router won't connect to the internet

[Prudence]

Apparently I'm a complete moron. I set my network up last time, but now it won't work at all. Because I am clearly the biggest idiot on this rock, hopefully someone can assist me.

I am currently connected directly to my Verizon DSL-provided modem, which is connected to the phone outlet.

I would like to be connected to the Linksys WRT54G router (wired or wireless, I'm not picky at this point), which would be connected to the modem which would be connected to the phone outlet.

Here is what I have tried:

The last router was connected via DHCP. So, I've tried using the router's set-up wizard CD to select that option for connection type. Once that connection type is selected, there are NO other options to select/enter, save for the admin password one sets. However, it will not connect to the internet, according to the subsequent error message.

I have tried going in through my browser to 192.168.1.1 and selecting DHCP that way. When I do, and go to the status tab, it says automatic IP, but it is not connected.

The instructions on the Verizon website say to select PPPoE. I don't know why. If I select that option, either using the wizard from CD or the browser access point it asks for a username and password. Yes, there's a username and password to access my account info on the Verizon site, but they don't work here - same non-connecting error message. And why would I need a password to connect via router and not directly through the modem?

What the hell am I doing wrong? Has Verizon just changed their settings so you can't do wireless unless you buy their specific equipment? Am I just too stupid to have a network and should give my laptop and all computer equipment to the next passer-by?

[wendybeth]

I asked Eric, and he said you shouldn't need any additional equipment. He did say that the password should be 'Admin'- he is looking into it for ya. (Try that, though).

[Prudence]

no, i can set the router password. That's not an issue. I can't connect to the internet.

[wendybeth]

Did you click on the auto config on the router itself? That should set all your configurations. Did you also power down everything then power up in the order the Linksey manual says?

[Prudence]

yup. There is no autoconfig button. There's the CD-ROM set-up wizard option or going in through the browser. Tried both. Powered/connected everything in the order the CD-ROM said.

(The auto config button deals with the wireless security. I can't even get the wired version to work.)

[wendybeth]

OUrs must be different- Eric said he simply pushed the yellow CiscoSystems button to set the configurations on ours. In the troubleshooting page it says to power up the cable or dsl, then the router, then the pc. Does that match your set-up intructions?

[wendybeth]

Have you made sure the SSID is the same on both your PC and laptop as the router? (I'm just relaying stuff from Eric here, so bear with me if I'm being a pain- he's busy doing something else).

[Prudence]

At the moment the SSID is the default.

I think I'm just an idiot and don't deserve internet access.

[wendybeth]

Did you reset your cable modem? Eric is wondering if perhpas something is wired backwards. Unplug it for a minute, then replug it. That should help it to find a connection. You do need to make sure the SSID is set to matching names on your pc, etc, if you can.

[wendybeth]

Meanwhile, I am trying to figure out why my new Da Vinci code game keeps trying to abort. I have all the system requirements, so it must just hate me or something.

[Prudence]

Everything is set to matching names. I've done all the reset buttons and power cycling more times than I can count. I can connect to the router just fine. The router and the pc recognize each other. This is not the issue. The router ethernet light lights up. Everything LOOKS like it should be fine, but it won't work.

I think at this point I just have to accept that I can't have a network any more. We'll have to move the modem around the condo and connect one at a time. I don't know what went wrong. Maybe Verizon changed some settings to make us buy their stuff.

[wendybeth]

Well, I don't know what to tell ya- Eric works for the cell division, but he is pretty sure that is not the case. Is there a tech support you can call? Might be worth the voicemail navigation irritation.

[Prudence]

Yeah, they won't support you unless you buy your equipment through them. And when I called them the other day the guy insulted me. So, that's a no go. I give up.

[Alex]

The problem is that troubleshooting network issues can be pretty difficult without seeing the specific setups and everything.

However, about this paragraph:

And why would I need a password to connect via router and not directly through the modem?

When you connect directly with the computer you should still need a password and user ID. However, it is probably already established and autoprovided by the connecting tool on your computer (this is how it was when I had Verizon DSL 18 months ago). I don't remember if that ID and password was the same as for logging in to the Web site.

I might be able to figure it out for you if I were there but trying to visualize it all in my head isn't working too well for me. And I'm on cable now, which connects differently, so I can't even use my settings to compare.

One big cautionary note to add, though. If you are connecting directly to through the modem you absolutely need to make sure you have a firewall installed on the computer itself. You may have been relying on the built in firewall from the router but the modem itself doesn't off any of that protection.

Since you're trying to set up from scratch I would suggest you go ahead and try customer support again. They may prove just as unhelpful but at least initial network setup is something they should have well scripted.

[Alex]

If you can afford a little bit of cash, it may be worth your sanity to just call Best Buy and have them send out the Geek Squad to help. I've never used them but a former coworker found them reasonably competent.

[Prudence]

Of course I have a firewall installed on all the PCs. I realize I am a complete moocow, but at least I know that much.

[wendybeth]

Stop insulting yourself- leave that to the tech guys.;)

[Prudence]

Furthermore - I can connect (as I am doing right this moment) if I treat the router as a switch-thingy only (to use the technical term). Per a google search involving Verizon and routers - if I connect the modem to the router in one of the 4 regular to-the-computer port thingies and NOT the usual from-the-modem port then it works. At least wired. Next stop: does wireless work this way.

[wendybeth]

I'm not familiar with laptops and routers- we just have two PCs. The Linksys paper says "The PC should be connected to the ports numbered 1-4 on the router, and the modem must be connected to the Internet port on the router." Like Alex said, it's hard to imagine the set-up you have going- all I can do is tell you what we have done and what our manual says.

[Prudence]

Yeah, alas I've tried wading through all the manuals and tutorials and hints found via google and whatnot. I have no idea what I'm missing. I'll have to tinker with it next weekend.

I may take it upstairs and try to set it up via Ryan's desktop. I have a vague memory that I couldn't set it up through the laptop last time, either, for reasons we never figured out. It seems to me, peering through the mists of time, that I had to set it up via wired desktop and then add my laptop to the then established network. I didn't try that last night because I was also installing the new floor in the bathroom downstairs and I didn't want to be involved in two major projects on different floors.

[DisneyFan25863]

Try calling verizon tech and saying you reinstalled windows and need your user name and password. That way, they can't say its a router problem.

Also, wendybeth, try upgrading your graphics driver.

[wendybeth]

Got one on order now, DF, but ty!

[wendybeth]

Clarification- got a new graphics card on order- ours is two years old and very obsolete for what we like to run.

[Prudence]

I'm finally up and running on the router - wireless - and getting a much better connection than with the old router. What was wrong? I haven't the foggiest. I spent some more time on the phone with Verizon's tech support (not a condescending twit this time) who conceeded that they had no idea and transfered me directly to the linksys people. The linksys woman had an accent - but it didn't seem Indian. South African? Not sure. Anyhow, she had me download this magical connection wizard tool thingy and after a bit of struggle (sometimes it couldn't seem to tell that the router was connected) it actually connected.

And then the modem wouldn't connect upstairs, but that's because at some point between last Thursday and now the telephone cord (which I'm sure has a technical name) upstairs decided to stop working. Fortunately I have an abundance of cords of all types, so that was replaced and now we're one happy network again.

I went in and checked the settings and I'm not sure what changed, but I think the MAC address was different...so maybe that's it. I dunno.

Now I can put the downstairs wires away.