Wireless can't connect to net

I'm about to move to my new house.. but oh boy.. the networking there is horrible.

I just got Roadrunner activated there today (previous owner had it before, so I just had it reactivated basically).

Anyways the setup is from the Cable Modem to the Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router. I am unsure of the model but from Linksys' website, both are pretty much the same (it's the one-touch security one).

The problem is pretty easy to figure out. I wanted to keep leechers from using my wireless so I used the setup to created a keypass for my network using "WAP". The keypass is "12345" (as example obviously).

Anyways here's the problem...
Regardless if I connect through wireless (with the keypass "12345", which allows me to get an IP address from the router) OR just regular cat5 cable connect directly to the router....

I can not access anything on the internet at all.

If I disable all that with "no security", I can access the internet either wireless or cat5.

What exactly am I missing for the passkey and such? I thought if I had the passkey & wireless network key it would allow me to gain an IP from the router (which it does) BUT also access the internet... but apparently that wasn't the case. I also thought even with direct connect via cat5 would allow it (but it didn't).

 

Are you using a MAC address filter on router?

 

Wireless security setting should not affect the wire connection at all.

So I have the feeling that you are not using corrcetly the pass word system.

Look at the manual.

As for Wireless, from the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.
No Security
MAC
WEP
WPA-PSK
WPA-AES
WPA2
The documentation of your Wireless devices (Wireless Router, and Wireless Computers Card) should state the type of security that is available with your Wireless hardware.
All devices MUST be set to the same security level using the same pass phrase.
Therefore the security must be set according what ever is the best possible of one of the Wireless devices.
I.e. even if most of your system might be capable to be configured to the max. with WPA2, but one device is only capable to be configured to max . of WEP, to whole system must be configured to WEP.
If you need more good security and one device (like a Wireless card that can do WEP only) is holding better security for the whole Network, replace the device with a better one.
Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

.

 

Thank you for the responses. I checked and the MAC filtering was not enabled.

Anyways I think cat5e was correct about the password or so... but sadly, there is NO instruction manual that came with the Linksys Wireless - G Broadband Router.

It did have a help manual (used when you use that "setup cd") but it did not really help much as all as in what is the difference between the features and such.

Thanks for that list cat5e, so based on your post.. I assume that even if all the computers have a high level security ability (WPA2).. if there is one computer that can only access to the highest of "WPA-PSK" then ALL computers must downgrade the wireless security to "WPA-PSK" correct?

I'm trying to understand this since I heard like the Nintendo Wii uses WPA2 so that is why I originally wanted to put the wireless security to WPA2 (so whenever I buy it in the future, I will have it setup). I didn't know if it was backward compatible or not.

Frankly, the main reason I wanted some "security" is to prevent any leechers from using my internet. :major But also having some encrpytion and stuff when transfering data through wireless is a good thing too (hence is my second reason).

Currently I believe I got my network fixed as both wireless and cat5e connection is working. I had to downgrade from WPA2 to WPA-PSK which worked for my laptop and my other computers (both wireless and wired).

Of course I could use MAC Filtering so only the computers I know in my house could use the wireless... but that would just be a pain and problem if friends bring their computer(s) and the MAC changes from hardware or whatnot. Hence, I think having a keypass is good enough since unless you know the keypass you can't access my wireless net.

Thank you very much.

I do have one more question...
If I turn off my wireless router and cable modem (or there is a huge blackout), would I have to reconfigure the whole process again or everything should be fine and able to connect when power is back?

The reason why I asked this is during the whole process of moving into my new house... I disconnect the power to the cable and wireless router until I return back there to move more stuff.

I noticed that even though I get the IP from the router.. I was unable to connect to the internet at all.

I found out that I had to do the whole "setup wizard" reconfiguring (although it did remember the latest settings I inputted last time I configured it).

Then today I realized that it might be the cat5 from the cable to router that could be damaged.

Basically I wanted to make sure and get a confirmation about the "power on/off" the router/cablemodem (if reconfiguring is needed).

The answer will determine if I should buy an extra individual UPS batterybackup for the router/cablemodem itself so I don't have to go through the pain of reconfiguring everytime if blackouts or something.

 

Apparently I can't edit my previous message as I would like to add one more question.

My network is basically a cable modem -> wireless router. From there I could hook up a port to any of my 5 cat5 outlet in my house.

Currently only one outlet is hooked to my router which is where my computer study room is... but the thing is there is more than one computer (three to be exact).

I tried using a "switch" which is hooked to the cat5 outlet and then have all three of my computers hooked up on the switch.. but for some reason none could get on the net (nor get an IP).

Is this structure possible as:
Cable Modem -> Linksys Wireless G Broadband Router -> Cat5 Outlet (#3) -> Linksys 5-port Workgroup Switch -> (all my computers)

or do I need to replace a switch with another router?

 

Yes its possibly, but you would have to put it in the uplink port on your switch, or use a crossover cable.

 

Yes you are correct. I did have it on the uplink port.. but I think I found out the problem.

Apparently if I have a cat5 hooked up on the Switch's port 5.. it will cause that problem.

After moving it from Port 5 to Port 4... the connection was possible (gotten IP, able to connect to the net).

Well, all the question that is left is the one about the "wireless router". If there is a blackout (or shutdown) of the wireless.. would I have to reconfigure it again or not?

Please refer to my 03-11-07 13:17 post for detailed information about the situation.

Thanks!

 

Master LL
I too have a the same router, and as far as I can tell as long as the settings are saved on the router and you dont hit the reset button on the back, the setting will be stored. I have moved my router upstairs and downstairs, and have never had a problem.
hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Anyways, apparently I have a problem with this networking. Basically my network structure is like this:


Cable Modem -> Wireless Router -> (Port 1) Switch -> Computers

Port 2-4 has no other Cat5e since nowhere else in the house requires any network connection currently.

Anyways, when it blacks out, my Cable Modem and Wireless Router resets since it does not have any UPS while my Switch and Computers does.

When that happens, I lose connections and can not get back online. In order to fix this problem.. I have to turn off the cable modem, wireless router and switch (manually in that order).. then then them back on in that order stated specifically.

Is there a workaround so I don't have to do this every time there is a blackout?