How to Enable a Wireless Gateway With a Qwest DSL Modem
Wireless is an easy way to connect multiple computers to the same Internet connection, and it's very handy for laptops. If you have a Qwest DSL modem with built-in wireless capability or an add-on wireless router, here is how to set it up.
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Things You'll Need
- Qwest DSL modem with wireless capability
- DSL Internet service
- Computer with wireless capability
Instructions
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1
Connect your wireless router to your modem, if the wireless component is separate from the modem itself. Make sure the modem is unplugged from power, telephone, and computer for this step.
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2
Plug your modem into a surge protector or electrical outlet, and into the phone jack.
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3
Connect your modem to your computer with an Ethernet cable. All modern computers and modems have an Ethernet port for this purpose.
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Launch your Web browser of choice, and type the phrase "192.168.0.1" (without quotation marks) into the address field. You can think of these numbers as your modem's Internet address. Press the "go" button and you will be taken to the modem's configuration page.
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Select the option "Wireless Settings," or whichever option looks the most similar. Depending on which specific model of Qwest modem you are using, the look and wording on the configuration pages will be different. To get to the wireless settings page, you might first have to select an option such as "Setup & Configuration," and, from there, "Advanced Setup."
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Activate wireless connectivity by clicking the "On" button. Most modems have wireless turned off by default, for security.
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Create an SSID name. (It might also say ESSID or BSSID.) This will be the name of your wireless network. Don't use any spaces or numbers or special characters in the name. Just use alphabet letters.
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Select the "WPA" security option if it is available, and if not, "WEP." WPA is the better choice, and most modern systems will support it. Using a security lock on your wireless network will prevent nearby strangers from connecting to it.
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Follow the instructions to fill in your security code. There may be other fields that you can fill in, but you can skip these or leave them on their default settings if you don't understand them. Consult with Qwest Technical Support for more information on these settings.
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Write down both the SSID and the security code and save them in a secure place, because you will need this information for other computers to connect to your wireless network.
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Save your changes and restart your modem. Wait for the restart to complete; completion will be indicated when the "Internet" light turns solid green.
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Open your Network Connections program and inspect the Wireless Network Connection icon. If it says "Disabled," right-click on it and select "Enable." It will then say "Not Connected."
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Double-click on the Wireless Network Connection icon. This will bring up a list of wireless networks in range. Look for yours, as denoted by the SSID name you entered earlier. Select it and connect. Enter the security code when prompted.
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Wait for the connection to be made. It should say "Connected" when it is complete. You can now disconnect the Ethernet cable from your computer, if you like, remaining connected wirelessly. You can also connect other computers to your wireless network, using their Network Connections program.
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Tips & Warnings
If you use a WEP security lock, you can use any digit (0 through 9) for the code, but the only letters you can use are A through F, not A through Z.
Wireless networks can sometimes be disrupted by microwaves. This can usually be fixed by restarting the modem.
It's a good idea to change your security code at least once a year, and preferably four times a year.
