New Wireless Network

Lateralus · Post by **Lateralus** » September 29th, 2005, 10:09

Just got a new wireless connection set up in my house, but we're having issues with the security bit and connection. I've got a 802.11g adapter which works fine when using WPA-PSK encryption, however my housemate has a laptop which is 802.11b and only appears to support WEP. I've set the router to mixed network mode, so it works with b and g, but when using the WEP encrytion I seem to lose my connection a minute or two after getting it. Wireless networking is new to all of us and we spent all last night scratching our heads about it and couldn't think of anything.

In the meantime our neighbours have an unsecured wireless network, and I don't want them leaching off us the way we can from them! Insert good advice below please.

mrbobbins · Post by **mrbobbins** » September 29th, 2005, 10:18

Change the Router to use WEP encryption only.

Set your router to NOT broadcast network ID.

Tell router to accept only the MAC addresses of the PC and laptops in your house.

CIIJASIIE

Lateralus · Post by **Lateralus** » September 29th, 2005, 10:27

Thats all looking good, but where does one find the MAC address? 3 computers on XP and one Mac in the house, should that make any difference.

Lee · Post by **Lee** » September 29th, 2005, 10:30

Go start > run, type cmd, type ipconfig /all then look for the network adaptor youre using to connect to the router and its the physical address you want.

mrbobbins · Post by **mrbobbins** » September 29th, 2005, 10:40

this. or right click properties (or status?..) of the device connecting to the router, on the PC this will be your wireless PCI card. (unless you have a wireless integrated motherboard)

I had wireless woes for months until I did these 3 things:

Turn Packet Burst on (in router and connection software settings)

Got a better aerial for my PC wireless card (I have a spare if you want to buy it!!)

Changed the software my PC used to connect to the router (windows wireless config is poo, as was the software that came with my PCI card)

Bizzarely enough after going through about 6 different programmes the best one I found was this connection manager from T-Mobile!!

http://client.hotspot.t-mobile.com/

It's ugly and pink but it works better than anything else I could find.

Lateralus · Post by **Lateralus** » September 29th, 2005, 10:42

Did that, and got this:

Can't MAC address unless I'm being really fick.

Lateralus · Post by **Lateralus** » September 29th, 2005, 10:44

Oh yeah, and this is the card I have. Its got an antenna on top of the desk, and signal strength is excellent, even from the floor above the router.

Lee · Post by **Lee** » September 29th, 2005, 10:50

You need to type ipconfig /all not just ipconfig.

mrbobbins · Post by **mrbobbins** » September 29th, 2005, 10:58

Or:

Go to Network properties, right click the card and look at Status,

Device manager, look in the properties of the card, MAC address will be in there somewhere

Woo Elephant Yeah

Lee.H wrote:You need to type ipconfig /all not just ipconfig.

This

ipconfig /all is your friend

Lateralus · Post by **Lateralus** » September 29th, 2005, 13:51

Ok, got it working with the MAC addresses and WEP encryption, but when I turn Wireless SSID Broadcast off it disconnects. Should the MAC address and WEP stuff be enough? I'm using the T-Mobile thingy too, and it works nicely, even if it is pink.

mrbobbins · Post by **mrbobbins** » September 29th, 2005, 14:23

When you turn the Wireless SSID Broadcast off you need to try a reconnect and then enter the name

Might be enough for you, but not for me

Edit: Oh and an obvious one, but change the login name and password for your router from the standard one!

Post by **fabyak** » October 12th, 2005, 9:09

The link to DABS is dead, but if its a DLink card, then I have just the thing for you my friend (assuming its the same card I have) as mine would do that, but grabbed the latest installery type thingumy bob and its not dropped the connection since...