Anyon with techno know-how please help us?

[clocketpatch]

Alright, I have limited techie knowledge, but the situation is this: our internet works fine when the computer is plugged in directly to the Rogers modem, but as soon as I hook up the D-link router (which has worked more or less flawlessly for the past two years) I get a message telling me that "a network connection is unplugged" and no one can access the internet.

All of the cables are clearly plugged in. I've reset the bloody thing at least twenty times, and before you ask YES it is turned on, and all the lights are on too. I changed the cables.

Any idea of why this might be happening? The lack of wireless is driving us up the wall, and I don't want to have people invading my room to check their emails for the next six months.

Comments

[garpu.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a bad router. I had a d-link one that did that out of the box. Replaced it with a Linksys router and never had a problem since. :)

[clocketpatch]

I kind of figured that, but my denial is never ending because I don't want to shell out for a new one *mutters darkly*

[abbyromana.livejournal.com]

I have to concur with garpu, CP. From your explanation, most likely it sounds like your router has gone bad. :(

I suggest investing in a new one, perhaps if there's enough people in your house who want to share, you can split the cost of a new router. I know Walmart or Best Buy might have sales on it... or whatever the equivalent is in Canada.

*hugz*

[alto2.livejournal.com]

Does the internet work when you plug a cable into the router, too? If the modem works, something's up with the router. Is it set up properly? If so, it's a question of whether it's totally defunct or whether it's just the wireless, but in your situation, that may not much matter. I'd check all the router settings (you DO know them, right?) and then take appropriate action. You could also call the router company for tech support. They'll help you make a final determination on whether you need a new one or not.

[clocketpatch]

Er... router settings?

I did call the tech support but they just told me to check the cables. Oh, and that the router is no longer under warranty.

[alto2.livejournal.com]

Yes, router settings. They all have them. They are outlined in the instructions that come with your router, which I hope someone read, and unless you want people stealing your internet and downloading ginormous files on it without your knowledge, much less your consent, you should set them up, as they include things like WEP passwords to keep those people out. You should not EVER purchase a wireless router, plug it in, and go on your merry way as if nothing more needs to be done. It DOES.

You should call tech support back and tell them that you want to speak to someone competent who will help you set your router up properly. Including security. At the bare minimum, this will require a wired connection to the router to be sure that it works, which will answer your major question. If you have to replace it, PROMISE ME you will set the new one up properly from the get-go.

[clocketpatch]

Oh! Yes, we've got the password and that set-up done, and it's been working merrily for two years. Sorry, mindblank, I thought you were talking about something different; like, something might have been switched off somewhere or I needed to check if a default setting was doing something.

I'd never use my internet without security; that's just asking for trouble.

Thanks for the help though, and I will call back the router people. I hate costumer service drones; I end up getting frustrated and just hanging up, and that gets you nowhere.

[alto2.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you've been password-protected after all. I fail to comprehend people like my parents, who left their connections open for years (though it does make it easier to grab internet when you need it while visiting someone else...but then, that's why it's bad in the first place!).

There are other settings that could be screwing things up, but without knowing what all's available on your router/allowed on your ISP/etc, I can't even begin to tell you where to look. CS drones are terrible, which is why I suggested asking them to help you set up security--it gives them something to focus on and will allow you to point out that hey, nothing's happening! The first thing to check, though, is whether your computer can see the router at all, and that you should be able to do on your own. If you bookmarked the IP for the router, go there and see if anything happens. If you didn't, you'll have to find it in the documentation, but either way, if you don't even get a response, you're probably hosed. The only other thing you could try on your own is a new cable, just to be sure (you never know--they can go bad!).