haydun78
join:2008-03-30
1 edit |  Please help, Wireless setup problem.
I am trying to connect using my toshiba satellite a135-s7404 , which is intergrated with a 802.11 b/g wireless lan, my router is the ActionTec M1424-WR.. I am very new to this stuff, using wireless. Could someone please explain it to me as if I were blind, deaf , and utterly dense? lol sorry, I just need someone who can explain it to me in a way a n00b would get it, as to not waste their time.
Thank you.
I realize you need more info, but I am unsure of exactly what to tell you. I could possibly take some snap shot of what I see, if you'd like?
Once again, thank you very much. | |
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 ProFiOSDude
Premium
join:2005-05-27
Chesapeake, VA
| Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. If you are using Vista, click Start -> Connect To. You should see your router in this window (will be a 5-character name and it's printed on a label on the side of the router). Click on that router and it will ask you for a key/passphrase. It will be a 10-character string (also on the router label). Enter it using CAPS LOCK, remembering if it looks like a 0, it is a zero and not the letter O.
If XP, there should be an alert as soon as you startup the computer that one or more wireless networks are in range. Clicking on the balloon with bring up a listing similar to above and you follow the same steps.
Caveat: Make sure your wireless adapter is turned on and enabled. Should be a wireless light (symbol will be a vertical stick with arcs on either side moving outward). May sound odd to mention, but MANY people did not know that their laptops had a manual switch to turn on the wireless.
PFD | |
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ProFiOSDude
Premium
join:2005-05-27
Chesapeake, VA | Also, starting on page 187 of your user guide (if it's the same one listed at Toshiba) has some good info on getting the wireless to work.
PFD | |
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More Fiber
Premium,MVM
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA
 ·Bay Area Internet ..
| Not a lot of information here to go on, but a couple of things to check:
1) What symptoms are you seeing beyond "I am trying to connect"?
2) Does the laptop "see" the Actiontec wireless signal? i.e. If you open Available networks on the laptop is the Actiontec listed? The default SSID for the network is on a sticker on the Actiontec router.
3) Have you checked the following settings in the Actiontec?
3.1) Login to the Actiontec.
3.2) Select the WIRELESS icon at the top.
3.3) Select BASIC NETWORK SETTINGS. At the bottom of the page is a summary of your wireless settings. As the box explains, these need to be the same on the router and every computer that will connect. This is especially true for encryption level. If the router is set for WEP and the laptop is set for WPA, they won;t connect.
4) What OS are you running? There have been reports of problems with Vista, WPA and the Actiontec router. Refer to this thread: »ActionTec MI424-WR Firmware and WPA issues | |
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haydun78
join:2008-03-30
1 edit | Thank you both for replying...
Anyway. I am uing windows vista basic.
I did try to locatge the network on the "available networks" thing, it does not list my SSID as stated on the bottom of the router. Also, I did not change anything since I have had it. I am not sure if I was suppposed to set up the wireless myself, or if it sort of "plug and play" ? Like I said, I am new to this, I apologize..
If it will help , at all.. here is what it says on part of the page I go to, for the router:
Click to see full size
As you can see, it says there is now wireless. 
Maybe I should just forget it, it is not like I need it..then again.. it will just contimue to taunt me.
[Mod note: Fixed the blown out margins. sash] | |
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 | haydun78
join:2008-03-30
| Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. One more thing, if you need me to, I could always just take a snap shot of whatever you need to give any sort of help. As in my settings etc.
Once again, I thank you, even if this is not resolved.
p.s. thank you mod, for fixing the image. | |
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More Fiber
Premium,MVM
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA
·Bay Area Internet ..
| Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. OK. A little more to go on now.
1) When you followed steps 3.1 - 3.2, the router will bring up the Wireless Status page. You should setting similar to the following:
Radio Enabled: YES
SSID: (per label)
Channel: Automatic
Security Enabled: YES (with values for one of the following)
WEP 64-bit: xxxxx
WEP 802.1x: xxxxx
WPA: xxxx
SSID Broadcast: Enabled
MAC Authentication: Disabled
Wireless Mode: Mixed accepts 802.11b and 802.11g connections
If any of these settings need to be changed, click on Basic Security Settings on the left, make the changes, click APPLY.
#1) If Radio Enabled showed NO, Select ENABLE Wireless.
#4) For troubleshooting purposes only, select WEP OFF.
If you changed either of these click APPLY.
Select Advanced Security Settings from the left menu.
Under Level 2, click on SSID Broadcast. Select ENABLE. Click APPLY.
Hopefully, you should now see your SSID on the laptop's Available Networks display. If still you can not see the SSID from the laptop at this point, you have a wireless issue. How far is the laptop from the router? i.e. How many floors / walls? Try using a specific channel, rather than the default channel.
REMINDER: At this point you are running with NO wireless security. Be sure to re-enable security, or disable wireless altogether when you are through troubleshooting.
If you able to connect with no encryption, you probably have an encryption issue. Try turning on various levels starting with WEP, and moving up to higher levels as you are successful. | |
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| | | haydun78
join:2008-03-30
1 edit | Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. 
It's no use, it'll never work.
Oh, and the router is no more than 8' from my laptop. | |
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More Fiber
Premium,MVM
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA | Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. If I'm reading that screen shot correctly, RADIO ENABLED = NO.
Wireless ain't gonna work, if it ain't turned on.
From earlier post:
1) Click Basic Security Settings on left menu.
2) Select ENABLE Wireless.
3) Click APPLY. | |
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| | | | | haydun78
join:2008-03-30
2 edits | Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. That is just it though, thought I mentioend that. Oractually, I left a screen shot of it saying it was off. I did place it on enable, then then hit apply. It ALWAYS goes back to shutting it off. The light on the router never goes to "wireless".
I am sorry, hope you guys do not get angry about this, I am trying my best. Perhaps I am just making the settings on my laptop incorrect.. I will try again.
*Ok, I just did the setup manually, this is what I got..
(sorry if the size is wrong I dunno how to make it look better)
*To the above post, I am not just giving up easy, I have been trying to do this for hrs now, days actually.. | |
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More Fiber
Premium,MVM
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA
·Bay Area Internet ..
| Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. What do you mean "It ALWAYS goes back to shutting it off."? Are you saying the Actiontec changes the RADIO ENABLED setting by itself from ON to OFF after you have turned it on? How long does it take to do that? If that is truly what it is doing, I think you have a bad router and suggest your call VZ for service.
The screen shots in your last message are too fuzzy for me to read clearly. I looked at them using 400% magnification and I could not swear if the SSID and WEP keys were the same or different.
Did you try turning encryption off? If so, What happened? | |
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| | | | | | | haydun78
join:2008-03-30
1 edit | Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. Yes, I hit the reply button, after enabling the wireless. | |
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| | | | Rickeo
join:2008-01-26 | Talk about giving up to easily!
Judging from the SS you posted, wireless is turned off in you're router. Here is a hint. TURN IT ON. lol... They you should see it in Vista's wireless network browser. | |
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birdfeedr
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI
 ·Verizon FIOS
1 edit | When turning your wireless on,
Log on to the router, click the Wireless Settings icon at top, click Basic Security Settings on menu item on left.
On item 1. Turn Wireless On, click the radio button On.
Scroll to bottom and click Apply.
Then click Apply again to confirm temporary disconnection and Wireless Settings really applied.
Router will return to Basic Security Settings page.
Scroll down to the bottom, and take your screen shot. Post that here. You'll get there. | |
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| haydun78
join:2008-03-30
2 edits | Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. I did as you said...
as for Birds reply:
It is not showing up on my router as being connected, I must have it configured wrong, though I do not see how...
Anyway here it is. Again, any other SH you need, please let me know.
*edit ALso, what I mean by it changed back to disable is... when I leave that page, and then go back.. it says it is off. SO I repeat the steps... | |
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NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY | Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. Are you pressing the APPLY button at the bottom after you turn the radio on? You need to do that. | |
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EMC2
join:2007-08-21
Tampa, FL | Taking a look at the WEP key you posted - it looks like you have the letter "O" in the third character and the number zero (0) later in the string.
Rekey it using zeros where the "O"s are. | |
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NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
 ·VOIPo
| Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. said by EMC2  :Taking a look at the WEP key you posted - it looks like you have the letter "O" in the third character and the number zero (0) later in the string. Rekey it using zeros where the "O"s are. The WEP is currently OFF even though there is a key entered there. He should leave it off until he gets connected otherwise he WILL never connect....lol | |
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| | EMC2
join:2007-08-21
Tampa, FL | Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. Oh, you mean the bold red "OFF" letters???...........jeez  | |
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| haydun78
join:2008-03-30
1 edit | 
click for full size
Does this help at all? I am unsure if I am supposed to edit anything in the actual properties of the router.. | |
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NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
·VOIPo
3 edits | Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. Yes because it shows that your pc sees the wireless router.
Stop editing the router now and concentrate on the pc's wireless part. Obviously you have an ethernet plug in the back of the pc? Yes? Until you pull that plug (this is the safest way to do this) you will not "utilize the wireless connection" and will default to the wired.
DO NOT DISABLE the wired connection even if someone here tells you to.....
1. unplug the wired Ethernet plug in the back of the PC
2. wait 15 seconds and try to surf the net
3. if it does not work - re-boot the pc
4. then try to surf again
5. if that fails - re-connect the ethernet cord and tell us what is going on. | |
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| | | haydun78
join:2008-03-30
1 edit | Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. I did all that.. again, nothing.
I wonder, would anyone be willing to help me via the remote
assistance?
Anyway, this is one thing I got..
click for full size
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NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
·VOIPo
4 edits | Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. You are connected to someone elses (obviously a neighbor)wireless network, XITG2 which obviously has YOU blocked out. The network you need to connect to is 58S02 which is your SSID.
So we have established that your pc has wireless and your router is active, now you need to get connected to YOUR router.
You are close....don't give up now.
Repeat the steps you tried before but try to find an SSID that is 58S02 | |
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| | | | | haydun78
join:2008-03-30 | Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. Yes, thank you. I realize it was not mine.. I was using that as an example? I could not find my SSID on there... that is the problem. | |
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NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
·VOIPo
| Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. said by haydun78 :Yes, thank you. I realize it was not mine.. I was using that as an example? I could not find my SSID on there... that is the problem. What happens if you follow ProFiosDude's "how to connect" instructions above to find your router? | |
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| | | | | | | haydun78
join:2008-03-30 | Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. I am connected! Problem is... it is not my connection, so I will not stay on but to post this, and maybe get a reply..
I still cannot find my SSID.. | |
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NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
·VOIPo
| Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem.
Is SSID broadcast turned on? |
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| | | | | | | | | haydun78
join:2008-03-30 | Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. Yes, t is enabled.
At least we are close. | |
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NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY | Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. Do you want to send me a remote assistance request? I can try to see what's happening on your pc. | |
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| | | | | | | | | haydun78
join:2008-03-30 | Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. Yes, if it would be okay. Thanks you. | |
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NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
·VOIPo
| Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. Do you know how to ask for remote assistance? I do not have Vista so here is where I cannot advise you but there must be instructions somewhere. In XP, you press START then help and support and there are instructions for asking for remote assistance.
Is that on your menu? | |
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| | | | | | | | | haydun78
join:2008-03-30 | Re: Please help, Wireless setup problem. Yes, I have found it. I will have to send it via email. | |
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