new said:
The modem I have includes an ethernet port (though it's not used currently).
I've tried plugging an ethernet cable into it and setting up the router, but
that doesn't work. I'm assuming that's because the USB cable is what was
provided by my ISP. But can I still use that port to get the router to work
somehow?
If the cable modem has an ethernet port, then you can use it. Your
problems have nothing to do with the USB cable and you don't want to use
the USB cable at all. If you can't set up your router, you're doing
something wrong. Unfortunately since I can't see your system and what
you're doing, I can't guess what that would be. I can give you general
information for setting up a router manually, but perhaps you should
consider having a knowledgeable friend (someone who is really
knowledgeable and not just saying he is) or a local computer tech come
over and do this for you. Do not use someone from
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad. Get recommendations from family, friends,
colleagues.
Setting up a router is quite simple. Normally you run the CD that came
with the router and follow the instructions. Because you're running
Vista perhaps the CD that came with the router won't work; I don't know
this. But you can set up the router without a CD. This will usually entail:
1. Turn off the power to your cable modem.
2. Attach a cat5e ethernet cable (usually provided with the router)
going from the router's Internet/WAN port to the cable modem's ethernet
port.
3. Attach a cat5e ethernet cable going from your computer's network
adapter to one of the ports on the router. If you don't have an ethernet
cable (because you were using USB), you will need to go to the store and
buy one.
4. Turn on the cable modem. After all the lights are on, turn on the router.
To configure the router:
Have a computer connected to the router with an ethernet cable. Examples
given are for a Linksys router. Refer to your router manual or the
router mftr.'s website for default settings if you don't have a Linksys.
Open a browser such as Internet Explorer or Firefox and in the
addressbar type:
http://192.168.1.1 [enter] (this is the router's default IP address,
which varies from router to router so check your manual)
This will bring you to router's login screen. The default username is
left blank and the Linksys default password is "admin" without the
quotes. Read your documentation if your router is different. Enter that
information. You are now in the router's configuration utility. Your
configuration utility may differ slightly from mine.
Click on the Administration link at the top of the page. Enter your new
password. WRITE IT DOWN SOMEWHERE YOU WILL NOT LOSE IT. Re-enter the
password to confirm it and click the Save Settings button at the bottom
of the page. The router will restart and present you with the login box
again. Leave the username blank and put in your new password to get back
into the configuration utility.
Now click on the Wireless link at the top of the page. Change the
Wireless Network Name (SSID) from the default to something you will
recognize. I suggest that my clients not use their family name as the
SSID. For example, you might wish to name your wireless network
"CastleAnthrax" or the like. ;-)
Click the Save Settings and when you get the prompt that your changes
were successful, click on the Wireless Security link which is right next
to the Basic Wireless Settings link (where you changed your SSID). If
you have a newish computer, you will be able to set the Security Mode to
WPA2-Personal. Do that and enter a passphrase. The passphrase is what
you will enter on any computers that are allowed to connect to the
wireless network. WRITE IT DOWN SOMEWHERE YOU WILL NOT LOSE IT.
At this point, your router is configured and if the computer you were
using to configure the router is normally going to connect wirelessly,
disconnect the ethernet cable and the computer's wireless feature should
see your new network. Enter the passphrase you created to join the
network and start surfing.
Malke
