Windows 98 SE wifi connects OK wireless to router but the Internet cannot be found"

"you are connected to the Access point but the Internet cannot be
found"

Let me see if I can explain this (apparently, scanning other posts for
fixes, common) problem simply.
I see dozens of posts out there relating similar connection problems
and messages (specifically with Linksys adaptors) but none seem to hit
the nail on the head as to what the fix is (assuming we all have the
same problem.)

I am trying to add a PC running Windows 98 SE wirelessly to a home
network. The access point is a Linksys WRT54G wireless router (that is
working great with two other XP machines both wireless and hardwired.)
On the W98 machine I have installed a Linksys WUSB11 v2.6 USB wireless
adaptor.
After some fiddling (with WEP codes and the Monitoring Utiliry Sofware,
etc.) I have established a wireless connection to the access point but
as the messager above indicates, I cannot get to the Internet.

The W98 machine does connect perfectly when hardwired to the router via
the NIC and cable - seamless network AND Internet access. Only the
wireless connection fails to fiind the Internet.

Steps I have taken.
During an hour online with Linksys Tech Chat we tried the following:
- Release & Renew the adaptor configurations using WINIPCFG (no change)
- assigning static IP Address to the PC using Networking in Control
Panel
- Verifying the WEP code
- specifying the Router's Gateway, DNS, and the IP Address and subnet
in Networking And in the Adaptor setup.

and we still got the same result: an excellent wireless connection to
the router but unable to access the Internet.

I know this is a trivial fix and I expect that I have seen it before in
all my PC fiddling and know I will kick myself when we fiigure it out.
But for the moment I am stumped.

any suggestions?
Many thanks

Peter

"pstock" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>After some fiddling (with WEP codes and the Monitoring Utiliry Sofware,
>etc.) I have established a wireless connection to the access point but
>as the messager above indicates, I cannot get to the Internet.

Windoze defines "connected" as having found and associated with an
access point. However, Microsoft seems to think that encryption is
not part of this processes and reports a successful connection even
when encryption handshake fails.

>- Verifying the WEP code

Try again, this time using the Hex key. The problem is that there are
two diffrent algorithms for converting an ASCII WEP key into Hex. Some
manufacturers use one, some use the other. Some manufacturers use
both methods in different products. The only guaranteed answer is to
use the Hex key and avoid the problem.

>During an hour online with Linksys Tech Chat we tried the following:

One hour and Linksys couldn't figure it out? It's probably the most
common WEP related connection problem known. Sigh.

Also, things that Linksys forgot to suggest:
1. Check the versions of the drivers and firmware to make sure you're
using the latest. There are some nasty bugs in the WRT54Gv5 that were
fixed with firmware updates.
2. You should have tried it with encryption disabled to make sure
there are no other suprises and that the radios actually function.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Thanks for replying Jeff.
I did try the connection with WEP code turned off completely. No luck.
that was one hour on tech support Chat (seemed like a good idea at the
time) but I soon realized that with the support person multitasking
between three "callers" it was brutally inefficient.
might be time for a telephone call to their tech support.
Though as it is so common a problem, I would have expected Linksys to
have posted the Top 10 fixes for poor folk like me to try.
If (when) I figure it out, I will report.
peter

On 14 Feb 2006 15:24:05 -0800, "pstock" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I did try the connection with WEP code turned off completely. No luck.

Well, if it didn't work with encryption disabled, then it's broken.
The problem is that I can't tell where it's broken. It can just as
easily be your WRT54G as your WUSB11. Methinks the only way to be
sure is by substitution. Try your WUSB11 with some other access
point, or wireless free hot spot. Verify that functions as expected.
Similarly, drag in a friend with a wireless laptop and have them
connect to your WRT54G.

>that was one hour on tech support Chat (seemed like a good idea at the
>time) but I soon realized that with the support person multitasking
>between three "callers" it was brutally inefficient.

Yep. I have a 3 minute limit for keyboard chat sessions. After that,
it's either switch to voice, or send me email.

>might be time for a telephone call to their tech support.

Might be worth a try. However, first I suggest you literally start
over. Reset the router to defaults, disable all enhancements, and
setup a very simple wireless network. Also, check your firmware and
driver versions. You can add encryption, filtering, and security
after it's working.

>Though as it is so common a problem, I would have expected Linksys to
>have posted the Top 10 fixes for poor folk like me to try.

The last time I discussed it with someone at Linksys in a position to
do something about it, I was told it was not a problem because nobody
has reported the WEP ASCII to Hex problem. Never mind that only a
small number of clients will work. Most people either switch to no
encryption, or use WPA instead.

>If (when) I figure it out, I will report.
>peter

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 (E-Mail Removed)
# http://802.11junk.com (E-Mail Removed)
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS

latest.
I upgraded the firmware to 4.something or other. No luck.
stay tuned. (It can't be this complicated.)
Peter

pstock wrote:
> latest.
> I upgraded the firmware to 4.something or other. No luck.
> stay tuned. (It can't be this complicated.)
> Peter

Are you using ZoneAlarm? If so try uninstalling it (as opposed to
disabling it), that fixed a problem on my win98se system.

Mike

Thanks Mike, but Zone Alarm is not installed on this system. (nor is
any other firewall)
(I continue to scratch my head.)

In article <(E-Mail Removed). com>, "pstock" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>Thanks Mike, but Zone Alarm is not installed on this system. (nor is
>any other firewall)
>(I continue to scratch my head.)
>

Att his point Jeff's idea of substitution is the thing to try, the WUSB at
some open hotspot and a friend with working wireless laptop to come over
and try to connect to your AP.

fundamentalism, fundamentally wrong.

I should have been clearer in my original post that the WUSB11 adaptor
works fine off my own laptop to this same AP.

In the end the very unsatisying conclusion to this whole struggle has
been this: in the end I just upgraded the OS to WIndows 2000,
reinstalled the drivers and WLAN Monitor and presto! it worked.

Thank you all anyway for all your suggestions.