Wireless broadband issues.

[KathyWoolfe]

I'm just trying to get wireless broadband and I signed up with one supplier. Their hub came on saturday and i've tried to connect to it but it just won't. The hub appears on my wireless networks list but when I try and connect to it, it just refuses.
I paid a fee for an "technical engineer" to come out and get it working and he came today. He said that it is the fault of my OS (XP home) and it requires a full install.
I have an issue with this as I have managed to attach to other wireless networks effortlessly in hotels etc so I cannot see how my OS is corrupt. The trouble is if I want to cancel the broadband connection the ISP is going to charge me £400.
Can anyone offer any suggestions as to what is wrong?
Thanks for any help.

[daviejones]

The OS wont be corrupt. You should be able to connect to it by cable to begin with. From there you can set your own security...have you tried this?

[chef]

The OS wont be corrupt. You should be able to connect to it by cable to begin with. From there you can set your own security...have you tried this?

agreed, think like sherlock..

plug the wire from laptop to the router, if you coonect then great, if not then its most likely the broadband setup.

next step, unplug hte wired cable and try turning off all Firewall software you may have installed (Norton, ZoneAlarm, AVG) then try and connect wirelessly (?)

if that then works then its likely to be firewall software blocking it, for that we'd need to know what software you have. if not then it must be your wireless settings on your laptop.

seriously dont think its your OS install, unlikely atleast. sounds like dippy engineer to me.

[TheFaQQer]

agreed, think like sherlock..

plug the wire from laptop to the router, if you coonect then great, if not then its most likely the broadband setup.

next step, unplug hte wired cable and try turning off all Firewall software you may have installed (Norton, ZoneAlarm, AVG) then try and connect wirelessly (?)

if that then works then its likely to be firewall software blocking it, for that we'd need to know what software you have. if not then it must be your wireless settings on your laptop.

seriously dont think its your OS install, unlikely atleast. sounds like dippy engineer to me.

connect
don't
at least

[DBA_bloke]

The thing to remember is that to setup initially, you need to plug a cable from your NIC into the router - it won't be configurable wirelessly to start off with.

You then open IE and type the router's IP address (it'll probably be 192.168.0.1, or similar). That'll get you to the router's admin page.

Doddle after that.

Oh, and be smart and DO change the admin password (usually "password"!), lest some git parks-up outside your house and chances his arm at logging-in to your PC!

[KathyWoolfe]

The thing to remember is that to setup initially, you need to plug a cable from your NIC into the router - it won't be configurable wirelessly to start off with.

You then open IE and type the router's IP address (it'll probably be 192.168.0.1, or similar). That'll get you to the router's admin page.

Doddle after that.

Oh, and be smart and DO change the admin password (usually "password"!), lest some git parks-up outside your house and chances his arm at logging-in to your PC!

Unfortunately my cable connector doesn't work. In fact it has never worked so I guess that I'll have to get it repaired.

[daviejones]

If the router has been reset to factory settings, you may be able to get to it via wireless...but if I recall BT do some settings etc.

They should provide a CD that you just install if they want you to do a "full install"...

Are you saying that your Ethernet port is not working? Is it enabled?

[KathyWoolfe]

Thanks everyone. I never for a moment thought that it was my OS that was the problem as i've always managed to connect wirelessly to public wireless networks.

[DBA_bloke]

Unfortunately my cable connector doesn't work. In fact it has never worked so I guess that I'll have to get it repaired.

Ah ha!

My NetGear router absolutely HAS to be setup using a PC -> router cable... only then is it in the wireless realm. Maybe yours is similar? As for the numpty who came to fix it up: get your cash back.

[where did my id go?]

have you any documentation that tells you what wireless encryption is set up and what the password is?

What is the router ?