Linksys wireless connection problem

My laptop picks up the wireless signal, excellent strength. It even auto connects so it says 'connected' in the tray popup icon. When I try to connect it says it's having problems with accessing the DNS server...what does that mean, what do I need to do? Tried hitting the reset button but nada.

 

google your ISP's dns servers is likely the easiest answer. I googled qwest DNS servers and the thrid result showed the answer without even opening the page.
(Primary DNS server, 205.171.3.65. Secondary DNS server, 205.171.2.65. Mail: Incoming and Outgoing ( SMTP ) server, See below.)

Your ISP likely has their DNS servers listed online too. If you can't find it there are some public dns servers.

 

OK, but whwere do I put them in at ??? Can you give me the step-by-step, 1-2-3. I don't have the benefit of sitting at my computer and emailing you (obviously). I have to take your recommendations and go home in hopes I understood them correctly. I know the ethernet cable works going in to the wireless router I just don't know how to navigate changes; like here to address this DNS server issue

Thanks, thanks, thanks...

 

My first question is are you using an ethernet cable to connect your laptop to your wireless router? If so you need to be accessing the net via the local area connection (LAN) NIC not the wireless one.

If it's your router that needs the DNS settings you will have to access the web address found on your router documentation and navigate to the settings section to proceed.

To answer your question though, the following are the steps for entering your ISP's DNS into your network connection settings:
On your laptop, open network connections-in XP you'll find that right off of the start menu if it's Vista you'll find Network and Sharing Center in the Control Panel (available off of the start menu)
XP- click start and then click network connections. Right click your wireless connections and go down to properties- click to open.
Now locate within the white box "Internet Protocol TCP/IP" and double click on it.
Here you will be required to fill in a static IP address, use 255.255.255.0 for your subnet mask and your gateway (=router IP address which hopefully you changed when you set the router up)
* In Vista once you have opened the Network and Sharing Center click on view status and then on advanced to get to the connection properties then proceed as above.

Hope this helps!

 

Thanks Meick, but i have another question. i'm using windows 7. when i open up the wireless connections, properties and protocol i have 'connect automatically' checke. no ip address entered. this works everwhere else i go, like various hotspots.

i can pickup the wireless network OK, and i have the password now, bt my computer searches and does not logon???

does this network have to add my computer??? i am reluctant to change protocol as you suggested only because i do not want to lose the ability to auto connect to various hottspot networks. why won't this network connect automatically???

 

Well I just did some reading and the following links will probably get you to an answer better than I can give you (I'm new to Win 7- so not a great idea for me to mouth off about what I am only slightly familiar with :-o )

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee617165%28WS.10%29.aspx

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc770433%28WS.10%29.aspx

This one is probably your best bet

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg252558%28WS.10%29.aspx