Lost - Wireless Network

[Clstrphbc_donut]

Last night I had a go at setting up my girlfriends wireless network but I can't figure it out at all. The router is http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=77141 and the settings lose me. I think i can get the network going (only worked on one PC atm) but cannot get internet access. With ADSL you need to input your log in settings into the router, correct? What about AOL, it uses its own software to connect.... ?

What we dont want is a host computer. I'm completely and utterly lost, networking has never been my strong point. Is AOL the culprit or is it as easy as using a different ADSL provider?

Any pointers I could try?

Thanks.

[jamena]

having never gnoe near enough to AOL to poke it with a stick I'm not sure this will help, but if it's ADSL you should be able to just stick in the username and password. Then as long as your other ADSL settings are correct (you'd have to check with AOL to get these but hopefully someone will know!) you should be fine...

[Clstrphbc_donut]

I put the username and password in, and left everything else as default. I'll give them a ring later for other settings. I've come across something on the internet that makes it sound like AOL is hard to network. Damn.

Anything else?

Thanks again.

[directhex]

you can't use AOL on a router, unless it's a VERY specific model of router (ask AOL suport) and you use AOL's most expensive package (platinum, i think)

either

a) change to a real isp
b) build a dedicated pc to act as a wireless router, via software like analogx

[megah0]

you can't use AOL on a router, unless it's a VERY specific model of router (ask AOL suport) and you use AOL's most expensive package (platinum, i think)

either

a) change to a real isp
b) build a dedicated pc to act as a wireless router, via software like analogx

Thats not 100% true, any netgear product should work and gold works with home networking. If you do not have a router that is on the AOL list of supported hardware then you will get zero help from AOL

[jamena]

a) change to a real isp

this is probably the best suggestion I'm afraid. If you're locked into a contract you might need to do some serious complaining over the phone and then write a strongly worded letter. Read through their contract carefully and see if you can take the angle that this non-networkable service is breaching something, implied or otherwise, such that you can cease the cnotract without incurring a charge. If you're not under a fixed longterm contract change ISP

[darrensen]

you can't use AOL on a router, unless it's a VERY specific model of router (ask AOL suport) and you use AOL's most expensive package (platinum, i think)

either

a) change to a real isp
b) build a dedicated pc to act as a wireless router, via software like analogx

You can use most routers with AOL its just that AOL will not give you the support on all routers.

As others have said you need to seak with AOL and get your user name as it might be different to the one your using with the Broadband modem.

My recommendation to anyone on AOL is get off! Go to someone like www.plus.net they are quality and have some great deals!!!!! I set all my customers up with them as they give the best customer services out of all the Broadband Providers i deal with (BT, AOL, Nildram, Eclipse and others) and they never go down!!!!!! I've been with them 16 months and not once have they let me down. Also i'd liek to add not one of my customers have complained to me. anyway.....going a little off subject....sorry for hijacking this thread!!!

CHANGE ISP!!!

[Clstrphbc_donut]

I know she needs to change ISP, have been telling her this for months. Have just sent her a text message ( as shes at work) letting her know, so her mum should be getting the ball rolling soon.

I hate AOL and when she said "Whats up?" I said "I think its AOL, i read somewhere they dont like you sharing your net" she just said "right but you hate AOL so you would say that." So thanks for backing me up

[darrensen]

I remember about 2 years ago i ask them if they could help me setup sharing on my home network......they said we dont support this!!!!!!! Had to figure it out for myself.

Make sure you migrate your service from AOL to your new ISP. That way you'll have no downtime. You'll need a "MAC" code from AOL so you can provide this code to the new isp.

[javalord]

you can't use AOL on a router, unless it's a VERY specific model of router (ask AOL suport) and you use AOL's most expensive package (platinum, i think)

either

a) change to a real isp
b) build a dedicated pc to act as a wireless router, via software like analogx

Not true anymore. Any router implementing PPPoA can connect.

And as for switching to a real isp, its actually not that bad performance wise at all, given that most its userbase are light users.

[Clstrphbc_donut]

Now..

AOL are refusing to end the contract, they won't let them change ISP's.

Any work-arounds?

[jamena]

Now..

AOL are refusing to end the contract, they won't let them change ISP's.

Any work-arounds?

how long have you had the contract and how long did you sign up to them for? If you signed up for 12 months and have been with them for less than that I'm afraid yuo're stuck and will have to work around the router and figure out how to get it going. Sounds like other people have done it so it should be possible! Double check the username and password (via AOL customer services) and what you should enter into the router settings...

If they don't support your router then ask for instructions on how to set up one that they do support - you can likely figure it out from there...

To get out of the contract early you need to be able to show that they are not providing the service as stipulated in the contract, so if it states you can share the connection or make it wireless you could question them about that? Probably easier to sort out your router though. Customer services are often tricky to negotiate