Advice on new Router Please

I received a new modem/wireless/router today (TP-link TD-W8960N)

I want to install it tomorrow, but have a few queries.

I will be using a W7 64 bit Wireless b/g/n laptop. The ISP is Tiscali (well Talk Talk now)

I wonder if I have to switch on my laptop and put in the installation CD before or after powering up the new Router.

There are no instructions in the "Quick set-up Guide" as to what input I have to make (and when) into the additional equipment I will sometimes use (via wifi) with this router. That is a XP Home laptop and a Nokia 5800 Smartphone.

Finally, as the initial setup will be done using the new router with Wireless N and the main laptop with Wireless N; Will that be a problem when I come to use the secondary items which are only Wireless b/g? (not actually sure about the 5800 Wireless System - I know it works okay at the moment on my old Netgear b/g only Router.

You can configure the router without having to install any of tiscali's crappy software at all, just turn the router on, and connect to it using an ethernet cable (for the first time), this will let you access all the system settings and security settings.

Alternatively, if you really want to do it the CD way, just turn the router on and put the CD in, there is probably a quick start guide on it.

As for Wireless N, theres nothing to worry about, there won't be any problems with device compatibility.

Thanks for that "nerd10"

You did not actually say if I should turn the computer on and insert the Routers installation disc, before powering up the router.

The CD I referred to is not a Tiscali one. It came with the new TP Router. I had been using Netgear Routers for the past 5 years but they overheat and burn out after a few years.

You did not mention what I have to do to the other equipment for them to use the wifi from the new router.

No problem. It doesn't really matter what order you do it in but, just plug the router in, start up the computer and put the installation disc in and run it.

Oh all you have to do is to go to the WiFi settings on any device (so on the Nokia 5800 its under "connectivity" as you probably know), select the new router and enter the password assigned to the router, if you have not set one it will be the default password, which can generally be found on the bottom or side of the router, labelled "wireless key" or "WEP key" or something of the sort. From then on they are likely to remember the wireless settings.

Does that make any more sense?

Yes, thanks "nerd10". That sounds like good advice.

no problem, hope the installation goes well! and yeah definitely agree with @PwnFrnzy !!!

Thanks for your security advice "pwnfrnzy" & "nerd10".

I,ll let you know how things go. I do remember that when I had my first "Netgear"; it took several phone calls and emails as well as 3 days to get the wireless set up. When that Router expired I thought that I had been unlucky with the overheating of the "Netgear". So; to make it easier to set up the replacement Router; I bought an identical one. It did make a big difference to the set-up time. Sadly the new "Netgear" is also running hot and needs resetting nearly every day. So I thought I had better replace it before it packs up on me.

I've just realised that I,m dependant on a router, not just for the 2 laptops and the smartphone, but also for Internet/iplayer access on my "Wii" & the "Foxsat Freesat box". Of course I could use the smartphone on the network for Internet and iplayer use - but that costs 50p a day in the uk (unless at the same time slurping down one of "Mcdonalds" excellents milk shakes!

Well it has taken me 6 hours to get everything working. If I was new to computing and was just setting up the router for the first time I think the excellent setup disc would have achieved it in 15 minutes. I mainly ran into problems because it transpired that my previous router/laptop had been set up to use WPA security, whereas the new one was set to WPA 2. My laptop and the Wii noticed this and refused an internet connection until I realised what the problem was, and adjusted them to suit the WPA 2 system.

Then I suddenly lost the wifi to the laptop because of some confliction beween the settings for the old router and the new one. I had called both of them the same name (SAINT). Even now, with a successful connection again; there is still an oddity. in that if I click the wifi icon in the task bar; I get the usual pop up showing the available hotspots (one of then reads "SAINT connected". Then a further entry at the top of the pane (but not part of the list of hotspots list). This addition entry reads "Currently connected to SAINT 2 Inernet access"