I recently installed a new Medialink N wireless router to replace an old router which I use to share my Cable internet connection with multiple computers, and it was not too hard to set it up by plugging in all the power, and network cables into it, and using the included setup CD in Window to set up the internet, wireless signal, and wireless router SSID user name, and wireless signal password by following the step by step instructions on the CD setup program for my router.
But, setting up a router can be hard for a novice, so I have some tips to make it easier. The first thing you should do is read the box to make sure if the wireless router is compatible with all your devices before buying it.
It is also important to keep your receipt, or proof of payment just in case your router is broken or not compatible with your computer and electronics, and you need another brand of router.
When you bring your router home, read the instruction manuals, box, and other documentation to learn how to set up the wireless router.
Unwrap your router, and put it on a table close to your modem, and plug the modem network cable into the WAN/Internet cable port which is usually a different color, and separate from the computer ports where you will plug in your computers with network cables.
Make sure to unplug/shutdown your computer, and devices, unplug your modem, and leave your router unplug until you wired up all your computers and modem to your router.
It is best to install a router in a cool, and dry place without many things blocking it, so your router won’t over heat, get wet, and the connection could be better because objects like bookshelves are not blocking the signal. I read online that Microwaves, cordless phones, and electrical motors can also degrade the wireless signal, so placing your router away from these things may make your router faster.
Once you wired up your modem to your router, and all your computers to your router, plug your router, modem, and computer back into the power outlets, or turn them on. You should now have wired networking/internet on all your connected wired computers and electronics
Now you can use the included CD to set up your wireless router, and protect your wireless signal by setting up a SSID name and password for it. I recommend you choose WPA or WPA2 for your password encryption, and your password should be 10 characters or longer with a combination of numbers, uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and symbols.
P@pper.B0Y123 would be a very strong password which is hard to guest.
Some routers require you enter in a number with decimal points like 192.168.0.1 , 192.168.1.1 , etc called an IP in a web browser on a computer which is connected to your router’s wired port, and log-in to a control panel on the browser. Usually the username is admin, and password is admin as well. You can change your wireless settings in the control panel under wireless. Refer to your user manuals for help in changing settings in your router wireless web browser control panel.
If you notice you are not getting internet after installing your router, and modem is power on, or unplug, and re-plug them back in.
Make sure your router is set to dynamic DHCP or whatever type of IP address which your Internet Service provider uses for its settings.
Also, shutdown or restart your computer to refresh your computers network and internet connection.
If you are still not getting internet, make sure you type in your SSID and password in correctly on your wireless device.
If you are using a wired internet connection, make sure your computer’s network cable is not damaged, and properly plugged in. Most network adapters have lights which blink when the cable is connected. Most routers also have lights you switch on to show that your router is connected to a device.
You also may need to uninstall and reinstall your network card driver software, or buy a new network adapter if your internet still does not work after you reinstall your network card drivers. You can use Window’s device manager to uninstall your network adapter in Windows under network adapters in device manager by right clicking your network adapter, and picking uninstall, or add/remove programs to remove your network adapters driver software.
Usually, you can install the latest network adapter drivers at your computer makers website, or at your network adapter’s website. If you install your network adapter yourself, or it is a USB network adapter, the network adapter come with a CD with your driver installer files on it.
If you use newer operating systems like Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 the driver for your network adapter will already be available in Windows after you restart your computer.
You can also try updating your router’s firmware to in the control panel in the web browser router settings to fix a known problem, but a lot of times if you are buying an older model router, you are already using the latest version of the firmware since sometimes manufacturers ship their router’s with the latest version of firmware, so you do not have to update it yourself. Usually, the instructions for updating the firmware is found in the Firmware section of the router’s setting, the router’s website, or instruction manuals which came with your router.
After you downloaded the right version of firmware for your router at the router’s maker website, you usually need to upload the file in the firmware section of your router settings, and wait a few minutes for your router to finish updating to the latest version of your router’s firmware. Do not unplug or touch your router while the firmware is being updated. It is best to upgrade your firmware with a wired network connection, and while there isn’t a electrical storm or power problems in your house since if your router loses power during a firmware update it will break your router.
There are probably hundreds or more YouTube videos on wiring a wired and wireless network, and network troubleshooting, so I recommend you search YouTube and other sites for computer networking help.
Phone up your Internet Service provider, Computer maker and Router manufacture for help installing your router if you have trouble installing your router.
Usually unplugging a router for a few seconds from the power, and replugging it back in fixes most problems related to the internet being disconnected. There is also restart and reset to factory settings on most control panels for router’s web browser settings page.
Most routers have a reset hole which you can use a paperclip end to push into the hole to reset your router back to the day you bought it, but you need to re-configure your password for wireless, and other settings after you reset it.
Lastly, store all your warranty, receipt, and documentation back in the box which came with the router just in case it breaks, and you need to return it for a new one.
Thanks for an informative blog..!!