Connecting Devices to Wireless Network (most routers, most devices, most clients)

[pmagony]

Et al,

I just wanted to share my experience with my current E3000 router (and past routers).  I have 3 computers in total: 2 desktops and 1 laptop.

1. My primary PC is connected physically to my router.

2. My (downstairs) laptop is connected to the wireless.

3. My other PC connects to the wireless network via USB wireless adapter.

I was having issues getting #3 connected to the wireless network.  I used the Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ PIN number provided to me by the Linksys Wireless Manager to no avail.  The E3000 router and #3 could never find each other.

After calling support, it turns out that more often than not, "other" wirless management software (in my case Linksys  Wireless Manager that came with the USB device) was interfering with my Windows XP Wireless Manager.

Rule of thumb: Always let your native operating system manage the wirless networks that are available to it.  It does a far better job and is 10x more reliable than software provided by 3rd party vendors.

Specific to my case: Windows XP, I had to enable the Windows Wireless Manager and uninstall the Linksys Wireless Manager Software. Here it is...

Enabling Windows Wireless Manager

These directions are for Windows XP:

1) From the Windows Start menu, click Control Panel.

2) Click Network and Internet Connections.

3) Click Network Connections.

4) Right-click the icon for your "wireless network connection", then click Properties.

5) At the top of the window, click the Wireless Networks tab.

If the "Wireless Networks" tab does not appear between the "General" and "Advanced" tabs, you are not on/in the wireless network connection settings:

a) click cancel
b) Right-click the icon for your wireless connection and choose "Enable". 
c) return to step 4 

6) Check the checkbox next to "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings".

These directions are for Windows Vista:

1) Go to the Windows start menu and then the control panel.

2) Open Network and Sharing Center.

3) Click Manage Network Connections (from the left side menu).

4) Right click on the network adapter 'Wireless Network Connection' and choose "Properties" and click "Continue".

5) At the top of the window, click the "Wireless Networks" tab.

If the "Wireless Networks" tab does not appear between the "General" and "Advanced" tabs: 
a) click cancel 
b) Right-click the icon for your wireless connection and choose "Enable". 
c) Return to step 4

6) Check the checkbox next to "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings".

Hope this helps!

[jamesphillips]

just reinstalled my router and now i have 2 network devices that i did not put on..is this someone piggy back on my network and if so how do i find out? I know you can track them as intruders but how do i find out if that is what they are?

[Prestoweb]

If you only have one device (computer) connected to your router, then you should find the MAC address for your device and your router, and compare it to the DHCP table in the Advanced settings.  If there is additional MAC addresses connected to your network, then you might have to block/filter them.  I had to do that recently because a neighbor kept connecting to my internet while he was on his deck outside near my house.

[sleepy_ep]

I'm trying to add my blackberry bold 9700 to my network through the "connecting a device" on cisco connect.

When I find my network on my blackberry, it tells me to input a pin into the router provided by my blackberry.  Where do I input that pin to the router?

Thank you

[pmwatkins]

Do you happen to know the step by step for Windows 7 OS (64 bit)?  I am having the same issues...6 out of 7 devices are working fine from my E3000, but I have a new Acer desktop that shows my network, but can't get internet connection.

[vickey-1973@hotmail.com]

Unable to get wireless hook up with the ps3, keeps asking for a pin

[kawal]

vickey, is it actually looking for a PIN code, or could it be the WEP or WPA security code to connect to the wireless network?

[Aille]

I was not given a General, Advanced or Wireless Network tab when trying to Enable my Wireless Network Connection.  I have disabled and re-enabled it several times with Windows vista in the Network Connections Window, but when I open it, the only tabs I have are Networking and Sharing.  I'd like to get my husband connected to our new E3000.