Router Only Works For One Computer

[Crowandazi]

Greetings all,

I tried to find anything resembling this in the posts, but couldn't. My wireless router works fine for my first laptop, and has for years. However, I can't get ANYTHING else to connect to it. My wife's laptop, my new laptop, my PSP, my Nintendo DS. Not ONE of these things will connect.

If it helps, I can see the network name on every device, but it never gets past "Automatic" in the connection window.

Networking has always confused me, but I usually troubleshoot by comparing something that works with something that doesn't. Here's what I've tried:

1. The network name, authentication type, WEP security settings and keys are ALL correct on every device. I have quadruple checked these. If I change these settings on the router, and then change them on all devices, it still only works for the original laptop alone.
2. ALL Windows network connection settings on the two new laptops are exactly the same as the settings on the original laptop. I went through every... single... window...
3. I have tried MAC address filtering. I can make it reject the original laptop, but I can not make it accept the new devices.
4. In the router's "wireless station" summary, only my original laptop's MAC address shows.
5. In the router's "Single Static IP" window, the names of the two new laptops were briefly in the list of available devices to share. They are not in the list any more, but clearly the router SAW the new laptops at some point.
6. The original laptop is only 3 feet closer to the router than the new machines, so I doubt distance is an issue (plus, if it sees the network name, doesn't that mean there is visibility?)

I don't know what else I can say. Please help me! Thanks!

[M/Q]

Return the router to default condition. Disable WEP and any other kind of filtering on the router. Disable any firewalls or security applications on the computers. Set the computers to receive their IP address automatically. Reboot the computers. Connect if possible to the router via wireless.

Then get to a command prompt on several of the computers and type ipconfig /all and publish the results here

[Crowandazi]

... all of them (router, windows, pc-cillin), and WEP is off. Here's the results of ipconfig /all:

Windows IP Configuration:
Host Name: (Computer Name)
Primary DNS Suffix:
Node Type: Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled: No
WINS Proxy Enabled: No

Ethernet Adapter wireless Network Connection:
Media State: Media Disconnected
Description: Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN Mini-Card
Physical Address: 00-16-CF...etc

Thoughts?

[M/Q]

That shows that the wireless adapter is disconnected.

Can you also repeat the command on other computers especially the one that is working.

[Crowandazi]

:) Because here's the IPConfig from the working computer:

Windows IP Configuration:
Host Name: (Computer Name)
Primary DNS Suffix:
Node Type: Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled: No
WINS Proxy Enabled: No
DNS Suffix Search List: myhome.westell.com

Ethernet Adapter wireless Network Connection:
Connection Specific DNS Suffix: myhome.westell.com
Description: Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN Mini-Card
Physical Address: 00-16-CF...etc
DHCP Enabled: yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled: yes
IP Address: 192.168.1.46
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers: 192.168.1.1
192.168.1.1
Lease Obtained...
Lease Expires...

For what it's worth, I manually set all of this stuff on the new machine (picking a different IP address that I know was in the range of the router's addresses) and that didn't work. Could the router be faulty?

[Crowandazi]

I'm sorry, one small detail I missed, but the "Node Type" on the working computer is "Mixed" not "Hybrid", although that doesn't sound like it's the problem...

[Crowandazi]

ARRGH! Delete the "Media Disconnected" line from the working computer's results (I accidently copied that when I shouldn't have). Repeat, that message is NOT in the working computer's results. (Never mind I edited it out...)

[M/Q]

There is something wrong with the wireless adapter in the first computer. It is not turned on or the hardware is not working correctly. On that computer try the ping 127.0.0.1 command and see what it does.

[Crowandazi]

I have no earthly idea what the ping 127.0.0.1 is doing, but the result is:

Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Packets Sent=4 Received=4 Lost=0
Minimum=0ms Max=0ms Average=0ms

This is on the machine that CAN'T connect. Thanks!

[M/Q]

That means the TCP/IP stack on that particular computer is working correctly.

Check the device manager and see if there are any yellow exclamation points or red X's next to the wireless adapter.

If possible can you reload the drivers for that particular wireless adapter you are using, or are you sure it is enabled?

You mentioned that this was occurring on more than one computer? If so please try all of the same tests on those that are not working.

I doubt this is an issue as you mentioned that you entered the information statically and it still did not work. But please check the router's DHCP server configuration and make sure that it is offering more than just one IP address, there should be a range.

[Crowandazi]

Here's new info: My new computer's MAC address is showing up in the router's "Wireless Station" list as "authenticated", but not "associated" like the older laptop's MAC address is. This computer's card is working and the router can see it, it just isn't associating it. How do I get it to associate?!!

My thanks for your help already...

[Crowandazi]

The Private LAN DHCP Settings are:

Start Address: 192.168.1.15
End Address: 192.168.1.47

So yes there are multiple addresses being offered. I've seen the addresses being assigned to the laptop as well as the land-line desktop that is going through the router as well.

[M/Q]

The card is not working. Did you disable any firewall or security applications that you have on that computer? Did you try an ipconfig /all again?

Did you try adding an IP address as well as the rest of the information manually and did that work or not?

[Crowandazi]

I've turned off firewalls many times, on both machines. I've set IP addresses many times, on both machines. Nothing works.

With FOUR separate devices (two laptops, a PSP, and a Nintendo DS) unable to connect to the router, you really don't think the problem lies there?

I've been trying for seven hours to fix this and am now going to bed a broken man. :( I thank you for your help. Maybe tommorrow will bring some new insight.

Thanks again!

[M/Q]

It would be hard to explain logically why the one computer is getting the correct information and the others are not, if the router was the problem. You said that you entered the information correctly and created a static IP address. Where you able to ping the router at that time? ping 192.168.1.1, try to ping 192.168.1.47 as well.

You are not at all broken, these things can be difficult. There is no grey area in this type of technology, only black and white. If you have one setting wrong it may cause the whole thing to not work.

[Crowandazi]

I lied, I can't sleep with this blasted thing not fixed.

Here's what I did, and maybe you can tell me what I did wrong:

1. Selected Wireless Network Connection Properties > Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties
2. Selected "Use the Following IP Address":
IP address: 192.168.1.46 (within the router's range, and not assigned to anything else that I can see)
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 (Matches that of the working machine)
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1 (The router's address)
3. Selected "Use the following DNS server addresses":
Preferred: 192.168.1.1 (Matches that of the working machine)
Secondary: 192.168.1.0 (Because it wouldn't let me use the same one again, even though the working machine had both numbers the same)

There was also a suffix-something (myhome.westell.com) that I assume goes somewhere in the advanced settings, but damned if I know where.

As for this ping stuff, you're assuming I understand what it's supposed to be telling me. Using the above settings, if I type "ping 192.168.1.1", I get "Destination host unreachable". I get the same message if I type "ping 192.168.1.46"

I feel, yes, a rant coming on...

This is ridiculous! WHY CAN'T NETWORK STUFF OPERATE AT A BASE LEVEL RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX THE WAY EVERY OTHER PLUG-AND-PLAY PIECE OF HARDWARE CAN!!!! All of these settings should work automatically, and only require tweaking by power users who know what they're doing!!! I shouldn't have to take a semester-long course in networking to hook up my wireless router!!!

...sorry. Rant over.

[M/Q]

OK, we go back to the thought that there is something wrong with the network adapter. When I ask you to ping that is a test to check the communications between two different devices. The router has the IP address 192.168.1.1 and when you ping 192.168.1.1 you are asking it to respond and it will then let you know if there is an open communications path between the two. It appears that there is a problem as the communications is not working.

What happens when you try ping 192.168.1.46 assuming that is the IP address you give the computer we are trying to get working.

[Crowandazi]

Same message

[Snarg]

To make your life a bit easier and to save you some typing, when you want to copy the output of the command prompt window to the forum, right click anywhere in the black window then click on 'Select all'. Then, press Ctrl C on your keyboard (that is the keyboard shortcut for 'copy'). When you want to insert that information into one of your messages, press Ctrl V on your keyboard (that is the keyboard shortcut for 'paste'). I wish I could provide help on your immediate issue. Listen to M/Q, he knows what he is talking about.

[Crowandazi]

Thanks... I was wondering how to do that.

[M/Q]

Thanks Snarq, that is a good idea. I forget to mention that too often.

I would like to step back here and recap. This way we will make sure we are on the same page as this is somewhat of a strange problem.

1. You have a wireless router (brand/model?) connected to the Internet
2. You have 5 devices that are trying to connect to it, just to make sure are you still saying that the original laptop connects correctly to the router and gains Internet access? Is that computer connecting using wireless or using an Ethernet cable?
3. When you use the ipconfig /all command on that computer it mentions that the default gateway is 192.168.1.1 and the laptop has an IP addr of 192.168.1.46. When you ping 192.168.1.1 what is the results? What is the result when you ping www.yahoo.com?
4. Now to the wireless setup. All encryption, MAC Address filtering, firewalls and anything other than default setting for the wireless router and computers are disabled?
5. Do you have the ability to connect the new laptop using Ethernet cable to the wireless router and see what the results of the ipconfig /all command are? Please remember to allow the computer to obtain its IP address automatically. Can you access the Internet that way?
6. If not publish the results here as well as the results of the ping 192.168.1.1 and ping www.yahoo.com commands.
7. If that does work try all of the same tests using the wireless connection and please post the results here. Again remember to allow the computer to obtain its IP address automatically. I know you have done this, but sometimes it is good to retrace and recheck in an orderly fashion.
8. If that does not work, try using a static IP address, but with a twist. Remove the first working computer from the network and use the exact same information including the IP address (make sure it still is 192.168.1.46) that you obtained from the ipconfig /all command that you did on the working laptop. Let us know what happens.

That is enough for now, I guess.

[Crowandazi]

My response to your points:

1. Westell Versalink Model A90-327W15-06. There are no firmware updates available.
2. Yes, five devices... four of which can't connect. The one that can is connecting successfully to the internet via wireless.
3. Those numbers are all correct when I ipconfig the working laptop via wireless. I can successfully ping both 192.168.1.1 and www.yahoo.com from this computer
4. Everything is turned off.
5. All devices work when connecting via Ethernet and automatic IP addressing is enabled
6. See above
7. Still doesn't work
8. I will try this, but can you review what I said earlier about how I set up the manual IP address to make sure I did it correctly? I've tried to find a tutorial on this, but they always say useless things like "enter the subnet mask in the subnet mask window", which does me no good if I don't know what the correct subnet mask should be.

Thanks!

[M/Q]

Great information. I still feel that there maybe one router issue or there are many wireless adapter issues. The router almost appears to have MAC Addr filtering enabled and you are only allowing one device through. Forgive me, but you do have that disabled for sure?

Is the wireless adapter in the working laptop a removable pc card? If so, can you maybe install it in one of the other laptops to see what happens?

As for the static IP addr setup this is all you need to enter:

IP address: 192.168.1.46
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
DNS Server: 192.168.1.1
209.98.98.98

The second DNS server is just in case the router is not working correctly.

[Crowandazi]

I agree. It sounds like the router will allow only one computer to access it via wireless (it's fine via ethernet), but I've quadruple checked... MAC filtering is disabled.

As for the static IP test, I have to wait until my wife is done on her computer to check it out (her's is the one that works). A question, though. Do I need to enter any information in the Advanced settings regarding the DNS Suffixes? I see this suffix information (myhome.westell.com) when I ipconfig the working computer.

And yes, it's a removable card as opposed to an internal card like the new computers. I will try that as well.

And let me repeat something you might have overlooked when I mentioned it earlier, the new computer's MAC address IS showing up in the router's list of stations. It's just showing up as authenticated, not associated...

Thanks!

[Crowandazi]

Also, do I have to disable DCHP on the router if I'm going to manually assign IP address on the new computer?

[M/Q]

I would not worry about any other information other than what I mentioned for now. If you are looking to share files and printers you will need to do more configuration, but that is not a concern right now.

I am very interested to see if the working card will make a difference. Not sure what it means though.

I realize that the non working card is getting authenticated, that means the wireless portion may or may not be working. But, when you gave the non working adapter a static IP address, it still could not get a response when you pinged that very same IP address. That typically is a driver or hardware issue then.

In most cases the DHCP server will be intelligent enough to just not use the IP addr that was published by the computer. But, I am not that familiar with the router you have. So, if it does not work that maybe a good second test.

One last thought, did you ever have MAC addr filtering enabled? Do you have all of the information to reconfigure the router? If so, it might be a good idea to do a hard reset on the router. Maybe some existing configuration is corrupted. Kind of a guess on my part to be honest though.

Also are you near any other wireless hotspots like a coffee shop? It might be a test to see if the notebooks work at one of those and then we can focus on the router.

[Crowandazi]

Actually, a hard reset was one of the first things I did. (It freaked me out when I couldn't remember the default password, but I eventually did)

I am off to the local Starbucks right now to see if I can get a connection. I'll report back within the hour.

[Crowandazi]

AAAHHH! Not only did both of the new laptops connect at Starbucks, they did so INSTANTLY, even with all of the screwing around with the network settings I've been doing.

So I think it's a fair bet that it's the router that's the problem. I was thinking about what you said... I did use MAC filtering in the past and maybe the hard reset wasn't enough to clear the slate. I know for a fact that some of the passwords were still loaded when I booted it up after the reset. The thing that was always bothered me about this router is that they offer NO firmware support for it, so I can never update it in case there is a glitch in the build.

SO, I have a brand new Netgear router sitting on my desk. Unless you come back and have a really good idea as to what can be done about the router, I'm unwrapping this baby, giving it a shot, and moving on with my life.

In the meantime, thanks and thanks again for your patient advice. I know know a heck of a lot more about networking than I did two days ago. So much so that I have another topic I'm about to start (though it's not nearly as complicated or pressing.)

[M/Q]

When MAC addr filtering was setup did you only allow one address? I guess you did not try the card in a different computer, as that would cinch it if that worked.

I am glad that you resolved it and if the existing router can not be updated, I would think about using the new one. But, which one did you get?

[Crowandazi]

Netgear WGR614 54Mbps. I had one in the past and was very happy with it, but it's still in the wrapper if there's something I need to know about it.

[M/Q]

It is a consumer grade device, but I have several myself and they work fine. I just prefer NetGear's business grade devices.

[lisfolks]

You may have already resolved this, but just in case - and in case anyone else is looking for answers to a similar problem: Dell has put out a support page indicating that its network cards won't connect properly to the Westell Versalink A90-327W15-06 with firmware version 03.00.63a.

There IS an upgrade to the firmware to correct this, though. Dell's site with the info is at:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&cs=19&docid=125CFDEB0AFE10E1E0401E0A55174E79&journalid=FD3654B2E69611DAA153699FAA04079A&l=en&s=dhs%23en

And the firmware link on that page points to:
http://download.verizon.net/webdownload/firmware/upgrades/westell/A90-327W15_VER_03_02_01.exe

The new version will be 03.02.01

The only difference I had with the Dell instructions was where they said to click 'Run' on the popup window for the download. I didn't have that option, so I clicked Save.

Then I ran it from my PC as they suggested, and it worked fine. It takes awhile, though - if you're impatient or keyboard/click-happy, I'd suggest walking away from the computer for about 5 - 10 minutes, as it looks like it's not doing anything even though it is. When it's done, you'll have a note at the bottom of the window saying whether it completed successfully.

Note, it does reboot the modem at the end of the process, so you'll probably want to connect wired instead of wireless to run the update.

Good luck!

[foxrider72]

why did you chose this ip adress??

[conradinsf]

Just wondering if this problem was ever resolved, since the discussion seemed to have ended without any resolution or conclusion. I am having the same problem as Crowandazi (ie. only one computer can connect wirelessly). I have two computers hard-wired, and four computers wirelessly. The issues are with the wireless comps. If one is connected, other computers cannot connect wirelessly. If I turn the connected one off, then it is a race for the open connection. Granted, there seems to be a connection that occurs every so often (once a day, for 5-10 minutes) then gets dropped. I've tried all of the suggestions posted on the link. I even purchased a new WGR614 unit, but the same problem.

I have tolerated this problem for a year, and I don't quite understand why. Oh, because I decided to hard-wire the other computers!

Any help would be much appreciated.

[golfnut]

This sounds like a DHCP problem. Let's stay with the wireless computers.

When one is connected, and I'll assume connected means you can access the Internet, the other three can't connect to the Internet.

First thing to check is if the other three computers have IP addresses.

Do Start --> Run --> cmd

At the Dos prompt type ipconfig.

Do this on all three PC's and note the IP addresses. If they start with 169.xxx.xxx.xxx, then the PC's aren't getting an IP address from your router.

If the IP's are 192.xxx.xxx.xxx, from the same prompt, do "ping google.com"
and see what happens.

Greg

[conradinsf]

[QUOTE=golfnut]This sounds like a DHCP problem. Let's stay with the wireless computers.

When one is connected, and I'll assume connected means you can access the Internet, the other three can't connect to the Internet.

> That's correct. I have network AND internet connection with only one wireless comp at a time. I will call my main wireless as HP. The other three (which I will conveniently call Mac, Dell, and Sony) will not be able to access the network (filesharing, etc.) NOR the internet if HP is wirelessly connected.
:confused:

First thing to check is if the other three computers have IP addresses.

Do Start --> Run --> cmd

At the Dos prompt type ipconfig.

Do this on all three PC's and note the IP addresses. If they start with 169.xxx.xxx.xxx, then the PC's aren't getting an IP address from your router.

> The IP's are all 192.168.xxx.yyy, where the yyy are incremental values assigned by the router.
:)


If the IP's are 192.xxx.xxx.xxx, from the same prompt, do "ping google.com"
and see what happens.

> I can ping google.com fine, as well as yahoo.com and the router ip. There are several problems that may be related (or may be not). Please be patient, because this will be a long post that I will try to describe as thoroughly as possible. We'll tackle the wireless issue for now, and if you still have the patience with me, I would like to tackle the other issue of not being able to see the wired comps for file sharing (or maybe another post will be more appropriate?)

:confused:

I do not have MAC addressing activated. My other laptops can get internet access when

I can ping the router and one of the wired desktop computers (but not the other), yet both wired computers have internet access, the one that cannot be pinged cannot participate in file sharing (in or out). Maybe a separate issue?

From HP (a wireless laptop), I cannot ping the ip address of itself (ie. HP ip from command prompt is 192.168.1.3, and I ping 192.168.1.3) with 100% Loss of packets, though I have internet access. And now I am having problems whenever I select "My Network Places" to check the shared directories in my LAN. If HP is connected wirelessly, then Mac, Dell, and Sony cannot connect. If I turn off HP (or turn off wireless card), then one of the other ones can connect, but ONLY one. It will have a different IP address. I have not performed the ping on the other ones yet, but I'll try it when I get home tonight.

How can I tell if it is a DHCP problem?

[conradinsf]

Results from the past few nights of turmoil and despair.

Spoiler- I still have the problem of not being able to connect more than 1 wireless computer on this router. I decided to do the following:

1. I unplugged all of the wired computers and tested one wireless computer (HP). It has no issues with regards to connecting to the LAN and internet, and the signal is "Excellent" at 54 Mbps. It is assigned an IP address (192.168.1.2) Can also ping both router and self IP, and google.com and yahoo.com

2. With HP wirelessly connected, I plugged in (hard-wired net) one computer to the router, and it is also fine (IP 192.168.1.3). And, they can see each other, ping each other, and file sharing is working fine.

3. I unplugged the hard-wired computer and turned off HP wireless, and fired up a wireless laptop (Dell). It also has no issues, and can connect to the router with an IP (192.168.1.4), has an "Excellent" signal at 54 Mbps, and has access to LAN and internet fine.

4. Same as step 2, with Dell still wirelessly connected I hard-wired one computer to the router, and it is still fine (IP 192.168.1.3). And, they can see each other, ping each other, and file sharing is working fine.

Wait for it...

5. I unplugged the hard-wired computer and turned on HP wireless, and NO GO!!! HP cannot connect to the router (no connection), and therefore has no access to the LAN or internet. Dell still has wireless connection (with LAN and internet access). I hard-wired HP to the router, and Voila!!! LAN and internet connection, with file-sharing for HP (but wired), and Dell is also still working!

6. I unplugged net cable on HP, and I turned off Dell wireless, and within a few seconds HP now has wireless access to the router, with all the fixins! I turned on Dell wireless, and no router connection!

7. Just for sh!ts & giggles, while Dell wireless is on (with no router access) I turned off HP wireless and within a few seconds, Dell is now wirelessly connected!!!

WTF!!!!!!!

I asked my neighbor, who has a WRT54G router (and a signal that reaches my house), if I can test my laptops on his wireless router. He gave me his WEP key (since I was the one who helped him set up his wireless router and computers) and within 10 minutes, ALL of my wireless computers were connected to his wireless router!!!

Thinking it might be a problem with my specific router, I popped in to the local BB store bought the same exact router (Netgear WGR614), plugged it in, with minor configuration (SSID name, etc.), and guess what.... anyone???.... Same problems as above!!! I went through the same steps, and still only one computer can connect wirelessly.

I have been more than patient with my Netgear router, but I will be returning the recently purchased Netgear router and exchanging it for the Linksys WRT54G (though I would rather get the GL version, which is not available at BB).

[golfnut]

What's the subnet mask on the router configuration for the LAN?

Also, try this -

1) On the router, change the DHCP range - 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200

2) Take two wireless laptops and assign them static IP's. So the first one could be 192.168.1.10 and the second 1.20

When you configure the laptops, set the DNS server to 192.168.1.1

The subnet mask should be the same as the router, 255.255.255.0

Greg