please please could someone help me in total layman's terms? I've just got a laptop which is wireless enabled. Being rather naive, all I thought i had to do was to buy a router, plug my broadband modem into it, and connect to it! but how! I have a netgear rangemax router, but it does not have a cd or instructions (i was told could get them off the web). I have plugged my modem into it, and all the right bits on it are flashing! Please, please could someone talk me REAL slowly through this? I am SO frustrated!!

Hi and welcome to D-A-L

where did you get the router from?

Have you connected the moden to the router through the WAN port, have you got a spare ethernet cable to connect the laptop to the router with wires, to make sure the router's working properly.

start >> Run >> CMD >> type ipconfig (hit enter) that should give you an IP Address, a subnet mask and a default gateway, the default gateway is the IP address of the router

if you type that into your address bar of your homepage you should be able to get to the home page of the router

Originally Posted by brain_damage

Hi and welcome to D-A-L

where did you get the router from?

Have you connected the moden to the router through the WAN port, have you got a spare ethernet cable to connect the laptop to the router with wires, to make sure the router's working properly.

start >> Run >> CMD >> type ipconfig (hit enter) that should give you an IP Address, a subnet mask and a default gateway, the default gateway is the IP address of the router

if you type that into your address bar of your homepage you should be able to get to the home page of the router

thank you for getting back to me so quickly!
ok, you've underestimated how clueless I am! the wan port? I plugged the modem into the router, the wee key on the underneath of the router says it's the 'internet' port. (it also has LAN ports 1-4?) the router came with it's own cable (with a telephone type connection at each end-ethernet?) so do you want me to plug modem to router, then to laptop?
p.s, was a factory-refurbished one i picked up, but no manual/cd
cheers,
rea

you're a genius! (yes, I am aware that I'm also quite thick) plugged the modem to router to laptop and got a wizard thingy (d'oh!!) so it's set it up. now I'll try the next bit to see if I can set it up to work wireless....
thanks!!

ok, got to the home page and everything the settings all set themselves, and the wireless indicator on the router is flashing. now, how do I get the computer to work on the net when I unplug the stupid router from it! I assume I'll need to change some settings in my computer, but which!! I have XP.

on the home page have you got set up information, with setting like.

WAN IP Address : xx.xx.xx.xx
Connection : DHCP
Wireless SSID : Jeffs
Security : Enable - 64 Bit
LAN IP Address : 192.168.11.1
DHCP Server : ON

on the security bit does it have if security is enabled ?

PS

I'm not a genius

Originally Posted by brain_damage

on the home page have you got set up information, with setting like.

WAN IP Address : xx.xx.xx.xx
Connection : DHCP
Wireless SSID : Jeffs
Security : Enable - 64 Bit
LAN IP Address : 192.168.11.1
DHCP Server : ON

on the security bit does it have if security is enabled ?

PS

I'm not a genius

go on, you are a wee bit.
now, do you want me to go the netgear page with the router plugged in to get this info?
(remember- clueless. totally)

yes please

the laptop works ok wired?

Originally Posted by brain_damage

yes please

the laptop works ok wired?

yep it does,
okay, under 'advanced wireless settings' i have enable ssid broadcast and enable wireless router radio. any good?