Wireless help needed, please.

[Paper Roses]

About 3 weeks ago, I had a computer Guru install a wireless network for me. My kids gave me a laptop and I had a expert install the whole thing.

Perhaps there is no connection but I have had computer problems for the last week. Keep getting the message "cannot find server".
Well, you know me, in for a dollar. After a long and fruitless conversation with Comcast,(it is your modem") I figured that I would disconnect the whole wireless business.
I went to the Comcast office to talk with the 'on-site tech, he told me how to test the Modem. It tests fine, contrary to what the on-phone person told me. Do they ever tell you anything except,"it is your modem"?

Now I'd like to try and set up the wireless again. Seems I have a problem. The computer guy gave me a router free, which I appreciate. I got some info on-line about what to connect to what. Well, it tells me I need a password. I'm sunk.

http://kbserver.netgear.com/pdf/wireless_router_setupmanual.pdf

The router is Netgear, my main computer is HP, running XP SP3. The new laptop is HP with windows 7.
I feel like an idiot but I can't even remember what the Comcast(phonr) fellow told me to disconnect, let alone put it back together.

Does it look like the instructions on the link will do it for me?
It cost me $190.00 to set this thing up and I have no money to have the Guru come back.
Any help is appreciated

[steve2470]

1. Ok I'm going to assume two things:

1- That the Netgear router is working ok
and that 2- your network interface card (NIC) is also working ok.

I would use an "ethernet cable" first to make sure both your NIC and your router are working ok.

An ethernet cable can be bought either online with Newgg.com or at a local store that carries computer-type stuff, like Best Buy. You only need maybe 3 or 6 feet, depending on how far your computer is from your wireless router. Worst case scenario, move the wireless router temporarily next to your computer to test it. Another thought is, the tech who helped you might give you a short piece of ethernet cable for free. It's not expensive stuff at all for a short piece.

Once you have bought it or obtained it, plug one end into the back of the computer (it only fits in one slot) and plug the other end into your wireless router (again, it only goes into one kind of slot). The slot on the back of the router will say LAN (local area network, which is you and your router) or Port. The WAN (wide area network or the internet) port is ONLY to go to your modem.

Once you have both plugged in, open up your web browser (internet explorer, firefox, etc).

Type this exactly into your browser address bar: http://192.168.1.1

Hit enter. You should see the router login screen. If not, 1- your router is bad; 2- your NIC card has gone bad; 3- your network configuration inside your computer is not done exactly right or 4- a combination of the foregoing.

Let's assume you see the router login page OK. You have to type in the default username and default password for the router, which is admin for the username and password for the password, per the pages you linked to.

Once you are in the configuration pages, you have to spend five minutes setting everything up. You need to IMMEDIATELY change the default password to something only you know and not a super easy one, like 1234. Something very hard to guess. If you need help, just shout.

ETA: 99 cents for five feet of ethernet cable at Newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812120909

[Betty88]

2. get the make and model number

and hit google. Any router I have ever seen has a way to reset it back to factory settings (a pinhole on the back that you will hold down for so long etc.) It will have probably have an IP of 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Download the user guide from the makers website to get the password and username. it will be something like admin/admin or Administrator/password. Once you have reset the router and have access to the software you can change that to something unique.

You will need to be wired to the device to do this.

good luck