Need Some Help Setting Up LinkSys Wireless Router

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DrGrafix · #1 Post by **DrGrafix** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 9:41 pm

I finally attempted to install my wireless router tonight and I'm having a few issues, so maybe someone with a better understanding of networking will gently guide me in the right direction. Before I get started, let me give you a snapshot of myhome network.

The main PC is connected to the internet via a toshiba cable modem and that is connected to the LinkSys WRT54G wireless router. I obviously have internet acces this moment or I could not be witing! All my PCs use W2K other than the notebook which is XPP. OK, I have C5 cables plugged into the three (3) other ports on the rear of the wireless router. One goes upstairs to my wife's machine which is not on 24/7 so we'll dismiss that one. Another cable goes to my HP JetDirect Print Server which is connected to a HP DeskJet 1220cxi and a HP LaserJet 5p. The last cable is connected to a LinkSys switch in another room in my basement where I have two PCs connected to the Switch via C5 cables. This whole setup ran like a charm for the past 12 months or so with an "ordinary" LinkSys Cable/DSL router but of course I want the wireless link so I can use my T30 anywhere in the house (theoretically).

When I use Explorer to expand my home network, all I see right now is the PC I'm writing this on... the one that has the cable modem and (hard-wired) wireless router. I can't seem to print, no can I see my other PCs and of course... they cannot get out on the internet like they could with the "old" LinkSys router. One small difference in the routers is that the regular router has a WAN/4 ports/and an "UPLINK" port. The Wireless Router does not have an Uplink. I tried hooking up one of the other computers to the line that roan to the switch, but NADA.

I have all the IP addresses for the other PCs handy, but when I try to use the installation wizard on the CD, I'm told it's already connected to the internet so quit the cd.

So the question of the hour is how do I get all these PCs back online and also able to talk to each other... plus I need to get my printers back online too. Thanks in advance guys!

BTW, I should note that the wireless link works great with the T30! It's just the desktops that are giving me trouble.

Mike

gosha16 · #2 Post by **gosha16** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 2:12 pm

hold on a sec, first things first. when did you loose connectivity to those comps? after you set up the wireless link?

DrGrafix · #3 Post by **DrGrafix** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 4:52 pm

I can't really say, because the notebook was the last thing I tried. All I know is that I can't see my network, and I obviously can't communicate across any machines except this primary one and the notebook at this time. The notebook seems to be working fine, didn't have to make any setting changes, it was like it was all automatically detected.

Is there any kind of diagnostic program or utility that I can run and check out each machine? Should I be entering the IP address of each machine either in the LinkSys setup or maybe in ZoneAlarm?

OK... 1-hour later update. I updated the ZA in this desktop, and I can now see the other desktops. Hooray! BUT... In the one machine where I normally communicate from I have ZAP installed and it's showing more than one network... that shouldn't be should it?

Mike

ibmuser · #4 Post by **ibmuser** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 6:18 pm

i had a somewhat different issue, but finally got things to work once i downloaded the firmware upgrade for the router. not sure this helps, but might be worth consdiering

http://www.linksys.com/download/firmware.asp

DrGrafix · #5 Post by **DrGrafix** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 7:57 pm

My firmware version was V2.02 and I guess the latest is V2.07 so I did the upgrade flash... wow, LinkSys has come a long way... was that slick or what? And yup... everything seems to be working OK now except ZAP is showing multiple networks and when I try to remove one it says I can't remove active networks.

I did call LinkSys and where they fall short is the outsourcing of tech support. I had a gal from India or Pakistan and I honestly could just barely understand her because her English was was so lilted. No offense to our friends in India or wherever, but when they do this kind of outsourcing they should really screen the techies to make sure that everyone can be completely understood without having to ask them to repeat everything 5 times. She did not have an answer other than I should download new drivers for my LinkSys NIC.

Mike

DrGrafix · #6 Post by **DrGrafix** » Wed Jun 30, 2004 6:55 am

Thought I was all set because I had access to the net and could share files, but there's still a weird hitch. I use a HP JetDirect print server on my home LAN and for some strange reason it's no longer being detected. So I can't print to either of my printers.

I downloaded the latest HP software for the JetDirect unit, and the wizard can't find anything. I'm also not sure what the IP address of the server would be because you can't do an "ipconfig" on a hardware device, and especially one that isn't showing up when you try to discover it.

Anyone here have any experience with W2K, a LinkSys Router, and a HP JetDirect? I know that's a lot to ask <grin>.

Mike

ibmuser · #7 Post by **ibmuser** » Thu Jul 01, 2004 1:02 am

1. Make sure DHCP is enabled on the router (by default it is).
2. Power cycle the JetDirect & make sure you wait a couple minutes before printing the status page, to give DHCP a chance to finish (even when you print the test page, hold the button for a minuite at least).
3. If you still don't receive an address, make sure you are using a standard cable (same kind that you are using between the PC & router) in lieu of a crossover type cable.

DrGrafix · #8 Post by **DrGrafix** » Thu Jul 01, 2004 2:46 pm

Thanks... Got the main PC to print out to both printers. Now, a few last issues:
1. With regard to setting up other PCs so they can print, do I have to make sure the printers are shared on the main PC?
2. When you set up other PCs to use those printers that are on the HP JetDirect unit, do you need to automatically detect them by clicking on "Add Printer" or is it done manually?
3. Further... do you install them on other PCs as "Local" or "Network" printers?
4. If using ZoneAlarm, do the printers need to be identified by IP address somewhere?

Great Help.

Mike

ibmuser · #9 Post by **ibmuser** » Sat Jul 03, 2004 11:51 am

Can you ping the IP address?
Type "PING xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx" in a prompt screen.
The IP address of the printer needs to be in the same subnet as your computer.
When it is, you can enter the IP address in a web browser and configure the jetdirect there.

ibmuser · #10 Post by **ibmuser** » Sat Jul 03, 2004 11:58 am

Forgot to add that once you install a printer, you should choose a network printer, or a printer that is attached to another computer.You can then browse to the shared printer, provided that it and the computer it is attached to are turned on and accessible on the network, and then complete the installation.

DrGrafix · #11 Post by **DrGrafix** » Mon Jul 05, 2004 9:28 am

IBMUser...

First of all, thanks for trying to help me out. I really appreciate it as I am not a very good networking person. I think I have to start from scratch on this because nothing I've tried so far seems to work consistently on multiple PCs. Let me try to describe everything so maybe we can work this out:

1. I have a cable internet connection and it goes from the modem to the router and then to PC#1.
2. PC#2 & PC#3 are connected to the router via a 35 foot cable and a LinkSys Switch, they are located in a different room in my basement.
3. PC#4 (upstairs) is connected directly to the router via 50 feet of cable, and my T30 notebook is working perfectly in the wireless mode.
4. All these PCs have access to the internet and I can see them on my local LAN in Network Places or Windows Explorer.
5. I have two (2) printers, a HP DeskJet 1220Cxi color wide-body, and a HP LaserJet 5p B&W. Both are connected to a HP JetDirect Plus3 external print server. The JetDirect device is connected to the LinkSys WRT54G router via cable.
6. I have tried to install the printers as local printers, whereby they are supposedly accessed through PC#1 if you're wanting to print from PC#2. It's not working. When I use the HP JetDirect Printer Install wizard, it cannot detect any printers.
7. I tried to PING the printer but got 100% loss in 4 tries so I know that I'm not really seeing it as a network printer.
8. Here's some advice someone else gave me, but I'm not sure I can get it to work:

A. The default LAN IP of the LinkSys WRT54G wireless router is 192.168.1.1.
B. You have to install the Bi-Admin Utility of the JetDirect Print server on one of your computers (OK, installed on PC#1).
C. To detect the Print server, you need to disable the Zone Alarm on that particular computer, the one with the JetDirect (Bi-Admin) software installed on it.
D. Then launch the Bi-Admin and assign your Print server with a Static IP as follows:

IP Address: 192.168.1.77
Netmask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1)

Finally, add a New Printer and create a New Port using the TCP/IP.

So... if the above was true, then I should be able to print from any computer after the printer has been installed as a "network" printer (I think) and of course... noted as shared. I'm almost tempted to go out and buy a Networking For Dummies book if it has some reference in it on setting up the network like I expect it to be.

Of course, if it's impossible to set these printers up as network printers, then by all means hit me hard on the knuckles!

And of course, if anyone else wants to jump in and (smash my knuckles) point out why

I'm not succeeding here, please feel free to chime in.

Regards...

Mike

JHEM · #12 Post by **JHEM** » Mon Jul 05, 2004 12:44 pm

Mike,

Connect the LaserJet to the LPT1 port on computer #1, connect the DeskJet to a USB port on the same computer. Set both printers as LOCAL and SHARED BY ALL.

Only downside is that computer #1 has to be ON in order to print.

Or: http://support.microsoft.com/default.as ... bContent=1

KISS!

Regards,

James

DrGrafix · #13 Post by **DrGrafix** » Mon Jul 05, 2004 4:42 pm

James...

That would obviously be my last resort. The one thing preventing it is the fact that yes... that PC#1 would always have to be on to enable printing. That plus the fact that logistically, you'd have to live in my space to know that unless I buy 15' USB and Parallel cables, it's not going to reach, and I can't easily move things around.

But since I know the HP JetDirect unit works (been using it for over 3 years) I won't toss it just yet. This is a setup issue and the only new element in the mix is the WRT54G router which when installed, jumbled up the IP stuff because of different defaults. Otherwise it (the JetDirect) was working fine up until a week or so ago when I swapped routers out.

Now that soulnds simple enough, but as I pointed out earlier, my networking skills are very limited, and I'm afraid that I'm just flubbing the setup in some way or another. Meanwhile, all the PCs are able to get on the net and communicate with each other just fine. I've got to determine if the print server has to be listed in the LinkSys software to be recognized or addressed. LinkSys doesn't give you a full manual with the router, just a sheet in four languages.

Mike

#14 Post by **JaneL** » Mon Jul 05, 2004 4:47 pm

Mike,

Have you tried getting help in the LinkSys forum at http://www.dslreports.com/forum/linksys ? There are a few LinkSys people that hang out there.

Hope this helps!

DrGrafix · #15 Post by **DrGrafix** » Mon Jul 05, 2004 5:39 pm

Thanks Nonny... giving that a try right now.

Mike

ibmuser · #16 Post by **ibmuser** » Mon Jul 05, 2004 10:59 pm

seem like the last few posts should get you going. i'm not sure what else you could do offhand. you'd think setting things like this up could be simpler these days, but alas, we're all made to feel like idiots. good luck!

DrGrafix · #17 Post by **DrGrafix** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 3:00 pm

Everyone... thanks for all the help. We did get everything squared away and printing using the JetDirect. Changed the starting point of the IP handouts and that seemed to put everything in place.

Needless to say, while it's all printing and working like a charm, I will keep my eyes open for a LinkSys EPSX3 3-port Print Server only because it would have installation software and if/when I rebuild my system, it might be smoother.

With that in mind, if anyone wants to work a deal, I would trade my LinkSys BEFSR41 Cable/DSL router for a EPSX3 and maybe include some cash as well.

Mike

Need Some Help Setting Up LinkSys Wireless Router

Need Some Help Setting Up LinkSys Wireless Router

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