Router/Networking Questions.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 8:45 pm

I just obtained a Microsoft MN-500 wireless base station with a MN 510 wireless adaptor.

Question 1: I've got a Motorola Cable Modem that has both ethernet and USB connections. Can I use both? I've got the USB going to my main PC, and am running the Base Station off the ethernet. I'm just trying to avoid sticking an ethernet card into my PC.

Question 2: As said - this setup was given to me. I got everything installed on my main PC and it's working fine. However, I loaded the software and hooked the adaptor up to the other PC and it wants an encryption code. The box was lost long ago (which I'm sure had the code on it). Plus - the adaptor must still be configured to the previous owner's PC, as it shows his name as networking choices. What to do about that?

TIA........

ElTaco · Post by **ElTaco** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 8:24 pm

The problem with your reception is that you are in the way. Wireless signals can't go through you and you being your size, they can't go around you.

Fat jokes never get old.

Anyway the answer to question 1 is, no you can't use the ethernet and usb at the same time. I haven't actually tried using them at the same time, but its 1: clearly stated in the install that you can't do it and 2: not really possible because the cable/dsl modems are only made for one connection. You will need to run an ethernet connection from your Modem to your Wireless router and then connect your wireless router to your PC. If you don't want to install an ethernet card, buy a wireless USB thing for your PC. Its a wireless 'device' that connects to your PC through the USB port.

Question 2 is freaking confusing as hell. What software did you insall? The software to controll your router or the drivers for your network card?
Encryption code? I've set up the netgear routers and they too come with software but the software doesn't require a software key. The username and password was not called encryption code and the only thing that was called 'encryption' anything was the encryption key that you could set under the wireless settings if you enabled shared key authentication and WEP encryption. It didn't require the box or anything, you set it to a key phrase or something that you wanted.

If there is some key that you are required from the box, you will need to call the support line and see if they can help you. Otherwise I think you just got confused and need to read the instructions a little more carefully.

If its some othersoftware then all of this is null and void and you need to specify it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Feb 12, 2005 4:39 am

ElTaco wrote:The problem with your reception is that you are in the way. Wireless signals can't go through you and you being your size, they can't go around you.

Fat jokes never get old.

Anyway the answer to question 1 is, no you can't use the ethernet and usb at the same time. I haven't actually tried using them at the same time, but its 1: clearly stated in the install that you can't do it and 2: not really possible because the cable/dsl modems are only made for one connection. You will need to run an ethernet connection from your Modem to your Wireless router and then connect your wireless router to your PC. If you don't want to install an ethernet card, buy a wireless USB thing for your PC. Its a wireless 'device' that connects to your PC through the USB port.

Question 2 is freaking confusing as hell. What software did you insall? The software to controll your router or the drivers for your network card?
Encryption code? I've set up the netgear routers and they too come with software but the software doesn't require a software key. The username and password was not called encryption code and the only thing that was called 'encryption' anything was the encryption key that you could set under the wireless settings if you enabled shared key authentication and WEP encryption. It didn't require the box or anything, you set it to a key phrase or something that you wanted.

If there is some key that you are required from the box, you will need to call the support line and see if they can help you. Otherwise I think you just got confused and need to read the instructions a little more carefully.

If its some othersoftware then all of this is null and void and you need to specify it.

Thanks, ET. I was trying to run them both off the same modem, so I've got a feeling that's the problem.

Gonna install the ethernet card in the laptop tomorrow, so we'll see if that will do the trick...

Thanks again.

Atomic Punk · Post by **Atomic Punk** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:57 am

There is an optional non-WEP encryption code some wireless gear lets you input. For example, I just wrote a word in the router and it made it's own encryption while looking like a passwork. So when I setup the wireless card all I had to do is enter the password.

It doesn't sound really secure, but since I'm putting out a strong wireless signal, I keep people from using my bandwidth let alone seeing my network with the firewall.

ElTaco · Post by **ElTaco** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:16 pm

Are you talking about WPA? WEP doesn't allow for a seperate password from the WEP key. Its one of the reasons why WEP is so unsecure. WPA is available on the newer routers for about a year and a half now and it seperates out the password from the encryption key so that they are two seperate things. WPA is much better then WEP.

Headhunter · Post by **Headhunter** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 5:36 pm

If you got this set-up from someone else, I'd highly recommend resetting it to factory defaults and setting up from scratch. especially since it's wireless. Not sure about NetGear, but Linksys has a reset button that if you hold in for 10 seconds it restores factory defaults. You'll also want to change the deafult address of the router. Hackers typically look for wireless networks on the standard addresses. You'll also want to have your own password to access the routers configuration. You'll also want to limit the number on allowed connections to only the number of PC's you have.

Atomic Punk · Post by **Atomic Punk** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:54 am

ElTaco wrote:Are you talking about WPA? WEP doesn't allow for a seperate password from the WEP key. Its one of the reasons why WEP is so unsecure. WPA is available on the newer routers for about a year and a half now and it seperates out the password from the encryption key so that they are two seperate things. WPA is much better then WEP.

Yes, it's WPA and is in my new Belkin 54g. The Belkin 54g PCMCIA card does a nice little job talking to the mother ship. ;) It seems to anyone that it's just a simple password but it is what creates the key.

I turned off my annoying built-in Centrino connection for at home use. If I have the need to need a Wi-Fi hot spot then I'll re-enable it for that time or just plug in a CAT-5 cable to wall jack somewhere.