Wireless computing

[JamesG]

...............doesn't work at home. Is likely to be:

A) the router supplied by Sky being rubbish

B) the dongle being used being rubbish

Any advice most welcome

[Sandperson]

Skys routers are Netgear aren't they. I wouldn't have thought there would a be a problem with that. Have you tried using it hard wired?

[JamesG]

Yes they are netgear

It does work fine hard wired

[Huguenot]

Can you log onto the router itself when hardwired and check that the wirless facility does or doesn't have a security code?

Easiest way to log on to the router is usually to go into your 'networks' tab in the start menu, and right click on the router icon, and "view device webpage".

There's usually a 'wireless' or 'wireless security' tab that will show the passphrase.

Then go back to the start menu: Networks, look for the Network and Sharing Tab, and from there to 'Manage Wireless Networks'.

Click on 'add' and it should scan for all networks. Even if you don't see your own, you may see the neighbours. Add your own, and it should then ask for the passphrase.

[Loz]

Has it worked before and stopped, or is it new?

Turn it off and back on (I know, I know, but it does solve most problems).

Apart from that, you might want to try changing the channel. If you are clashing with a close neighbour it'll cause problems.

[PeckhamRose]

I can second the idea of changing the channel (I'm with BT) but remembering how to do it is a pain!

[Sandperson]

It's a Sky router so they come ready installed with a WEP key and user name.

[Loz]

I can second the idea of changing the channel (I'm with BT) but remembering how to do it is a pain!

Quite easy on a Sky router.

1) In a browser (on a computer that is connected to the router, so hardwired, in your case) go to 192.168.0.1

2) Enter login of "Admin" and your admin password (if you've not changed it, it's 'sky')

3) Go to 'Wireless Settings' at the top of the left hand menu

4) Use the 'Channel' dropdown box to change the number. Any of them are valid. Try and pick one at least two away from your current setting.

5) Press the 'Apply' button.

Your laptop/computer automatically adjusts to the channel setting, so you don't need to change anything on that side, but you may need to disconnect and reconnect the wifi.

If you want to be really clever, you can download NetStumbler and you will be able to see the strength of your neighbours wifi signals and what channel they are using.

[Sandperson]

Loz, is there a similar programme for Mac users?

[Loz]

A quick google gives me this list.

[Sandperson]

Ouch. I shall not ask again!

[Loz]

The google comment wasn't meant in sarcasm, more of a 'I only found this, so don't blame me for it's contents"!

[JamesG]

Thank you all

In conclusion the sky router should be working? and changing channels should resolve my problems?

[Sandperson]

Loz Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> The google comment wasn't meant in sarcasm, more

> of a 'I only found this, so don't blame me for

> it's contents"!

Sorry, should have added a smiley at the end of my post but I hate them! Thanks for the info.

[Loz]

James. These are ideas, rather than guaranteed answers!

You never answered the question... was it ever working? Or has it recently stopped?

[JamesG]

Its never worked that well

Cutting in and out and mailnly out

I assumed that the dongle or the router itself was crap

[Loz]

Definitely try channel changing then. Can't guarantee it, but it sounds like the symptoms.

What's the signal strength on your computer for the router?

[Bony Fido]

Loz

From your list I recommend "Inssider" from www.metageek.net. I have had O2 broadband for over 18 months and it has always worked well on the ethernet cable, but wireless was very unreliable. I was convinced that the router was at fault but O2 support wouldn't have it. After numerous support requests one guy asked me which channel I was on (answer ch.6)and how many others were on ch. 6 in my area. When I said usually 7 or 8 he said that was far too many and told me to try any channel other than 1,6,or 11. (they run from 1 to 13, but 1,6,and 11 are the ones the broadband firms recommend, which is why every man and his dog are on them. I switched to a different channel about a month ago and have had no problem whatsoever since.

[Huguenot]

So just to confirm on that... I only need to change the channel on the router, and the various PCs in the house will still pick it up?

[EDKiwi]

Yeah that's the one, the PCs will automatically adjust to the new channel.

[JamesG]

Erh, maybe I'm being stupid but my router has no control panel and had channel 6 written on the casing?

[Sandperson]

Loz Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> > I can second the idea of changing the channel

> (I'm with BT) but remembering how to do it is a

> pain!

>

> Quite easy on a Sky router.

>

> 1) In a browser (on a computer that is connected

> to the router, so hardwired, in your case) go to

> 192.168.0.1

> 2) Enter login of "Admin" and your admin password

> (if you've not changed it, it's 'sky')

> 3) Go to 'Wireless Settings' at the top of the

> left hand menu

> 4) Use the 'Channel' dropdown box to change the

> number. Any of them are valid. Try and pick one

> at least two away from your current setting.

> 5) Press the 'Apply' button.

>

> Your laptop/computer automatically adjusts to the

> channel setting, so you don't need to change

> anything on that side, but you may need to

> disconnect and reconnect the wifi.

>

> If you want to be really clever, you can download

> NetStumbler and you will be able to see the

> strength of your neighbours wifi signals and what

> channel they are using.

The control panel should come up on your computer screen when you follow the first couple of steps that Loz laid out above.

[Loz]

Typo alert!!

2) Enter login of "Admin" and your admin password (if you've not changed it, it's 'sky')

should have read:

2) Enter login of "admin" and your admin password (if you've not changed it, it's 'sky')

The login name is case-sensitive.

[EDKiwi]

FYI, if you have a Sky or BT Homehub router it is a good idea to change the wireless key from the one printed on the sticker on the router. It seems these keys are related to the MAC address of the router and there is software out there that produces the wireless key once you enter a know MAC address.

One of my mates demostrated this for me a while back, sitting in a pub with his laptop we picked a random Sky wireless network and within minutes he was into their network and router (also a good idea to change your router password from the default too).