Network maybe out of the range

Dec 11, 2007

- Yes, the 25 character key is what you should have entered.

If the technician enterered a start and end IP address on the router, this was probably the list of IP addresses the router automatically assigns to computers trying to connect. This is called DHCP (Dynamic Host Communications Protocol). If this is what you're describing then it would not likely be the problem.

Please tell me what brand/model router you're using. Also, did you ever run the XP Network Setup Wizard?

Dec 11, 2007

- Yes, go ahead and run the wizard on the computer with the wireless card.

Let me know if there's any improvement.

Are you confident you entered the 25 character key correctly? It's easy to make a mistake.

Dec 11, 2007

- Also, can you please tell me exactly what you're doing when you get the message that the router may be out of range?

Dec 11, 2007

- So you do see your network when you look at available networks, is that right? Does it have a unique name or is it called "Netgear". If you see the network there should be some indication of the signal strength, is it good?

Are the router and the computer with the wireless in the same location as they were when they used to work? I'm guessing the computer is a desktop so it's not easy to move closer as a test.

You mentioned a computer that's connected to the cable modem. If the cable modem and the router are in the same location then that computer is probably actually connected directly to your router with a cable. If that's the case go to that computer and try logging into your router. According the manual you should start Internet Explorer and type this addrress in the address box:

http://www.routerlogin.net

A login box should popup. The default login

username: admin
password: password

The Netgear tech may have changed the password. See if you can login go to the Wireless Settings window and see what the name (SSID) of your network is. Make sure it's the same as the one you're trying to connect to.

Let me know.

Dec 11, 2007

- OK, more questions.

What type of wireless card are you using in your computer? Did you install any software for it?

Please go back and log in to the router again from your other computer and let me know the following:

On the Wireless settings page:

Please tell me the channel and mode, Authentication type, encryption strength, and verify that the key is the one you've typed in on your computer.

Go to the Attached Devices menu, do you see any listed?

Go to the LAN IP menu and let me know if the "Use Router as a DHCP Server" box is checked. If it is, what is the range of IP addresses. Is anything listed under the Reserved IP section?

Now on your computer, start Control Panel and double click on Network Connections. You may see multiple icons here. Look for the one that looks like the name of your wireless card and right click on it and select properties. Now scroll down to the item labeled Internet Protocol (TCP/IIP). Select that then click properties. Is the IP and DNS set to be obtained automatically or are there values there?

Dec 11, 2007

- Hold everything...did you say your key was 25 characters, it should be 26. Please check that again.

Dec 12, 2007

- I think you're right, but there's no easy way for me to see all your router settings. There is a way to back up your current router configuration. Under the Maintenance Section select Backup Settings. You can save your configuration to the desktop of your computer so you can restore it if things get worse. I would do this then reset the router to factory default settings. You can do that by clicking on the erase button on the Backup Settings page or hitting the physical button on the back of the router. This will return the username and password to the default I posted earlier. It will also give the router the default IP address of 192.168.1.1.

Don't give up, you're going to figure this out.