(Hopefully!) simple question no 1

I'm just starting to get into ADSL/wireless networking. I have two
laptops - one running XP Home and one running XP Pro and with wireless
networking capabilities. I'm currently waiting for my ADSL service to
be enabled and I've been trying to set up my modem/router (3com
OfficeConnect). To configure the router I need to open Internet
Explorer and enter the router IP address (192.168.1.1). When I do
this, IE complains that I can only access this address if I go online.
If I connect to my dialup service I am able to connect to the IP
address and talk to the router. I'm sure I shouldn't have to connect
to the internet to access the router. Is there some simple setting
that lets me talk to the router without having to connect to the
internet? There must be some way otherwise how would anyone set up
their modem/router if that was their only interface to the internet.

TIA

"Simon Hancock" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> I'm just starting to get into ADSL/wireless networking. I have two
> laptops - one running XP Home and one running XP Pro and with wireless
> networking capabilities. I'm currently waiting for my ADSL service to
> be enabled and I've been trying to set up my modem/router (3com
> OfficeConnect). To configure the router I need to open Internet
> Explorer and enter the router IP address (192.168.1.1). When I do
> this, IE complains that I can only access this address if I go online.
> If I connect to my dialup service I am able to connect to the IP
> address and talk to the router. I'm sure I shouldn't have to connect
> to the internet to access the router. Is there some simple setting
> that lets me talk to the router without having to connect to the
> internet? There must be some way otherwise how would anyone set up
> their modem/router if that was their only interface to the internet.
>
> TIA

From IE - Tools, Internet options, Connections tab, check radio box never
dial a connection.

"John" <kismet_iuk@_nospamhere_yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message news:<4076e2b4.0@entanet>...
> "Simon Hancock" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> > I'm just starting to get into ADSL/wireless networking. I have two
> > laptops - one running XP Home and one running XP Pro and with wireless
> > networking capabilities. I'm currently waiting for my ADSL service to
> > be enabled and I've been trying to set up my modem/router (3com
> > OfficeConnect). To configure the router I need to open Internet
> > Explorer and enter the router IP address (192.168.1.1). When I do
> > this, IE complains that I can only access this address if I go online.
> > If I connect to my dialup service I am able to connect to the IP
> > address and talk to the router. I'm sure I shouldn't have to connect
> > to the internet to access the router. Is there some simple setting
> > that lets me talk to the router without having to connect to the
> > internet? There must be some way otherwise how would anyone set up
> > their modem/router if that was their only interface to the internet.
> >
> > TIA
>
> From IE - Tools, Internet options, Connections tab, check radio box never
> dial a connection.

Thanks. I knew it would be something simple!