Internet Problems - Please help!

[3 Justin 3]

Ok, so this is the problem. I have a Linksys WRT54G router, and I connect to the internet fire wirelessly, but it won't worked with a wired computer. Me and my bro can both connect (and the xboxs) fine with the wireless, but once I plug the desktop into the router via Ethernet cord it won't connect.

Note, I am using vista for the desktop and I never use it (not my computer) and I have no idea what the hell do to. XP is easy, vista is confusing and I don't know where anything is.

Any help, I tried google but can't find anything useful.

Like I said, I can't connect with a wired connection with Vista.

[Jimmy Stang]

What port are you connecting to on the router. Should just be a regular one (not uplink). Does the light come on to show that it is connected?

If you right-click on the little network icon in the system tray, you should be able to open the "Network and Sharing Centre" where it will show you what you're connected to and give you the option to diagnose/repair, etc. From there you can do pretty much whatever you could in XP.

[3 Justin 3]

I get there but the thing never stops "Identifying". When I was at my dads house I had the same problem (wireless but no wired) and it said it had problems with the DNS (it stopped identifying and I could diagnose).

On XP it is easy, I go to Network connections and I see them, I don't get why it can't be this easy on Vista. Is there an option to see the 3 connections, wireless, wired and the other?

[Azure]

You had the same problem at your dads house with a different router?

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

I get there but the thing never stops "Identifying". When I was at my dads house I had the same problem (wireless but no wired) and it said it had problems with the DNS (it stopped identifying and I could diagnose).

On XP it is easy, I go to Network connections and I see them, I don't get why it can't be this easy on Vista. Is there an option to see the 3 connections, wireless, wired and the other?

From the "View Status" link in the Network and Sharing Centre, you should be able to pull up more detail about that particular connection, as well as the properties so you can change your settings a bit. You probably don't need IPv6 enabled, and I also have disabled the two "Link-Layer" options. I recall having networking issues with Vista in the early days, but I can't remember how they were resolved.

Also from with the Network and Sharing Centre, on the left there is a link to "Manage Network Connections" where you can see your LAN, wifi, etc. listed. From there you can fiddle a bit.

Another thing to try might be to go into the Device Manager and remove any trace of your LAN adapter, then reboot and it should detect it and install the drivers. Speaking of drivers, maybe they need to be updated.

[Jimmy Stang]

You can also specify your own DNS info within Network Sharing Centre > View Status > Properties > IPv4. When I am testing out DNS, I use the easy-to-remember servers of 4.2.2.1, 4.2.2.2, and 4.2.2.3.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Azure

You had the same problem at your dads house with a different router?

Only on Vista. I could connect wirelessly with my XP computers (and wired), but I can't connect with the router (either) through wired, with Vista.

Now it won't even connect when I go directly from the modem to the computer.

How the hell do you set-up the internet for Vista, my god. I thought I could just plug the cord in, but no, nothing is working.

[Jimmy Stang]

Although this won't be possible if you have no internet, but I found that a lot of my networking problems disappeared after I installed the first service pack. You've probably already done this already.

[3 Justin 3]

I am thinking I need the ISP username and password, which I don't have, to be able to connect.

I just find it odd that I can connect wirelessly, but I can't plug a cord in and have the same results. Wasn't Vista supposed to be easier?

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

I am thinking I need the ISP username and password, which I don't have, to be able to connect.

I just find it odd that I can connect wirelessly, but I can't plug a cord in and have the same results. Wasn't Vista supposed to be easier?

No, there is no such thing as an ISP username and password for what you are trying to do.

Are you sure you are using a normal CAT-5 cable and not a crossover cable?

Plug the computer directly into the modem and see what happens to isolate if the issue is within the router.

[3 Justin 3]

haHA!

So I powercycled the modem and now it works. What the hell? MWUAHAHAH!

Now watch it crash in 2 days.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

haHA!

So I powercycled the modem and now it works. What the hell? MWUAHAHAH!

Now watch it crash in 2 days.

It's even what Shaw/Telus tell you to do when you call in. Unplug or press the reset button. Wait, replug.

[Azure]

Router is old. WRT54G isn't made anymore.

Does it look like this?



Routers can go wacky after a while. You might need to replace it. Or better yet, if you have a different one kicking around, switch it with your WRT54G and see if that fixes your problem.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Azure

Router is old. WRT54G isn't made anymore.

Does it look like this?



Routers can go wacky after a while. You might need to replace it. Or better yet, if you have a different one kicking around, switch it with your WRT54G and see if that fixes your problem.

Yeah, his router really does look like

[3 Justin 3]

Well that's why I am having problems.

[Azure]

Here is another picture.

Hopefully this one works.



How old is it? These routers work great, but after 5 years or so, I've had to replace 3 of them last year. Could be what your problem is.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Now watch it crash in 2 days.

Son of a...