Unsure About Modem

Hi, well, here goes:

Last year, we were using Qwest's DSL service, and the modem they sold us, an "Actiontec gt701-wg DSL Modem w/ Wireless Gateway". We're not using their services anymore, but we still have the old modem lying around.

So being the curious type, I wanted to see if I could use the wireless part, in case I'd ever want to set up a wireless network in the future. I followed the instructions that Actiontec gives to set it up. Now here's the part I'm confused about:

The 192.168.0.1 modem program says that the wireless is activated, confirmed by the green light lit up on the front of the modem, BUT, XP isn't confirming that it's a wireless connection. I'm not sure how it confirms that it is, but I know it should be showing a 'Wireless Connection' in the Network Connections area. And the Wireless Manager thing should be showing up somewhere... I think.

Anyways, I'd like to know if the wireless part is actually working or not. I downloaded that Net Stumbler program, but it doesn't see the modem as a wireless device. I used the drivers for the modem straight from the actiontec website. The Network Connections window simply considers the modem as a regular old 'Local Area Connection'.

So if the wireless is broken or whatever, I'll just keep it around in case I need another dsl modem.

If you are connecting the modem (more likely to be a router if it has wireless) directly to the PC via USB it will appear as an Ethernet card (ie 'Local Area Connection').

If you connect it via Ethernet (network cable) then you are seeing the Ethernet adapter already in your computer appearing in the XP connections list.

A wireless router can function as a basic access point to provide wireless connectivity to laptops or computers with a wireless card installed by simply ignoring its internet settings and leaving the internet port unplugged. This is how you would set it up if you want to create a wireless network around the house.

A few models of router can operate as a client to other wirelss networks by plugging the router into a PC via its Ethernet connection, although this is not very common.

The one thing a wireless router cannot do is function directly as a wireless network card; in either mode above the wireless settings can only be configured in the router itself so all you see on the PC is a normal network connection.

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Jeremy

Marlborough WiFi Project

Ohhhh, I see. Ok then, I'm pretty sure it's not broken or malfunctioning now hehe, thank you!