Glitches With New computer
#683910
12/26/10 07:23 PM
12/26/10 07:23 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,127 Midwest
gatsbygirl
OP
Addicted Boomer
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OP
Addicted Boomer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,127
Midwest
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I just got my new Dell PC connected (with Windows 7) and it is running just fine. I have loaded three games: Still Life 2, Nancy Drew Secrets Can Kill remasterd and they are both playin way better than they did on my older computer. I am having trounle with a BFG game (SH Hounds of the Baskerville) with a loose, floating cursor. Hopefully I won't have trounble with other BFG games.
However, my main problem with my new computer is the wireless card. I ordered it with a wireless card and was under the impression that I didn't need an external router if I have a wireless card. I was told by both Dell and Comcast that I was incorrect, so I ordered a new wireless router from Comcast. The wireless router is getting me online but none of my peripheral devices will work (Nintendo DS, Nook, printer). I just got the Nook as a Christmas present and have been anxious to set it up but I can't because I can't get online with other devices.
I have contacted both Dell and Comcast, numerous times, and they both have told me that my devices are working like they are supposed to with no problems that they can detect on their end. When taling to Comcast, she tried to set up my computer to work wirelessly from my card but when I disconnected the yellow cord to the router, I lost my Internet connection. The whole reason I added a wireless card to my computer was so that I could eliminate wires from underneath my desk.
My other PC had a Belkin router and all of my other devices ran fine off of it. I decided to re-connect it and give up on the wireless router but my cords don't seem to be compatible with this new computer and I couln't hook it up.
Comcast told me that I have to call back with a laptop ready so they can see if the laptop will connect and if it doesn't than the router they sent me is bad. I don't have a laptop. She also said that I should contact Nintendo to see what the pronlem is with my DS. I didn't have a problem before now. This has been going on for over a week and I am really frustrated.
At this poitn, I don't know who I should contact or what I should do. Any ideas?
Thanks!
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Re: Glitches With New computer
[Re: gatsbygirl]
#683932
12/26/10 08:45 PM
12/26/10 08:45 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 40,644 southeast USA
Jenny100
GB Reviewer Glitches Moderator
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GB Reviewer Glitches Moderator
Sonic Boomer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 40,644
southeast USA
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I don't know about your other peripherals, but the old type Nintendo DS and DS Lite will only connect to wireless using WEP or an open connection. The newer Nintendo DSi and DSi XL can use WPA. You can't use both WEP and WPA on the same router. So which type of Nintendo DS do you have? If all your old peripherals are set to use WEP, that's why they're not working with the new router. Some new wireless equipment doesn't even give the option to use WEP because WEP is next to useless these days and can be broken in less than 3 minutes (check Youtube for instructions). I'm not sure what you mean when you say I decided to re-connect it and give up on the wireless router but my cords don't seem to be compatible with this new computer and I couln't hook it up. Network cables should be pretty much the same. Something like ***this***. A new Dell should have at least one Integrated 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) Ethernet LAN connection. So unless you were using a USB connection before, you should be able to fit the old cables to the new computer.
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Re: Glitches With New computer
[Re: gatsbygirl]
#683971
12/27/10 12:16 AM
12/27/10 12:16 AM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,588 Oklahoma, USA
Homer6
BAAG Specialist
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BAAG Specialist
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,588
Oklahoma, USA
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gatsby the integrated connection jenny speaks of would be on your computer; back, front, just depends on maker. The cord that plugs in there has two ends that look exactly like those in the picture jenny posted.
If you can't get the other end to plug into your router then make sure you aren't trying to plug it into a phone port. It looks the same as the plugs on your cord, but much smaller.
Also, years ago our computer was on a Linksys wireless router in order to shear an internet connection with our son. I seem to remember I had to have software on our computer and the router had to be placed so our computer could get the best possible signal.
What it sounds like dell did was get you online wirelessly but didn't save the configuration. So when you logged off the settings were lost.
Another thing, perhaps the wireless card in your computer doesn't like Comcast's router. Perhaps they aren't speaking the same language--some setting isn't correct. If you haven't done so, pull up the help screen on your new system and search for wireless settings. It may be able to tell you how to check setting on the wireless card and router.
If something gets your goat, it just proves you have a goat to get.
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Re: Glitches With New computer
[Re: Homer6]
#684081
12/27/10 11:19 AM
12/27/10 11:19 AM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,116 Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
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Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
True Blue Boomer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,116
Near St. Louis, MO
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Have you set your peripherals up to recognize the SSID and the password?
Once again, weeds are my life!
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Re: Glitches With New computer
[Re: Demosthenes]
#684107
12/27/10 12:15 PM
12/27/10 12:15 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,127 Midwest
gatsbygirl
OP
Addicted Boomer
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OP
Addicted Boomer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,127
Midwest
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Demosthenes,
I will try to answer your questions.
1). Yes my wireless printer and DSXL worked when I had the Belkin router. I am not sure how it was configured because me son set it up, However, I went into the settings to try and see if something needed to be done to make it work. My Internet connection to it is on and beyond that I couldn't see anything else that I could do to change of fix the settings on it.
2). No, I haven't tried using the cable that came with my Nook. DUH! I didn't even think of that because I have been so frustrated with this whole mess. I will try that tonight when I get home from work.
3). The printer was initially installed and set up with the cord that came with it. After that we unplugged the cord and the wireless worked on it. I am not sure what kind of cable it was. I was wondering if I need to run the install disc again to make it compatible with the new router. Maybe that will make it work.
4). When I was "chatting" with the Dell help and later talked to them, they did all kinds of configuring to try and get my card to work. I hooked the yellow router cable into both the computer and the router. He then told me that the wireless connection was set and I could unplug the cord from the PC and router. I did that and it seemed to be working wirelessly. However, I no sooner hung up the phone after doing this when I lost my wireless Internet connection so I had to reconnect the PC to the router.
At this point, I am so confused I don't know what to do. Some of the problem is probably because I am inexperienced in dealing with PC hardware issues. My so and his friend both worked on the router and couldn't figure out the problem. My son hooked up the old Belkin router so he does know a little bit about it.
After being transferred around and being placed on hold with Comcast and dealing with Dell and their overseas help (difficult for me to understand what they were saying), I was about at my wit's end. When I installed the router I wrote down every password and serial number that was either on there or that I entered. I got a message that the router was installed correctly. I kept getting asked (by both Dell and Comcast) to log-in with my password but a message kept sayng that my password was incorrect. I put in the password and I wrote it down so I know it was correct!
Comcast told me that the router was working and I needed to try using a laptop wirelessly to see if it would connect. If it wouldn't they said that they would know that the router was bad and they would send a replacement. I told them that I don't have a laptop and isn't it good enough that my other devices won't work. They said no it had to be a laptop or they wouldn't send me a replacement. At this point I told them that it was ridiculous and they had to send out a tech to see why it isn't working.
What a pain this had been! Hopefully the Comcast tech will know what he is doing. I have had one or two who didn't. But on a good note, the games I have tried to play have been playing great on Windows 7!
Thanks to all of you for your help.
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Re: Glitches With New computer
[Re: gatsbygirl]
#684122
12/27/10 12:38 PM
12/27/10 12:38 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,116 Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
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Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
True Blue Boomer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,116
Near St. Louis, MO
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Demosthenes, Homer, Inland, Jenny and just about anybody else here are your best sources for help. But I will add my 2 cents worth as I just finished setting up a new wireless router. It's a Linksys WRT model with a USB adapter.
The software that came with it was utterly useless and actually knocked out my internet connection. I went to the internet setup (check your documentation or try typing 192.168.1.1 into your browser location bar). From there I followed the documentation to change my SSID and password (default password is usually admin) and set up my WPA2 security. When I was done, of course, my wireless printer wouldn't work as I hadn't told it about the new settings. So I went into the printer setup and told it the new settings so it could "talk" to the new wireless network setup. Voila! Everything works. Last night, my grandson wanted to connect to my wireless network. His new laptop found the SSID and when I gave him the new password, he connected immediately.
EDIT: I forgot to mention something. In the internet setup, I had to change a setting to allow all 802.11 protocols. The default setting was set to 802.11n. I had to change it to "mixed" to allow other wireless protocols to connect, such as my son's older 802.11g laptop.
Once again, weeds are my life!
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Re: Glitches With New computer
[Re: gatsbygirl]
#684220
12/27/10 07:47 PM
12/27/10 07:47 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,116 Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
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Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
True Blue Boomer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,116
Near St. Louis, MO
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I have an HP and the setup was in the printer software that I installed on the computer. At one point, it asked me to connect the printer to the computer with the USB cable. Once I did that, the printer setup software transmitted the wireless net work information from the computer to the printer and that was it. I powered down, unplugged the USB cable from the printer and the computer and powered back up. The printer found the network and "knew" the SSID and the password.
So, when it asks for this wireless LAN setup cable, try plugging the USB cable into the computer and the printer and see what happens.
Once again, weeds are my life!
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Re: Glitches With New computer
[Re: gatsbygirl]
#684241
12/27/10 08:09 PM
12/27/10 08:09 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,116 Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
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Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
True Blue Boomer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,116
Near St. Louis, MO
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Do you have anything that has two ends like this? USB Printer Cable The smaller squarish end would go into the back of the printer and the normal USB end would go into your computer.
Once again, weeds are my life!
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Re: Glitches With New computer
[Re: gatsbygirl]
#684263
12/27/10 08:57 PM
12/27/10 08:57 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,116 Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
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Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
True Blue Boomer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,116
Near St. Louis, MO
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Good luck, gatsbygirl. Network issues can be very tricky and are my least favorite to solve.
Once again, weeds are my life!
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Re: Glitches With New computer
[Re: gatsbygirl]
#684457
12/28/10 02:43 PM
12/28/10 02:43 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,116 Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
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Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
True Blue Boomer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,116
Near St. Louis, MO
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That is just the best news! I can't say I'm surprised at the changes made by the techs that made things more difficult. I recently received a call for help from a friend and found and the AT&T techs (from another country) took over his computer to work on it. They uninstalled his anti-virus software and didn't reinstall. I was livid when he called me for help a few weeks later. He's almost 80 years old and had no idea what they had done.
So, three cheers for the Comcast tech!!
Once again, weeds are my life!
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Re: Glitches With New computer
[Re: Draclvr]
#684698
12/29/10 10:55 AM
12/29/10 10:55 AM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,588 Oklahoma, USA
Homer6
BAAG Specialist
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BAAG Specialist
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,588
Oklahoma, USA
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That's great to hear, gatsby. There's nothing better than a real, live, person when a problem is encountered. They are actually looking at your system, reading logs, files, etc., doing what a phone tech may ask you to do. Something you may not be familiar with.
I've dealt with phone tech support, and it's not a joy. Especially when they're hard to understand. Let them help reestablish something that's gone haywire in a working system, but not troubleshoot hardware/software problems.
If something gets your goat, it just proves you have a goat to get.
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