Connecting two pc's to linksys router (WRT54G)?

Question

We currently have one laptop (running vista) connected to the router wirelessly and accessing the internet. When attempting to link a second laptop to the router wirelessly (also running vista), we were unsuccessful. I spent two hours talking to agents at Linksys, both via phone and live chat, and came to no resolution. They suggested the problem is with the computer and to have the computer checked out. The computer has been checked out and the problem was not the computer (Best Buy Geek Squad was able to connect to the Best Buy network).

the error message we receive when trying to connect wirelessly is "Unable to connect". when we diagnose the problem, it says that there is no successful communication between the access point and the computer. We can connect to unsecure networks, but not our own secure network. We know the WEP information but the computer does not ask for it. What do we need to do to get this computer connected wirelessly?

Thanks!

Thanks for your answers. Colin, yours seemed to be what I was looking for. I'll try those things out and see if it works. If not, i'll be back for more answers...

Answer 1

This has NOTHING to do with the type of cards or router, They are all backward compatible. Try checking the dhcp configuration on the router, see that it offers enough addresses for the machines on your network. Check also that you do not have MAC filtering turned on, this will block the machine unless you enter it's MAC in the accepted list. Look for a wireless card utility program under start/programs, this may be dedicated to your own card. Use it to search for networks, set the encryption key and then connect. This creates a profile for the connection. You could also try changing the ssid and channel of the router, it may be there is a similar machine nearby, and this sometimes will divert your machine from your own network, their encryption will obviously not match yours.

Answer 2

You can not. The built in router of the dlink can not be disengaged. You can not hook another router up to a modem/router combo unit. Im guessing you want the linksys for its wireless because the dlink does not have wireless. Ok, I can help you turn your router into only a Wireless Access Point. First connect a ethernet cable from your computer to your linksys ethernet port. Log into its setup and disable the dhcp server. Now plug the dlink into the linksys regular ethernet port, not the WAN (Internet) port. Now this will allow the dlink to be the dhcp server and share its internet connection with any wireless computer connecting to the linksys.

Answer 3

Attach the router by one of its LAN ports, you want to use as a hub through an Ethernet cable to a wired NIC of the computer you are using to configure the router. Do not have any other connection to the other router at this time. The default local IP Address of the router should 192.168.1.1. Start your bowser and type this address in. You should connect to the router and be prompted for the default password of admin. If you do not connect to the router, manually configure the IP Address of the wired NIC to 192.168.1.X where X has a value from 3 to 255. Set the gateway address to 192.168.1.1 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. After you connect to the you should have the setup screen.

Answer 4

1. Could be your router setting is set up for only 1 computer
2. Call Linksys and get their help in setting up a wireless connection
3. Could be some settings on your laptop

You've already been to the most knowledgable professionals, I'd suggest you continue with them to resolve the problem. If you get to a dead end at Linksys, then try asking for a supervisor.

Answer 5

so you want to connect 2 pc's to linksys router. I am assuming that you account allows concurrent connections and that both PC's have network cards. You will need to setup 2 separate connections on each PC if using a router. if modem then can share the connection but would still need to connect by network card i.e. router, switch or hub.

Answer 6

You said it's not asking for the WEP key, this tells me that you didn't tell the new computer the WEP key. When you create the profile on the new computer, there is a drop down called "Data Encryption". Make sure you select WEP, and then enter you WEP key in the boxes provided.

Answer 7

Make sure that the wireless card in the laptop and the Linksys Router can communicate. If the Router is the new N and the card is a B/G or vice versa, they will not work together.

Take care,
Troy