Windows 7 - Trouble with connecting to a TP-Link TL-WA801ND

I bought it second hand and have no way of contacting the previous users.

I can ping the extender when its directly plugged into the PC and I get a response, but it will not let me connect to its web-based setup.

When I have it connected to where I want it to give an extension it works, I can connect to it via wireless but it has no security (that's why I want to access the website so I can make it a secure network like the main router).

Picture of network.

When something as basic as this happens the first thing to establish is - is it a wireless only problem by connecting (if not to far away) your far PC with ethernet cable to the router to see if it can ping the router and get onto its setup page - if this works you need to look at what your wireless is doing (or not). Then, I would look at any firewalls that are installed in case they are blocking your IPs and set it up so that your using range is in the trusted zone.

I am making one big assumption and that is that the second hand router is actually working as it should !!!

Can't be more specific right now as don't have a lot of detail of your setup but I thought this may get you thinking.

Let me know how you get on.

As far as what you're saying is, yes I have connected the TL-WA801ND directly to the Router (without the switch) and no I could not find the IP or Ping it. I could however connect wirelessly to the wireless extender and have an internet connection. HOWEVER I could not connect to the website or ping it. Its confusing. Yes it works and I can get an internet connection out of it but I cannot find a way to configure it using the website. Know what I mean?

Yes, it sounds confusing - if you cannot ping or connect to the router when hard wired, is you ethernet adapter enabled and working ? also, are there any firewall issues that may be blocking your connection ?

Stabbing in the dark here but its what I'd be looking at if I were in same situation.....

I can ping it when its directly connected to my pc via ethernet, but i cannot get to the website.

Do you have the user guide ?

If not, go here... http://nl.tp-link.com/resources/software/200912243172316.pdf

Read Ch 3 : setting up your PC. Make sure the properies of your ethernet and wireless have the correct settings including subset masks.

I have mentioned before - any firewalls installed ? If so, check IP range and if
in trusted zone.

Its difficult to check someones network when you are in OZ and I'm in Scotland...

LOL

I have read the userguide over and over and done everything. I just can't seem to access the website for the router, when I directly connect it to my PC I get a response from the pinging so I don't think a firewall is the problem but I have tried it with firewall off. Like I said the only thing wrong is that I can't get on to configure it but its working fine just its unsecured and I want to configure that..


MASSIVE EDIT!

Well it turns out my desktop computers hate the router, I tried the only PC I hadn't used yet (a laptop I own) and VIOLA it can connect to the website. Thanks for making me recheck the userguide again and try to configure my laptop!

So, once you get into the router's web interface and put encryption back on, your sorted ? (albeit you still can't get onto it from the other PCs ?) - strange, i'll have a think about that one....

All the best.