Windows ME and Wireless Networking - Failure to Connect

This was originally posted on the Windows Me NG, but is now posted on here at
the kind suggestion of Mike Maltby. I have summarised the problem -

I have a laptop running ME and am trying to connect to my Orange Broadband
Router (using wireless) without success.

I have no trouble with connecting wireless to the Router with my desktop PC
running XP using a Sweex USB dongle, but using the same dongle on my laptop
doesn't work. I have also tried a Motorola PCMCIA card on my laptop without
success.

Both the dongle and the PCMCIA card allow me to see the Router, but both
tell me I am disconnected. I have tried re-entering the WEP key several times.

I have also tried temporarily removing all WPA / WEP security from the
router, but this hasn't allowed connection (it is currently re-set to "WPA
Only" - the default).

I can confirm that the drivers and utilities have been installed for both
devices and I have used the respective utilities to enter the WEP key, etc.

My router is a proprietary one from Orange (called an Orange Livebox), so I
can't easily identify it, but the firmware is INVENTEL v5.10.

I have tried Pinging the router's IP address, but it says "Destination host
unreachable".

Typing WinIPCfg tells me my Host Name, but the DNS Server is blank. The Node
Type is Broadcast, but the other Host Information is blank. The Ethernet
Adapter Information gives me an Adapter Address, but the IP Address says
"Media Disconnected". The Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, etc are blank.

I cannot find anything about MAC on the router settings, but DHCP is enabled.


Thanks for any assistance,

Robin

I'm not really into Networking but your problem sounds similar to a couple
experiences I had with my BT HomeHub router. I found that if a working
dongle or PCMCIA card on one PC was transferred to another, like yours it
could see the router but wouldn't shake hands.

I ended up by 'removing' or Deleting it/them from the list of (previously)
detected devices under the Configuration settings of the Router (using
another PC) and then let the router re-detect the dongle/PCMCIA card and set
it up again.

I never bothered to work out why, but did wonder if it had something to do
with possibly duplicated Physical or IP address settings. All other
(working) wireless/USB devices showed unique addresses.

Sorry if it doesn't relate, but it did work here. Good luck.

Mart



"Robin CB" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:7871C79A-48D0-4418-A200-(E-Mail Removed)...
> This was originally posted on the Windows Me NG, but is now posted on here
> at
> the kind suggestion of Mike Maltby. I have summarised the problem -
>
> I have a laptop running ME and am trying to connect to my Orange Broadband
> Router (using wireless) without success.
>
> I have no trouble with connecting wireless to the Router with my desktop
> PC
> running XP using a Sweex USB dongle, but using the same dongle on my
> laptop
> doesn't work. I have also tried a Motorola PCMCIA card on my laptop
> without
> success.
>
> Both the dongle and the PCMCIA card allow me to see the Router, but both
> tell me I am disconnected. I have tried re-entering the WEP key several
> times.
>
> I have also tried temporarily removing all WPA / WEP security from the
> router, but this hasn't allowed connection (it is currently re-set to "WPA
> Only" - the default).
>
> I can confirm that the drivers and utilities have been installed for both
> devices and I have used the respective utilities to enter the WEP key,
> etc.
>
> My router is a proprietary one from Orange (called an Orange Livebox), so
> I
> can't easily identify it, but the firmware is INVENTEL v5.10.
>
> I have tried Pinging the router's IP address, but it says "Destination
> host
> unreachable".
>
> Typing WinIPCfg tells me my Host Name, but the DNS Server is blank. The
> Node
> Type is Broadcast, but the other Host Information is blank. The Ethernet
> Adapter Information gives me an Adapter Address, but the IP Address says
> "Media Disconnected". The Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, etc are blank.
>
> I cannot find anything about MAC on the router settings, but DHCP is
> enabled.
>
>
> Thanks for any assistance,
>
> Robin
>
>

Mart <mart(NoSpam)@nospam.nospam> wrote:

> I'm not really into Networking but your problem sounds similar to a
> couple experiences I had with my BT HomeHub router. I found that if a
> working dongle or PCMCIA card on one PC was transferred to another,
> like yours it could see the router but wouldn't shake hands.
>
> I ended up by 'removing' or Deleting it/them from the list of
> (previously) detected devices under the Configuration settings of the
> Router (using another PC) and then let the router re-detect the
> dongle/PCMCIA card and set it up again.
>
> I never bothered to work out why, but did wonder if it had something
> to do with possibly duplicated Physical or IP address settings. All
> other (working) wireless/USB devices showed unique addresses.
>
> Sorry if it doesn't relate, but it did work here. Good luck.

An interesting observation Mart and a very different experience from my
own. My current router (SpeedTouch 585v6 v6.1.4.3 firmware [later
firmware exists but does not support telnet access]) keeps a history of
all attached devices, last allocated IP address (if variable) and in the
case of wired hardware, the router port to which last connected. In fact
this is perhaps one of its better implemented features.

Let's hope this helps Robin with his problem.
--
Mike Maltby
(E-Mail Removed)

Can't add much more Mike, as once I got them to be re-recognised, I was just
happy that they worked and moved on <g> Should have documented the detail,
I suppose but now work from the 'lesson learnt' and if/when it happens
again, I'll just go thru' 'delete' procedure and hope it remains successful.

(Having other issues with BT Broadband - it keeps failing. Proved it clear
of home - twice - so I'm living with Dial-up Pay & Go. Bl**dy Slow!!)

Mart


"Mike M" <No_Spam@Corned_Beef.Only> wrote in message
news:e6k$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Mart <mart(NoSpam)@nospam.nospam> wrote:
>
>> I'm not really into Networking but your problem sounds similar to a
>> couple experiences I had with my BT HomeHub router. I found that if a
>> working dongle or PCMCIA card on one PC was transferred to another,
>> like yours it could see the router but wouldn't shake hands.
>>
>> I ended up by 'removing' or Deleting it/them from the list of
>> (previously) detected devices under the Configuration settings of the
>> Router (using another PC) and then let the router re-detect the
>> dongle/PCMCIA card and set it up again.
>>
>> I never bothered to work out why, but did wonder if it had something
>> to do with possibly duplicated Physical or IP address settings. All
>> other (working) wireless/USB devices showed unique addresses.
>>
>> Sorry if it doesn't relate, but it did work here. Good luck.
>
> An interesting observation Mart and a very different experience from my
> own. My current router (SpeedTouch 585v6 v6.1.4.3 firmware [later
> firmware exists but does not support telnet access]) keeps a history of
> all attached devices, last allocated IP address (if variable) and in the
> case of wired hardware, the router port to which last connected. In fact
> this is perhaps one of its better implemented features.
>
> Let's hope this helps Robin with his problem.
> --
> Mike Maltby
> (E-Mail Removed)
>
>

Mart <mart(NoSpam)@nospam.nospam> wrote:

> Can't add much more Mike, as once I got them to be re-recognised, I
> was just happy that they worked and moved on <g> Should have
> documented the detail, I suppose but now work from the 'lesson
> learnt' and if/when it happens again, I'll just go thru' 'delete'
> procedure and hope it remains successful.
> (Having other issues with BT Broadband - it keeps failing. Proved it
> clear of home - twice - so I'm living with Dial-up Pay & Go. Bl**dy
> Slow!!)

You really DO have my sympathies Mart. When I had my 10 weeks of comms
hell earlier this year it was that for nearly all of that time that I
still had a good ADSL connection that kept me going. Skype got me round
the lack of a phone plus eventually getting a mobile. If, on the other
hand, it had been loss of ADSL I don't know what I would have done (well I
do actually, it would have been Be There here I come) as having to use
dial-up for more than a few minutes is now so painful. Such memories,
£300+ per quarter phone bills, virtually all of which was for off-peak
PAYG dialup, until I managed to discover Screaming that included free
dial-up, but even then ADSL didn't come a day too soon.

Hope you get your problem fixed "real soon". In the meantime do you
perhaps have a kindly neighbour who will let you connect via wi-fi?

Cheers,

Mike

Thanks Guys,

I tried Mart's suggestion and found 2 devices in the history (in addition to
my main XP machine) and removed them.

I'm afraid it hasn't allowed connection though.

Robin


"Mike M" wrote:

> Mart <mart(NoSpam)@nospam.nospam> wrote:
>
> > I'm not really into Networking but your problem sounds similar to a
> > couple experiences I had with my BT HomeHub router. I found that if a
> > working dongle or PCMCIA card on one PC was transferred to another,
> > like yours it could see the router but wouldn't shake hands.
> >
> > I ended up by 'removing' or Deleting it/them from the list of
> > (previously) detected devices under the Configuration settings of the
> > Router (using another PC) and then let the router re-detect the
> > dongle/PCMCIA card and set it up again.
> >
> > I never bothered to work out why, but did wonder if it had something
> > to do with possibly duplicated Physical or IP address settings. All
> > other (working) wireless/USB devices showed unique addresses.
> >
> > Sorry if it doesn't relate, but it did work here. Good luck.
>
> An interesting observation Mart and a very different experience from my
> own. My current router (SpeedTouch 585v6 v6.1.4.3 firmware [later
> firmware exists but does not support telnet access]) keeps a history of
> all attached devices, last allocated IP address (if variable) and in the
> case of wired hardware, the router port to which last connected. In fact
> this is perhaps one of its better implemented features.
>
> Let's hope this helps Robin with his problem.
> --
> Mike Maltby
> (E-Mail Removed)
>
>
>

Oh the memories, makes me cringe to think about it and so glad a certain
mister and his accomplice (now I wonder who that could be I think his
initials were MM & NP) finally talked me into going broadband.

I know the pain on the odd occasion I've had to do dial-up for my Tesco shop
when the ADSL was down <g>
Joan

--
Joan Archer
http://www.freewebs.com/crossstitcher
http://lachsoft.com/photogallery

"Mike M" <No_Spam@Corned_Beef.Only> wrote in message
news:#(E-Mail Removed)...
> Mart <mart(NoSpam)@nospam.nospam> wrote:
>
>> Can't add much more Mike, as once I got them to be re-recognised, I
>> was just happy that they worked and moved on <g> Should have
>> documented the detail, I suppose but now work from the 'lesson
>> learnt' and if/when it happens again, I'll just go thru' 'delete'
>> procedure and hope it remains successful.
>> (Having other issues with BT Broadband - it keeps failing. Proved it
>> clear of home - twice - so I'm living with Dial-up Pay & Go. Bl**dy
>> Slow!!)
>
> You really DO have my sympathies Mart. When I had my 10 weeks of comms
> hell earlier this year it was that for nearly all of that time that I
> still had a good ADSL connection that kept me going. Skype got me round
> the lack of a phone plus eventually getting a mobile. If, on the other
> hand, it had been loss of ADSL I don't know what I would have done (well I
> do actually, it would have been Be There here I come) as having to use
> dial-up for more than a few minutes is now so painful. Such memories,
> £300+ per quarter phone bills, virtually all of which was for off-peak
> PAYG dialup, until I managed to discover Screaming that included free
> dial-up, but even then ADSL didn't come a day too soon.
>
> Hope you get your problem fixed "real soon". In the meantime do you
> perhaps have a kindly neighbour who will let you connect via wi-fi?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Mike

Sorry it was unsuccessful Robin. As I said, I'm not really into Networking,
but it had to be worth a try.

Good luck

Mart



"Robin CB" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:0F7EE633-6886-4F10-BD6C-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks Guys,
>
> I tried Mart's suggestion and found 2 devices in the history (in addition
> to
> my main XP machine) and removed them.
>
> I'm afraid it hasn't allowed connection though.
>
> Robin
>
>
> "Mike M" wrote:
>
>> Mart <mart(NoSpam)@nospam.nospam> wrote:
>>
>> > I'm not really into Networking but your problem sounds similar to a
>> > couple experiences I had with my BT HomeHub router. I found that if a
>> > working dongle or PCMCIA card on one PC was transferred to another,
>> > like yours it could see the router but wouldn't shake hands.
>> >
>> > I ended up by 'removing' or Deleting it/them from the list of
>> > (previously) detected devices under the Configuration settings of the
>> > Router (using another PC) and then let the router re-detect the
>> > dongle/PCMCIA card and set it up again.
>> >
>> > I never bothered to work out why, but did wonder if it had something
>> > to do with possibly duplicated Physical or IP address settings. All
>> > other (working) wireless/USB devices showed unique addresses.
>> >
>> > Sorry if it doesn't relate, but it did work here. Good luck.
>>
>> An interesting observation Mart and a very different experience from my
>> own. My current router (SpeedTouch 585v6 v6.1.4.3 firmware [later
>> firmware exists but does not support telnet access]) keeps a history of
>> all attached devices, last allocated IP address (if variable) and in the
>> case of wired hardware, the router port to which last connected. In fact
>> this is perhaps one of its better implemented features.
>>
>> Let's hope this helps Robin with his problem.
>> --
>> Mike Maltby
>> (E-Mail Removed)
>>
>>
>>

Mart / Mike,

Thanks for your help guys.

I came to this forum having had a frustrating experience with the Orange
Helpline with responses like " it must be trouble with your dongle / PCICMA
card - you need to talk to the manufacturer".

I tried the Orange e-mail support yesterday (with a summary of all of our
investigations / trials) and got the following reply:


<quote>


Thank you for your email.

We understand your concern.

You cannot have a wireless connection with Livebox for Windows ME,
however you can have a wired connection with it.

You can follow the link below for more help on wired connection:

http://help.orange.co.uk/sessionBegi...utionId=kb4645

If you have any further queries then please do not hesitate to get in
contact with us again.

Kind Regards

</quote>


I think I will be looking for another Broadband provider when this contract
expires.

Thanks,

Robin


"Mart" wrote:

> Sorry it was unsuccessful Robin. As I said, I'm not really into Networking,
> but it had to be worth a try.
>
> Good luck
>
> Mart
>
>
>
> "Robin CB" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:0F7EE633-6886-4F10-BD6C-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Thanks Guys,
> >
> > I tried Mart's suggestion and found 2 devices in the history (in addition
> > to
> > my main XP machine) and removed them.
> >
> > I'm afraid it hasn't allowed connection though.
> >
> > Robin
> >
> >
> > "Mike M" wrote:
> >
> >> Mart <mart(NoSpam)@nospam.nospam> wrote:
> >>
> >> > I'm not really into Networking but your problem sounds similar to a
> >> > couple experiences I had with my BT HomeHub router. I found that if a
> >> > working dongle or PCMCIA card on one PC was transferred to another,
> >> > like yours it could see the router but wouldn't shake hands.
> >> >
> >> > I ended up by 'removing' or Deleting it/them from the list of
> >> > (previously) detected devices under the Configuration settings of the
> >> > Router (using another PC) and then let the router re-detect the
> >> > dongle/PCMCIA card and set it up again.
> >> >
> >> > I never bothered to work out why, but did wonder if it had something
> >> > to do with possibly duplicated Physical or IP address settings. All
> >> > other (working) wireless/USB devices showed unique addresses.
> >> >
> >> > Sorry if it doesn't relate, but it did work here. Good luck.
> >>
> >> An interesting observation Mart and a very different experience from my
> >> own. My current router (SpeedTouch 585v6 v6.1.4.3 firmware [later
> >> firmware exists but does not support telnet access]) keeps a history of
> >> all attached devices, last allocated IP address (if variable) and in the
> >> case of wired hardware, the router port to which last connected. In fact
> >> this is perhaps one of its better implemented features.
> >>
> >> Let's hope this helps Robin with his problem.
> >> --
> >> Mike Maltby
> >> (E-Mail Removed)
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

Robin,

Thanks for posting back however to be honest I'm not sure I believe what
Orange are saying. Please keep and eye on this NG as I've pinged someone
called Steve Winograd and asked him to have a look at this thread and see
if he can help. Steve's forgotten more about networking than I've ever
known so it is possible that he may be able to help you.

> I think I will be looking for another Broadband provider when this
> contract expires.

Have a look at ThnikBroaband for UK ADSL suggestions. As for Orange I
can't help but note the various negative comments about their service
posted in response to the article "Orange Broadband sales drop by half "
(http://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/i/3527.html) such as "Worst provider I
have ever been with. Regular problems, diabolically useless 'customer
service' and slow connection." (weasle).
--
Mike Maltby
(E-Mail Removed)


Robin CB <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Mart / Mike,
>
> Thanks for your help guys.
>
> I came to this forum having had a frustrating experience with the
> Orange Helpline with responses like " it must be trouble with your
> dongle / PCICMA card - you need to talk to the manufacturer".
>
> I tried the Orange e-mail support yesterday (with a summary of all of
> our investigations / trials) and got the following reply:
>
>
> <quote>
>
>
> Thank you for your email.
>
> We understand your concern.
>
> You cannot have a wireless connection with Livebox for Windows ME,
> however you can have a wired connection with it.
>
> You can follow the link below for more help on wired connection:
>
> http://help.orange.co.uk/sessionBegi...utionId=kb4645
>
> If you have any further queries then please do not hesitate to get in
> contact with us again.
>
> Kind Regards
>
> </quote>
>
>
> I think I will be looking for another Broadband provider when this
> contract expires.