How can i make my usb wifi work again?

Question

Hello i dont know much about computers, i have a virgin media modem which is connected to a broadband router. My PC and xbox 360 are both connected to the router. It is not wireless. I have a usb wifi dongle to enable my wii to connect to the internet. I never had any problems using the wireless usb thingie when my pc was connected directly to the modem but since i have got the router the wifi wont connect anymore. It plugs into a usb port on the pc but now when i click on enable internet connection sharing i keep getting an error message that says 'internet connection sharing cannot be enabled. a lan connection is already configured with the ip address that is required for automatic ip addressing.' Does anyone know how to fix this so that i can enable the wifi, it worked fine until i got the router. Hope all my waffling makes sense, like i said i dont know much lol. Thanx x

Answer 1

If I understand you correctly, you were connecting to your internet via a cable modem but you would have used a cable for that. Modems do not have wireless capability. You now have inserted a router into the path, so now it goes modem/router/pc. Is the router you bought a wireless router? It will need to be if you wish to connect to the internet without using cables. You really need to submit your question again but add more detail, e.g. exactly how it was wired, what modem was in use, what router you have bought and how exactly you have connected it. That way we can be more specific in our answers.



The modem uses the public ip address and the router allocates internal ip addresses to any equipment that tries to connect to the internet. Non wireless routers have to have cable connections from any equipment whereas wireless routers can have wired or wireless connections. You do need to turn on the modem first, then after it has settled, turn on the router.You should not have to set up internet sharing.

Answer 2

The easiest advice is to disable internet connection sharing, buy a wireless broadband router, and connect via that. As you are a newbie to computers, it gets quite complex to enable internet sharing when you already have a router - as you have found out.

Answer 3

It will not work , unless you buy directly from virgin media a wireless router.They dont support third party routers, ask them they will tell you.