Linksys router - Total noob

[RealMadrid]

All right, I'll say it upfront, I'm a total noob when it comes to networking, routers, etc. I have a router that my sister's boyfriend gave to me to set up for the PC's in my house, currently it's 2 PC's and a laptop (will do the laptop later, as it isn't around for the time being). It is a Linksys Model # BEFW11s4 ver. 2. Anyway, I followed the instructions listed on the manual, configured the PCs, configured the router just like it says, connected it the way it needs to be connected, and did everything by the book. After rebooting the PC's, I tried going online. Nothing. Checked My Network Places, and the LAN stuff seemed to be in order, everything enabled and "working properly". All the lights on both the modem and the router were as they should be, yet I can't access the net!

Again, I'm new to this, so maybe there's some kind of universal rule I'm overlooking... any help at all would be appreciated, I'm stumped and want to get these PC's working online.

By the way, hooking up the modem to the PC directly (tried both) works fine, I go online like that. It's the whole router process that has me whimpering.

Thank you all!

[RealMadrid]

Oh, yeah, let me add some helpful info.

PC1:

WinXP Home
2.4ghz P4
80gig HD 7200
GeForce FX 5200
SB Audigy Platinum
8 USB ports
512 SDram

PC2:

WinXP Professional
600mhz P3
30gig HD
GeForce FX 5200
SB Live X-Gamer
4 USB ports
384 SDram

The modem is a Westell something-or-other modem, DSL. Currently I have it connected through my ethernet port on the hefty machine. When I do that, it works fine. When I connect it the same (direct) on the other PC, it also works fine. Now, when I do the whole router thing is when it gets screwy. I've reset it about 3 times again and gone through the whole process. I don't know what's going on, I thought this sort of thing was just plug and chug. *sigh*

first turn off all computers

turn off the modem and the router by unplugging them.

plug in the router, let it sit for like 10 seconds. then plug in the modem. let it go into the cable modem running through its set up.

after the the modem is done loading, turn on one machine


go to start> run> type in cmd> then ipconfig.

do you get a 192.168.1.* ip address for that machine?

do you have a link light on the network card? and where it is plugged in on the router?

do you have any software firewalls running.

can you access the web configuration page in the router?

http://192.168.1.1

password admin (hopefully you have changed this by now)

if you can, click status and see if you are getting an ip address from your isp

do you have the latest firmware installed?

http://www.linksys.com/download/firmware.asp?fwid=160

(read the readme file, its tells you very simple how to install it.)


also does your ISP use PPPoe?

one more thing, i noticed you are using a wireless router.

please take time to read over this thread

http://www.techimo.com/forum/showthr...light=wireless

[RealMadrid]

All that you have said, I've followed through. Except the first step on the order plugging things in.

No firewalls.
I can access the router page.
Click status to check IP? Hmm, what do you mean?
Also, as for PPPoE, I have no idea... how would I check that? I was beginning to wonder if that is what's causing my problem. I tried entering my username and password there just in case, still no dice.

As for the firmware, I will give that a shot first thing tomorrow morning. Someone's asleep in the room with the router, and I don't wish to wake them hehe.

Oh, and I'm not using it for wireless capabilities. In fact, I remember disabling it.

try the method i told you about having everything off. those routers and modems can be picky




how did you have your dsl hooked up before?

modem plugged right into the computer?


i would call up your isp and ask if you use PPPoe.

i attached a screenshot of what you should be looking for when you are looking for the ISP ip address you get

Jason

[RealMadrid]

The way I had it before was the ethernet cable in the ethernet slot for the DSL modem, and having it plugged into the ethernet card on my PC. So, yeah, direct.

Hehe, and the screenshot you posted for me, it doesn't look like that for me at all.

Can't I just look at my IP doing the ipconfig thing in the command prompt?

you see on my screen shot where it says internet?


it might be called WAN

if you dont see that, what do you see when you click the status page in the router

[RealMadrid]

It says WAN instead of internet...

okay, that screenshot i took was from the newer linksys g model.

so WAN is basically the same thing.

i suggest update the router. do the steps i told you on loading up the hardware.

if that doesnt work, call up your ISP and ask if you have PPPoe

[RealMadrid]

The only IP address I get there is a devide IP, which is the 192.168.1.1 thing.

Under WAN Connection Type, I get a drop down menu that asks me to select the internet connection I wish to use. I have "Obtain an IP automatically" selected.