Belkin Network

[seekermeister]

While the Belkin router (F5D8232-4 }seemed to be fine, the Belkin adapter (F5D8055) only arrived yesterday. Since then, I have been trying to get the network operational between my rigs, of which the first is running W7, and the second is running XP MCE (since the W7 drive died). Both OSs are set to use a work type of network, and via hardwire, the secondary is visible on the primary, as far as files are concerned, the opposite is not true on the secondary. However, that is not the issue that I'm looking at now, it is the fact that neither is visible to the other using WIFI.

With the wireless enabled on the router, it displays a padlock at the far right side of it's display, where the wireless connection should be, and using the wireless utility on the secondary, it shows a one private and one public network that it is receiving, but not my own.

I don't think that the problem is in any kind of defect in the hardware...just in my management of it. Since the configuration seemed to work with both OSs hardwired and running W7, and for what I can tell, the same is true with the mixed boot, I haven't changed anything in the router's configuration.

Last evening, when I decided to take a break, I disabled the wireless with the Notification Trays icon, which caused it to disappear, leaving another icon that doesn't seem to do anything when clicked, and opening the wireless utility no longer shows any networks available. Therefore, before I go proceed, I need to at least get it to receive the networks that I mentioned before. After that, I need to find a means to get each rig to see the other. I realize that I haven't given much to go on, because I really don't know where to begin. Does anyone?

 

[CarlTR6]

You will have to re-enable your wireless adapter via Device Manager.

 

[not so gray matter]

First of all uninstall all wireless drivers and then reinstall the latest versions.

Second, go into Device Manager and make sure there are no conflicts and everything is enabled.

Third, reset your router and go into the configuration utility to set it up.

Fourth, read and follow a tutorial on how to create and manage a workgroup not a homegroup.

That should reset everything to factory specs and you should be able to connect properly.

 

[seekermeister]

You will have to re-enable your wireless adapter via Device Manager.

You were correct. I never thought that disabling the tray icon would disable it in the Device Manager. Thanks.

 

[seekermeister]

I just noticed a message on the secondary's wireless utility, it says: "If you think you should be in range, make sure your router or access point is broadcasting the SSID". Mine is not, because I understood that would be making the network more vulnerable to hacking...is this not true?

EDIT: I reenabled SSID broadcasting, and that did make my network appear on the secondary's wireless utility, but the router still says that there are 0 wireless devices. Since the adapter isn't configured like the router, via routersetup in a browser, and the wireless utility doesn't have a setting for SSID, so far as I have found, I never changed it one way or another.

In the routersetup configuration, I selected the PBC button, which opens a window saying to select the WPS button on the wireless utility, within 2 minutes. When I did this, it produced a message on the secondary that just says "In Progress, Please Wait...", then after a minute or so, it says "Error Detected, Please Try Again" The second attempt had the same results. I'm still lost.

 

[CarlTR6]

I just noticed a message on the secondary's wireless utility, it says: "If you think you should be in range, make sure your router or access point is broadcasting the SSID". Mine is not, because I understood that would be making the network more vulnerable to hacking...is this not true?

Not really; there was an interesting link to wireless security in another thread and it basically debunked that. However, once you get your network all set, you can then hide the SSID again. You will have to have it broadcasting for your other devices to pick it up.

 

[seekermeister]

I just noticed a message on the secondary's wireless utility, it says: "If you think you should be in range, make sure your router or access point is broadcasting the SSID". Mine is not, because I understood that would be making the network more vulnerable to hacking...is this not true?

Not really; there was an interesting link to wireless security in another thread and it basically debunked that. However, once you get your network all set, you can then hide the SSID again. You will have to have it broadcasting for your other devices to pick it up.

Yes...IF I ever get the network working. At the moment, I'm beginning to feel that the network is a modern incarnation of the Hydra of myth. So many heads, that I don't know which to cut first, and before I can proceeds with the others, it grows a new head.

 

[CarlTR6]

One of the network folks will have to help you with this. I can fumble my way through setting it up; but I sure can't guide anyone except through basic steps. I don't even know what the PCB button is.

 

[seekermeister]

If you can fumble your way through setting it up, you are far ahead of me. Looking at the manual, it points to a location on the adapter where there is supposed to be a PBC button, but there is none. It then says that button is only used in Vista, but regardless of the OS involved, the button would still have to exist. In the image of the adapter where this is mentioned, it point to a location where the Belkin logo is, but it doesn't feel as though a button exists when pressing there.

The only PBC button that I can find, is the one mentioned in routersetup. In the wireless utility, there is a WPS button, and a Connect button, but using either of them gets the same result. I'm beginning to wonder if either the router or adapter is defective, but if that is the case, how would one determine which is the culprit?

 

[seekermeister]

I just fired off an email to Belkin Support, but from past experience, I'm not optimistic that it will help. I always get annoyed that like most support forms, their's is rigidly structured in a manner that doesn't fully take in the scope of the question. I can only hope that what I wrote will be sufficient to fill in the gaps.

 

[torchwood]

im running 2 1 on seven 1on xp pro

w7 only likes the drivers not the gui for the belkin usb n+? (8055).
the set up on xp use thier cd to set up the device its pretty good actually,remove previous set up, run cd set up for drivers AND gui goto profile input your ssid (given 2 u by your isp provider) set your type wpa/psk etc input your security code, acces point connection and away u go NB TURN OFF WZC. this will give u 2 status icons on the right hand side of your taskbar 1 belkin 1 xp.

as 4 w7 it only takes the drivers gui incompatible so when you put the cd in select only drivers or go to belkins website its awkward but you eventually get to drivers via device/model/version

lol
not sure but w7 only talks to w7

 

[neo101]

This explain anyfink >

Belkin : Support : Protecting your network with WPS security

 

[torchwood]

look at post by dough54321 3 below yours

 

[seekermeister]

First of all uninstall all wireless drivers and then reinstall the latest versions.

Second, go into Device Manager and make sure there are no conflicts and everything is enabled.

Third, reset your router and go into the configuration utility to set it up.

Fourth, read and follow a tutorial on how to create and manage a workgroup not a homegroup.

I don't want you to think that I don't appreciate your suggestions, because I do. However, this is like a form letter addressing any number of possibilities, rather than something focusing on mine. There is no driver download for the router, only one for firmware, which I'm reluctant to mess with, unless it becomes necessary. There is a driver download for the adapter, but it is not dated, therefore I don't know that it is more current than what I have.

There are no conflicts and everything is enabled in the DM (now). As far as resetting the router, if I understand, that simply puts things back to default settings, eliminating what I have already configured. Since I'm not aware of a problem with my settings, I shall postphone resetting the router until I am.

Your last suggestion is the most ambiguous, because you don't link a tutorial, and if I went searching for one, I wouldn't know if it were right or not, or would cause further problems with my hardware.

I shall keep your suggestions in mind though, perhaps I shall need them as I go along.

 

[CarlTR6]

I just fired off an email to Belkin Support, but from past experience, I'm not optimistic that it will help. I always get annoyed that like most support forms, their's is rigidly structured in a manner that doesn't fully take in the scope of the question. I can only hope that what I wrote will be sufficient to fill in the gaps.

I am interested in how they respond.

I have a 2-Wire Gateway supplied by my ISP, Century Link. It is a modem/router combo and is easy to set up. If I need support, Centruy Link supplies phone support 24/7 - and in the US no less. I have had to have help once on the router and turned out that lightning fried mine. I had a new router the next day and Century Link set it up and made sure it was working before the tech left.

 

[seekermeister]

This explain anyfink >

Belkin : Support : Protecting your network with WPS security

Thanks, but that appears to only outline what I have already tried to do.

 

[CarlTR6]

Notsograymatter is correct on step 3. Win 7's homegroup is designed for computers all running Win 7. You can make homegroup accept an XP computer; but you have to jump through some hoops. To create a group of computers using different OS's, use workgroup. You will save yourself some frustration. Chev put me on the right path to getting the XP machine working on my homegroup.

 

[seekermeister]

look at post by dough54321 3 below yours

I scroll up, I scroll down, but don't find any dough. What are you referring to?

 

[seekermeister]

Notsograymatter is correct on step 3. Win 7's homegroup is designed for computers all running Win 7. You can make homegroup accept an XP computer; but you have to jump through some hoops. To create a group of computers using different OS's, use workgroup. You will save yourself some frustration. Chev put me on the right path to getting the XP machine working on my homegroup.

Is workgroup different than having "work" as the type of network? I'm not sure about the primary, since it has been a while since I set it up, but I do recall something in the original setup for the adapter (I think), asking for a workgroup, and I left it at the default (mshome). However, when I just reinstalled the software for the adapter a bit earlier, I didn't see anything like this.

 

[seekermeister]

I just fired off an email to Belkin Support, but from past experience, I'm not optimistic that it will help. I always get annoyed that like most support forms, their's is rigidly structured in a manner that doesn't fully take in the scope of the question. I can only hope that what I wrote will be sufficient to fill in the gaps.

I am interested in how they respond.

I have a 2-Wire Gateway supplied by my ISP, Century Link. It is a modem/router combo and is easy to set up. If I need support, Centruy Link supplies phone support 24/7 - and in the US no less. I have had to have help once on the router and turned out that lightning fried mine. I had a new router the next day and Century Link set it up and made sure it was working before the tech left.

Maybe I should have called them, rather than emailing, but since things seem to sink in slowly, I like having things in black and white, so that I can mull them over. If they take too long to respond, or are too ambiguous, I may call them anyway, because if there is a problem with the adapter or router, I have a limited time to find out, without being forced to RMA via Belkin. If they are like most manufacturers, they would just send me a repaired unit to replace my new one.

EDIT: Belkin does list an 800 number for support, but doesn't say anything about hours of operation.