Wireless network problem

trueman · May 31st, 2005, 10:21 AM

I have just setup a wireless network for a friend with the host computer running XP and connected to a dlink wireless router. While the client pc is running win98se and a netcomm pci wirleess card. The host can access the internet no probs.

When I run scan on the client pc in the wireless config utility it finds the host and I can connect no worries but I am unable to browse the net from the client. I am also unable to ping a web address or ping the routers address 10.1.1.1.

I tried changing the tcp/ip settings under the wireless cards entry from obtain automatically to use the following ip and set it as 192.168.0.5 but no luck. When its set as obtain automatically the ip address is soemthing like 169.124... (Cant remember at the moment and not near the machine to check.)

I had a few problems trying to setup the wireless connection to begin with as the client could see a connection that didnt match the hosts settings. At first I thought it may have been a neighbours wireless connection but it sort of dissapeared. Then I could only see the hosts connection by setting the client to connect in adhoc mode but it wouldnt connect to it. In the end I changed back to infrastructure mode and it could see the host and connect properly. Many strange problems. I ended up resetting the router and inputting all the settings again. I kept ssid broadcast on but kept wep disabled.

Any ideas on what to try here?

MTAtech · May 31st, 2005, 10:46 AM

OK, I'm not sure about your use of 'host' and 'client.' The wireless router is your access point to the Internet for all other wireless PCs. The router is really your host and the 2 PCs are the clients.

My understanding is that one PC can connect to the Internet while the other cannot? For simplicity, make sure you are not using any encrytion. You can change that later. Use automatic IP also.

Bill in SD, CA · May 31st, 2005, 11:00 AM

Maybe some info here:

Networking between WindowsXP and Windows95/98/ME

Bill in SD, CA

trueman · May 31st, 2005, 11:00 AM

Yes sorry when I say host I am reffering to the pc that connects directly to the wireless router via a wired lan cable to its ethernet port. The client machine is the pc with the wireless card that I am trying to connect to the router wireless-ly.
The first one can connect to the net no probs but the second pc despite having a wireless connection to the router cannot connect to the net. ALl security is off and I have it set to obtain an ip automatically.

trueman · May 31st, 2005, 11:14 AM

Thanks Bill but I am not trying to network the computers but connect to the internet through a wireless connection. The main pc could be switched off but I still want to be able to connect to the internet through the wireless router.

meese · May 31st, 2005, 11:34 AM

I'm not familiar with wireless and win98, but make sure in the wireless nic configuration you are using the same SIDD and channel as the router. Post an "ipconfig /all" from the xp machine and a "winipcfg" from the win 98 machine.

trueman · May 31st, 2005, 11:54 AM

meese,
The wireless nic is using the same SSID and channel as the router otherwise I wouldnt have a wireless connection in the first place. Thats not my problem. The problem is despite having a wireless connection to the router, the router will not let me go any futher, e'g connect to a web page. I cannot even ping the router. Forget all about the main PC as it doesnt matter it could be switched off as the second pc is trying to connect to the internet through the router. I am not anywhere near the other pc now but from memory the ip address was soemthing like 192.124.155.6 or soemthing that didnt make sense.

Bottom line is the second pc can connect to the router no probs but cannot acquire an IP address from the router.

MTAtech · May 31st, 2005, 12:17 PM

My hunch is that you are connecting to the router properly but the the prob is an IE configuration issue.

Are you using a firewall on that PC such as Norton firewall? If so, disable it. Also check that IE is set to connect through a network. (tools -> Internet Options -> Connection tab)

meese · May 31st, 2005, 12:25 PM

The reason I asked to post ip info from both pc's is because I know your XP box is connected via wire to your router. It should get an ip from the router via dhcp. Your telling me you can't ping the router. The ip's you show in your first post above are from three different subnets, and the 169 one is generated by windows when that pc cannot obtain an ip address. This is why I asked you to post the ip info. I'm just trying to help, if you don't want it fine. The ip info is the starting point. That has to be right first.

trueman · May 31st, 2005, 06:24 PM

MTAtech,

Its not an IE problem as I cannot even ping a website from a dos prompt. There are no firewalls on the machine either.

Meese,
Sorry I didnt mean to sound like I didnt appreciate the help. I just wasnt sure if you understood the exact problem or not. I am not sure of the exact IP address I am getting on the 98se pc as I am no where near it at present. the 169....above was a guess but yes as you said it was an ip that windows generates when it cannot get an ip.
So am I guessing right that you want to see if the router is giving the xp machine a proper ip address?
I will post an ipconfig and winipcfg when I go around to his house today. Thanks for the help.