My daughter bought a new computer and the network was showing a very low signal so we decided to try to move the router and cable modem closer to her room. Well, that shut us all down and now I can't get it to come back on. It says to enter the network key. Well, I have no idea what that would be or where to find it. I tried the serial number on the router but no luck. Is there a way to reset it? And why would just unplugging it make it do this? It has never done it before when the power has been out. It usually just comes right back on.

Can anyone PLEASE help me?

Right now we are on someone else's unsecured network but it is a very low signal. This is probably the one that came up on her new machine. I think JHC is ready to stangle me (and her).

Have you tried to set it back up again without her computer connected to the network? If so, unplug everything and wait 2 minutes.

Then plug the computers back in. I'd leave your daughters off the network for now. Then plug in the modem and wait for steady lights. Then plug the router back in. That should work. If it still asks for a key, try the trusty 1234.

Thanks Drathar, sounds like a good place to start.

I think you can set a network key on your router when you set it up for the first time. If you don’t remember what it is, you can restore the setting back to the factory defaults. There should be a reset button on the back of the router; if you hold it in for a min. everything should reset.

the best bet is to put all of the computers and network related peripherals in close proximity to each other. They do not need to be connected correctly or even turned on, but they shopuld preferably be ia garage or maybe out in the driveway.

NOW you can smash them all with a bat without making a mess in your house.

Greetings Ladyhay. I am assuming you are on your own secured wireless network. Depending on the brand of wireless router you are using you can access it with the embedded web server. Open your browser and enter the router's IP address. This would look like http://[ipaddress]

Linksys routers use 192.168.1.1

D-Link and Netgear routers 192.168.0.1

US Robotics routers use 192.168.123.254

SMC routers use 192.168.2.1

From here you can access the setup utility and change the network key. You will then have to enter this new key on your computers.

Go to Network Connections, select properties of your Wireless Network Connection, click on the Wireless Networks tab, in the Preferred networks window highlight your network and then select Properties, here you will be able to enter the new network key.

I’ll check back a little later on your progress, good luck!

-John

...or if you put them in the yard, you can burn them all with gasoline.

Any luck? Just in case you have to reset and do not have your original documentation here is a link for default router usernames and passwords.

http://www.otosoftware.com/wwhelp/Default_Router_Usernames_and_Passwords.htm 

Hope this helps.

-John

Fire fly, she is at work right now but I'm sure she will try that as soon as she gets home. Should be around 3:00 EST.

Andy, .....thanks to you also. You can be plan "B".

Since her computer is not working. I printed the instructions for her. We will check back in later.

So far, no luck. I have a Linksys router. I tried entering in the IP address in the browser but it came back "page cannot be displayed." I also went to that website but all it says is admin for the password.

Since we moved, I can't find the box or any paperwork on the stupid thing. I can try to press the reset button but that worries me as well.

Its kinda like giving CPR. Its already dead, you can't hurt it or kill it. All you can do is help, so go ahead and press the button 😉

move to plan B.

My linksys infuriates me.

I have to cycle power on it about once per internet session..........sometimes it craps out right at the "good part".

The reset should not hurt you; most people don't even mess the config settings. All that it will do is reset everything to factory default.

http://192.168.1.1  I would try that again to make sure.

Andy, it might be time for a new router. I also have the Linksys and rarely have a problem with it.

I just spent the last half hour on the phone with Linksys support. That still didn't work. He even had me hook the wireless laptop directly to the router and all it would do was blink. Now he has me downloading an update. I have to call back when it is done. This really SUCKS!!!!

tis brand new Drataar.

let us know if the firmware update works.

No luck. It doesn't give it to me. I am so fed up and upset. JHC is calling Ram to see if he can email Firefly to see if he can call.

Do you know why the W-LAN light wouldn't be lit? I think that is part of the problem. And why is it so hard to get a new network key? It doesn't seem like it should be this hard.

Lauren, I take it you can connect by hooking direct to modem and into your laptop?

Just finished talking to Dave.