setting up network

[karenr]

I was given a Trendnet TEW-432BRP wireless router. It seems OK...thelights are all on (except "system"). bought a Linksys Wireless G USB adapter for the other computer. It keeps saying a network cable is unplugged.
Does it matter that: 1. router and adapter are different brands; 2. my OS is Vista and the other is XP
I am clueless about network/wireless, etc., so what am I doing wrong?
:confused:

[Lostatsea3]

Drivers installed?

[Yoshi Fan]

Yes, make sure the drivers are installed.

Even without drivers, though.. most computers detect when you have the card in there, and won't say that a network cable is unplugged. Are you sure the card works?

[karenr]

the router didn't come with the cd-rom, but the USB adapter did, and was installed using the cd. I presume that installs the driver for the adapter. But about the router...don't know.
BTW, do you not use either a card or a USB adapter?
Told you I was clueless
Do I have to go online to see if I can find a driver for the router?

[Rick]

The router should not need a driver

You should go online and down load the owners manual for it

The router should be reset.
Most by pressing the reset button on the case.
Some have a small hole with a button inside

Now to the cable unplugged
If your system has/had a network card installed before
It will report what network cards/devices are working

A NIC will normally not even show up on the task bar or it will show as two small monitors and a blue circle over the bottom of them
When it is Not plugged in the icon will show the same as the wifi device without the ))) beams around it

To get rid of the not plugged in
Go into the bios and disable the Ethernet network device ( IF it is an on board device
If it is an add in card the you can disable it in device manager or remove the card all together
It doesn't hurt anything to just leave it there and ignore the icon

Same thing as a laptop with both Ethernet and Wifi
One or the other will always show not connected or something on that line.


Now to get the network up and running

First get that manual and read the setup for it
MOST require the router be connector to the administrators computer by a cable the first time it is run/setup

The manual should give you the info you need to get things going
Like the default address for the router and the admin log on./password

Then just follow the book and get your setting right
Set your security and pass word

Write them down. ( You will need them later)
Then boot the second system and setup that system using the info from the router setup

Then setup file and printer sharing ( IF that is what you intend to do with it)
on both systems

If you intend to hook it all up to a modem for the internet
the system should see it and access it with little or no proble,

Once you have one wifi and the wired working
You can shut down the wired and repeat the steps on the first wifi
and it should get access with no problems

Note.
if you have to reboot the network
Do it in the correct order
shut down / power off everything

Then boot the modem first and wait till it is ready ( All light on and working.
Then boot the router and wait till it's ready
Then boot your other systems

[karenr]

I've printed out your instructions and will go at it tomorrow. I hope I can understand well enough :o