Setup Help, Wireless Router

[RP McIntosh]

I'm going to display my ignorance, and hope someone can help clarify my confusion.

Here's what I have

1. A new Windows 7 Ultimate 64 computer, connected to a cable modem
2. A Netgear RangeMax Dual Band Wireless N Router model WNDR3300
3. An older Windows XP Home SP 3 computer with (at present) no internet connection.
4. A USB wireless network adapter that I want to use on the old computer (Cisco Dual Band Wireless N USB Adapter, model WUSB600N).

Here's what I want to do.

1. Connect the wireless router via a network cable to my new computer
2. Connect the wireless network adapter to my old Windows XP computer
3. Connect my cable modem to the wireless router
4. Have both computers share the internet connection, and (if I can figure out how to do it) have them also share files, folders, and printers (I have two printers, both installed on the new computer.

Now for the points of my confusion.

1. The VERY brief quick setup sheet that comes with the wireless router says: (1) Before you unpack or connect the router, insert the CD into a computer accessing the internet via a wired connection. (It has a picture showing NOT to insert the CD into a computer with no internet connection). (2). Follow the CD instructions to connect and configure your router.

2. Although the manual on the CD has a lot more detail, it is (to me at least) still confusing.

3. When I got the router, I asked about compatibility with Windows 7, and was told that I needed to download an installation CD from the Netgear web site to use to install in lieu of the CD that came packed in the box. So, the first point of my confusion. I assume that I use the downloaded CD with my new Windows 7 computer, and the CD that came packed in the box with my Windows XP computer. But trouble is, I'm not even sure if, once I get the router installed on the Windows 7 system, whether I even NEED to also install it on the Windows XP system.

4. Part of my confusion on this matter, is that since my Windows 7 computer is the only one that has a wired internet connection, how I both run the router setup from there, when there is (at least at the beginning) no connection between the Win 7 computer and the router--the connection is computer network adapter to Cable modem.

5. A complicating factor is that my Win 7 computer has a wireless network adapter installed (though not currently in use). Am I correct in assuming that if I want the router connected directly to my wired network adapter (rather than to my wireless adapter), it would be wise to disable the wireless adapter to prevent both a wired and wireless connection to the cable modem from the same computer? This occurred to me since when I initially was setting up the cable modem, my computer was showing a possible but weak connection through the wireless adapter, which I later determined was my neighbor's router.

It may be that once I actually insert the CD that it will guide me unambiguously through the entire procedure. However the ambiguity of the written instructions are not reassuring on this point. And I hate to start the process, and have to abort it halfway through, perhaps leaving a mess behind and complicating the follow-on process.

As I said at the outset, I'm displaying my ignorance. Though I've been using computer for many years, and feel I'm reasonably capable at configuring and managing them, this is my first experience in the networking arena, and I could use a little hand holding to tell me the steps I should take, in what order, and clear up some of the confusing (to me, anyway) aspects of the instructions. To any one who has some experience in this arena who is willing to share it, I would be most grateful. I'll be glad to provide any additional information that might be helpful.

 

[fishnbanjo]

Actually you can do what you want using the wireless connections on both PC's. I have 3 setup wireless 2 laptops and 1 desktop. I have my Belkin N+ router connected to my DSL Modem, my desktop is a DELL 435T 9000 Studio XPS running Windows 7 64 Ultimate using a Belkin N+ USB wireless device, the Alienware M17x is using the Broadcomm N wireless device and running Windows 7 Professional 64 and the DELL XPS Gen1 laptop is now running Windows 7 Professional 32 using a Belkin N USB device it had been running XP Professional SP3 using the DELL wireless device which connected at 54 Mbps.

All share 2 printers on the network which has 128 bit encryption and 2 of the network drives are USB hard drives, one is attached directly to the router the other via a USB hub off the M17x, the other is an eSATA drive off the desktop, the desktop is generally running at 270 Mbps as is the M17x. Having them all run wireless allows you greater flexibility in setting them up where you want them, your biggest hurdle will be drivers for the wireless device you want to run on the XP PC if you have those you should be golden.

Geez, I just looked at your SPEC's were nearly twins!

 

[RP McIntosh]

Still Uneasy

Thanks for the comments. We do have a similar (though mine is not as grand as yours) setup. My new Windows 7 Ultimate 64 is a Dell XPS 9000 Studio, and my old machine is an old Gateway 3GH system that came with Windows XP installed when it was brand new. I actually have some confidence that, once I get the router working, and both systems communicating with it, and it with the cable modem, I can fumble my way through the printer and file sharing. The wireless network adapter comes with a setup CD, and since XP is mature enough, hopefully, getting it working on the XP machine won't be a problem. If I have a worry on that score, it is that the wireless adapter is Cisco, and the wireless router is Netgear. Probably would have been better to have got both from the same manufacturer.

But I'm still confuse about the issued I raised in my original post.

 

[fishnbanjo]

Yeah, I forgot to add to disable your wireless on the W7 PC it will be easier to keep track of your setup, when you decide to go wireless then you can enable it after you disconnect the ethernet cable. Also in the Network Forum just a couple of posts down there is a link to running a mixed network with XP and W7 which you may wish to glance at.

 

[mvnsnd]

To set up the router, wire it so that it is the only Ethernet connection to the cable modem. Then wire your PC Ethernet connection to the router. You can use the Win7 PC.
See figure 8 on page 12 of the below link to the user manual.

Open a web browser and type in http:\\192.168.1.1\

You'll get a login screen asking for username and password. Enter admin for the username and password for the password. Once you do this you can initiate the setup wizard. I reccomend that you not install any setup software on any of your PC's. Just use the web interface. Once you get the PC connected to the internet through the router, the rest should be fairly straightforward.

This is straight from the user manual online here:ftp://downloads.netgear.com/files/WNDR3300_SM_12Nov07.pdf

Use the 'manual configuration' steps

 

[RP McIntosh]

Yeah, I forgot to add to disable your wireless on the W7 PC it will be easier to keep track of your setup, when you decide to go wireless then you can enable it after you disconnect the ethernet cable. Also in the Network Forum just a couple of posts down there is a link to running a mixed network with XP and W7 which you may wish to glance at.

Thanks. I'll take a look at the Networking thread you referenced.

 

[RP McIntosh]

To set up the router, wire it so that it is the only Ethernet connection to the cable modem. Then wire your PC Ethernet connection to the router. You can use the Win7 PC.
See figure 8 on page 12 of the below link to the user manual.

Open a web browser and type in http:\\192.168.1.1\

You'll get a login screen asking for username and password. Enter admin for the username and password for the password. Once you do this you can initiate the setup wizard. I reccomend that you not install any setup software on any of your PC's. Just use the web interface. Once you get the PC connected to the internet through the router, the rest should be fairly straightforward.

This is straight from the user manual online here:ftp://downloads.netgear.com/files/WNDR3300_SM_12Nov07.pdf

Use the 'manual configuration' steps

Thanks. That doesn't look too hard, (if I can avoid the manual configuration part <g>) Maybe you can tell me. Assuming that I get the internet connection working through the router to the modem, and assuming that I get the wireless network adapter configured on the old Gateway XP machine, will I need to also configure the router on THAT system, or should the router an the wireless adapter "find" each other without my help? See, told you I was ignorant about this stuff.

 

[RP McIntosh]

To set up the router, wire it so that it is the only Ethernet connection to the cable modem. Then wire your PC Ethernet connection to the router. You can use the Win7 PC.
See figure 8 on page 12 of the below link to the user manual.

Open a web browser and type in http:\\192.168.1.1\

You'll get a login screen asking for username and password. Enter admin for the username and password for the password. Once you do this you can initiate the setup wizard. I reccomend that you not install any setup software on any of your PC's. Just use the web interface. Once you get the PC connected to the internet through the router, the rest should be fairly straightforward.

This is straight from the user manual online here:ftp://downloads.netgear.com/files/WNDR3300_SM_12Nov07.pdf

Use the 'manual configuration' steps

A bit more clarification, if I may. You don't mention anywhere that I need to use the CD that I downloaded for the router. Does that mean that I only need the CD if I use the Wizard, rather than the manual setup? Note that there was a CD that came in the package with the router, and one that I downloaded specifically for Windows 7. Do I not need to use either of those, or if I do, at what point do I need them? Looking at the manual, it SEEMS to suggest that I only need the CD if I want to use the Smart Wizard setup. Is there some disadvantage to using that setup?

Again, I appreciate your willingness to help me with this.

 

[mvnsnd]

You are correct. You only need the setup CD if you do not configure it manually. You do not need to run any more software once the router is set up either. The setup CD just does the same thing with a software interface instead of the web based interface.

When the wireless is configured ( use WEP or WEP2 security ) and given a SSID name, you just go to your other PC with the wireless card and search for networks to connect to. You should see the SSID name of your router and then choose to connect to that. You will have to enter the WPA2 passkey that you entered into the router to make the connection.

Let us know how it goes and if you have any other questions, just ask!

 

[RP McIntosh]

You are correct. You only need the setup CD if you do not configure it manually. You do not need to run any more software once the router is set up either. The setup CD just does the same thing with a software interface instead of the web based interface.

When the wireless is configured ( use WEP or WEP2 security ) and given a SSID name, you just go to your other PC with the wireless card and search for networks to connect to. You should see the SSID name of your router and then choose to connect to that. You will have to enter the WPA2 passkey that you entered into the router to make the connection.

Let us know how it goes and if you have any other questions, just ask!

Just when I thought I was beginning to understand. Now I'm lost in the issue of WEP or WEP2, SSID, and WPA2 passkey. I've looked through the manual again, an can find no mention of any of these, except the SSID (which the technical specifications says is NETGEAR). There IS a mention of WPS, but a notation that the device being connected to must be WPS capable. I DO note in the default configuration settings, under 802.11 Security, it says "40 bit (also called 64 bit) and 128 bit WEP, WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK." And at what point in the process have I input this WPA2 passkey that you mention? I'm assuming that this is NOT the username/password combination used to log in to the router to do things like update the firmware.

Sorry to be so ignorant about all of this. But do appreciate your patience and expertise.

 

[fishnbanjo]

You are correct. You only need the setup CD if you do not configure it manually. You do not need to run any more software once the router is set up either. The setup CD just does the same thing with a software interface instead of the web based interface.

When the wireless is configured ( use WEP or WEP2 security ) and given a SSID name, you just go to your other PC with the wireless card and search for networks to connect to. You should see the SSID name of your router and then choose to connect to that. You will have to enter the WPA2 passkey that you entered into the router to make the connection.

Let us know how it goes and if you have any other questions, just ask!

Just when I thought I was beginning to understand. Now I'm lost in the issue of WEP or WEP2, SSID, and WPA2 passkey. I've looked through the manual again, an can find no mention of any of these, except the SSID (which the technical specifications says is NETGEAR). There IS a mention of WPS, but a notation that the device being connected to must be WPS capable. I DO note in the default configuration settings, under 802.11 Security, it says "40 bit (also called 64 bit) and 128 bit WEP, WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK." And at what point in the process have I input this WPA2 passkey that you mention? I'm assuming that this is NOT the username/password combination used to log in to the router to do things like update the firmware.

Sorry to be so ignorant about all of this. But do appreciate your patience and expertise.

Those are the various encryption types available on your router, each has their own pros and cons. If you will be the only user who connects the PC's to your router and use them for online banking etc. I would suggest the WPA2-PSK since most banks are moving to 128K encryption which. My Belkin uses this and a 12 character set of alpha numeric characters which you need to provide when getting any PC connected to the router the first go around as it will remember the PC connecting to it from then on and retain the characters in the configuration, your router generates the key and you supply it when your PC connects to the router the first time, hope this helps.

 

[RP McIntosh]

You are correct. You only need the setup CD if you do not configure it manually. You do not need to run any more software once the router is set up either. The setup CD just does the same thing with a software interface instead of the web based interface.

When the wireless is configured ( use WEP or WEP2 security ) and given a SSID name, you just go to your other PC with the wireless card and search for networks to connect to. You should see the SSID name of your router and then choose to connect to that. You will have to enter the WPA2 passkey that you entered into the router to make the connection.

Let us know how it goes and if you have any other questions, just ask!

Just when I thought I was beginning to understand. Now I'm lost in the issue of WEP or WEP2, SSID, and WPA2 passkey. I've looked through the manual again, an can find no mention of any of these, except the SSID (which the technical specifications says is NETGEAR). There IS a mention of WPS, but a notation that the device being connected to must be WPS capable. I DO note in the default configuration settings, under 802.11 Security, it says "40 bit (also called 64 bit) and 128 bit WEP, WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK." And at what point in the process have I input this WPA2 passkey that you mention? I'm assuming that this is NOT the username/password combination used to log in to the router to do things like update the firmware.

Sorry to be so ignorant about all of this. But do appreciate your patience and expertise.

Those are the various encryption types available on your router, each has their own pros and cons. If you will be the only user who connects the PC's to your router and use them for online banking etc. I would suggest the WPA2-PSK since most banks are moving to 128K encryption which. My Belkin uses this and a 12 character set of alpha numeric characters which you need to provide when getting any PC connected to the router the first go around as it will remember the PC connecting to it from then on and retain the characters in the configuration, your router generates the key and you supply it when your PC connects to the router the first time, hope this helps.

Thanks. That does help. I've looked at the capabilities of both the router and the wireless adapter, and both say that they support the WPA2-PSK, so that is what I'll use. I think that what I'll try is using the Setup Wizard first, since the documentation says it goes through updating the firmware, etc. But if that doesn't completely do the trick, or if I get lost in the process, I think I now have enough info to attempt the manual setup, thanks to the helpful folks on this forum.

 

[RP McIntosh]

You are correct. You only need the setup CD if you do not configure it manually. You do not need to run any more software once the router is set up either. The setup CD just does the same thing with a software interface instead of the web based interface.

When the wireless is configured ( use WEP or WEP2 security ) and given a SSID name, you just go to your other PC with the wireless card and search for networks to connect to. You should see the SSID name of your router and then choose to connect to that. You will have to enter the WPA2 passkey that you entered into the router to make the connection.

Let us know how it goes and if you have any other questions, just ask!

Well, the deed is done. I did try using the Setup Wizard on the theory that if I had problems, I could always start over, and do it manually. The wizard was actually pretty clear in its instructions. The only glitch I ran into was at the very end, when the wizard tested the connections and the ability to communicate with the router. It said the connections were correct, but that the router did not respond. It suggested that a reason might be antivirus software, or a firewall, and it suggested that I turn these off, if they were on, and try again. So I turned off my Norton Internet Security firewall, and the antivirus auto protect, and tried again. This time, it succeeded, and then led me through setting my wireless name (had to do two of them, one for 2.4 GH and one for 5 GH), but only one Passphrase. I then rebooted to be sure that the connection would still work with the firewall and antivirus back on, and am here to vouch for the fact that it does. Tomorrow, I tackle the wireless adapter on the other computer, and then see if I can get them talking to each other.

Many thanks to you and others here who provided valuable hand holding through this process.

 

[mvnsnd]

Congratulations. The wireless adapter will be easy now. Plug it in, install the software and connect using the passphrase. Then make sure you have printer and file sharing allowed on both PC's.