran the network setup disk on his
computer - and then my internet connection dropped completely and I
couldn't get it back. I now found that I couldn't access the router setup
interface by typing 192.168.2.1 into my browser, either.

I ran the XP networking troubleshooter again and this is where I got
completely confused. The troubleshooter informed me that I should have
two network connections - an internet connection and a LAN connection.
(See http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/ for details of
what has me confused!) What baffles me is that I thought my modem/router
was supposed to be an internet connection AND the way to connect my son's
computer wirelessly to the internet. I don't have a separate LAN
connection to the best of my knowledge. The result of using the XP
troubleshooter was that I could *either* get my computer to connect to the
internet *or* get my son's computer to recognize a network connection
between our computers - but not both. If someone could explain things to
me in very simple terms, I would really appreciate it!


--
Eevee

Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

"Eevee" wrote in message
> I am completely new to the concept of wireless internet and both the
> terminology and technology involved, so please forgive me for asking
> probably stupid questions. Please also forgive me for being long-winded
> in my explanation, but I hope if I explain things as clearly as I can,
> someone may be able to help me.
>
> I have a Belkin ADSL Modem with Wireless-G Router (# F5D7632uk4) and want
> to set this up on my computer so that I can connect my son's computer
> wirelessly to the internet.
>
> 2 main problems here:
> 1) When connecting to the internet via said modem/router, my internet
> connection kept dropping after about an hour or so and I couldn't work out
> how to get it back. It just seemed to work again when it felt like it.
>
> 2) I'm completely confused as to how to share my internet connection (when
> it does work) with my son's computer. The user manual that came with the
> modem/router tells me how to configure the router (and yes, I checked that
> all my settings were correct), but I couldn't find any explanation on how
> to get my son's computer to wirelessly share my internet connection.
>
> We both have network cards in our computers - mine's a Desktop Network PCI
> card, so I can connect the modem/router to my computer, his is a Wireless
> Desktop Network card with one of those black aerial things sticking out
> the back, which is meant to connect a desktop PC to a wireless network.
> Both cards are made by Belkin.
>
> We use different operating systems (my computer is on WinXP, his on WinMe)
> but I checked thoroughly via WinXP's troubleshooter for incompatibilities
> and didn't find any.
>
> I got everything working on my computer, but although his computer
> detected my internet connection, nothing happened when he tried to browse
> the internet. So... I ran the WinXP network setup wizard on my computer,
> made a network setup disk as instructed, ran the network setup disk on his
> computer - and then my internet connection dropped completely and I
> couldn't get it back. I now found that I couldn't access the router setup
> interface by typing 192.168.2.1 into my browser, either.
>
> I ran the XP networking troubleshooter again and this is where I got
> completely confused. The troubleshooter informed me that I should have
> two network connections - an internet connection and a LAN connection.
> (See http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/ for details of
> what has me confused!) What baffles me is that I thought my modem/router
> was supposed to be an internet connection AND the way to connect my son's
> computer wirelessly to the internet. I don't have a separate LAN
> connection to the best of my knowledge. The result of using the XP
> troubleshooter was that I could *either* get my computer to connect to the
> internet *or* get my son's computer to recognize a network connection
> between our computers - but not both. If someone could explain things to
> me in very simple terms, I would really appreciate it!
>
>
> --
> Eevee
>
> Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

As you have an actual hardware router, you shouldn't even need to use ICS
(software router). To talk on the internet, both the local PC's ethernet
NIC (I'm assuming it's connected directly the router with CAT5) and the
wireless card on the other PC only need the TCP/IP protocol. Set both to
get their IP's dynamically and ensure that the router's DHCP server is
enabled. In the router's LAN config, set the IP you want to use
(192.168.2.1). This IP will be the default gateway given to each connected
client. In the DHCP server config, make sure that the range of IP's handed
out are on the same subnet (i.e., 192.168.2.x). If the router's DHCP only
allows for 192.168.0.x range, you'll have to change the router LAN IP to
192.168.0.1
Subnet 255.255.255.0, of course.

That, and encryption configured (if used) "should" be the only thing
required just to talk on the internet.

Sounds like ICS and the router are probably banging heads. ICS is normally
used when you don't have a hardware router/gateway and want to setup a
specific PC to function as a router/gateway.

Jumping ahead to if you want to do file sharing in addition to internet:

If you want the two PC's to be able to do file/printer sharing in the same
workgroup, "Netbios over TCP/IP" needs to enabled in both the computer's
TCP/IP properties. If you are paranoid about file sharing over TCP/IP, you
could also use NetBEUI in addition to TCP/IP . It needs to be encapuslated
inside IDX though, as NetBEUI isn't a routable protocol. Or, could do the
VPN thing as well. Router may also have a function to enable/disable
hardwired and wireless clients with one another.

Hope that helps some. Getting both of these on the internet should be
fairly simple. Start off by removing ICS.

Cheers,
-Eric

"Eevee" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
newspsnwo16k4vckd7f@cyberia...
> I am completely new to the concept of wireless internet and both the
> terminology and technology involved, so please forgive me for asking
> probably stupid questions. Please also forgive me for being long-winded
> in my explanation, but I hope if I explain things as clearly as I can,
> someone may be able to help me.
>
> I have a Belkin ADSL Modem with Wireless-G Router (# F5D7632uk4) and want
> to set this up on my computer so that I can connect my son's computer
> wirelessly to the internet.
>
> 2 main problems here:
> 1) When connecting to the internet via said modem/router, my internet
> connection kept dropping after about an hour or so and I couldn't work out
> how to get it back. It just seemed to work again when it felt like it.
>
> 2) I'm completely confused as to how to share my internet connection (when
> it does work) with my son's computer. The user manual that came with the
> modem/router tells me how to configure the router (and yes, I checked that
> all my settings were correct), but I couldn't find any explanation on how
> to get my son's computer to wirelessly share my internet connection.
>
> We both have network cards in our computers - mine's a Desktop Network PCI
> card, so I can connect the modem/router to my computer, his is a Wireless
> Desktop Network card with one of those black aerial things sticking out
> the back, which is meant to connect a desktop PC to a wireless network.
> Both cards are made by Belkin.
>
> We use different operating systems (my computer is on WinXP, his on WinMe)
> but I checked thoroughly via WinXP's troubleshooter for incompatibilities
> and didn't find any.
>
> I got everything working on my computer, but although his computer
> detected my internet connection, nothing happened when he tried to browse
> the internet. So... I ran the WinXP network setup wizard on my computer,
> made a network setup disk as instructed, ran the network setup disk on his
> computer - and then my internet connection dropped completely and I
> couldn't get it back. I now found that I couldn't access the router setup
> interface by typing 192.168.2.1 into my browser, either.
>
> I ran the XP networking troubleshooter again and this is where I got
> completely confused. The troubleshooter informed me that I should have
> two network connections - an internet connection and a LAN connection.
> (See http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/ for details of
> what has me confused!) What baffles me is that I thought my modem/router
> was supposed to be an internet connection AND the way to connect my son's
> computer wirelessly to the internet. I don't have a separate LAN
> connection to the best of my knowledge. The result of using the XP
> troubleshooter was that I could *either* get my computer to connect to the
> internet *or* get my son's computer to recognize a network connection
> between our computers - but not both. If someone could explain things to
> me in very simple terms, I would really appreciate it!
>
>
> --
> Eevee
>
> Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

As you have an actual hardware router, you shouldn't even need to use ICS
(software router). To talk on the internet, both the local PC's ethernet
NIC (I'm assuming it's connected directly the router with CAT5) and the
wireless card on the other PC only need the TCP/IP protocol. Set both to
get their IP's dynamically and ensure that the router's DHCP server is
enabled. In the router's LAN config, set the IP you want to use
(192.168.2.1). This IP will be the default gateway given to each connected
client. In the DHCP server config, make sure that the range of IP's handed
out are on the same subnet (i.e.,192.168.2.x). If the router's DHCP only
allows for 192.168.0.x range, you'll have to change the router LAN IP to
192.168.0.1 Subnet 255.255.255.0, of course.

That, and encryption configured (if used) "should" be the only thing
required just to talk on the internet.

Sounds like ICS and the router are probably banging heads. ICS is normally
used when you don't have a hardware router/gateway and want to setup a
specific PC to function as a router/gateway.

Jumping ahead to if you want to do file sharing in addition to internet:

If you want the two PC's to be able to do file/printer sharing in the same
workgroup, "Netbios over TCP/IP" needs to enabled in both the computer's
TCP/IP properties. If you are paranoid about file sharing over TCP/IP, you
could also use NetBEUI in addition to TCP/IP . It needs to be encapuslated
inside IDX though, as NetBEUI isn't a routable protocol. Or, could do the
VPN thing as well. Router may also have a function to enable/disable
hardwired and wireless clients with one another.

Hope that helps some. Getting both of these on the internet should be
fairly simple. Start off by removing ICS.

Cheers,
-Eric

Wireless routers are already set up to share internet by default using a
feature called NAT; that is why you won't find much instruction on how to
share internet.

If you reset the router to factory default, it should just work, provided
you set up your PC and your son's PC correctly. Each PC should have a
network card driver (wired or wireless) bound to the TCP/IP protocol.

Use the command line program "ipconfig /all" to verify that each PC is
getting an IP from the router's DHCP server.

When you get internet to work on both PCs, then worry about security and
file sharing.

Don't rely on network setup wizard or network trouble shooter. They only
solve a few specific problems. It's better to ask people.

You need to understand NAT, DHCP at the least to debug this kind of network
problem.

-p

"Eevee" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
newspsnwo16k4vckd7f@cyberia...
>I am completely new to the concept of wireless internet and both the
>terminology and technology involved, so please forgive me for asking
>probably stupid questions. Please also forgive me for being long-winded
>in my explanation, but I hope if I explain things as clearly as I can,
>someone may be able to help me.
>
> I have a Belkin ADSL Modem with Wireless-G Router (# F5D7632uk4) and want
> to set this up on my computer so that I can connect my son's computer
> wirelessly to the internet.
>
> 2 main problems here:
> 1) When connecting to the internet via said modem/router, my internet
> connection kept dropping after about an hour or so and I couldn't work out
> how to get it back. It just seemed to work again when it felt like it.
>
> 2) I'm completely confused as to how to share my internet connection (when
> it does work) with my son's computer. The user manual that came with the
> modem/router tells me how to configure the router (and yes, I checked that
> all my settings were correct), but I couldn't find any explanation on how
> to get my son's computer to wirelessly share my internet connection.
>
> We both have network cards in our computers - mine's a Desktop Network PCI
> card, so I can connect the modem/router to my computer, his is a Wireless
> Desktop Network card with one of those black aerial things sticking out
> the back, which is meant to connect a desktop PC to a wireless network.
> Both cards are made by Belkin.
>
> We use different operating systems (my computer is on WinXP, his on WinMe)
> but I checked thoroughly via WinXP's troubleshooter for incompatibilities
> and didn't find any.
>
> I got everything working on my computer, but although his computer
> detected my internet connection, nothing happened when he tried to browse
> the internet. So... I ran the WinXP network setup wizard on my computer,
> made a network setup disk as instructed, ran the network setup disk on his
> computer - and then my internet connection dropped completely and I
> couldn't get it back. I now found that I couldn't access the router setup
> interface by typing 192.168.2.1 into my browser, either.
>
> I ran the XP networking troubleshooter again and this is where I got
> completely confused. The troubleshooter informed me that I should have
> two network connections - an internet connection and a LAN connection.
> (See http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/ for details of
> what has me confused!) What baffles me is that I thought my modem/router
> was supposed to be an internet connection AND the way to connect my son's
> computer wirelessly to the internet. I don't have a separate LAN
> connection to the best of my knowledge. The result of using the XP
> troubleshooter was that I could *either* get my computer to connect to the
> internet *or* get my son's computer to recognize a network connection
> between our computers - but not both. If someone could explain things to
> me in very simple terms, I would really appreciate it!
>
>
> --
> Eevee
>
> Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

On Sat, 19 Mar 2005 23:23:06 GMT, Eric <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

> In the router's LAN config, set the IP you want to use
> (192.168.2.1). This IP will be the default gateway given to each
> connected
> client. In the DHCP server config, make sure that the range of IP's
> handed
> out are on the same subnet (i.e., 192.168.2.x). If the router's DHCP
> only
> allows for 192.168.0.x range, you'll have to change the router LAN IP to
> 192.168.0.1
> Subnet 255.255.255.0, of course.

Ah, you may have put your finger on the problem there - thank you very
much! I will go through the settings and check to see if this is what's
causing the problem.

> Sounds like ICS and the router are probably banging heads. ICS is
> normally
> used when you don't have a hardware router/gateway and want to setup a
> specific PC to function as a router/gateway.

I hadn't realised this - none of what I'd read had made this clear to me.
Thanks!

> Jumping ahead to if you want to do file sharing in addition to internet:
>
> If you want the two PC's to be able to do file/printer sharing in the
> same
> workgroup, "Netbios over TCP/IP" needs to enabled in both the computer's
> TCP/IP properties. If you are paranoid about file sharing over TCP/IP,
> you
> could also use NetBEUI in addition to TCP/IP . It needs to be
> encapuslated
> inside IDX though, as NetBEUI isn't a routable protocol.

Yes, we do want to be able to share files and the printer - this is really
helpful! Thank you very much for taking the time to explain things
clearly and in detail to me - very much appreciated!


--
Eevee

Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 00:57:45 GMT, peter <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Wireless routers are already set up to share internet by default using a
> feature called NAT; that is why you won't find much instruction on how to
> share internet.

Ah, right, that explains things!

> If you reset the router to factory default, it should just work, provided
> you set up your PC and your son's PC correctly. Each PC should have a
> network card driver (wired or wireless) bound to the TCP/IP protocol.

OK, I think I need to check that the network card driver on my son's
computer is bound to the TCP/IP protocol - thanks!

> Don't rely on network setup wizard or network trouble shooter. They only
> solve a few specific problems. It's better to ask people.

Yes, you have a point - I've had far clearer explanations of what I need
to know by asking here than I managed to get by searching help files.
Thank you very much for taking the time to be so helpful.


--
Eevee

Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

"Eevee" wrote in message

> Yes, we do want to be able to share files and the printer - this is really
> helpful! Thank you very much for taking the time to explain things
> clearly and in detail to me - very much appreciated!
> Eevee
>
> Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

Hi,

NP. Hopefully that will be helpful in getting ya up and talkin'. :^)

(Oh, sorry, subsitute "IPX" for "IDX" in my previous post. I think my
fingers were thinking "IDNX".)

Cheers,
-Eric