[nannygoat43]

Hi. I have a PC running Windows 98SE (first problem, I know). I also have a MacBook that is wireless-ready. The PC has been connected to the internet via DSL with a Westell modem. But, now that we have the laptop, we wanted to set up a network that would share the internet connection with the laptop wireless-ly. So, I talked to Verizon, our ISP, and explained what I wanted to do and what our system was, etc. They sold me a Westell 327W Versalink gateway which is now wired to my PC. With difficulty, I have been able to get that configured so that I have an internet connection. But, I cannot for the life of me figure out how to set up the network so the Mac can use the internet. I'm also concerned because the Versalink indicator light for wireless is lit up but I have not been able to establish any password protection for it. (For what it's worth, the indicator lights on the versalink are ON for power, ethernet, wireless, DSL, and inernet.)

The only documentation I can find tells me to go to http://192.168.1.1 to configure the settings, but my browser cannot find that site. Westell says they don't support that model because it was manufactured for Verizon and I should call them. I was on the phone with Verizon tech support for a half hour today and in the end he put me on hold, came back and said they wouldn't support Windows 98. I said you can't help me or it won't work? He mumbled and I think meant both. Verizon sold me this piece of hardware in the first place so if it's not the right one I'm ripped. His advice was upgrade to XP, which we are looking into also, but there are some compatibility issues. I am getting a new computer in about 6 months but in the meantime I'd like to get this to work.

Do you have any idea if it is possible to set up that kind of network (with the modem/router wired to one computer and giving off a wireless signal picked up by another) if the "host" computer is running Windows 98SE? Any hints on how?

THANK YOU!

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I assume you are running osx
the address you have is to the modem config page
Go to this link click on me
page 16 is how to setup cable and wirless
on page 28 is the start of setting up osx mac
There is nothing wrong with 98

And that does work with 98.

Edited by peterm, 13 January 2007 - 06:50 PM.

[peterm]

I assume you are running osx
the address you have is to the modem config page
Go to this link click on me
page 16 is how to setup cable and wirless
on page 28 is the start of setting up osx mac
There is nothing wrong with 98

And that does work with 98.

Edited by peterm, 13 January 2007 - 06:50 PM.

[nannygoat43]

Thanks. I will check that out right away. Yes, the Mac is OSX. Brand new. Very white.

[nannygoat43]

OK, here's the latest. I have verified that everything is connected properly. The NIC in the computer is working and has the right driver. The Versalink has a DSL signal and an ethernet signal. After the hardware was installed I opened IE and was brought to a Verizon "activatemydsl" page automatically. I went through that process to reinstall software (it's not a new account, just a new router). It seemed to work and asked very little of me. Went through steps called "account setup" and "configuration", but I didn't get the opportunity to set password to keep unauthorized folks from getting onto our wireless signal. Also, I don't know what the "name" of the network is so the Mac can set it up as the network to go to. So, it sounds like I need to go to the now infamous website http://192.168.1.1 to set up all that stuff. Right? I tried that, and here's what the browser did. At the bottom of the screen it said "Opening page http://192.168 etc" but then after a minute it bumped to that verizon "activatemydsl" page instead.

I am able to get to other websites. I can check my email. It just won't let me get to that page. Friggin Verizon is no help, either. I would appreciate any help or suggestions.

Thank you!

[silverbeard]

Hi nannygoat43,

Because Westell provides modem/routers to a number of ISPs the firmware versions very according to the ISP's network requirements.

The problem you have described is usually a modem issue. The modem is resetting itself back to factory default. Most ISPs give a one year warranty on such products. I would insist on a replacement.

[peterm]

As I said that address is the Westell modem.
So your 98 machine works via this to the internet?
What error message do you get when you try the mac

[nannygoat43]

Hi. I am connected to the internet on that machine now. I assume it's through that modem as that is what is plugged in. (Sounds obvious, but I don't assume anything anymore.) There is an internal voice modem in this computer as well. We used it in the olden days when we had dial-up service. Could that be confusing things as well?

The current issues are two. One, when I get to the westell modem page, it asks for a user name and password. I assume it wants the verizon dsl username and password, but doesn't accept what i type. Just keeps clearing the entries and remaining on the same form. Two, I don't believe the mac is seeing the DSL signal from my router, because I don't recognize any of the names of networks it wants to join. I assume they are wireless signals coming from various neighbors. I haven't, as far as I know, created a network or named one because (I assume) I haven't been able to get through the westell setup process. When (if?) I do succeed in having the mac share the internet connection via the wireless network, I want to make sure it is password protected. I have yet to see any screens about that. Again, part of the myseterious Westell process?

The other bit that I wonder about is what I need to do within Windows in the Network control panel area.

In the meantime, the connection is intermittent. Sometimes it is "on" (like now) and sometimes IE just goes to the verizon "activatemydsl" page.

Thanks. I do appreciate your help!

[silverbeard]

The problem you have described is usually a modem issue. The modem is resetting itself back to factory default. Most ISPs give a one year warranty on such products. I would insist on a replacement.

I guess thats not plain enough so let me clarify my statemet, YOU HAVE A BAD MODEM!
I work for an ISP that supplies Westell devices and this is not an uncommon problem.

[nannygoat43]

Silverbeard and Peterm,

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it all, and I have resolved the problem. It turns out the modem is ok after all. For future reference, when the DSL was "activated", the firewall (zonealarm) was not shut down so even though it gave me all the indications that it had been successfully set up, it wasn't. I reinstalled with zone alarm shut down and have not had that problem in which it bounces back to "activatemydsl".

The other issue, configuring the network, had two obstacles. One, the zone alarm thing. If that was on, I could not even navigate to the site (192.168.1.1). When it was off, I could get there but didn't know the username and password. On my third call to Verizon, I got to someone who knew what values to type there. That FINALLY got me into the westell set up pages, and I was able to configure the wireless security, etc. It's working like a charm now.

In hindsight, these look like simple solutions and now that I know them, it seems so obvious. But it sure wasn't at the time. I do appreciate everyone's help. Thanks!