Newb needs basic help to configure wireless connections.

What I'm trying to do is add a router, D-link dir-601, to a speedstream 5200 dsl modem, to allow me to connect wireless with new laptop, with win7, 64bit. I would leave the old PC winXP connected via ethernet cable to the new router. I think the router and modem are OK. I think i just don't understand how to reconfigure the PC or the laptop to connect. I read through the sticky on the subject, but I'm just not getting it. Can someone give me a layman's version?

 

In basic theory/terms all you need to do is connect the d-link wireless router directly to the modem via ethernet cable via the WAN port of the router. Then in the router settings, configure it to 'Automatically assign itself an IP Address' (if you have a Dynamic IP from your ISP) or manually assign one to the router (if you have a static IP Address from your ISP).

I'm not to familiar with the d-links but this setting may be under a tab/menu such as 'WAN/Internet' in the router. (And of course to access the router's settings you enter I believe 192.168.0.1 (for d-links) in your Internet browser's address field and hit enter; not sure of the user/pass)

Then you enable the wireless setting; set up an SSID and encryption type such as WPA and wallah.

 

Thanks for the reply makaveli72. I'll try some of that but your loosing me with dynamic and static address. How do i figure out which the router has? I am a total newb. I know that ip is internet protocol, and understand isp. I know exactly how to connect the cables OK. When I connect to the old PC I'm connecting to what is labeled "Ethernet". Am I right to assume that connection is ready to go, or do I need an adapter? I was given 192.168.0.1 , and went on the browser and filled in the fields there with password given. How do I "enable the wireless setting", and "set up an ssid" (what is ssid) Yeh, very newb, but I have to start somewhere, and it is a learning process for sure. I may be able to set up the encryption after reading the sticky again.

 

1. Physically connect your desktop to your router.
2. Open a browser, like Internet Explorer, and in the address bar type in 192.168.0.1 and hit enter.
3. On the screen that pops up, just login without inputting a password (D-Link routers by default don't have a set password).
4. Click around the options until you find a "Wireless Setup Wizard"
4a. Alternatively, you can do a manual setup, but you seem a bit lost with setup, so do your advanced settings when you're more familiar.
5. After you set up your network name (SSID; i.e. "Fixer1's Network) and password, connect your laptop to that network.

 

I see where your going forge, keeping it on the XP side, and then just jump on with the laptop. The router does have a password but I have it. On the wireless setup wizard will it allow me to set up for the PC to be wired and the laptop to be wireless? I'm not sure how to "just connect the laptop", but I will try it. Are you saying that it should just find the wireless router on it's own and connect when I ask it to, or does it have to be configured too? Thanks for your patience.

 

A router will be simultaneous: You can be wired and have a wireless connection.

When you connect your laptop (wirelessly), click your wireless icon in your lower-right taskbar. It should bring up a list of networks. Select your network, input the right password (the password for your network, not the router's admin password), and boom, there you go.

 

Hi guys; I got it figured out. I used a combination of your suggestions and used the old PC to talk to the router. Part of the problem was me not understanding how many things had to be done once I got into the router setup page. There are 3 separate tasks selectable on the page. I was only doing one. There is some instruction on the page and under the instruction in a very dim orange color, there is the word "more". If you click on it you get enough info to fill a wheelbarrow. Everything a newb could ever want. So just like you said forge, after the router gets a tune up, (only took me about an hour) you just select your connection and sign on with the wireless. Thanks for your help guys.