Netgear Vs Belkin Vs AOL - Aaaargh - please help

dear forum,
Please bear with me, this might be a long piece :zzz.
I posted a thread some time ago regarding my ethernet adaptor missing and not able to get back on my netgear router. I d/loaded various adaptors - still no joy (they wont install). Anyway..... I was told that I wouldnt need an ethernet adaptor if I bought a 54mbps wirleess USB Belkin adapter (F5D7050).
All is NOT good. I bought it from PC World (yeah, yeah, I know lol) and they assured me it was a simple process. I set it up, installed it and it all went fine. I plugged in my netgear router (DG834gv3) and it detected this also - no problem BUT, although theres an excellent signal between USB and router, I cant connect to AOL. I have been into I.E to try configure the routers options (at their webpage 192.168.0.1) to no avail. In the last 2 days I have rang AOL to talk me through it (costing me in total 30 English pounds ) and they are now telling me I have no IP address and need to seek the vendor of my machine....WTF??????
When I click on the webpage set up ADSL settings it says I have no IP. I am totally baffled. Im back on my modem AGAIN after spending money calling AOL and money on this Belkin adapter and really really p***d off with it all now :crybaby:crybaby
I really am at a loss as to what to do next, Ive spent over 30 hours in the last 2 days trying to sort this and just getting more frustrated.
I have enclosed some screen shots below. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, if anyone has ANY ideas of helping me, I'd be most appreciative. I'm using win XP service pack 2 - for the record.
Many thanks in advance:
Skinno
P.s see next reply post from me for last 2 attachments - thanks

 

..........last 2 attachments - sorry about this.
Many thanks
Skinno x

 

so i take it you have broadband with aol (dsl/cable), and although you are always connected, you have to login with your username/password?

what comp are you on writing this with (accessing the internet)? do you have another comp in your household, that you can test your router with? what all did they have you do (reset router, reset modem)?

you only had 1 last pic. was there another? - sos

edit - do you have a firewall? if so what (windows, zonealarm)? have you disabled it for testing purposes?

 

Hi Sos,
Yes I am on AOL broadband dsl/cable and connecting by my BT Voyager 105 modem at the moment. This is why it's so annoying, as I only have this one PC in my house so after messing about for ages with the router and Belkin adapter, I have to unplug everything and go back to this modem just to get back online again to come to the forum etc.
When Im plugged in to the modem, there is (usually) a connection here yes but to get online to AOL I have to use my username and password.
I have windows firewall which I have disabled when trying to connect the router.
Basically the AOL tech team I rang were useless. Cost me a fortune and told me very little (in VERY broken English), I dont think they knew what they were talking about, they put me on hold 5 times. The last person I spoke with there said that I have no IP address and that I needed to go to PC World with my PC to ask them what my IP was - lol.
I have reset the router a few times yes.
The pic I meant to include last time is attached here. It's the 'router status' from yesterday when I was trying to get my IP sorted. Ive also enclosed another screen shot that I have just taken now, showing my current connection using the modem.
Many thanks:
Skinno
edit....ps, my modem status says this ---->>

State = Data
Modulation = G.DMT
Rx Data Rate = 7616 kbps
Tx Data Rate = 448 kbps

 

well skinno, i'm kinda at a loss. i have dsl myself (att now, was sbc). and i pretty much know this, and how to setup a cable connection. but, i'm not exactly sure about aol. i had a free aol dialup acct, when i had another dialup acct, and i could not stand it (aol), and it was free to me!! anyway, try checking here (aol link below), and see if you can find any settings? do you have to have your router set for ppoe (i'm just asking)?

are you saying that you have access to the internet, but you only have to login to access your stuff at aol?

http://help.aol.com/help/browse.do?...GCONNECTEDTOAOL_3_2&AppContext=AC_ProductPage

so, you have more than 1 comp in your household? you can connect to the internet via your modem (no router in between)? if you connect your router to your modem, then connect your comp to your modem (wired), does it work?

on the comp with the pci card (ethernet) problem. have you removed the drivers from device manager, shut down the comp, removed the card, then booted up? shut down, again, and reinstall card, see if it recognizes it? - sos

 

In setting up the router, did you first set it up by ethernet cable?
If not, try that.

Several links below for information and drivers.
Possibly updating the firmware and drivers may help.

Since you can connect through your modem, I'm assuming the line quality and filters are good.

http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n100603.asp - AOL MTU maximum size - 1400

http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101194.asp - Netgear AOL instructions - Possible multiple screen names

http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/DG834Gv3.asp - latest firmware for router

http://www.belkin.com/support/article/?lid=en&pid=F5D7050&aid=5381&scid=221 - latest drivers for USB adapter

Hope this helps.

 

There's so much information in this and your other thread I am totally confused as to what you are trying to do.

As you only have one pc why do you need ethernet or a router?

AOL is different. The Voyager modems they supply are not available on the open market, they are custom made for AOL and contain custom software.

Getting AOL running on someone elses router is an art form. Did you say that you had your Netgear configured for this before your reformat?

In normal use the Netgear needs no 'installation' to your pc. Perhaps the special AOL configuration is what you are thinking of?

I really can't see what use the Belkin is. Do you need the wireless connection to move the pc?

Please set out a short round-up post clarifying exactly what you want to achieve.

 

Dear lbmest ,
Thanks for your invaluable comments and links. I updated the latest drivers as suggested, tweaked a few settings (particularly the AOL MTU maximum size - 1400) that you mentioned, reset passwords and firmware etc and it all seems to be going swimmingly now. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!
A big THANK YOU also to Sosaman for all his help, time and input - much appreciated.
Studiot, thanks also for your info regarding AOL. In answer to your questions regarding:

"As you only have one pc why do you need ethernet or a router?"

"I really can't see what use the Belkin is. Do you need the wireless connection to move the pc?"

Quite simply, I did have the router working fine before reformatting my hard drive and reinstalling XP, and due to the location of my telephone socket, I was sick of tripping over all the wires when using the modem, plus the connection with my router is MUCH faster than it is when Im using the Voyager 105.
Once again, many thanks to all who helped me with this issue and taking time out.
Keep up the great work.
Skinno xxx

 

Great that you got it solved Skinno. :major
You deserve the lion's share of credit for working out your problem.
I was aiming for suggestions that had not been given.
Good Luck with your wireless.

 

Yeah congratulations.