Internets is hard, bro

[VirusType2]

If I've got 2 computers on a network:


1 computer (located next to the router) is plugged in to the router through an Ethernet cable.

1 computer is connecting wirelessly.


My ISP uses a Dynamic IP adress.

Do I need to assign my wirelessly connected computer a static IP address, so that when a new DNS address is assigned, or if the other computer is turned on, they won't end up with the same address?


I found this guide: http://www.hotcomm.com/faq/FAQ_staticIPXP.asp and I think this is what I need to do. Right? Maybe?


I've got 2 solid bars (so it's better than before), but I've not had much reliability so far. I've been playing with this router for a couple of hours and this is the best I've gotten it so far. Sorta working sometimes... right now at least. Maybe I fixed it?

 

[Solaris]

Static addresses aren't required unless you want to do port forwarding and shit.

 

[VirusType2]

Oh my god, I'm so frustrated. I ****ed with this thing for a long time. It connects right away, but browsing is horrible. It barely wants to load pages, if ever. I tried resetting that bitch many times. I don't know, it's a piece of shit. Even the wired part is working part-time.

SO I hooked up the other new router I bought, figured I'd give it another shot. It just says "waiting for google.com..." forever. Tried other pages. I've never managed to get to any. Tried all kinds of other things. Nothing.


Hooked up my old (the original) router and 2 minutes later I'm having no problems. Shame I can't get better range with it. 1 bar is seriously shit, and isn't quite reliable enough.

I'm going to send the two routers back and look into getting a wired connection. I never liked wireless, and it's never liked me.

Don't I need to do port forwarding though? Maybe that's what is the problem. The router is firewalling me? I've just never done it before, and I'm using the internet now... so I don't know. Maybe this router doesn't have a firewall or someshit. Damn, bro.

 

[AtomicSpark]

Static addresses aren't required unless you want to do port forwarding and shit.

Which then you would configure static dns (name differs). Being able to change all the IP addresses from the router is much better.

 

[VirusType2]

I think I assigned a higher IP address to the wired computer, so when the ISP assigns a new address, the router won't assign the same to both computers, one problem I've been having lately.

Whether that's what I really did remains to be seen - I guess when the modem is reset I'll find out if it worked properly.

 

[giant384]

I think I assigned a higher IP address to the wired computer, so when the ISP assigns a new address, the router won't assign the same to both computers, one problem I've been having lately.

Whether that's what I really did remains to be seen - I guess when the modem is reset I'll find out if it worked properly.

the router and the ISP address will never be the same, so stop worrying about it already. By default a router should assign an ip address that is 192.168.0.1-192.168.199, it will never assign the same ip address to the same computer or you will have conflicts with one or the other.

Dont assign your own ip to your computer, its best to let the router do it, the router usually reassigns a new ip maybe once a week.

the wireless connectivity problem could be a number of things, double check your router and modem settings.

 

[No Limit]

Your ISP has a IP address that can be seen on the internet. Your router then assigns all your comptuers a local IP address which can not be seen from the internet. Hance the name router, it is routing your internet traffic from your local network to the widearea network (the internet). So your local IP address will alwas look like one of the following:

192.168.x.x (usually this will be the one you have on a home network)
10.x.x.x
172.16.x.x to 172.31.x.x

I am guessing you messed around with the settings trying to get all of this to work. You will want to reset those settings. Go to your router and reset to the factory defaults (you will have to resetup your wireless). Then go to each comptuer and under network connections for the network properties select "obtain IP address automatically" for the IP and DNS settings.

Then turn off your modem, your router, and both your computers. Then turn on everything in the following order:

- modem
- router
- wired computer

Make sure everything works with the wired computer, once it does set up your wireless settings again and turn on the wireless comptuer.

Everything should work for you with the default settings, if it doesn't your modem for the ISP might have its own router built in that shares the same IP address as your router and this would have to be changed, post back if its not working or better yet pm me, I sometimes forget about these threads.

 

[VirusType2]

Yeah, no trust me, I wouldn't have been worried about it if I didn't have a problem with it. Quite a few windows error messages regarding duplicate IP addresses to where I'd need to restart my computer to even log back in. I don't know, the router is a Belkin from like 2002 or something.

Assigning a different starting number (a higher one) from the address pool for the wired computer has fixed this problem. Yay, I did something right.


The other two routers are malfunctioning. After about 8 hours of resetting it and confirming the settings were correct, one will finally connect after a long delay, but will absolutely not access any web pages, it just says "waiting for ..." forever. However the wired part works. Seemed a little faster.

The $16 shell shocker router would finally let my computer connect wireless after messing with the settings, but browsing was almost impossible. 10 minutes for web pages to load, missing parts of the page, even on the wired computer.

No amount of rebooting the routers seemed to make any difference.

I've got the RMA form printed out for both, but I'll probably keep the $16 one because with shipping and restocking fee, I'll only get about $5 for it. Maybe it will decide to work in a different configuration and different computer.

I plugged the old router back in and logged in instantly. Dunno.

 

[No Limit]

So the wired network works for all routers? I think somewhere along the wire your wireless adeapter settings on the computer got screwed up, I doubt its an issue with the routers.

In addition, if you are getting duplicate IP addresses then something else is screwed up. Are you sure you have no addresses configured properly and that you didn't change any of the default DHCP settings on the router? What is the model of your ISP modem?

 

[VirusType2]

The wired works for one of the new ones (and my old one), but I couldn't get the wireless to work at all. The settings seemed overly complicated and had descriptions like: "This is where you put the DNS address." Yeah, like no ****ing shit - it says DNS address: and has a blank there.

Like for the Belkin, it has 6 paragraphs with links, explaining what everything does.

Thanks for the help, but I've got everything set up as you suggested, restarted the things after waiting 60 seconds (just to be sure) in the order you listed. I have windows and the wireless configured properly to automatically get the address from the IP.


I know it sounds unlikely, but there were quite a few reviews stating that the routers would't work. Most people didn't have the problem though. Quality control just isn't the same for generic and upstart brands as it is for Linksys and all those.

Hence $16 free shipping N routers, and the other one, a $90 router, on sale for $52. Hmmmm. In my opinion, they are junk. 1 extra bar compared to a 2002 standard G router with puny itty bitty antennas, compared to the N with 3 huge ass antennas. Don't seem to even work correctly.

 

[VirusType2]

By the way, about the conflicting IP addresses:

The router's transmitter is at least twice as powerful as their receiver (if you've ever looked at the specs of routers) so that would explain why it I've got twice as many sent packets as received packets (aren't they supposed to be the same), which could explain why the router didn't get the message from my computer of what address I had been assigned. (I have such a poor signal)

Just a thought.

 

[No Limit]

The IP address you are assigned has absolutely nothing to do with your signal strenght. If your wired works with 2 of your rotuers and the wireless doesn't the most obvious suspect is the wireless card in your computer. Are you using windows to manage the wireless connections or some other 3rd party application that came with the wireless card?

 

[VirusType2]

The IP address you are assigned has absolutely nothing to do with your signal strenght.

You must have misunderstood something I said, because I would have never said anything of the sort.

Oh I see it, it was the way I wrote it, let me fix that

If your wired works with 2 of your rotuers and the wireless doesn't the most obvious suspect is the wireless card in your computer. Are you using windows to manage the wireless connections or some other 3rd party application that came with the wireless card?

Windows

I came to the same conclusion, but the wireless adapter works perfectly. I've been using it with the old router with no problems.

Also you're mixing and matching, but really 1 router doesn't work for either, one only works wired, and the old one works for both.


Actually, you're making me think...

My problems with the routers could possibly have to do with my adapter being N (draft 2) and the routers being N (other draft). I figured it should be compatible.

My old router (the only one that works wirelessly) is b/G

the two new routers are b/g/N and neither work. I did try mixed mode first. When that didn't work, I set it up N only, then I gave up.

 

[giant384]

some routers can be picky with different authentications. i have a dlink DIR-655. for N to work, i had to use WPA2-TSK or PSK. i could use WPA, but i would only get g signal. but i recommend just messing with different security settings and that may get it to work.

 

[VirusType2]

Originally I tried security, but had no luck. Just to get everything else set up and get the thing working first, I was using no security, so that can't be it. I've only got one neighbor within a 1/4 mile.

I'm not sure what to do. I can spend all day playing with these things and if still no luck, return them tomorrow, or just send them back this morning. Neither option makes me happy.

 

[kazsymonds]

Did you run the disk that was with the router? They used to be watered down garbage but these days they contain some high level settings that you won't be able to change manually.

I see you mention Belkin above, is that what brand the router is? Sorry if you've mentioned the brand / model, but i cant pick it out from your posts.

If it is a Belkin i tried a similar approch to the setup, i was all "i don't need your noob disk, i will use my 1337 h4x0r skills". I failed.

Plug the machine in wired to the router, insert the disk and let it do it's thing.

 

[VirusType2]

The Belkin is the old router, it's working

The two that don't work:

TRENDnet - TEW-639GR

TP-Link - TL-WR740N Ver.1.4


I used the setup disc and when that didn't work I used the web based setup.

Actually, I tried a D-Link about 2 years ago, and couldn't get that one to work either. Called tech support and they couldn't understand why it didn't work either. This is really pointing at me, but I don't accept blame. I feel I have done everything possible. No normal person would have done anything better than me. Maybe my problem is I know just enough to get me in trouble, as they say.

I don't understand why "ease of use" is such a foreign term in computer technology. Should be 1-2-3 kinda shit to set things up. Like with the TRENDnet, you'd have to have a career in networking to set it up.

 

[No Limit]

The problem is that a lot of people go and start messing with settings when something doesn't work. Then something that could have been a simple fix becomes a much more complicated issue. You can try completely removing the drivers for your wireless card and trying again. For now as you troubleshoot remove any security on the networks.

Another thing you can try if reinstalling the card doesn't work is changing the channel (you would have to change this on the router and on the wireless network card under its properties).

 

[VirusType2]

I just noticed the adapter had "Auto Channel Select" Disabled

:3

I don't know if that will fix it, or if I didn't try that before, but ****, I guess I better try again. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[kazsymonds]

I just noticed the adapter had "Auto Channel Select" Disabled

:3

I don't know if that will fix it, or if I didn't try that before, but ****, I guess I better try again. Thanks for the reminder.

On that subject, why not try a different channel to broadcast on?

If there are multiple networks in your area, all using the same default channel, there may be too much noise.

Try it on like channel 4 or something.

If you tried 3 routers and they don't work then surely the problem can only be;

1) Something wrong with the network adapter
2) Every network in the area is using default channel causing interferance
3) You're too far away from router
4) Another obstacle / source of interferance between the router and PC.

Also, do you have an 'N' adapter? I changed the one in my laptop for an .11n one when i got an N standard router, and it works a charm, only cost me £7 (~$10-$12).

 

[giant384]

On that subject, why not try a different channel to broadcast on?

If there are multiple networks in your area, all using the same default channel, there may be too much noise.

. I've only got one neighbor within a 1/4 mile.

no way another router 1/4 mile away would be interfering with his, good try though.

 

[VirusType2]

Yes, have an N adapter.

Actually, I don't think I can fix my problem by changing channels after all.

I picked a non-default channel and I wanted it to stay, in order to avoid selecting the same channel as my neighbor. I seemed to get another bar of range by using channel 10 or 11 over the default. (didn't really try that many different ones) (U.S. channels)

I think that's why I turned off auto channel select, because I don't want it to pick. Although, I guess the adapter doesn't really get to pick the channel, so it should be able to change and pick whatever one the connection is using. So it should be enabled, right?

 

[No Limit]

Like I said, try reinstalling your wireless adapter. It's pretty clear you messed with the default adapter settings and that could be your issue.

 

[VirusType2]

Actually, I haven't. Simply tried to make sure it was on the same channel.

However, looking over the settings, I figure I might as well make sure they are set correctly. It seems the defaults are assuming you're using an N (draft 2) router, which I'm not.

Most of them I don't know what they do, so obviously I haven't changed them from defaults.

I notice one called RDG set to enable (on my adapter)

searching didn't really dig up much, but I did find this:

“Reverse Direction Grant (RDG) requires all wireless clients running 802.11n draft 2.0 wireless

adapters. RDG essentially speeds up data transmission between clients and their wireless access

point/router by allowing other wireless workstations to send/receive data simultaneously without

contending for shared medium. RDG also allows 1 wireless workstation sends/receives burst frames

consecutively.”

Doesn't that make it sound like I should disable this? Because it sounds like it would require the router to be N (draft 2) in order to work.

Then A setting called WMM Capable = Enabled

Search finds this is (Wi-Fi Multimedia). Prioritizes video conferencing and gaming. I mean, hang ...


Sorry, internet not really working well ATM. that's all I can say for now.

EDIT: after making the changes, it seems to be working better. I'm going to try the other routers in a minute.

 

[No Limit]

I still think a quick reinstall would be much better than going in there and fiddling with the knobs. A reinstall might not help but it wont hurt to try and will only take you a few minutes. These things are designed to work out of the box.

 

[VirusType2]

I'm keeping that in mind, believe me. I will try it if I can't get it working.

allowBW40InBGBand

I don't know what this means. I think it might mean allow both antennas (20/20 MIMO) in B and G bands... But honestly, it's a wild stab in the dark. Any idea?


Disabled it. Reconnected. Let's see if there are any noticeable differences.

 

[VirusType2]

Well, I feel like an asshole.

I just plugged it in, configured the router with default settings, and it's working fine.

Maybe my ISP was down for a few hours (because of the snow?) while I was trying to get it to work the first time.


Alright, so I'm using the TP-Link, because it was cheaper, simpler, and because it has a switch. Speed is 40mpbs, compared to 1mbps with the Belkin. Range is double.

OK, I'm happy, now to put it through the tests.

EDIT:

alright, the ****ing thing is just too intermittent. worked for a bit, then nothing, even after resetting it.

Installed the other new router, flashed the firmware


My computer locked up when connecting to the router twice, So I tried to configure it a little better, rebooted it.

Well, I'm on my G Laptop right now, and it's working great so far. Now to get my desktop working, might reinstall the drivers if it locks up this time...

EDIT: 2
I cannot get my adapter to work with the Trendnet router at all, so since my laptop worked with it, I decided to try an old belkin adapter I had laying around, wired it up to my antenna.. Win7 installed a driver for it (I'm using it right now - 1 bar), lets see how XP does.

EDIT: 3
OK, so here's what's working now

Belkin G adapter [ver1] from 2001 (or so)
Trendnet N router

I got an address conflict earlier, so hopefully I can resolve that soon.


Working for my Desktop and Laptop, in Windows XP and in Win 7-64 Bit: Forwarded the ports, uTorrent is working, browsing seems quick and responsive. I'm happy, I never gave a crap about anything more than that.


So the final verdict:
the TP-Link is completely unreliable crap and/or needs firmware.
The Trendnet seems to work well, at least for one computer at a time so far, but it doesn't like my N adapter at all, no matter what drivers I install or don't install. Frozen computer of death upon connection. D:

Maybe I'll just stick to walmart and try an N adapter until I find one that works with my router and all my Operating Systems, instead of shipping them back to California.

 

[VirusType2]

Instead of all the edits, I just wanted to say wooohooo! This Trendnet router is seriously fast and responsive. It seems pretty robust as well, no matter how many connections. It's a gigabit router, so it should be.

I haven't seen speeds like this before, I'm just thrilled. I hope it doesn't start buggering off after it's on for a few days/weeks.

Thank you all very much for your help, I would have given up long ago if not for that.

 

[No Limit]

So you are using an old wireless adapter in your computer? Have you tried reinstalling the drivers for the new n adapter yet?

 

[VirusType2]

Yeah, I tried 2 different drivers (the disc that came with the N adapter, and the downloaded version) I also tried letting windows install a driver (windows 7)

Windows 7 didn't work at all (wouldn't connect), Windows XP with the 2 different drivers would lock up my computer when it connected. (mouse wouldn't even move)

These are all with default adapter settings, I got tired of hard resetting my computer, so I don't think I tried changing the settings much.


Yeah, using an old G adapter. My new adapter was only $22, so it's not a huge loss. Nicely, I had an antenna that was able to use with the G.

When I get some extra money, I'm going to buy an N adapter from wal-mart. I realize now that as long as it has drivers for XP, windows 7 generally has drivers for wireless adapters built-in, especially for popular cards.

So if the new N adapter doesn't work for both OS, then I'll be able to bring it right back to the store and try a different one.


I'm looking forward to a performance increase when I get a compatible N adapter. Thanks again, you've been a big help.

 

[No Limit]

Gotchya. Glad its working.