Wireless Game Adaptor or Wireless Internet Bridge?

[edmartin]

I'm ready to dip into the world of networking my HR20. I'm nin-ViiV. I have to go wireless because I don't have a network port near my HR20.

I'm looking at 2 Linksys products and I'm not sure which is the right one to buy. They have the Wireless-G Game Adaptor (WGA54G) and the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge (WET11).

Which one?

[Chris Blount]

I'm ready to dip into the world of networking my HR20. I'm nin-ViiV. I have to go wireless because I don't have a network port near my HR20.

I'm looking at 2 Linksys products and I'm not sure which is the right one to buy. They have the Wireless-G Game Adaptor (WGA54G) and the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge (WET11).

Which one?I have the WGA54G communicating with a D-Link wireless router. Works fine.

[edmartin]

I have the WGA54G communicating with a D-Link wireless router. Works fine.

Thanks, Chris! Hopefully you won't be hearing from me tonight when I hook it up!

[Chris Blount]

Thanks, Chris! Hopefully you won't be hearing from me tonight when I hook it up!No problem. Myself and others will be happy to help if you have issues.

[bigz]

I'm ready to dip into the world of networking my HR20. I'm nin-ViiV. I have to go wireless because I don't have a network port near my HR20.

I'm looking at 2 Linksys products and I'm not sure which is the right one to buy. They have the Wireless-G Game Adaptor (WGA54G) and the Wireless-B Ethernet Bridge (WET11).

Which one?

I have the D-link DGL-3420 game adapter -- works great.

[Rambler]

I have to go wireless because I don't have a network port near my HR20.
You still don't have to go wireless. I'm using the Powerline ethernet adapters and Twonky, and it works quite well. May even be faster than a wireless option also!

[MontainBiker]

Is there any advantage to puting it on the Internet? I have a spare wireless router that I plugged in to my HR20 and can just switch my laptop over to the other network to play music. I have a different router that I have networked via DSL.

[Spanky_Partain]

Is there any advantage to puting it on the Internet? I have a spare wireless router that I plugged in to my HR20 and can just switch my laptop over to the other network to play music. I have a different router that I have networked via DSL.

No advantage to having and Internet connection to it yet. The internet connection can fail and everything that is supported with the network today, will work without the internet.

[edmartin]

Well, once I got beyond the dumb mistake of not entering my WEP key from my wireless router into the wireless gaming adpator setup, it worked perfectly. Up and running with multiple PC's.

The documents were a great guide. You might want to put something in there about "if your home wireless LAN is security-enabled...".

[Chris Blount]

Well, once I got beyond the dumb mistake of not entering my WEP key from my wireless router into the wireless gaming adpator setup, it worked perfectly. Up and running with multiple PC's.


Excellent! Great to hear.

[bllreed]

If you want to go with a media server look at Buffalo's line. They have a media
server with built-in DVD player and a small software program that can be loaded
on any networked PCs which will allow those PCs to stream video and audio to
the media server and through your home theatre for display. They also have a great selection of NAS products which can be used to hold your media files. They
can then be streamed to any PC on the network or their media server. The media
server has built-in gigabit nic and highspeed wireless access. They can be found
on the web, just google the name. If you insist on networking the HR20 you just need a wireless nic that will plug into a RJ45 port. You will need a PC that's VIIV capable however. If you have one there's just one dll file (IntelDH.dll) and 2 registry modifications needed to get the HR20 to see the PC. Good luck!

[MikeW]

JavaHMO / TivoServer - But I digress....

[uncrph90]

I'm using a Belkin Wireless G Gaming Adapter I picked up at Walmart for $60 and it is working fine.

[Milominderbinder2]

I also use the WGA54 as recommended by Earl. No problems. Here are two resources from the HR20 FAQs (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=76617):

HR20: Networking and ViiV (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=72947)
HR20: Networking with Windows Media Player (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=74426)

If you have not yet taken the HR20 Site Survey - Finding the Cures (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=78576), please take it today. We need as many people as possible to tell us about their setup, installation, usage, and problems.

- Craig

[dvrblogger]

I also use the WGA54 as recommended by Earl. No problems. Here are two resources from the HR20 FAQs (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=76617):

HR20: Networking and ViiV (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=72947)
HR20: Networking with Windows Media Player (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=74426)

If you have not yet taken the HR20 Site Survey - Finding the Cures (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=78576), please take it today. We need as many people as possible to tell us about their setup, installation, usage, and problems.

- Craig

I saw a problem in one of the xbox forums that many wireless routers don't handle the discovery process correctly for UPNP (SSDP) or may need a firmware upgrade similar to the powerline adapters. Microsoft has an FAQ for WMP11 with a list of recommended routers.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/devices/wmconnect/faq.aspx

[jgrade]

If you insist on networking the HR20 you just need a wireless nic that will plug into a RJ45 port. You will need a PC that's VIIV capable however. If you have one there's just one dll file (IntelDH.dll) and 2 registry modifications needed to get the HR20 to see the PC. Good luck!

Not true. Please research before giving advice. :nono2:

ANY PC and Mac can be a media server with the correct software. I am using a non ViiV machine and a MacBook pro with NO problems. Wireless NICs do not plug into RJ45 jacks. The OP needs a bridge or "game adapter" to connect his HR20 to the network if he insist on going wireless (as he already asked).

[bllreed]

Not true. Please research before giving advice. :nono2:

ANY PC and Mac can be a media server with the correct software. I am using a non ViiV machine and a MacBook pro with NO problems. Wireless NICs do not plug into RJ45 jacks. The OP needs a bridge or "game adapter" to connect his HR20 to the network if he insist on going wireless (as he already asked).

Well excuse me but I also have a non-Viiv pc which my HR20 sees just fine, and
will play any media files from it. It is ViiV capable but is not running ViiV software.
There is other software that will do the same thing, true, but the poster seemed
to prefer to go with ViiV. And yes you don't have to have an RJ45 port to connect,
it's probably no more expensive than using the USB method.

[jgrade]

Well excuse me but I also have a non-Viiv pc which my HR20 sees just fine, and
will play any media files from it. It is ViiV capable but is not running ViiV software.
There is other software that will do the same thing, true, but the poster seemed
to prefer to go with ViiV. And yes you don't have to have an RJ45 port to connect,
it's probably no more expensive than using the USB method.

Maybe there is a disconnect between what you mean and what you are writing. There is no USB option for networking the HR-20 since the USB ports are not active. I can only assume you are talking about the Buffalo Media Server you brought up. I think the OP was trying to say non-ViiV, but misspelled the word "non" as "nin" (the I is next to the O), so I don't think he has ViiV certified machine.:rolleyes: You made the statement, "You will need a PC that's ViiV capable" and I was correcting you. My machine is AMD which can never be ViiV since it is not Intel, but with Windows Media Center and WMP11 it connects to the HR-20. You do not need a ViiV certified, or in your words "capable" PC.

However, the question he asked was which wireless device to use to connect his HR-20. Either device he listed will work fine.

One more issue I would like to clear up. The HR-20 will not play "any media files" (from your quote). It will only play music and pictures; at this time. Hopefully some day it will play video streams.

[Spanky_Partain]

jgrade is correct. The USB plans are for the slingbox only and will not support any other device.

[xerxes]

Excellent! Great to hear.

Alright, I am stumped, Ican't get the WGA54G to work for me. I am not sure if it is not working or if it is just not working with the HR20. I have tried everything and called support from linksys and they were not helpful. Here is some info:
Belkin Wireless Router
WGA54G Game Adapter

I also have two laptops wireless working fine.

I was using WPA security but have since tried everything including turning off all security and encryption.

I have gotten the game adapter to read connected via the web interface but I do notice that the WAN light doesn't seem to stay lit. When I plug it into the HR20 I get not connected on the internet connection. I have tried defaults and advanced settings with various ip addresses dns and gateway configs from the board so far. No luck.

Is my Game adapter defective or am I missing something here?

[hdtvfan0001]

Alright, I am stumped, Ican't get the WGA54G to work for me. I am not sure if it is not working or if it is just not working with the HR20. I have tried everything and called support from linksys and they were not helpful. Here is some info:
Belkin Wireless Router
WGA54G Game Adapter

I also have two laptops wireless working fine.

I was using WPA security but have since tried everything including turning off all security and encryption.

I have gotten the game adapter to read connected via the web interface but I do notice that the WAN light doesn't seem to stay lit. When I plug it into the HR20 I get not connected on the internet connection. I have tried defaults and advanced settings with various ip addresses dns and gateway configs from the board so far. No luck.

Is my Game adapter defective or am I missing something here?
How ironic that I'm in the exact same boat you are with the same Game Adapter after spending 6 hours this weekend trying to get things to work. I also have 2 other laptops working just fine.

After hours of reading instructions and threads, I'm equally stumped.

[xerxes]

How ironic that I'm in the exact same boat you are with the same Game Adapter after spending 6 hours this weekend trying to get things to work. I also have 2 other laptops working just fine.

After hours of reading instructions and threads, I'm equally stumped.

Good to know that I am not alone. I am taking it into work this week to test with our wireless network. I got a few guys I work with that want to take a stab at my problem too. The Linksys rep gave up and said I must have a defective product but I didn't feel like she gave it much effort before coming to that conclusion.

[hdtvfan0001]

Good to know that I am not alone. I am taking it into work this week to test with our wireless network. I got a few guys I work with that want to take a stab at my problem too. The Linksys rep gave up and said I must have a defective product but I didn't feel like she gave it much effort before coming to that conclusion.
That's the easy answer....if all three of the lights are on the unit, and setup goes flawless when you first use the setup CD, odds are it's something else (what, I have no idea).... :rolleyes:

[Michael D'Angelo]

Good to know that I am not alone. I am taking it into work this week to test with our wireless network. I got a few guys I work with that want to take a stab at my problem too. The Linksys rep gave up and said I must have a defective product but I didn't feel like she gave it much effort before coming to that conclusion.

I am also having problems. I got the Linksys unit years ago for my xbox. Then I moved about 3 years ago and did not need it anymore. I put it in a box and have not touch it. I pulled it out today to hook up to my other HR20. One of them are wired to my router. Anyway I don't remember how I set it up before so I was following the directions and can not get it to work. So if anyone can figure it out and post how you did it with step by step directions I would greatly appreciate.
Thanks

[Spanky_Partain]

I will try to help on the WGA54G adapter.

Make sure the IP address is different on the HR20 then the WGA54G.

Example
HR20 - 192.168.1.5
WGA54G - 192.168.1.6

I would use static IP settings on the HR20 and the WGA54G.

Make sure the WGA54G is set to Infrastructure.

After looking at the date of the Firmware on the WEB, I think there is maybe a later release than 1.10, but maybe not. I know there was a firmware update I needed for the Linksys router for the Linksys bridge to work. Try calling them again and ask if there is a fix for UPnP in the firmware that may be causing the problem.

To test if you have connection to the HR20, from a PC on the network, open a command prompt window, Start => run, type in command and OK. At the command prompt....

c:\> telnet <ip address> 49152

A black hole will be achieved. After the telnet session times out, you will get information back from the HR20. You will know when it works from the information returned and having to wait for the black hole to time out. If it returns an error immediatly, then the HR20 is not connected.

I will monitor this thread and try to walk you through the problems.

[Michael D'Angelo]

The problem I am having is if I try to set it up from the CD when I click setup it can not find it. Then I tried to just configure it and I go to the web browser like the directions say and try to pull it up like you do a router. The directions say the default IP address is 192.168.1.250 but it won't come up. Then I check my router because I remember seeing my router is set for 192.168.1.200 to 192.168.1.249 so I tried to find out how to change it so it would receive 192.168.1.250 but I can not figure it out.

[xerxes]

I did some more testing and found what I believe to be the problem. Using my laptop connected to the WGA I AM able to get a connection when I am within 15 feet of the router and on the same floor. On the first floor I have to have a clear line of sight to the router but as soon as I am any further away I lose the connection. Both my laptops connect fine all over the house so the problem seems to be that the WGA has too poor of a signal strength when paired with my Belkin router.

I am going to buy myself a Linksys WRT54 router and use one of the routers as a Bridge downstairs and I hope that will solve the issue.

[xerxes]

The problem I am having is if I try to set it up from the CD when I click setup it can not find it. Then I tried to just configure it and I go to the web browser like the directions say and try to pull it up like you do a router. The directions say the default IP address is 192.168.1.250 but it won't come up. Then I check my router because I remember seeing my router is set for 192.168.1.200 to 192.168.1.249 so I tried to find out how to change it so it would receive 192.168.1.250 but I can not figure it out.

Did you plug it directly into the router to configure it? I found this works best, do this and then reset the WGA (Hit reset for 30 seconds) then try the 192.168.1.250 IP. I also found that this WILL NOT work if your router is on a different subnet so you will need to match them up.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Did you plug it directly into the router to configure it? I found this works best, do this and then reset the WGA (Hit reset for 30 seconds) then try the 192.168.1.250 IP. I also found that this WILL NOT work if your router is on a different subnet so you will need to match them up.

Yes I plugged it into the router. I held the reset for 30+ seconds. Do you know what the subnet the game adapter should is on?

[xerxes]

Yes I plugged it into the router. I held the reset for 30+ seconds. Do you know what the subnet the game adapter should is on?

What is the IP of your router, if it is 192.168.1.1 with subnet 255.255.255.0 then you should be ok hitting 192.168.1.250. You may want to disable firewall and MAC filtering if it is turned on (temporarily) and make sure in your routers lan settings that your IP range includes up to .250 at least so you can make the connection.

If the router route isn't working, hook it up directly to your PC or laptop but make sure that you set a static IP first in the 192.168.1.x range.

[Michael D'Angelo]

What is the IP of your router, if it is 192.168.1.1 with subnet 255.255.255.0 then you should be ok hitting 192.168.1.250. You may want to disable firewall and MAC filtering if it is turned on (temporarily) and make sure in your routers lan settings that your IP range includes up to .250 at least so you can make the connection.

If the router route isn't working, hook it up directly to your PC or laptop but make sure that you set a static IP first in the 192.168.1.x range.

It did not include .250 but I did add it. I don't understand why it won't pull up the login box because the routers login box comes up fine. I also have a IP camera and the login box comes up on that fine.

[Spanky_Partain]

Can you guys meet me in the chat room, now?

[Michael D'Angelo]

Can you guys meet me in the chat room, now?

I can not get in the chat room with vista.

[hdtvfan0001]

Can you guys meet me in the chat room, now?

OK.

[Doug Brott]

I can not get in the chat room with vista.

Check here for the HOW TO (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=80514)

[Spanky_Partain]

OK, to recap.

We had a chat session last night about the issues with the Linksys game adapter...

The following is going to happen...
xerxes - believes the problem to be a signal issue between game adapter and router
BMoreRavens - Has trouble getting into chat so he could not join


Another member joined in as well, apologize for not remembering your member name, and he is going to start from scratch and try to sort things out. I cannot stress enough to make sure the latest firmware is installed no the router and the game adapters. I know the Linksys router I have had to be updated and a particular Buffalo game adapter needed FW from an ftp site that is not available via the web.

[Michael D'Angelo]

OK, to recap.

We had a chat session last night about the issues with the Linksys game adapter...

The following is going to happen...
xerxes - believes the problem to be a signal issue between game adapter and router
BMoreRavens - Has trouble getting into chat so he could not join


Another member joined in as well, apologize for not remembering your member name, and he is going to start from scratch and try to sort things out. I cannot stress enough to make sure the latest firmware is installed no the router and the game adapters. I know the Linksys router I have had to be updated and a particular Buffalo game adapter needed FW from an ftp site that is not available via the web.

My router firmware is up to date but if there is a firmware update for my Linksys game adapter will I be able to update it?

[Michael D'Angelo]

Another problem I am having is when I plug the unit into the router it disconnects my laptop from the internet. I have unplugged all the power to the modem, router, and game adapter. Plugged the game adapter into the router then plug the power to the modem in. Once that started all the way up I plugged the router power cord in. After that started all the way up I plugged the game adapter power cord in. My laptop stays connected to the network but I have no internet. I have also tried plugging the game adapter power in before plugging the router power in. No luck. I have even tried hooking the game adapter up to the router without unplugging anything. I am starting to think the game adapter does not work anymore.

[Spanky_Partain]

Another problem I am having is when I plug the unit into the router it disconnects my laptop from the internet. I have unplugged all the power to the modem, router, and game adapter. Plugged the game adapter into the router then plug the power to the modem in. Once that started all the way up I plugged the router power cord in. After that started all the way up I plugged the game adapter power cord in. My laptop stays connected to the network but I have no internet. I have also tried plugging the game adapter power in before plugging the router power in. No luck. I have even tried hooking the game adapter up to the router without unplugging anything. I am starting to think the game adapter does not work anymore.

My first thought is that either the Game adapter or the HR20 is getting the same IP as the Laptop or the DHCP addresses are running out. Make sure the router has enough Max number of DHCP Users is set high enough. The HR20 requires one DHCP address and the Game Adapter requires another and they must be different. Also verify the game adapter is in infrastructure mode and not Ad Hoc. If the router has a setting for UPnP, then make sure it is enabled. This is multicast traffic that gets filtered out if it is disabled.

Did the link Craig provided help get you setup for Chat?

We will most likely be in there again tonight.

Is it possible for you to run a temp hardwire connection to the HR20 and router?

Yes on being able to update the FW on the game adapter. I think I saw the version to be at 1.10 on the linksys site.

[Michael D'Angelo]

My first thought is that either the Game adapter or the HR20 is getting the same IP as the Laptop or the DHCP addresses are running out. Make sure the router has enough Max number of DHCP Users is set high enough. The HR20 requires one DHCP address and the Game Adapter requires another and they must be different. Also verify the game adapter is in infrastructure mode and not Ad Hoc. If the router has a setting for UPnP, then make sure it is enabled. This is multicast traffic that gets filtered out if it is disabled.

Did the link Craig provided help get you setup for Chat?

We will most likely be in there again tonight.

Is it possible for you to run a temp hardwire connection to the HR20 and router?

Yes on being able to update the FW on the game adapter. I think I saw the version to be at 1.10 on the linksys site.

I do have it set for infrastructure. My router was only set for .200 to .249 so I changed it to .200 to .250. That still did not work.

[Michael D'Angelo]

My first thought is that either the Game adapter or the HR20 is getting the same IP as the Laptop or the DHCP addresses are running out. Make sure the router has enough Max number of DHCP Users is set high enough. The HR20 requires one DHCP address and the Game Adapter requires another and they must be different. Also verify the game adapter is in infrastructure mode and not Ad Hoc. If the router has a setting for UPnP, then make sure it is enabled. This is multicast traffic that gets filtered out if it is disabled.

Did the link Craig provided help get you setup for Chat?

We will most likely be in there again tonight.

Is it possible for you to run a temp hardwire connection to the HR20 and router?

Yes on being able to update the FW on the game adapter. I think I saw the version to be at 1.10 on the linksys site.


UPnP was disabled so I enabled it be still nothing.

[Spanky_Partain]

UPnP was disabled so I enabled it be still nothing.

I think now that it is enabled, try rebooting the HR20. After the reboot, give it a few minutes.

I am concerned as to why it kills the laptop connection.

I apologize for the questions that seem irrelevant or something that has been checked already. I am trying to take a step-by-step process of elimination...

Please list the following...
Type of server sooftware in use for HR20 feature, ie Twonky, TVersity, or WMP
Do you have only one instance of this server software running, ie running it on desktop and/or laptop...
Can you verify the IP address on the HR20 by going into the Info&Test screen and check to make sure the address assigned is coming from your router?
Also check the router DHCP log file and verify the MAC address for the HR20.
Is it possible to make a temporary hard wire connection?

[hdtvfan0001]

I think now that it is enabled, try rebooting the HR20. After the reboot, give it a few minutes.
Been there, done that. Nothing.
I apologize for the questions that seem irrelevant or something that has been checked already. I am trying to take a step-by-step process of elimination...
...and we surely appreciate it.
Please list the following...
Type of server sooftware in use for HR20 feature, ie Twonky, TVersity, or WMP
Tried WMP 11 and TVersity 1.13. Neither "see" the Game Adapter
Do you have only one instance of this server software running, ie running it on desktop and/or laptop...
Desktop only
Can you verify the IP address on the HR20 by going into the Info&Test screen and check to make sure the address assigned is coming from your router?
Yes. It seeks and assigned fine - says Networking is enabled, but not Internet.
Also check the router DHCP log file and verify the MAC address for the HR20.
It doesn't show.
Is it possible to make a temporary hard wire connection?
I wish, but no.

[Michael D'Angelo]

I think now that it is enabled, try rebooting the HR20. After the reboot, give it a few minutes.

I am concerned as to why it kills the laptop connection.

I apologize for the questions that seem irrelevant or something that has been checked already. I am trying to take a step-by-step process of elimination...

Please list the following...
Type of server sooftware in use for HR20 feature, ie Twonky, TVersity, or WMP
Do you have only one instance of this server software running, ie running it on desktop and/or laptop...
Can you verify the IP address on the HR20 by going into the Info&Test screen and check to make sure the address assigned is coming from your router?
Also check the router DHCP log file and verify the MAC address for the HR20.
Is it possible to make a temporary hard wire connection?


The problem I am having is not setting it up with my HR20. The problem is being able to login to the game adapter so I can configure it for my network.

[Spanky_Partain]

The problem I am having is not setting it up with my HR20. The problem is being able to login to the game adapter so I can configure it for my network.

We are talking about a WGA54G Game adapter?

If yes, do you still have the setup CD?

[Michael D'Angelo]

We are talking about a WGA54G Game adapter?

If yes, do you still have the setup CD?

Yes it is the WGA54G. I do have the CD still and tried to use it. When I click setup it scans for the game adapter and can not find it. I have tried hooking the game adapter up to the router and also tried hooking it up to my laptop like the instruction say.

[hdtvfan0001]

We are talking about a WGA54G Game adapter?

If yes, do you still have the setup CD?
Yes and Yes in my case too.

I can set it up Ok on my laptop, and the HR20 sees it, but that's as far as things go.

[Spanky_Partain]

I printed out the manual. We should not need to use the CD after reading. At first glance of trying to read the pdf file on the computer, it appeared that we might need the CD.


GA=WPA54G Game Adapter

EDIT
You will need the CD and the GA will need to be plugged into the PC to configure this. If you can access the GA via WEB already, do not reset the system
There is a reset button on the GA. Press and hold for 10 seconds to Reset it, lights will flash when it is reset. This will take it back to default. Your router should also have the default settings for IP for all of this to work. The IP should be 192.168.1.xxx for the network. If the router is NOT in this range then it will not be seen.

Open up a browser on the PC. You should be able to connect using http://192.168.1.250. If you cannot connect, then the router is NOT using 192.168.1.xxx as the IP scheme or the GA is not working correctly.

Turn off cloning mode in the advanced settings tab. I think you need this on for XBOX.

Save all the changes and hook it up to the HR20.

Setting it up for DHCP prevents you from easily accessing it for configuration.
I reccommend putting a static IP in for the GA so you can access it later via the web browser from any of your PC's. Put the SSID in the setup screen. Enable and enter your security WEP info. It looks like the GA is WEP secure only. So if WPA is in place on your wireless setup, this GA will not work.

The gateway is the IP address of your router. If you access your router via http://192.168.1.1 then this is the gateway and domain name IP.

I use 192.168.1.1 for the router, 192.168.1.2 for my access point, 192.168.1.3 for the bridge adapter. If I were using a GA it would be the same as my bridge adapter. I use 192.168.1.4 for the static IP on the HR20 and 192.168.1.1 for gateway and DNS naming.

This should get us to the point where the HR20 is setup and passes network and internet tests.

[Michael D'Angelo]

I printed out the manual. We should not need to use the CD after reading. At first glance of trying to read the pdf file on the computer, it appeared that we might need the CD.

GA=WPA54G Game Adapter

There is a reset button on the GA. Reset it! This will take it back to default. Your router should also have the default settings for IP for all of this to work. The IP should be 192.168.1.xxx for the network. If the router is NOT in this range then it will not be seen.

Open up a browser on the PC. You should be able to connect using http://192.168.1.250. If you cannot connect, then the router is NOT using 192.168.1.xxx as the IP scheme or the GA is not working correctly.

Turn off cloning mode in the advanced settings tab. I think you need this on for XBOX.

Setting it up for DHCP prevents you from easily accessing it for configuration.
I reccommend putting a static IP in for the GA so you can access it later via the web browser from any of your PC's. Put the SSID in the setup screen. Enable and enter your security WEP info. It looks like the GA is WEP secure only. So if WPA is in place in your wireless setup, this GA will not work.

The gateway is the IP address of your router. If you access your router via http://192.168.1.1 then this is the gateway and domain name IP.

I use 192.168.1.1 for the router, 192.168.1.2 for my access point, 192.168.1.3 for the bridge adapter. If I were using a GA it would be the same as my bridge adapter. I use 192.168.1.4 for the static IP on the HR20 and 192.168.1.1 for gateway and DNS naming.

This should get us to the point where the HR20 is setup and passes network and internet tests.

First of all I want to say I really appreciate all the help you have gave me.

I can type 192.168.1.1 and get into my router. But when I type 192.168.1.250 it try's to load for a few and then google comes up with searches for 192.168.1.250. I am searching for it under IE web browser and not google. My router is also set for IP address between 192.168.1.200 to 192.168.1.254. My router is also set for WEP.

[Spanky_Partain]

First of all I want to say I really appreciate all the help you have gave me.

I can type 192.168.1.1 and get into my router. But when I type 192.168.1.250 it try's to load for a few and then google comes up with searches for 192.168.1.250. I am searching for it under IE web browser and not google. My router is also set for IP address between 192.168.1.200 to 192.168.1.254. My router is also set for WEP.

Set the DHCP address to stop at 192.168.1.245. That still give you 45 DHCP addresses to use. That is a lot. Consider how many PC's you will ever need to get an address for in your environment.

Then try to connnect to the GA again.

[Michael D'Angelo]

EDIT
You will need the CD and the GA will need to be plugged into the PC to configure this. If you can access the GA via WEB already, do not reset the system

I have also tried this but when the disk loads you click on setup. When I do that it searches for the unit but does not find it.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Set the DHCP address to stop at 192.168.1.245. That still give you 45 DHCP addresses to use. That is a lot. Consider how many PC's you will ever need to get an address for in your environment.

Then try to connnect to the GA again.

But isn't the default IP address 192.168.1.250.

[Spanky_Partain]

But isn't the default IP address 192.168.1.250.

Only after the setup CD is successful will it have the 192.168.1.250 address assigned. Not sure what it is at prior to that. At least that is what I am getting out of the instructions.

EDIT
It looks like the default IP address may be 192.168.1.125 after a reset is done.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Only after the setup CD is successful will it have the 192.168.1.250 address assigned. Not sure what it is at prior to that. At least that is what I am getting out of the instructions.

EDIT
It looks like the default IP address may be 192.168.1.125 after a reset is done.

I think I am going to have to buy a new one. There has to be something wrong with it. Every time I plug it into the router I lose my internet. Plus when I hook it up to my PC to set it up it can't find it with the software. There has to be something wrong with it. I do appreciate all your help.

[Spanky_Partain]

I think I am going to have to buy a new one. There has to be something wrong with it. Every time I plug it into the router I lose my internet. Plus when I hook it up to my PC to set it up it can't find it with the software. There has to be something wrong with it. I do appreciate all your help.

I would agree. After a reset, you should be able to access it as descirbed int he instructions.

[Spanky_Partain]

Lets try this...

Power the GA up without it plugged into anything then try using your bowser to connect to http://192.168.1.125 and/or http://192.168.1.250.

It may be in clone mode and setting the MAC/IP to the Laptop. Hence knocking the laptop off the network.

[Spanky_Partain]

Lets try this...

Power the GA up without it plugged into anything then try using your bowser to connect to http://192.168.1.125 and/or http://192.168.1.250.

It may be in clone mode and setting the MAC/IP to the Laptop. Hence knocking the laptop off the network.

It was reported this did not work either.

[hdtvfan0001]

After another 6 hours in on this today, I give up. I was able to get the HR20 to get to the point of saying I was connected to the network, but could not either ping or access the GA via the network in any way - it just doesn't show up.

Thanks for all your efforts. Spanky - you're the best - your efforts are very appreciated.

After 4 days of work on this, I'm punting. :(

[Spanky_Partain]

Bummer.. :(

[Spanky_Partain]

I think I am going to have to buy a new one. There has to be something wrong with it. Every time I plug it into the router I lose my internet. Plus when I hook it up to my PC to set it up it can't find it with the software. There has to be something wrong with it. I do appreciate all your help.

Update
Turned out to be a bad cable on BMoreRavens wireless game adapter.

[Jeradin]

Hi there!

Been following this thread a bit, so putting in my input and also asking advice.

Firstly, I had had similar issue with the default IP 192.168.1.250, I could never access the game adapter. One thing though, if you hook it up to your PC, you need to give your PC a static IP address, least I did, for the CD to find the game adapter. once you run the CD, you can set the IP address for your adapter, then after its complete, access the web config page.


My issue is.... I can not get my WGA54AG to connect to my 2wire 2700gh modem/router.

The WGA54AG can see the wireless network in its config page, but anytime I connect, it says reloading the page, then comes back up disconnected, with no warning or error message.


I have the adapter on the same gateway, dns... not conflicting IP address and the same WEP and SSID.

I have read through almost all threads I could find on Linksys and 2wire but not found an answer to this issue.

I have the 2700GH router/modem from Qwest, and purchased a Linksys WGA54AG game adapter to hook up my HR20 Directv unit...

What I have tried....

1 - replacing the WGA54AG, same on both of them.

2 - changing EVERY setting at least 2 times in the game adapter.

3 - Changing all the settings I could think of on the 2700HG.

4 - tried it with security, without, with SSID, without, changing network name, making all items have static IPs all with DHCP...

5 - On the Linksys forums, people mentioned a few things, which I tried... changing the wireless channel to 9 or 11, tried both. They also mentioned changing the beacon interval to 50, fragmentation threshold to 2306 and RTS threshold to 2307. I cant find anywhere in the gateway.2wire.net/management to change the last 23 settings.

I know I tried other things, but totally at wits end, I think I have spent over 5 or 6 hours on this. I have gone to 3 different big forums, and no luck.

I know this is not a network, routing forum, but more curious if anyone on here has the same combo of router/game adapter and got it to work?

Maybe I should of bought the WGA54G instead of the newer WGA54AG?

Dale jacobs

[Spanky_Partain]

Setup Page
Verify the firmware version is the latest avaliable from linksys.com
Make sure SSID is correct and also in the same upper/lower case
Verify the channel is coorect
Verigy WEP settings are correct

Advanced Settings
DISABLE clonning mode

If using static IP, use different IP's for game adapter and HR20.
example...
Game Adapter IP - 192.168.1.9
HR20 IP - 192.168.1.10

For DNS and Gatewat IP, use the IP Address of the router.

In theroy, this should get you connected provided the Cat 5 cable and everything else is working correctly.

[Jeradin]

After doing everything at least 3 times, different cables, and all the settings all over again, wont even comment on the hours involved...hehehe..... Went to Ebay, sold the Linksys and bought a Buffalo ethernet converter with 4 ports. Got it working with my router pretty quickly. Now got extra ports for xbox and other devices.

Not got the mediaserver working right yet. I have nero media home, twonky, Tversity and WMP11, hehe.... My HR20 sees nero server, but I can not enter any folders... it can see twonky, and view songs in the folders, but they all have Xs next to them (read that I need a plugin to fix that or soemthing?) It can view the tversity server, but cant view inside artist/alubm/, just like Nero media home.

Only had so much time to mess with it though, will work on it more tonight.

Dale

[Spanky_Partain]

Yes you will need the LCPM plugins in the cgi-bin directory for Twonky. Have to have Nero 7, not to sure about TVersity or WMP11. Never got those two working.

Have fun!

Glad things worked out for you.

[Jeradin]

Oh fun, back again! :lol:

Below are screeners I took of my setup... All seems like it should be working.

I can see the HR20 in MediaHome, and on my router. The HR20 sees the internet, but never puts up the "Music and Photos" in the menu.

Below router sees Game adapter (Buffalo), my home computer and the HR20.
http://www.geetdesign.com/hr20/2wire.jpg

Below is the Buffalo adapter, it says it has 100% connection, any settings seem wrong? is the MAC address setup right?
http://www.geetdesign.com/hr20/buffalo.jpg

Below is MediaHome displaying my home computer and the HR20.
http://www.geetdesign.com/hr20/mediahome.jpg

Below is my network places, displaying TwonkyMusic shared on my network, with uPNP turned on.
http://www.geetdesign.com/hr20/network.jpg

Finally HR20 with solid status, but no menu option for music.
http://www.geetdesign.com/hr20/HR20.jpg


anyone have any ideas.... is it the MAC address thing? I can not find where on my 2wire router/modem to change that setting.


Someone had mentioned as soon as they were able to "browse" files on their HR20 from their router, that it all started working.

Is it something in the router I need to fix to be able to look in shared folders from the 2wire network admin section? I know one time I saw "browse shared files" link right above "Edit my firewall settings" link on the local devices. But only saw it once and no idea what made it show up.

Any help would be great!



Thanks again,

Dale Jacobs

[waynebtx]

Is;nt there a bridge or gameing adapter the you can just plug into the HR20 and sets itself up like any plug and play device. I have been reading all this networkin for weeks now and am just as confisued now more then ever. :confused: :confused:

[waynebtx]

Got it. Onec i put the right ssi in is case senitive need caps and then it started to working can see all system on network now

[Spanky_Partain]

Oh fun, back again! :lol:

anyone have any ideas.... is it the MAC address thing? I can not find where on my 2wire router/modem to change that setting.


Someone had mentioned as soon as they were able to "browse" files on their HR20 from their router, that it all started working.

Is it something in the router I need to fix to be able to look in shared folders from the 2wire network admin section? I know one time I saw "browse shared files" link right above "Edit my firewall settings" link on the local devices. But only saw it once and no idea what made it show up.

Any help would be great!



Thanks again,

Dale Jacobs

Here try this...
All the settings look good!

I just found out from Buffalo tech support that there is a firmware version newer than 2.5 (labelled 2.53). 2.5 is the newest on their support website but 2.53 can be gotten from their ftp site at ftp://24.153.165.234/WLI-TX4-G54HP/. This fixed my connectivity issues to twonky.

[newsposter]

So if WPA is in place on your wireless setup, this GA will not work.




Can you confirm this is 100% true? as you may have seen in the main networking thread, i've been banging my head on the wall for hours trying to fix this adapter. If i cant do wpa, then i guess thats why its not working BUT i the setup cd there is a setting for wpa (it's also in the manual) and i use that so i dont get why wpa wouldnt work?

-----------
regarding the thread title..would a bridge have been just as difficult to setup as this?

[Spanky_Partain]

Can you confirm this is 100% true? as you may have seen in the main networking thread, i've been banging my head on the wall for hours trying to fix this adapter. If i cant do wpa, then i guess thats why its not working BUT i the setup cd there is a setting for wpa (it's also in the manual) and i use that so i dont get why wpa wouldnt work?

-----------
regarding the thread title..would a bridge have been just as difficult to setup as this?

First versions of the GA did not support the WPA, only WEP.

[newsposter]

well thankfully now i can confirm WPA does work :)

[newsposter]

is there any chance the GA is interfering with my laptop connection? since i got it working last night, i've had 2 dropouts while on my laptop. I've never had any before this time. I'm sitting 8ft from the GA and my network is A/B/G if that matters.

one other question...why would the GA be flashing lights if i'm not downloading anything with the hr20?

[Spanky_Partain]

is there any chance the GA is interfering with my laptop connection? since i got it working last night, i've had 2 dropouts while on my laptop. I've never had any before this time. I'm sitting 8ft from the GA and my network is A/B/G if that matters.

one other question...why would the GA be flashing lights if i'm not downloading anything with the hr20?

There is a activity light for the network. Any network acitivity will flash the LED. That means acitivity from the PC talking on the network, normal house keeping activity from switch fabric on the network, cookies that may exist on the PC, a lot of things can kick off acitivity on your network and the LED is reflecting that. It is not necessarily coming from that device.

Not sure why the laptop is losing connection. Check the IP address on the laptop and make sure it is different then the static IP settings you have put onto the GA and HR20. You can check the PC/Laptop by going to the PC, Start => Run => type in command => OK. A window willl open. At the prompt type "ipconfig /all". Read the information provided and it will tell you the IP address, DNS, gateway information and the physical address which is the MAC address.

[newsposter]

ok i hadnt considered that laptop activity would make the GA flicker too.

phys address is mac
Ip is 192.168.2.100
gateway is 192.168.2.1 as is dhcp server and dns server but it also lists 192.168.2.5 as a dns server...that is the address i 'think' i gave the GA

but as I cant access the GA at all anymore, i cant confirm it.

edit .duh, i you said go to the PC..well it's not on but next time i do turn it on i'll check those settings as well.

[Spanky_Partain]

ok i hadnt considered that laptop activity would make the GA flicker too.

phys address is mac
Ip is 192.168.2.100
gateway is 192.168.2.1 as is dhcp server and dns server but it also lists 192.168.2.5 as a dns server...that is the address i 'think' i gave the GA

but as I cant access the GA at all anymore, i cant confirm it.

edit .duh, i you said go to the PC..well it's not on but next time i do turn it on i'll check those settings as well.

The MAC address is at the bottom of the page of where I told you to go. The address will look something like 00:2F:55:A1:42:03, not the IP addresses.

[newsposter]

The MAC address is at the bottom of the page of where I told you to go. The address will look something like 00:2F:55:A1:42:03, not the IP addresses.

im lost, why do i need to know the mac address now. Maybe we are crossing wires but my main issue now is i dont know how to get to the setup screen for the GA thru my browser.

also one other question now..under wireless client list on the router, the 192.168.2.5 address does show up and the GA mac address is listed. but the 'on the list' box is NOT checked where as my laptop connection is checked. Would checking this box enable the mac to be turned back on?

[toneman]

also one other question now..under wireless client list on the router, the 192.168.2.5 address does show up and the GA mac address is listed. but the 'on the list' box is NOT checked where as my laptop connection is checked. Would checking this box enable the mac to be turned back on?
Could be some sort of Access List on your wireless routers--the access list is so that you can restrict access to your wireless network to specific systems based on MAC address; it's not 100% foolproof but at least it's one more layer of security.

FWIW--for whatever reason I am a bit stumped as to why I am unable to access my WGA via the web browser after I had configured it--I tried using the static IP address I gave it and the default one as well...no dice. I know it is at least doing what it's supposed to do because I am able to download VOD content onto my HR20 (connected to a wired ethernet bridge, which is then connected to my WGA).

Now I got to figure out why it loses/drops connection every so often--during my VOD downloads I'd get the "lost connection" message every so often, asking me to either test connection or continue/fix later. Actually, I should say that it seems to be more of a hiccup than a complete connection drop/loss, as I can let the message disappear w/o my having acknowledged it (w/ the remote) or having done any other network troubleshooting of my local network...and my queued VOD downloads do eventually finish.

[Spanky_Partain]

If you do not disable clone mode on the GA, you will not be able to access them through the browswer once it is connected.

The reason I was telling where the MAC address was is because you mentioned you wanted to turn on the MAC thing and you felt funny with it turned off. I was telling you where the MAC address was as mentioned in the above post.

[newsposter]

If you do not disable clone mode on the GA, you will not be able to access them through the browswer once it is connected.

The reason I was telling where the MAC address was is because you mentioned you wanted to turn on the MAC thing and you felt funny with it turned off. I was telling you where the MAC address was as mentioned in the above post.

well i know i did turn off cloning...or maybe since i had to reset 100X maybe not on the last try. Darnnit.

Oh i got the mac off the unit, but still when i add it to my list and enable the mac addressing it wont work. The one question i never got resolved was why was the mac address in the GA setup 1 higher than the mac address on the side of the unit? But i even had entered both addresses at one point and it still didnt work. Then again, now that i think about it, i did have to reset the router and maybe didnt add the 2nd address back in.

and i still have to check the 'on the list' box for the GA and maybe that will help?

It sounds like if i have not disabled cloning i'm forced to take off the GA, hook up to a PC and set up from scratch and i wont do that at this point. Too scared! ( but do hope mac comes back)

[Spanky_Partain]

well i know i did turn off cloning...or maybe since i had to reset 100X maybe not on the last try. Darnnit.

Oh i got the mac off the unit, but still when i add it to my list and enable the mac addressing it wont work. The one question i never got resolved was why was the mac address in the GA setup 1 higher than the mac address on the side of the unit? But i even had entered both addresses at one point and it still didnt work. Then again, now that i think about it, i did have to reset the router and maybe didnt add the 2nd address back in.

and i still have to check the 'on the list' box for the GA and maybe that will help?

It sounds like if i have not disabled cloning i'm forced to take off the GA, hook up to a PC and set up from scratch and i wont do that at this point. Too scared! ( but do hope mac comes back)

I do not have an answer for why you see two MAC numbers that differ by one. Not sure what "on the list" box is either.

Perhaps someone else can help with these questions.

Anyone?

[newsposter]

well i got it working with mac turned on but still have occasional disconnects. The GA is causing it as i never had this issues before. I guess there is no real way to troubleshoot random disconnects though. ?

[jimb726]

Ok I am ready to get into the world of networking my HR20. My question is this. I currently have Verizon DSL, and they gave me a combo wireless router/modem. If I read all of this correctly I cannot just take something like a gaming adapter and just plug it in, correct? (I tried plugging in my Xbox live adapter and the light lights up on the back of the machine but no connection) I assume the problem is with my WEP protection and the inability to enter the security key.Taking the game adapter out of the equation, what do I need to purchase to make it work? Do I need an additional wireless router and a bridge or can I just buy a wireless bridge? Or is the powerline adapter the way to go? Running a hardwire is not practical at this point, maybe once the weather gets a little better. Can anyone provide some suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Jim

[Spanky_Partain]

Ok I am ready to get into the world of networking my HR20. My question is this. I currently have Verizon DSL, and they gave me a combo wireless router/modem. If I read all of this correctly I cannot just take something like a gaming adapter and just plug it in, correct? (I tried plugging in my Xbox live adapter and the light lights up on the back of the machine but no connection) I assume the problem is with my WEP protection and the inability to enter the security key.Taking the game adapter out of the equation, what do I need to purchase to make it work? Do I need an additional wireless router and a bridge or can I just buy a wireless bridge? Or is the powerline adapter the way to go? Running a hardwire is not practical at this point, maybe once the weather gets a little better. Can anyone provide some suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Jim


See http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=113983 and also the network help link in my signature.

[sailermon]

I do not have an answer for why you see two MAC numbers that differ by one. Not sure what "on the list" box is either.

Perhaps someone else can help with these questions.

Anyone?

The Linksys WET200 wireless bridge I have set up has two Mac addresses... one for the ethernet bridge "system" and one for the "wireless" access point. They differ by one point and only the "system" Mac address in posted on the bottom of the bridge housing. I had to include both of these Mac addresses in the table of my DSL 2Wire wireless router in order to get it to work with the HR-21. I am not sure whether other bridges or adapters have two Mac addresses.

[newsposter]

Ok I am ready to get into the world of networking my HR20.

i just set up my dsl with the linksys gaming adapter. it was kind of a pain but it did finally work. I spent a few hours with it and it works now but i cant get to it thru the web browser anymore but would have to reset and set up again to get to it. I dont care at this point. Note I do have dropouts with the adapter and I do not know if i could have these same dropouts with the powerline adapters. But if i could do it over, i think i'd do the PA instead of the GA.

I think netgear kits can run about 79 bucks at circuit city. Unless i'm mistaken, those are virtually plug and play, no muss no fuss.

[johnbrain]

Well, once I got beyond the dumb mistake of not entering my WEP key from my wireless router into the wireless gaming adpator setup, it worked perfectly. Up and running with multiple PC's.

The documents were a great guide. You might want to put something in there about "if your home wireless LAN is security-enabled...".

So even if my wireless network is wep enabled if I get a wireless gaming adapter I don't need to do anything on the adapter? I just got OnDemand beta today! YEA!

[Spanky_Partain]

So even if my wireless network is wep enabled if I get a wireless gaming adapter I don't need to do anything on the adapter? I just got OnDemand beta today! YEA!

Just like any networking equipment you add to our existing home network, if it is enabled in your home network, you must enable it to work in the new equipment. Yes, you will need to enable the WEP on a new game adapter if you plan on using it in your current environment. You need to hook it up to a PC, configure it correctly, then move it to the HR2x.