ADSL Wireless Router Security - Connecting to your Router with a Laptop.

Ensure you have completed the setup for your router listed below before carrying out this setup

1. Netgear D834G Router
2. ZyXEL 600 Series (Newtel)
3. Speedtouch 586 (Cable & Wireless)       
4. 3 Com Routers

Connecting to Wireless Network from a Laptop

This is based on a ZyXEL 600 Series Router, it will work on any router.

To connect your Laptop to any Wireless Router use the windows zero-connection. Windows SP2 must be fully updated to do this, go to windows updates first and install all the security patches you are missing. Use this tutorial to make sure you don't get anything undesirable.

Windows Updates

If you have a Laptop or a PC with a wireless card installed skip to Wireless Setup

If you do not have wireless capability use the supplied USB antenna, you will need to install the drivers for it from the CD supplied with the router. Just do the following nothing else, do not install any supplied software on the CD all you need is drivers.

Plug in the USB Cable and attach the USB Antenna, wait till windows runs the "found new hardware wizard" insert your CD into the drive, tell Windows to install drivers automatically and ensure you check the "never go online to check for driver updates" button, Click "next" then Windows will search the CD and install the drivers for your USB Antenna. Remove the CD and reboot the machine.

Wireless Setup

1. Click the Start Button then "My Network Places" if you use the classic menu it is Start > Settings > Network Connections.

2. This brings up the following window, click "View network connections" in the left pane.

3. If you have a Wireless Connection Device installed correctly you will see it in the following window labled "Wireless Network Connection". Right Click on it and select "View Available Network Connections"

4. This will bring up the following screen, Windows should see your router broadcasting a wireless access point available as follows, if not click the "Refresh network list" button in the left pane. If you still see nothing go back into the router configuration and check SSID or ESSID is set to broadcast, then come back here and try again. When you get this screen ensure it says "Security enabled wireless connection" then click on "Connect"

5. You will now be asked to enter the wireless passphrase key you specified when you set up the router WPA security, I hope you wrote it down. Ensure the case is correct, this is case sensitive - enter the key in the boxes then click "Connect".

6. Assuming everything is set correctly Windows will now connect to your router. When you get the following screen confirming a connection is established shut down to desktop and ensure you can go on line via the wireless connection. If this works OK then reboot the laptop and ensure it logs into the router and connects automatically on start up.

Next go back to the Router wireless setup screen for your router to carry out the final security settings, click on the following:-

For Netgear

For Speedtouch 585 (Cable & Wireless)

For ZyXEL (Newtel)

For 3Com Routers