Of course you knew I'd need help.

While troubleshooting, I think I changed some setting in the router that is making it not chat with the desktop. I just got off of the phone with tech support and he walked through it with me for about 30 min, and finally he told me to take it back to CompUSA.

I'm convinced that there must be some sort of master reset mechanism. He did have me hold in the reset button while unplugging it for 20 seconds, and it still didn't reset.

Think you might be able to help me?

Can I give you a call?

 

Wow. You might have borked the firmware.

If the tech. said take it back - I'd take it back.

If the reset button hold down trick didn't work, I can only think of uploading new firmware as the next step - and that's a risky/iffy procedure at best...
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P.S. What setting did you change?
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Hold the reset button for 20 seconds while plugged in, maybe that works. If not, most likely there is a reset jumper in the router in it. And if it doesn't work, just take it back and get yourself a Wireless 802.11g router(Don't buy 802.11a or b). Belkin one I have is the easiest router I had ever used to set up. Chalk full of user options too. Its one of the more pricier ones but Belkin has a lifetime warranty with full RMA option. Its about 150 for the router and say if you have a laptop, you'll need a laptop card(find a 802.11g or if not you can use a "b" since "g" is an "a and b" hybrid) and that runs you about 75. Then you have the cost saving option to use one of the 4 cable outlets to your computer if the router is just next to your computer. I set my house up(3 computers currently, 1 laptop for sister, 1 Sony Clie) in 4 minutes.

 

WAN MAC address. I think I told it to update or refresh or something.

 

Don't bother with the update/restore firmware, its not worth the time, effort, and frustration. Plus, you don't want any power outages while you do that or else you're screwed and they might not take it back!

 

I got an internal wireless 802.11b adapter that came with the Vaio.

I bought the Belkin 'b' version, only because I didn't plan on having the computer any further than say 30 feet away from the router. I figured that I really didn't need the g.

 

This frustrates the **** out of me. Seems like everything I buy for my computer takes about 3-5 hours of slugging through some troubleshooting.

So I should just say screw it and wait until tomorrow to exchange it?

 

I think so.

Welcome to my world, Pat!

Now you see why I look every one of my 42 years!
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ok, the 20 second reset worked.

 

When I get to be 42 like you, I can only hope to have import models wanting ravage my body like you do, too.

 

Oh, and what it was that I did, which, I believe was what screwed it up was to 'clone the computer's MAC address'. After I did that, the computer quit talking to the router and I have no earthly idea why.

Now I'm back where I started. The computer will access the internet through the router, but the laptop, although the little icon on the taskbar says that it has an 'excellent connection', won't access the internet wirelessly.

I'm still slugging away.

 

Whoever told you that "b" is different in "range" to "g" does not know what they're talking about. 802.11g uses the SAME 2.4GHz RF signal as the 802.11b(which is about ~100ft). The "G" is 54mbps maximum transfer rate. The "B" is 5.5mbps/11mbps in the 2.4GHz range. That means, same range, less transfer speed. The "A" however is 54mbps but with differing range at 5GHz spectrum. I hope I didn't confuse you there, Pat. Basically, "g" supports "b" while allowing "b" to have the same transfer speed as "a" which is 54mbps and the range of 2.4GHz. The "a" is very expensive but has about 8-12 spectrums which each runs at 5GHz. So yes, thats why "g" is much better because of its speed + range + acceptability. The problem with "b" though is that since it has just a few channels(~3) that if you or neighbor has a 2.4GHz cordless phone(many out in the market now) you will receive hickups. So can "g" though but I hear less problems with it. So yeah...thats about it. I kinda confused myself but less summarize this up.

802.11a is good for corporate users since it has more channels @ 5GHz.
802.11b is good for end users but have a very low transfer speed.
802.11g is good for end users also but have much higher transfer speeds.

 

Glad the reset finally got it working!
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Sounds like Pat is getting the problems I had with my Belkin wired router last year!