Linksys WPC54G not showing in winipcfg

When I run winipcfg the drop-down list doesn't show my wireless adapter, yet
in Device Manager, it shows that it's working properly with no conflicts.
Also, the software that came with the adapter, shows that it's active and
connected to the Access Point (WRT54G router) but there is no communication
between the two!

Please help!

Ray

..

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, "Lunaray"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>When I run winipcfg the drop-down list doesn't show my wireless adapter, yet
>in Device Manager, it shows that it's working properly with no conflicts.
>Also, the software that came with the adapter, shows that it's active and
>connected to the Access Point (WRT54G router) but there is no communication
>between the two!
>
>Please help!
>
>Ray

There's probably a problem with the binding of the TCP/IP protocol to
the WPC54G network adapter.

Go to Control Panel | Network and look for a "TCP/IP -> WPC54G" entry.
If it's there, remove it. Then, click Add | Protocol | Add |
Microsoft | TCP/IP | OK to add it. Click OK to exit, and reboot.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

Hi Steve, I was hoping that you were on to something so I did what you
suggested! I went to Control Panel/Network and there was an entry called:
"TCP/IP -> Wireless-G Notebook Adapter v.2.0", so I removed it! Then I
selected "Client for Microsoft Networks" and chose Add/Protocol/TCP/IP and
clicked okay, I got an "Updating Settings" dialog, then I was prompted to
restart my computer so that the new settings would take effect (those might
not be the exact words, but you know what I mean!) After restarting, I
checked Control Panel/Network, and I expected to see a TCP/IP entry for
"Client for Microsoft Networks" but there wasn't one; instead, the
"TCP/IP -> Wireless-G Notebook Adapter v.2.0" was back, and my adapter still
doesn't show up in the "winipcfg" drop-down list! And I'm still not talking
to my router i.e. connected to the Access Point, but no signal, and no
router pingy! :-(

Thanks for your help!

Ray

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, "Lunaray"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>>When I run winipcfg the drop-down list doesn't show my wireless adapter, yet
>>>in Device Manager, it shows that it's working properly with no conflicts.
>>>Also, the software that came with the adapter, shows that it's active and
>>>connected to the Access Point (WRT54G router) but there is no communication
>>>between the two!
>>
>>There's probably a problem with the binding of the TCP/IP protocol to
>>the WPC54G network adapter.
>>
>>Go to Control Panel | Network and look for a "TCP/IP -> WPC54G" entry.
>>If it's there, remove it. Then, click Add | Protocol | Add |
>>Microsoft | TCP/IP | OK to add it. Click OK to exit, and reboot.
>
>Hi Steve, I was hoping that you were on to something so I did what you
>suggested! I went to Control Panel/Network and there was an entry called:
>"TCP/IP -> Wireless-G Notebook Adapter v.2.0", so I removed it! Then I
>selected "Client for Microsoft Networks" and chose Add/Protocol/TCP/IP and
>clicked okay, I got an "Updating Settings" dialog, then I was prompted to
>restart my computer so that the new settings would take effect (those might
>not be the exact words, but you know what I mean!) After restarting, I
>checked Control Panel/Network, and I expected to see a TCP/IP entry for
>"Client for Microsoft Networks" but there wasn't one; instead, the
>"TCP/IP -> Wireless-G Notebook Adapter v.2.0" was back, and my adapter still
>doesn't show up in the "winipcfg" drop-down list! And I'm still not talking
>to my router i.e. connected to the Access Point, but no signal, and no
>router pingy! :-(
>
>Thanks for your help!
>
>Ray

"Client for Microsoft Networks" is irrelevant here. TCP/IP binds to
network adapters (like the WPC54G), not to network clients.

What exactly appears in the Winipcfg drop-down list -- I'd expect "PPP
Adapter" (dial-up networking) and at least one actual network adapter.
What network adapters do you see if you do "ipconfig /all" in a
command prompt window (Start | Run | command)?

Un-installing and re-installing the WPC54G and its software might
help.

I don't know if this applies to your situation, but I've had so much
trouble getting Linksys network adapters to work, over many years and
in several versions of Windows, that I won't buy Linksys for myself or
for my consulting clients. If a client's computer has a problem with
a Linksys adapter and an un-install/re-install doesn't fix it, I
replace the Linksys with a different brand -- it's less expensive for
the client (and better for my sanity) than trying to figure out what's
wrong with the Linksys. For wireless G adapters, Motorola is the best
that I've found, followed by D-Link, Netgear, and Belkin.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

On Fri, 29 Jul 2005 23:28:04 -0700, Lunaray wrote:

> Hi Steve, I was hoping that you were on to something so I did what you
> suggested! I went to Control Panel/Network and there was an entry called:
> "TCP/IP -> Wireless-G Notebook Adapter v.2.0", so I removed it! Then I
> selected "Client for Microsoft Networks" and chose Add/Protocol/TCP/IP and
> clicked okay, I got an "Updating Settings" dialog, then I was prompted to
> restart my computer so that the new settings would take effect (those might
> not be the exact words, but you know what I mean!) After restarting, I
> checked Control Panel/Network, and I expected to see a TCP/IP entry for
> "Client for Microsoft Networks" but there wasn't one; instead, the
> "TCP/IP -> Wireless-G Notebook Adapter v.2.0" was back, and my adapter still
> doesn't show up in the "winipcfg" drop-down list! And I'm still not talking
> to my router i.e. connected to the Access Point, but no signal, and no
> router pingy! :-(

There is no entry labeled "TCP/IP -> Clienet for Microsoft Networks". In my
network configuration table, the topmost entry is "Client for Microsoft
Networks". The properties for that entry are simple; just a "General" tab,
and some settings. On mine I have selected, "Quick logon" in the "Network
logon options". I have no Windows NT domain servers, so I leave that one
unchecked.

Below that should be an entry with a green PCB icon labeled, "Wireless-G
Notebook Adapter v.2.0". Bringing up the properties for that one should
show a menu box with tabs; mine has three tabs, but that might be driver
dependent. I did not have to change anything on those tabs.

The "TCP/IP -> Wireless-G Notebook Adapter v.2.0" sounds like the proper
one for the adapter. It indicates that the "Bindings" tab on the adapter
properties is checked. Here is where things can go wrong. I have five tabs,
but I have seen fewer on other computers. My tabs are:

"IP Address"
-------------
Mine is set for Obtain an IP address automatically. If your router is
making DHCP assignments of IP addresses, this setting should work. Other
than that, I have the "Detect connection to network media" box checked. I
have flipped between checked and unchecked over time without seeing an
effect. I am not enough of a network guru to fully understand the purpose
of this one, so if an MVP says I am wrong, well, I must be wrong. :P

"WINS Configuration"
--------------------
Mine is set to "Disable WINS Resolution". I don't have WINS server. You
probably don't, either. If you do, you should have mentioned it. If you
don't know, it is unlikely that you have one.

"Gateway"
---------
There are no entries here. This should not be used unless you are setting
up a static LAN. If you are, just say so; setting this up for static IP
addresses isn't too hard.

"DNS Configuration"
-------------------
The same thing applies to this tab as for the "Gateway" tab. Unless you are
setting up a static LAN, nothing here.

"NetBIOS"
---------
This one should have a check in the box, and be grayed out. You are behind
a router, so disabling this is not necessary; and it *will* break the
TCP/IP LAN.

"Advanced"
----------
As far as I know, mine is at the default settings. The only property is
"Allow Binding to ATM", and it is set to, "No". Set this protocol to be the
default protocol" is checked.

"Bindings"
----------
"Client for Microsoft Networks" is checked; necessary if you are going to
access LAN shares from this computer.

"File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks" is checked; necessary if
you are going to make any files, and/or an attached printer available to
other computers on the LAN.

"Microsoft Family Logon"
------------------------
Most people don't have this on a Windows ME computer, but I was playing
with setting up different users. It is probably a drain on my resources,
though, and does not afford any security. It mostly enables a single
computer to be shared by people who want to have there own Desktop, and
other such personalization.

--
Norman
~Win dain a lotica, En vai tu ri, Si lo ta
~Fin dein a loluca, En dragu a sei lain
~Vi fa-ru les shutai am, En riga-lint

On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 02:33:31 -0600, Steve Winograd [MVP] wrote:

> I don't know if this applies to your situation, but I've had so much
> trouble getting Linksys network adapters to work, over many years and
> in several versions of Windows, that I won't buy Linksys for myself or
> for my consulting clients.

I have tried running two different Linksys products. Both were dogs right
out of the box. I never got my BEFSR11 straightened out. I did get my
friend to trade a Linksys WAP for a D-Link WAP within three days of the
purchase, while a straight across exchange was still possible.

Although I have never owned a D-Link device, working on both the D-Link
WAP, and the D-Link router that my friend bought has convinced me that they
have a solid product line.

--
Norman
~Win dain a lotica, En vai tu ri, Si lo ta
~Fin dein a loluca, En dragu a sei lain
~Vi fa-ru les shutai am, En riga-lint

The only two adapters shown in the drop-down list of winipcfg are: TNET1130
(?) and PPP! Here's what I get when I run "ipconfig/all" from a DOS prompt:

0 Ethernet adapter :



Description . . . . . . . . : TNET1130

Physical Address. . . . . . : 00-13-10-FB-9C-C1

DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Media Status. . . . . . . . : Disconnected

IP Address. . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . :



1 Ethernet adapter :



Description . . . . . . . . : PPP Adapter.

Physical Address. . . . . . : 44-45-53-54-00-00

DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes

IP Address. . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . :

DHCP Server . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255

Primary WINS Server . . . . :

Secondary WINS Server . . . :

Lease Obtained. . . . . . . :

Lease Expires . . . . . . . :



Also, this TNET1130 (whatever it is) doesn't show up in the list when I
click on control panel/network!



Since my adapter isn't showing in "winipcfg", or "ipconfig/all", doesn't
this mean I have a Windows problem? My point being that if I call Linksys
again and point this out, they'll probably just blow me off and say "it's
not our problem"! If I upgraded my laptop to Windows XP, or if I did a
complete factory restore from the original Dell disks, might this solve my
problem?



Like Norman told me, looks like my problem is that I'm not getting an ip
address from the router, probably 'cause it doesn't see an adapter to send
it to. (but it shows up in Device Manager, and the adapter software says
that it's active and connected to the Access Point)



By the way, in the TCP/IP properties of my adapter, I have everything set to
automatic i.e. DNS disabled, WINS resolution assigned by DHCP, etc., I
haven't assigned any values for anything, all DHCP!! Also, I've
uninstalled/reinstalled the adapter/software numerous times!


Thank you again for your help!

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, "Lunaray"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>The only two adapters shown in the drop-down list of winipcfg are: TNET1130
>(?) and PPP! Here's what I get when I run "ipconfig/all" from a DOS prompt:
>
>0 Ethernet adapter :
>
> Description . . . . . . . . : TNET1130
> Physical Address. . . . . . : 00-13-10-FB-9C-C1
> DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> Media Status. . . . . . . . : Disconnected
> IP Address. . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> Default Gateway . . . . . . :
>
>1 Ethernet adapter :
>
> Description . . . . . . . . : PPP Adapter.
> Physical Address. . . . . . : 44-45-53-54-00-00
> DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
> IP Address. . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> Default Gateway . . . . . . :
> DHCP Server . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
> Primary WINS Server . . . . :
> Secondary WINS Server . . . :
> Lease Obtained. . . . . . . :
> Lease Expires . . . . . . . :
>
>Also, this TNET1130 (whatever it is) doesn't show up in the list when I
>click on control panel/network!

It's probably a wired Ethernet adapter that appears in the list with a
different name. What do you see in the list?

>Since my adapter isn't showing in "winipcfg", or "ipconfig/all", doesn't
>this mean I have a Windows problem? My point being that if I call Linksys
>again and point this out, they'll probably just blow me off and say "it's
>not our problem"! If I upgraded my laptop to Windows XP, or if I did a
>complete factory restore from the original Dell disks, might this solve my
>problem?

I think it's a Linksys problem, not a Windows problem.

Upgrading a troublesome Windows installation isn't likely to fix a
problem. I only do upgrades on installations that are working well.

A complete factory restore might or might not help, but it would be a
real pain -- you'd have to back up your data files before, reinstall
your applications and restore your data after, etc.

>Like Norman told me, looks like my problem is that I'm not getting an ip
>address from the router, probably 'cause it doesn't see an adapter to send
>it to. (but it shows up in Device Manager, and the adapter software says
>that it's active and connected to the Access Point)

Winipcfg and Ipconfig show that the TCP/IP protocol isn't binding to
the network adapter. That's why the adapter can't get an IP address
from the router.

>By the way, in the TCP/IP properties of my adapter, I have everything set to
>automatic i.e. DNS disabled, WINS resolution assigned by DHCP, etc., I
>haven't assigned any values for anything, all DHCP!! Also, I've
>uninstalled/reinstalled the adapter/software numerous times!

Those look like the right settings.

OK, you've uninstalled and reinstalled the adapter several times
without solving the problem. Based on my experience, I think that the
Linksys network adapter and/or its software is defective. I'd stop
trying to fix it, uninstall it permanently, return it for a refund,
and replace it with a different brand.

>Thank you again for your help!

You're welcome!
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

I guess the "TNET1130" is my adapter, I tried the latest driver from
Linksys's web site and after I unzipped it, I noticed a couple of files
with that name. The different driver didn't work, so I'm doing what you
suggested, I'm going to return it and try a different brand, I've had it
with Lynksys!!

Thanks again!