New router help needed

[stu2]

I HAVE A BASIC DESK TOP COMPUTER WITH WINDOWS 7, 8 GIGS OF MEMORY AND A FRIEND GAVE ME A LINKSYS WIRELESS-G BROADBAND ROUTER MODEL WRT54G.
I'VE NEVER HAD A ROUTER BEFORE AND I'D LIKE TO KNOW CAN IT BE USED TO RUN A LAPTOP ELSEWERE IN MY HOUSE ALSO WIFI THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE FAMILY HAVE WHEN THEY COME TO THE HOUSE.
IF THE ANSWER IS YES WHAT IS ENVOLVED TO INSTALL IT, I HAVE NO SOFTWARE JUST THE ROUTER.
IS THERE A SITE THAT SHOWS HOW TO DO THIS STUFF
TIA STUART

WRT54G,5.png

[nwrickert]

Even a basic desk computer should be able to type in data without it being all upper case. You make it hard to read your post.

Your router probably has 5 ethernet ports (connectors). One of those is probably labelled WAN or Internet. You connect that to your cable modem or dsl modem (or whatever you are using). Then you connect your computers to the other 4 ports. And everything should work, except for the WiFi that will need some additional configuration.

However - some dsl users are running special dsl software on their computer. In that case, you would have to do a little more to get everything connected.

If you want more detailed help, then you should start by providing more detailed information.

How are you currently connected to the Internet (before you put that router into service). What kind of service do you have - cable, dsl, something else?
What kind of wiring are you using for that connection? Are you running special software related to that connection?

[stu2]

nwrickert
Thanks For the reply sorry about the caps.
My boss gave me the router because they don't need it.
The LINKSYS site has a firmware to download but I can't open the file it is in a video format and I don't have the player to open it. But the installation book I downloaded.
My ISP is cable
To connect it up I'm ok using enthernet wire but don't have the software and don't know where I can find it LINKSYS said they do not prvide it because it is too old.
But the tech said it is worth getting it running because it is a very good router
Could you help
Thanks
Stuart

[nwrickert]

My own router is not a linksys. I don't know about using video formats for firmware - that sounds strange. Perhaps it is just using the same filetype as a video format, but it really isn't. In any case, you would normally only need to have the firmware file on your computer, then get into the router and point the router to that file in its firmware update section.

Normally, the router would already have firmware on it. The firmware that you can download might be better. But it should work with the firmware it already has. You might start with that.

[Philip]

I would not update firmware as a first step, that should only be performed once you are familiar with all the router settings and if you have issues with the current firmware.
This model is a good router, a bit aged but allows for third-party firmware to extend functionality, has external antennas, etc.

First, you will need two Cat5 cables, one connected to the router's WAN port going to the cable/dsl modem, and the other connected to one of the LAN ports going to your client PCs. When you power-cycle both the modem and the router, you will probably have connectivity on your client PC.

The router specs and its default IP address are available here: http://www.speedguide.net/routers/links ... -router-36

Once your client PC is connected to the router, you should be able to access its admin interface by typing http://192.168.1.1 in your browser. You should be presented with a login prompt, the username should be blank, and the default password of that router is: admin

You do not need to install any software/firmware, etc. to configure most routers.

Once you login, you will have to configure your wireless network security.

[stu2]

Thank you Philip I got it set up.
Stuart