Help getting wireless internet setup

jaysus · 6 Jan 2010 at 20:33

My PC has a knackered display, so I bought a netbook (with wireless capabilities) so I can get proper internet rather than trying to use my phone.

I had a netgear wireless router in the loft that I'd never used. I got it out, connected it to my (Virgin) modem. It initially showed up, but long story short before I connected it the router stopped showing up on the list. I've tried rebooting both router and modem with no joy. The light for 'internet' shows a solid green light but the 'wireless' icon is unlit.

I've no prior experience of wireless networking, and I'm out of ideas. Anyone able to help?

Duke · 6 Jan 2010 at 20:46

First thing to do would be a reset of the router itself. There should be a small button to press with the end of a paper clip at the rear of the router. Push it in for a seconds until the lights flash or go off. It will factor reset the router. Once it comes back on, plug your netbook into the router with a cable and open IE. It should come up with the Netgear configuration page - if not you can manually put http://192.168.0.1 into the address bar. Set up the wireless (name and security - preferable WPA or WPA2) and save changes. Then connect via wireless and see how you go.

Whether that works or not, it is probably worth flashing the router with the latest firmware which you can download from the Netgear website. This can give some new features and may improve the wireless generally.

jaysus · 6 Jan 2010 at 21:08

Is there any other way of doing it? I've rebooted the router a few times with no success, and I can't find a spare ethernet cable to connect the router to the netbook.

jaysus · 6 Jan 2010 at 21:16

Ignore my last, found a spare ethernet cable. Will give the above a go.

wij · 6 Jan 2010 at 21:17

Take the one out of the virgin modem and just use that to connect your computer to the router in the time being maybe?

You don't really have much of a choice, rebooting it will do sweet FA if the wireless is disabled in the config.

Duke · 6 Jan 2010 at 21:41

wij said:
Take the one out of the virgin modem and just use that to connect your computer to the router in the time being maybe?

You don't really have much of a choice, rebooting it will do sweet FA if the wireless is disabled in the config.

Yup, just use the other cable for now.