Windows 7 - Is my router defective?

Asked By Charlie Hoffpauir

18-Mar-07 07:00 PM

I have a small home network set up. It's been working fine with a
Linksys WRT54G and a Linksys 5 port switch (EZXS55W I think, the print
is very small). Until yesterday, the Router was connected to a DW6000
modem (formerly DirecWay, now Hughesnet)satellite internet service. I
suddenly lost all internet connectivity yesterday.

After a lot of phone calls to Direcway support, I finally found that I
did have internet service with the DW6000 connected directly to my
computer, but that left me with no internet connectivity to any other
computers. At that time, I did still have local LAN connectivity.

After I finished messing up things by trying everything tech support
at Direcway suggested, I no longer had local LAN connectivity between
the various "wired" computers, but still had wireless LAN service.

Well, to get internet service to all the computers, I finally ended up
with the DW6000 connected to the Linksys 5-port switch, and all the
wired computers also connected to that switch. So now I can access the
internet from any wired LAN computer, but not any wireless ones.

If I try to link the Switch and router together, the local LAN
fails... leading me to believe that I either have some settings on the
router wrong, or the "wired" ports on the router have simply gone bad.
Can anyone tell from this what may be the case? Do I need a new
router, or just some expertise in setting this up again?

Oh yes, I also have a wireless print server.... Of course that quit
working when I went from the "wireless/wired combination" LAN to a
wired-only LAN. So I then connected a couple of Netgear wireless USB
adapters I had to the two computers I use the most, and by using the
wireless part of the WRT54G, I can stil print to the printer via the
wireless print server.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/

18-Mar-07 08:16 PM

Hi
I am not familiar with the Hughesnet system per-se.
The DW6000 is a Combo Modem Router.  For authentication purposes it possible
that Hughesnet changed it back to a Router (otherwise your computer would
work of the switch).
Try to use the Wireless Router as a switch with an Access Point.
Instructions here, http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html
Jack (MVP-Networking).

18-Mar-07 08:27 PM

Thanks! it is working now as a switch!
Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/

20-Mar-07 10:24 AM

Here is my problem. I have a Linksys-G router for my lap. I lost connection
and called Linksys, who eventually discovered that my "Windows Zero
Configuration" failed to work. That presumably is importatnt to wifi
connectivity. The question is how do I get it restored. Thanks

20-Mar-07 10:52 AM

You really should start your own thread, with a descriptive subject,
rather than just adding on to an already closed topic.

You also would be better off using a newsreader, such as Outlook
Express, rather than the web-based interface to these newsgroups.

Yes, Windows Zero Configuration is important to wifi connectivity.  But
it's also important to understand what you mean by "failed to work."
Your laptop has some sort of wifi hardware, either built-in or added as
a PC Card or USB adapter.  This hardware must be "managed" and
supply utility programs for this purpose.  Microsoft also supplies its
own utility: WZC.  You should not use both utilities at the same time.

With that in mind, see http://www.ezlan.net/wzc.html

If you need more help, post back with more information concerning the
wifi hardware in your laptop (make/model of laptop if built-in;
make/model of adapter).

--
Lem   MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

20-Mar-07 11:44 AM

Ok. Thanks very much for getting back. I can't be sure whether the wifi
hardware is built in or added as PC Card or USB adaptor. I am trying to reach
the person who installed it at my former employer. What i do recall is going
through an involved configuration of various windows properties with the
Linksys help person, and we came across Zero Configuration, but it was not
checked, and she said that seemed to be the problem.

I don't know if this is the data you are seeking, but its Windows XP 2002 on
a Dell Inspiron 600m. Adapter is RCA and the model is DCM425. Thanks again.

20-Mar-07 01:03 PM

Your RCA DCM425 is your cable modem.  Your Dell 600m has built-in
wireless capability.

Let's start at the beginning.

What happened just before you "lost connection"?

Why did you think it was your Linksys router?

What, exactly, happens when you attempt to connect to your router?  List
what you do and what results you see.

Have you tried/been able to connect to any other wireless networks since
the problem started?  Can you "see" any other wireless networks?

Have you tried/been able to connect to your Linksys router using an
Ethernet cable, and get to the Internet that way?

When you went through the involved configuration with the Linksys
support person, did you eventually enable WZC and set it to "Automatic"?
Did you read and follow the directions to start WZC at the link in my
last post?

Are you sure that the wireless adapter in the laptop is turned on?
Press the Fn and F2 keys at the same time to toggle the wifi on and off.

Do you see the icon for the wireless network connection in the
notification area (next to the clock)?

See and follow the steps here: http://www.ezlan.net/wireless.html


--
Lem   MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer