Routers + laptops

Nancy · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 1097 Location: Illinois, U.S.A.

Hi there!
Haven't posed a question in this thread for quite a while.
My mom has a laptop utilizing Windows Xp. Also have a Linksys router hooked up to my modem. When she is able to get on-line it seems to take forever for a connection,Almost as bad as dial up-lol!
We had a problem with something before where neither mom nor I could get on-line!!!! Icon_angry

Things were going along fairly smoothly for a couple of weeks, then today she couldn't get on-line again. Early this morning I was able to use my system with no problems.
I ended up disconnecting the router from my modem + then everything was fine for me,connetion,speed,etc.
The router is brand new, but the laptop is pretty dated,I believe. Is it possible for mom's laptop to interfere with my system, or is it more likely a router problem?
Your thoughts,please????
Thank you
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You O Lord are the potter, I am the clay,the work of Your hands.

jtheb · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 1451 Location: second childhood

Can't help I am afraid.

I would like some information on routers etc. if there is any going.
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Sisyphus · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:18 pm Post subject:

Linksys routers are almost plug & play but they do really need to be configured to work correctly and they certainly need to be told how to deal with wireless connections.
The main reason for doing this is security. If you don't have a secure connection anyone nearby can use your connection for free. This is often the reason people see very slow connections due to thieves stealing their bandwidth.

Using your web browser, where you usually type in the web address you need to type in the address of the router. This will be one or other of the following two sets of numbers.

192.168.2.1
192.168.1.1

It is likely to be the first number. Once you are in the router configuration go through the manual that came with it and set up how you want the wireless to work with the laptop and set up wireless security.

I will be honest and say this is not usually a job I would expect the inexperienced person to do well. If you have a tame tech person nearby I would be inclined to ask them to sort it for you.
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".... love thy neighbour as thyself." is the hardest thing I have ever done....

jtheb · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 1451 Location: second childhood

I have been contemplating using laptop, pc and Helena's pc for adsl.

Your reply has put me off a bit.

Most routers seem to specify "for satelite", or "for cable" none seem to say for ADSL ia phone line.

Does this matter.
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The effectiveness of a posting is inversely proportional to its length.
C.S.Craig

Sisyphus · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 12:13 pm Post subject:

Nancy · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 1097 Location: Illinois, U.S.A.

Thanks,Sisyphus.
You're right, I'm in over my head on this one-lol!
I'm at a real loss here.
BTW-what is an IP address+how do I find mine?
_________________
You O Lord are the potter, I am the clay,the work of Your hands.

Sisyphus · Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 2:33 am Post subject:

The numbers I gave in my earlier reply are an example of an IP address (192.168.2.43). It is the number your PC uses to identify itself on a network, either a small, home network or a very lage one like the internet.

If you need to find the IP of your PC open a DOS box by going to Start/Run and type in 'cmd' without quotes. In the DOS box type 'ipconfig /all' again without quotes.
This will give the IP, Subnet and Gateway as well as DNS settings.
_________________
".... love thy neighbour as thyself." is the hardest thing I have ever done....

jtheb · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 1451 Location: second childhood

Thanks Sis. I'll try the man you mention.

I did consult and "expert" a while ago and quite honestly I didn't understand a word he said over the phone.
_________________
The effectiveness of a posting is inversely proportional to its length.
C.S.Craig