usb wireless adaptor won't auto detect

[Brownfloaty]

I've just purchased a new linksys wireless access point router and two of the linksys usb wireless adaptors. I have the router working, but I can't get either of the usb adaptors to auto detect. I've tried them on two computers running xp and two different computers running win98. I've tried using the control panel detect new hardware and it shows nothing. I've tested the usb port with other usb devices and it functions normally where it auto detects right away. On both of the usb adaptors the power led lights up when connected to all 4 computers. Am I missing something here or is it possible I managed to pick up not one, but two dud adaptors?

[Whir]

Do the adapters come with software, or an installation program? Sometimes (in my experience) USB stuff won't show up unless you use the prop. software to install the hardware. Typically that involves starting the software install, and then waiting until it asks you to plug in the USB peripheral. Something to try anyway.

[M_Six]

Your router or access point must be in broadcast mode. For security reasons you'll want to kill that after the adapters find the network, but in order for them to detect it initially, the broadcast feature must be on.

[Brownfloaty]

Yep, all the software installed correctly.

I fiddled with them a little more and swapped the usb cord around then tried plugging it back into my laptop running xp and now amazingly they are working. I can't imagine the usb cables ends were directional for the adaptor and computer, or somehow it took the xp to initalize the adaptor for the first time. Just glad it's working now.

I'm getting a good signal and writing this right now on the xp laptop. I still need to do some tweaking for the win98 desktop... It's recieving an excellent signal and is connected to the router but i'm not able to access the internet. I think my network protocols might be off. I have the router set up default everything with wep off at the moment, so hopefully a reinstall of the protocols will fix that.

So far my first wireless experience is good even if it's taking some work to set up.

[Brownfloaty]

Ok... So I have the wireless usb adaptor connected to my win98 desktop and am recieving an excellent signal from my wireless router. The router is setup totally open in the default mode with wep off. I have 3 adaptors installed in my network control panel: dial up, ethernet, and this new wireless. For each of those adaptors I have 3 protocols: ipx, netbui, and tcp/ip installed.

What am I missing that is keeping me from connecting to the internet?

[M_Six]

You should probably try disabling the ethernet adapter. Your PC is trying to use that to get to the internet. I have a PC at home that refused to use the wireless adapter until I disabled the ethernet card.

[Brownfloaty]

M_Six, Thank you! It was the ethernet card keeping me from connecting. My new wireless network is up and running like a champ now.

[M_Six]

Piece-o'-cake. 99.9% of the time when I know the answer, it's because I've dealt with the problem myself.

[Brownfloaty]

Ok, new twist to the plot... I've got wep 128 enabled and ssid broadcast disabled. I've got the usb wireless adaptor hooked into my laptop running xp.

I can't get the laptop to connect unless I go to the router settings and enable ssid broadcast, then I can punch in my 26 digit wep key and it works.

I've tried configuring the wireless settings for the network on the computer by entering the 26 digit wep key into the settings but the laptop still doesn't see the router unless ssid broadcast is on.

I have the data encryption wep box checked. Network authentication unchecked and "the key is provided for me automatically" unchecked.

[M_Six]

I take it the wireless USB adapter on the laptop is a Linksys adapter? Does the same adapter work ok on a workstation with broadcast disabled?