Setting up a wireless router is straight forward as long as you have a PC with a wireless network adapter, as well as an active high-speed Internet connection. You might also need a computer with a wired network adapter and router-specific setup software, which is typically included on a disc packaged with your router or available for download on the router manufacturer's support site. If you have a router labeled with a Windows 7 logo and you are using Windows 7, setting things up should be quick if you follow the steps below.
Setup your Wireless Router on a Window 7 :
- Connect the wireless router to your modem using an ethernet cable.
- Connect your wireless router to a power source. Wait about a minute, and then continue to the next step.
- Click the network icon in the notification area; the icon should look like a series of vertical bars, or a tiny PC with a network adapter alongside it.
- Select your wireless network from the list of available networks to complete the setup process. By default, your network name will be the name of your router manufacturer.
- Make sure that your wireless router is completely disconnected from the modem, the computer, and the power source.
- On your PC, insert the disc that came with your router, or download and run the latest version of the router's software from the vendor website.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. The setup routine will ask you to connect components (including your modem and PC) in a certain order, and it may request that you temporarily connect your wireless router to a computer via an ethernet cable. You will also create a wireless network name and password at this point. If something goes wrong, you may want to consider manually configuring your wireless router.
- Manually Configure your Router without Setup Software :
- Connect your wireless router to the modem, using an ethernet cable.
- Connect the wireless router to a power source. Wait about a minute to ensure that your router is fully operational.
- Connect the wireless router to your computer using an ethernet cable.
- Log in to your router’s Web interface by opening a browser and entering the IP address of your router into the address bar. The IP address should be listed within your router’s documentation; if you can't find it, most routers use a common IP address such as http://192.168.1.1, http://192.168.0.1, or http://192.168.2.1.
- Enter the default username and password, which you should find within your router’s documentation. Alternatively, visit Port Forward’s Default Router Password page.
- Use the Web interface to set up a network name and password.
- Disconnect your computer from the wireless router and then reconnect wirelessly. Finally, check out our router tips to speed up wireless connection.
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