trying for wifi with various devices

Hey Y'all!

I have an older Netgear router (WNR1000) that I bought to use more like a splitter box - I have three wired computers connected, with one open port.

My son just got a new HP laptop and I'm trying to set up a WiFi connection for him, and trying to get the Wii set up at the same time (which I promised to look into a year ago!). My husband's Blackberry is set up there and working OK, but I can't get the other stuff on there.

The Wii says the connection is established, but my router keeps telling me the connection failed. It seemed like we got it up once, but then my husband's Blackberry disappeared. We got the phone back, but the Wii never worked properly even when it appeared on the router's list of connected devices, and then it disappeared again.

The laptop will show our home network (along with all our neighbors') but when it click on it it doesn't ask for our password or anything, it just shows a green bar, and then it says the connection failed.

I have tried Netgear's site, Nintendo, info for Windows 7 and other threads here, but I can't find anything like my problem.

Because I only have one port open, am I only able to connect one device? I thought WiFi lets you connect a bunch of stuff... or is that not true?

Thanks for your help!

legolass :confused

 

What type of security do you have set up on your router?

From what I am reading on the Wii site, the console uses a WEP encryption and does not have the WPA or WPA/PSK encryption. (Which is more secure.)
Do any specific error codes come up on the Wii connection?

For wireless connections, all the wireless devices have to use the same encryption level, so the connection would have to be on the WEP level to allow the Wii and other devices to connect.

Is it possible to wire the Wii to the router and let the other devices connect wirelessly? Using a wired connection would let the other devices work at a higher level of security depending on what they support.

Also, did you set up MAC filtering on the router? If you did, all the devices would have to be added to the Allow list in the router's configuration.

As to your question on the open port, yes the number of wireless devices is not limited. The ports are for wired devices only. You can have 4 direct wired connections or if you added a switch and wired it to the router, you could have additional wired connections at the switch.

 

Hi lbmest!

I have WPA-PSK[TKIP] + WPA2-PSK[AES] set under Security.

I didn't get an error message on the Wii - it says there is a connection, but it can't connect to the internet. It's too far away from the router for wires.

Then, I checked the access/MAC thing, and it was set to restricted. So clearly that was the problem (thank you!!). I took it off, and the laptop works, the phone works, and even the Wii works, but the connection on the Wii isn't good, and it cuts in and out. I guess it's too far away (and there's a wall).

So, next question...
On the Wii it gives an option to connect using a Nintendo USB adapter. Would that give a better connection? And if so, would a Netgear USB adapter (which I already have) work just as well, or does it HAVE to be Nintendo? Also, we have internet through the phone and there is a phone jack right by the TV because we have satellite and can get movies that way. Is there a way to use the phone connection for the Wii?

Sorry for all the questions, but you've probably figured out by now I don't have a clue...

Thanks for your patience!

legolass

 

Is it possible to move the router and/or Wii around slightly? For example put router on top of shelf where it is sitting or put Wii in different spot or move stuff away from them? That may solve your connection problem.

I have not a clue but I would try your adapter first before spending anything more for a proprietary adapter.

Not knowing what your provider is or has set up, I don't know.
Check some of their FAQ/support items for possible solutions.

 

Thanks, lbmest. I can't move the router setup, but I will try the adapter I have. I just wondered if generally you get a better signal that way instead of the WiFi method, since I've never actually used either.

And I will check w/the provider re the phone jack... I should have thought of that!! :-o

Thanks for all your help!

legolass :wave

 

It is still WiFi, just a USB connection instead of ethernet. I'm sure someone has done a comparison between the two types but if it is manufactured to a specific standard, a, b, g or n, the minimum speeds should be the same. Max speed, distance and environmental interference would be the variables in choosing which to go with.