very confused newbie

[Bellcrest]

The more I read the more confused I get.

I have 2 PC's both with XP Pro connected with a SMC 7004 VBR router. The network works fine. Sharing files and Internet access.

I just purchased a Toshiba notebook also running XP pro and with wireless 801.11b

I bought a d-link access point because I was told it was so easy to connect.

Try as I might, I cannot get this to work the way it shows in teh setup wizard. I am unable to connect via web browser.

The Lan light on the AP does not light up when connected to the smc router. the WAN light flashes.

I will contact D-link support in the morning. but until then anyone have any suggestions?

TIA

Shirley

[JackMDS]

The D-link Access Point is probably configured by default to a different subnet than the SMC. You have to connect the Access Point directly to a computer (using Crossover cable) and change the Access Point IP to be of the same subnet as the SMC.

This page is designed for other issue but the instruction there for the Wireless Router as a Switch are similar to what you have to do.

Link to: Using a Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a Switch with an Access Point. (http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html)

Otherwise if you can return the Access Point for the same price you probably can get a New Cable/DSL Router.

:cool:

[Bellcrest]

Thanks for your response. I have been struggling with this for a few days now. I have got to a point this point:

2 PC's (wired to router)
laptop (wireless)

are now all sharing my internet connection. That is where it ends. The 1 PC sees the laptop. None of the others can see each other.

I have a strange IP number on the laptop. It begins with 169.254. and I know this is not good but don't know how to fix it.

I am now beginning to think it would have been easier to just get a new router, one that would support both wired and wireless and do away with the access point. I may still do this if I can't sort this out. I don't know what router to purchase.

[JackMDS]

The IP that starts with 169. is a default IP that is assigned when the computer can not find the DHCP to get an IP.

In other words it seems that your Laptop is not really talking to the AP and the Router.

Make sure that you have a viable Wireless connection first.

Link to: Wireless - Basic Configuration. (http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Config.html)

:D

[Taino718]

Hi,

1. First inventory all the IP addresses in your network. Use WNTIPCFG or ipconfig to record all IP and MAC addresses.

2. Second go into router setup and check settings: access point and router must use the same SSID and passphrase, and key.

3. Check router mode - A, B, G, Mixed

4. Go into access point setup - change IP address to match other IP addresses (for example - 192.168.1.100, 192.168.1.101, 192.168.1.102, etc) Assigned an IP address to acess point.

5. If all the computer are set to obtain IP address automatically you don't need to do any of the above.

6. Check that router is setup for DHCP (router assigns IP adddresses for your wired and wireless cards automatically)

Next post......

[Bellcrest]

Thanks for the response.

I finally gave up on the old router and accesspoint and went out and bought a wireless router Dlink DI-624

The setup went exactly as shown in the manual. Everything works perfectly.

I would have saved hours of time and many headaches if I had gone this route in the first place.

Live and learn.

Thanks once again to those who tried to help me.