Router connection to computer

[JKL]

Bought a new router while we were in the States. Installed it to our laptop computer and it worked as it should. Our Kindle Fire worked off of it also. We are now in Ajijic and connected the router to the laptop as I did in the U.S. without success with access to the internet. The computer indicates that it is receiving a good reading from the router but when I try to access the internet a screen comes up and says that the internet is not available. Our Kindle Fire is not connecting either. Is it possible that I need a Mexican router that is coordinated to TelMex's modem?

Help Please!

[CWB]

Click the little icon on the bottom right or your laptop that has the 5 bars. That shows the networks available in your home. I click on my infinitum and then right click where it shows the green bars and choose status. A new window pops up and I click diagnose and that usually gets me my connection.

Don't ask me why I have to do this as I have no clue. But it usually works.

[Zanadu44]

If your Telemex modem is white then that is already wireless and you do not need the router. Your laptop and Kindle should automatically have picked up the wireless and then all you have to do it type in the security code which is on the back of the telemex modem.

[John Shrall]

Unless you did something different, all Telmex modems are also wireless routers so a free standing router is not needed. If you do want to connect an external router to the Telmex modem you also have to make sure both devices are not on the same gateway. If you open a command prompt and type ipconfig you will see an IP address designated as the default gateway. My Telmex modem is 192.168.1.254 and my Telecable modem is 192.168.0.1. In order to get the default gateway for the Telmex modem you'd need to connect directly via Ethernet. You can then move the Ethernet cable to the external modem and once the router assigns your computer an address, you can repeat the ipconfig command.

An external router cannot share the same gateway as the modem. A modem or router assigns any device a local IP address based on this gateway. That process is called DHCP. If they are on the same gateway it's easy to get into the router and change the default to something else that begins with 192.168.

Or you can just connect wireless to the Telmex modem. That's probably a lot easier but in the past I have used a Linksys external router connected to a wireless modem because I found the signal strength to be better that way.

[snowyco]

Are you trying to use your new router as a repeater, after using it as the primary router in the US?

Does your Telmex router not have enough wireless signal strength to punch through all the walls in your home, and you want to use 2 routers to get coverage through your whole home?

If so, not all routers are set up to repeat signals. e.g. Many newer Cisco home routers cannot be configured to repeat.

[mexilady]

Telmex also has a device that can extend your wireless signal throughout our houses. It costs 350 pesos and works very well.

[privado]

Are you trying to use your new router as a repeater, after using it as the primary router in the US?

Does your Telmex router not have enough wireless signal strength to punch through all the walls in your home, and you want to use 2 routers to get coverage through your whole home?

If so, not all routers are set up to repeat signals. e.g. Many newer Cisco home routers cannot be configured to repeat.

Telmex also has a device that can extend your wireless signal throughout our houses. It costs 350 pesos and works very well.

This is my problem-2 story house constructed of cement blocks - desktop computer and telmex (new router) in upstairs office

Have to wander around house downstairs and sit under a skylight with IPAD to get a signal-

What to buy to solve the problem of Ipad or laptop downstairs??

[RVGRINGO]

We solved that problem by placing the modem in the location where we would use portable WiFi devices. From that modem, we ran a long cable to the desktop location, drilling holes in walls or ceilings as needed. It works just fine. Measure carefully and have your cable made locally with just a bit of extra length.

[JKL]

First of all, THANKS SO MUCH to all who wrote in with suggestions. We disconnected the Linksys U.S. router we had used in U.S. and the lap top connected very easily to the TelMex router without a cord. However, no such luck with the Kindle, although the signal strength shows to be "Excellent."

When we went through the procedure to set the Kindle up, it asked for a password. Put in the number on the back of the TelMex router (the WEP KEY). That didn't work. So tried putting in the Network Key (WEP/WPA Key) very long number. That didn't work. Tried to enter the SSID Network Name and that didn't work. So we don't know what kind of "password" to use. Kindle is still telling us the connection is not authorized for activation. So still can't use the Kindle.

Does anyone know where to find the password the Kindle is asking for? The only one we've used was with the Linksys U.S. router, but we're not using that now. ????

[privado]

We solved that problem by placing the modem in the location where we would use portable WiFi devices. From that modem, we ran a long cable to the desktop location, drilling holes in walls or ceilings as needed. It works just fine. Measure carefully and have your cable made locally with just a bit of extra length.

Thanks- but you have no idea how DIFFICULT it is even to put a screw in a cement block wall to hang a painting-

run a cable though walls or floors ain't gonna happen----Had Fibre Optica in my other house- and kid was computer engineer so we never needed to know

Called tel mex------ Infinitum guy offered to SELL me a piece of equip- that wasn't sold by telmex- (wanted me not to tell Telmex) told him NO Way- he left mad and asked for a propina!! next Infinitum guys showed up and rewired upstair office with faster wire--- but they were clueless about routers etc---- So obviously, there has to be an easier wireless way- any other options??

[ComputerGuy]

You can purchase "extenders" and "repeaters" online. These allow you to wirelessly send your Internet signal to one of them, and then on further throughout the house. The difficulty here is they need quite a good "line of sight" in order to catch the signal to begin with; the TelMex extender is very poor unless it can see the modem.

"Internet over power" devices are better now; you can plug one into your wall and hook it up to your modem; then plug another one in somewhere else in the house and jack your computer into that one. Caveats abound, of course.

Generally speaking, a router needs to be hard-wired to the original modem/router device to get an Internet signal, although some have extender/repeater capabilities.

[RVGRINGO]

Privado,

To put a screw in a masonry wall, you will need an electric drill with a masonry bit 1/4 inch in diameter. Get a bag full of plastic inserts at the hardware store and tap one into the hole. Then, inserting a screw is very easy.

To run ethernet cable throughout your home, you will need a 1/2 inch or larger masonry bit, which will make a hole large enouth for the plug.

If you do not wish to do it yourself, any electrician can do it for you. We have one that is almost 100 feet, from one part of the house to another, allowing another computer to be plugged in.

We tried the wireless method, but the walls are very thick and all of our screening is steel, etc. It just will not work; even in the next room with a thick wall and fireplace in the way.

[JKL]

Finally got the Kindle to talk with the Telmex modem. We kept entering the number on the back of the Telmex modem as the password without success several times. Got disgusted and while we were brainstorming on what to try next it began communicating with the modem/router wirelessly. I think we just weren't giving it enough time. Now it comes right up. Took it (the Kindle) all over the house and works fine everywhere even with the thick walls. So life is good -

[privado]

You can purchase "extenders" and "repeaters" online. These allow you to wirelessly send your Internet signal to one of them, and then on further throughout the house. The difficulty here is they need quite a good "line of sight" in order to catch the signal to begin with; the TelMex extender is very poor unless it can see the modem.

"Internet over power" devices are better now; you can plug one into your wall and hook it up to your modem; then plug another one in somewhere else in the house and jack your computer into that one. Caveats abound, of course.

Generally speaking, a router needs to be hard-wired to the original modem/router device to get an Internet signal, although some have extender/repeater capabilities.

Thanks for the info- if I understand - the problem in house there is no line of sight from upstairs to downstairs- crazy architecture- Internet over power sounds possible - office sits on top of kitchen both facing outside patio- maybe that would work

[privado]

Privado,

To put a screw in a masonry wall, you will need an electric drill with a masonry bit 1/4 inch in diameter. Get a bag full of plastic inserts at the hardware store and tap one into the hole. Then, inserting a screw is very easy.

To run ethernet cable throughout your home, you will need a 1/2 inch or larger masonry bit, which will make a hole large enouth for the plug.

If you do not wish to do it yourself, any electrician can do it for you. We have one that is almost 100 feet, from one part of the house to another, allowing another computer to be plugged in.

We tried the wireless method, but the walls are very thick and all of our screening is steel, etc. It just will not work; even in the next room with a thick wall and fireplace in the way.

Thanks for the infor Have drill will travel use it to hang paintings -but house was a custom designed and doesn't seem to be a way to run wire from upstairs to downstairs except perhaps on the exterior walls - since it is a rental am not allowed to that. So still looking for an alternative

[Dr.Santiago]

I also purchased a MODEM with a WIRELESS ROUTER built in in the U.S.

TELECABLE will has to activate the MODEM on their end. They will not ACTIVATE any modem that is not purchased or rented from them.

I suspect that this is the case with any other internet provider here. I could be wrong. But after trying everything and then contacting an IT expert, this is what I was told

[ComputerGuy]

You are correct, TelMex and Megacable use their own modified modems. You can add routers to the system, but unless you are a network expert, you won't be able to convert anybody else's modem.

[headpooch]

Hi Computer Guy

Do you know if the cable modems are DOCSIS 3 compliant?

I just bought a nice Motorola modem here in the States, and was hoping to use it in my future Lakeside home.

[ComputerGuy]

I don't know much about Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification, other than what it is. If you asking about DOCSIS 3, the latest version, I don't know... but I believe DOCSIS at any release is required for the cable modem to work in the first place.

[simpsca]

Your Kindle could be asking for your Kindle password. Did you put in a password when you set it up?

[giltner68]

I was told the same by Telecable - OUR MODEM OR NO MODEM. So, I politely told them to give me a straight cable modem with NO wireless which they did (it's an antique, but I save $5 a month), I drive a Dlink wireless router from there to two other Linksys wireless routers for security cams, connection at the casita etc. It takes a bit of work, but can be done. I really like my new Dlink Cloud Router, does a great job, much better than the Telmex I used to have.

And, there is another reason I went to Dlink, I've always used Linksys and as mentioned still do, but the CFE has burned out 6 in 5 years and I thought I'd give Dlink a chance and see if they're any tougher, or maybe it's just my lot in life to buy a new router each year?