H E L P . . . ! Computer link up problems....

Post by **Mike Shipman** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:38 pm

Im hoping sopmeone can help me here....

Weve just bought the elder daughter a computer for her birthday, I aksed in the store (Novatech - Portsmouth) about linking up to the Internet explaining that we already had a computer with a BT Broadband connection.

He suggested we buy this Wireless Modem Router- which we did:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/spec ... NGR-871160

and this for my daughters computer which should then link "wirelessly" to the machine above:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/spec ... NGR-WG111G

From what the chap at Novatech said when I bought the computer, I thought the Wirless Modem Router replaced the little BT Speedtouch modem...but when I unpacked it, I found was that the cables / connectors were dirfferent to the BT Speedtouch box so i phoned Novatech Tech Support - they said they couldnt help but that I had to contact BT...!?

Im now trying to get the info from BT...getting nowhere fast...

Does the new modem replace the speedtouch..? does it have to be used in conjunction with it...?

Has anyone else encountered / sorted this issue..? I'd be really grateful for any suggestions as to what to do.

Thanks.

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:47 pm

The wireless ADSL router replaces the BT Speedtouch modem. They should both have an RJ12 plug on the end of the ADSL cable that goes into a splitter that's plugged into your house master phone socket. You'll need the username and password of your ADSL account in order to configure the new router (follow the instructions that come with it).

If your existing modem is of the USB variety rather than wired ethernet, you may also need to add an ethernet adapter (either wired or wireless) to your old PC so that it can talk to the new router.

Post by **Packedup** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:06 pm

RJ11 Surely from router to filter/ splitter?

Then, as Alex says, each PC needs a network card/ interface. The Speedtouch is USB, the trouter isn't. The router has RJ45 wired ports as well as the wireless interface. The older computer will almost certainly have an RJ45 wired network adapter built in (most motherboards have them as standard now) so if it doesn't have a wireless one, plug it in using a cable instad of wireless (providing the phone socket PC etc are close enoguh for this not to be troublesome to do tidily). Then wireless to the other one.

Looking at the details, it comes with one RJ11 (presumably both ends) cable, and one network cable. So you should be able to get it all up and running without too many problems

Post by **lowedb** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:07 pm

Alex is right.

The wireless modem you have is the same as (or very similar) to the one I have, and was easy to set up.

You will have two cables in the box, one which plugs into the BT socket and another that looks similar but bigger. This plugs into one of the four sockets on the back (it doesn't matter which) and connects to a similar socket on your PC. Unless your PC is pretty old it will have one of these, but even if not the card is only a few pounds.

Some of the BT modems were USB only, some were USB or Ethernet.

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:41 pm

RJ11, yes. I get them mixed up because they're the same size and shape but RJ12 has contacts for two pairs instead of one.

Post by **Mike Shipman** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 2:19 pm

Thanks for that chaps...

I think Im a little clearer now(I know now that this new box replaces the speedtouch..!), it looks like I have to buy an "Ethernet adaptor" - PC World do them for £25

There seems to be a whole load of USB / Ethernet adaptors on Ebay from 99p

Any thoughts on where to get this adaptor and is there any great quality difference?

Cheers

Post by **Rob_Jennings** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 2:54 pm

not much difference in any of them I've got a spare usb-ethernet adapter that I can bring with me on Thursday, you can buy me a drink for it ;-)

Post by **Mike Shipman** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:51 pm

Saint Rob of the Travellers... you are a star!!

"Set 'em barmaid...."

Post by **lowedb** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:56 pm

Mike Shipman wrote:Thanks for that chaps...

I think Im a little clearer now(I know now that this new box replaces the speedtouch..!), it looks like I have to buy an "Ethernet adaptor" - PC World do them for £25

There seems to be a whole load of USB / Ethernet adaptors on Ebay from 99p

Any thoughts on where to get this adaptor and is there any great quality difference?

Cheers

£25??????

Well that's PCworld. OK on some stuff, rip off for others. A fiver is more like it.

Had a similar 'how much?' moment when I accidentaly went into Curry's a couple of weeks ago. Looked for a 2m VGA cable, and almost died (laughing) when they were £28. Ended up buying one for 45p plus Vat (well bought ten actually!!)

Post by **Packedup** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:58 pm

Mike Shipman wrote:Thanks for that chaps...

I think Im a little clearer now(I know now that this new box replaces the speedtouch..!), it looks like I have to buy an "Ethernet adaptor" - PC World do them for £25

You mean network card? I'm, surprised your PC hasn't got one, my other PC does and the board is 3 or 4 years old if not more. This one doesn't, but is a couple of years older (so I've fitted an internal one).

They can be had for pennies, literally. And are probably only 4 or 5 quid brand new, from not PC World

Though a freebie, even if it is hateful USB, will be an even better deal

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:00 pm

That's the great thing about P.Cs, isn't it. You can just get under the bonnett and REALLY sort them out...

OK, so yeah, I am a little smug

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:07 pm

Weve just bought the elder daughter a computer for her birthday,

Hi Mike I thought that all computers for some time were wi-fi enabled as standard and dont need any extra kit I know a year or more ago there were often termed wi-fi ready which meant they needed the extra kit.
As for an ADSL router it should come with all the connection leads, I personally have a BT Voyager but the Belkin or Netgear ones are similar and I dont believe they need any extra leads either and I would have though that if they are not part of the package the shop should have said at the time.

Post by **Mike Shipman** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:11 pm

Hi Kevin, we have a Dell computer 3 or 4 years old (?) which is the main computer with the BT Broadband...it is this one which I was trying to connect the new modem to.

Post by **Packedup** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:42 pm

A 3 or 4 year old Dell will alomost certainly have a built in network adapter - Bear in mind the same machines they sell to home users are sold as office workstations (give or take the odd spec of CPU or hard drive).

Take a look at the USB ports on the back - There'll most likely be a rectangular "big modem" looking socket to the left of them as you look at the tower upright. If the box has 4 USB ports in the panel, then look at both. The Dell will most likely have a picture next to the various holes, stamped into the thin metal cover. The one you want is of three computers in a triangle (seems a standard symbol for network ports).

Post by **d_harris** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:00 am

Mike, I might be able to pop over one evening next week if you are still stuck and hopefully see what I can do....

Post by **Mike Shipman** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 1:52 pm

Thanks for your kind offer Dan - I may just take you up on it if I cant sort it.

Post by **Mike Shipman** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:53 am

Hi - sorry - me again with another query (ies)...

I think Ive managed to install the Netgear router onto the family pc (well Im able to access the internet so must have..

?) but whereas the BT modem had a little icon on the bottom rhs of the screen indicating the phone line was on and connected - I then had to click on my BT Yahoo icon to get online. With this netgrea router there doesnt seem to be anything to indicate that it is on and connected (except the lights on the router itself), I just click on my BT Yahoo icon and get online - is that normal...? does it mean that the computer is linked up all the time its switched on?... does this run up large phone bills?

I then tried to connect up my daughters pc...the first issue was that she has Vista (we have XP) and a slip of paper in the Netgear Wireless Adapter box said I needed to download a "driver" from Netgear website in order to be able to use the wireless adapter with Vista.
OK I thought but how do I do that when her pc isnt connected to the Internet yet...?, I phoned the computer supplier who said to download it on the family pc - copy it (I have one of those data stick thingies) and load it onto daughter pc. OK says I - thankyou very much.
I go onto Netgear site find the appraopriate place
http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101649.asp
it is the WG111v2, I click on the download bit, it starts to download (I think) but stops after a minute or two - Ive waited up to 45 mins thinking it might suddenly happen - but no - nothing

.
(You need to select your part of the world on the download page, I tried the UK setting - no drivers avaiulable there, so went with the North America one)
I tried to find a phone no for Netgear - but there is only e-mail contact available, but I wanted to "SPEAK" with someone...no chance

!
So back onto computer supplier (premium rate no - 8 mins on hold each time you ring till you get a real live person)...
They tried to down load the driver and said it was slow at first but did it eventually, they suggested I turn off my firewall (which I thought was dodgy but they siad no, just mnake sure you turn it back on when youve downloaded).
Ok I thought, now I know what to do and my (by now rather miserable daughter as she cannot access the internet) perks up with the thought that Numpty Dad can sort it this time.
Turned off firewall.,..tried to download - same problem - starts then just stops...
Ive tried on a number of occasions but still no joy.

I tried installing the adapter on daughter pc with this driver (hoping that something might happen) but of course...nothing

.

Both my daughter and I are pretty fed up with this now - Im possibly doing something startlingly stupid but dont know it - any further suggestions?

Just one other thing - the family pc seems really slow now...bit like when it was a dial up...

(Dan - is that offer of coming over still on?)

Thanks in anticipation.

Mike.

Post by **alex_holden** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:33 pm

Mike Shipman wrote:does it mean that the computer is linked up all the time its switched on?... does this run up large phone bills?

Yes, and no. ADSL is "always on."

Mike Shipman wrote: They tried to down load the driver and said it was slow at first but did it eventually, they suggested I turn off my firewall (which I thought was dodgy but they siad no, just mnake sure you turn it back on when youve downloaded).

No, don't do that!

Mike Shipman wrote:tried to download - same problem - starts then just stops...

It downloaded in no time for me. I could try emailing it to you if you PM me your address.

Mike Shipman wrote: Just one other thing - the family pc seems really slow now...bit like when it was a dial up...

Have you got any antivirus software?

Post by **lowedb** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 1:21 pm

Hi.

A few comments. While I wouldn't advocate just turning off your firewall, you should be aware that because you are running a router, you have a firewall in it anyway. It depends how this is configured as to what it is doing. Routers run a thing called NAT (Network address Translation) which soyunds techy but isn't. Every device on the internet has it's own address, and when you connect your PC with a normal modem, the PC has this address. If you use a router, the router takes the address, and gives your PC it's own which no-one else can see. The router then passes all the data across. Unless you tell it to, it won't pass a lot of the data, so it gives you a measure of protection.

Now while routers used to be shipped with everything off, it seems that some are now being shipped with everything on.

The good news is you don't have to be a nerd to find all this out. There is a site called GRC.com that will harmlessly prod your PC/ Router to give you an idea what is and isn't turned on / visible.

Incidentally, the slow running thing. For the last couple of weeks I've started to experience that on both of my XP machines at home, and I suspect a Microsoft update is the culprit.

Post by **Mike Shipman** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:07 pm

Thanks Alex - I'd appreciate you sending it to me - pm on its way.

I have Norton Antivirus btw.