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[HaywardBound]

I can't get one of the computers to see the right network. I've been able to do this before, but I must of set something up wrong.

Computer A is directly connected to my Linksys wireless router.

Computer B has the wireless card, and picks up a neighbors wireless internet but can't 'see' or connect to the Linksys. (Different name, slow, and poor signal).

Computer A does 'see' the other computer when I view workgroup computers. Also shows some shared folders, and the printer.

I have run the wizard a couple of times, but nothing works. Both computers have a fresh install of XP Pro with the updates. Both running Zone alarm.

I'm sure its something simple...Any ideas?

Thanks.

[eurolarva]

On your computer that is hard wired to the router open your internet browser and type this into the address field.

192.168.1.1. If you have not changed the passwords linksys is usually the name and admin or nothing is usually the password. Click on the wireless tab and verify that the SSID broadcast is enabled. If not you will not see it on wireless networks.

When you get it all working a few things you should do. You want to change the name of your router from linksys to something else, Change your passwords and then you should run WPA or WEP encryption to keep people out of your stuff. If you can see your neighboors router he will be able to see yours.

On the wireless adapter I believe you want to run the install disc before you plug it in. After the install disc you plug in the adapter then a XP windows install will assist you on the install of the adapter. This is where you are probably having problems. I had to do mine like 5 times before I finally got it right. I had to do the disc install by locating it on my CD drive through my computer then clicking on the install or setup exe file.

[HaywardBound]

I enabled the SSID, and it is still not working. Could it be the Zone Alarm firewall? Or do I have to add the other computer in the linksys setup?

Thanks.

[Whoaru99]

Is it that you do not see your router in the list of available networks, or that you see it but cannot connect?

Are you able to get on the internet via the wireless setup?

One thing to check is that you do not have both the XP firewall and the Zone Alarm firewall enabled at the same time.

In all honesty, I'd probably shut off any software firewall while trying to get this going. I don't use any software firewall at all when I'm behind my router - not saying it's a bad idea to do it, just that I don't.

[Spork]

Wireless networks are a pain to setup. My wife's computer had a wireless NIC and after about 2 months of it dropping connection, I removed the card and went back to a CAT5 cable.

[HaywardBound]

It wasn't showing up in the list of available networks. I just got it to work now. I did a couple of updates, and a reboot and it works.

Now I just need to set up the security stuff that eurolarva said and I should be good to go.

Thanks for all the help.

[eurolarva]

Use WPA if you can. It constantly changes your encryption. You should also go to linksys and update your firmware for your router and the drivers for the adapter. They can be a pain to do however there is a firmware update download that they will run software and do the updates for you. I have been wireless for a year now with a G router and have had zero drops. I had a ton of problems with the B router. I think that one had a bad chip in it and would fail weather hard wired or through wireless. CAT5 will give you faster downloads however with cable I get around 245 KPS downloads on CAT5 and around 200 on the wireless.

[Spork]

Yeah, I don't think I would switch to wireless unless absolutely mandatory. Some sites I download from get as fast as 900/kps... I love it.

[eurolarva]

I typically get operating speeds of between 2 Meg to 4 Meg per second with Comcast using wireless. Unfortunatly most sites dont download that fast. I have seen over 500KPS but most sites will only send it at a much slower rate. Using CAT5 with the router which is not wireless is slightly faster but only by about 20 percent. The problem with cable internet is the amount of bandwidth you have to use. If everyone in your area is using their cable speed goes down. I you are the only one using it speed goes up. They advertise lightning speeds but what they advertise is best speed possible not what you will get everytime you are on the computer.