I have had a problem with my home wireless network and as this was unsecured someone has managaed to lock it for themselves. My ISP has given me a new router and I want to make sure network is secured this time. However, although I have set up cables correctly the instalation wizard for NETGEAR says it cannot find an ethernet connection. I have successfully got a wireless connection again but this is once again unsecured. Without the ethernet connection being recognised the wizard wont disply the screens I need to set passwords etc. Whats going wrong. Is there something i need to switch on on my laptop that I have missed?
Telboy

telboy, June 2010

Make and model of Router, please.

Make and model of laptop.

You DO have the correct network driver set up in the PC, don't you? On desktop, go to My Computer, right click and select

Look at Network Adapters. There should NOT be a yellow triangle against that entry.

If there is, you need to find and install the Ethernet driver. Check out the PC manufacturers website.

I'm a bit surprised the router won't let you set up passwords etc., on the wireless connection. Check in the manual. Thoroughly.

Set up WPA security and DON'T use a password which is a dictionary word. Use a mix of letters and numbers.

Once that's set up in the router you'll just need to set up in the PC to allow you to reconnect.

A quick Google search gives the following:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/bowman_03july28.mspx

http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/winxpnetworking/ht/wpainwindowsxp.htm

http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3552826/WPA-PSK-Step-by-Step.htm

http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/wireless-technology/how-set-up-wpa-encryption-69411.html

Googler, June 2010

As the router was supplied by your ISP, give them a call.

T, June 2010