Wi-fi Signal

[Richb2004v2]

I have a desktop and two laptops. I never use the desktop any more, only the two laptops. I use both the laptops on my wireless signal that was set up for me and is locked with a password. I recently changed operating system to a version of Linux. After this I was asked for the keycode to access my wireless signal. I put it in but it still didn't access. It will access other unlocked wi-fi signals ok so I've been using a neighbors . However now that is password protected too so I have to sort my connection out. I need to know how to check my signal source and if necessary change the password or something. I have no idea how to do this or which PC to use. I guess I will do it using the desktop as that was the original machine. Am I right?

[webfact]

The WiFi signal is send from a source, and that is a wireless modem/router.

Here you find the WiFi security settings. Generate a new passkey and configure your laptops.

Edited May 20, 2009 by webfact

[lopburi3]

Believe you want a direct wire connection to the modem. Then you enter the IP number in your browser for the modem (My D-Link is 192.168.1.1 but other modems can be different). You then get a log in page. Default password is admin for D-Link but if it has been changed you need to know it. Then you go to the wireless set up page to enter new password for your network. You should be using WPA or WPA2 rather than WEP.

[webfact]

Believe you want a direct wire connection to the modem. Then you enter the IP number in your browser for the modem (My D-Link is 192.168.1.1 but other modems can be different). You then get a log in page. Default password is admin for D-Link but if it has been changed you need to know it. Then you go to the wireless set up page to enter new password for your network. You should be using WPA or WPA2 rather than WEP.

in case you got problems to access your router - you can download a pdf file

List of default Router Admin passwords/IP addresses

[longball53098]

Richb, first I would look around the house for the User Manual that you should have when you bought the modem. See what it says about the access log ins for that modem. Also you say someone set this up for you so did they write down in the manual or somewhere what the access password was changed to or if it was even changed? You don't say who set this up for you but if it's the phone company then a call to them to find out the info may be helpful. If you do not have the user name and password to log in to the modem/router and it has been changed from the default which is typically admin/admin , you will need to reset the modem to default settings to regain access to the configuration screens. If you reset the modem/router to default you need the configuration settings for you're ADSL line which also get reset to the defaults.

The first thing I would try is connect an ethernet cable from a computer to the modem/router and open your web browser and enter the most likely addresses of 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 These are frequently used. If you get a login screen then try the default id and passwords of admin/admin and see if you can get in with the defaults. You may get lucky and they were not changed. If you can get in then you can get to the set up screens and you can see what type of wireless security was used and see the needed info to set up this new wireless connection.

If all else fails a reset needs to be done and starting from square one to reconfigure the modem/router.

[Richb2004v2]

Thanks for the advice. I have found the router CD containing the manual. I've been reading through it and was about to go to my wired PC to attempt a fix. However I am trying a LiveCD of Easy Peasy, and with it the wireless signal works fine. I am now checking all other features of Easy Peasy to ensure no other shortfalls. If it passes all tests I might switch.

Thanks