Wireless router problem

15 years ago

First, the basics: We have 4 computers. Two desktops, two notebooks. All OS are XP SP3, fully updated. We use Avira, WinPatrol, and Spybot- the machines are all clean and in perfect running condition. No problems with any of the computers- they run perfectly. We all use Firefox 3 although we do have IE 7 on the machines.

We have Hughes Net. We are rural, and satellite internet was/is our only option for high speed internet. We have never had any problems with Hughes Net. Before Hughes Net, we had dial-up. The two desktop computers were connected ad-hoc and shared the dial-up connection. If I needed to use one of my notebooks, I simply unplugged the ethernet cable from desktop #2 and plugged it into the notebook.

A couple of weeks ago, we all began experiencing problems with "the page cannot be displayed". (Ugh. Aggravating.) All computers are experiencing this problem. 10 out of 20 page views returns this error, whether we use Firefox or IE. By process of elimination, I discovered the culprit was our wireless router. (I by-passed the router and tested each computer using only the Hughes Net modem. Very fast speed and no page loading problems at all.)

The Hughes Net modem (HN9000) connects into our wireless router (D-Link model # VWR-VR). The wireless router has a cable that connects to the main desktop, and there is an ethernet cable that also connects from the back of the router to desktop computer #2. The notebooks connect via the wireless signal. Typical configuration from what I have read.

I did not install the wireless router. The man that installed our Hughes Net modem several months ago (October 2008) did, so I am not familiar with the original configuration of the wireless modem, but I do know that the signal is not secure and it really should have been set up as a secure network.

Neither the Hughes Net modem or the wireless router show up in device manager. Never have. We know how to access the Hughes Net modem, and through research on the internet I have learned how to access the wireless router. I have not changed anything in the wireless router yet. The wireless router came with a disk, but the disk only contains the user guides.

We have had plenty of lengthy power outages lately (ice storm outages) and I suspect the router may have reset itself to the default settings (if it was ever configured at all).

My question- what steps should I take to correct this almost-constant "page cannot be displayed"? Also, we are using the original cable that was wired for ad-hoc connection to connect into the router. If I remember correctly, the pin outs are different for ad-hoc configuration than if the cable is going into a router. Would this make any noticeable difference in connection quality of that particular cable?

I realize this is kind of long and lengthy, but I appreciate any help with this router problem and suggestions on how to solve it. I considered just buying a new router and setting it up myself so that I would have first-hand knowledge about the configuration, but first I would like to attempt to salvage this router (and save some money) since it previously worked well.

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Comments (3)

mikie_gw
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'm not familiar with the voip routers nor your sat modem but you might want to visit dslreports.com forums.

They have a thread going now about DNS problems currently with Hughes net. And you can probably learn more than you want to know about the hughes modem and its configurations there.

Here is a link that might be useful: DSLReports Sat forum.
grandms
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Since your network is unsecured, is there a possibility that someone else, a neighbor or driveby is also using your network? The "page not loading" message usually happens when there is not enough bandwidth available.

You mention an anti-virus program, WinPatrol, and Spybot, but how about a firewall? You really need more malware protection than those offer you. All comps are XP, and the Windows firewall on XP is really not that good. And even though you have the router, which offers some firewall protection, you really should have a good software firewall such as Comodo or Zone Alarm. I would also suggest that you download and keep updated the little application called Spywareblaster to help keep malware from your comps. You do not scan with it, just keep it updated and it offers protection. Another scanner, better than Spybot is SuperAntiSpyware. Download,install, update, and run a scan. Have it remove anything it finds.

These are just a few ideas to investigate. Setting up the network is not difficult. Use the software that came with your router to install. The hookups are as you described. Once it is installed, access your router---most use 192.168.0.1 but I'm not sure if that is the address Linksys uses or not---and there you can set up your security. As far as factory default settings, that is probably what the guy who installed it left as is. And the default settings offer no security at all.
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zep516 - Now that you mention it I have at times (but not at the same time my laptop stopped working on the porch) had modem failures and comcast told me I probably needed to have it replaced. But it works fine for about three weeks and then goes down. So i've been lazy and haven't taken it in to swap it out. Comcast isn't my fav company to deal with. pkponder - I have wracked my brain and the only other thing that I know of that has changed is my ADT system got a trouble light a few weeks ago, maybe around the same time, but ADT told me that checking their records, they haven't had a signal from my home in a year... ADT is also not my favorite company since they continued to bill me. But the security system is wired not wireless, if that makes a difference. It is connected to my Comcast phone service though. mikie - Well, I do have an older, refurbished laptop so that could be possible. There is no way to check the internal reception, is there? And windows update has messed me up on other minor settings before. I will work on the things I have control over like the modem and the ethernet cable and see what happens. You guys (and gal) are awesome.
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sriston
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions so far. We do not have VOIP, this router (although marketed for Vonage) was a close-out and thus, cheap. We only use the internet connectivity part of the router. We have no telephones at all.

There is no possibility that anyone else is using our bandwidth. For one, we are subject to FAP and believe me we would know (our allowance is 185 MB a day in downloads). Also, even though it is a wireless signal, it isn't that strong and someone would have to be on our road, on our property, pretty much right in front of the house to use our signal. So, no, there is no misuse of our bandwidth.

We do not use a firewall. We have tried them, and simply did not like how much they slowed down our computers. The router nor the Hughes Net modem does not have a firewall. We don't want a firewall on our systems. I also feel that our antivirus and spyware programs are suitable for our needs- I don't want to add any more programs- our machines are not "souped up" modern machines but they serve our needs well. In other words, small hard drives and enough memory to do what we need to do. We use the Tea Timer in Spybot, along with the browser protection. At one time we had Spyware Blaster, but in recent months we just rely on SpyBot. We have well-maintained systems and adding any more protection programs would be overkill, in my opinion. We have used the internet for several years and have never had a virus or spyware. Our computers are used mostly for schoolwork, although we use do use webmail. We do very little pleasure surfing.

The router did not come with any software at all. Only the user guide on CD.

Wireless router problem

Comments (3)

mikie_gw

grandms

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sriston
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Wireless router problem

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mikie_gw

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