Cascading a wireless WRT600N to a wired BEFSR81 to the Internet

Question

Okay, here is an easy one.
I am trying to daisy chain a new WRT600N wireless router to an older BEFSR81 8-port router.  Here is the setup up.  Cable modem is wired to the WAN jack on the 8-port.  5 computers (Win98 or Win 2000) wired into the common ports on the 8-port.  They all can communicate with the 8-port, with each other and to the Internet.  I have now wired common port 1 of the WRT600N into the cross-over uplink port of the 8-port.  The 8-port uses IP  address 192.168.50.1 (submask 255.255.255.0, starting DHCP IP address 192.168.50.70, 20 user max).  The WRT600N uses IP address 192.168.50.100 (submask 255.255.255.0) with DHCP disabled.
Okay,now here is the interesting part.  I have a new Vista laptop that I want to go wireless through the new WRT600N.  If I wire the laptop directly to a common port of the WRT600N, I can communicate with both routers, all the other compters and the Internet.  However, if I remove the cable and go wireless, I can only communicate with the routers and the other computers.  I can't connect with the Internet.  I have set the wireless for WEP encryption.  I have fiddled with the gateway settings, etc., but no wireless Internet.
I seems to me that if I can get there wired, I should be able to get there wireless if I simply disconnect the cable.  The laptop connects with the WRT600N and with the other local computers, but NOT THE INTERNET.  I am writing this message from the laptop in the wired configuration (port 2 on the WRT600N), so I know this much works.  Any thoughts or help here on configuring the WRT600N or Vista would be appreciated.  There is always the secret step!

Answer 1

I would suggest that you re-load the WRT600N firmware using the tftp.exe program.
The instructions for how to get this program, and how to use it are located at:
http://linksys.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/linksys.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=3703&p_created=11515...
The instructions are near the end of the post at the above URL.  Look for a section labeled  "Downloading tftp.exe"  and another section labeled "Reloading the Firmware".
Before attempting to use the tftp.exe program, please do the following:
A)  Power down your entire network.
B)  Disconnect the WRT600N from all devices.
C)  Wire one computer (the one with the firmware and tftp.exe program) to a LAN port on the WRT600N
D)  Power up the WRT600N and your computer.
E)  Use the tftp.exe program to load the latest firmware.
After the firmware upgrade using tftp.exe, exit the tftp.exe program, power down the router and computer, wait one minute, then proceed to the "reset to factory defaults" using the following procedure:
1) Power down all computers, the router, and the modem, and unplug them from the wall.
2) Disconnect all wires from the router, including the computer.
3) Power up the router and allow it to fully boot (1-2 minutes).
4) Press and hold the reset button for 30 seconds, then release it, then let the router reset and reboot (2-3 minutes).
5) Power down the router.
6) Connect one computer by wire to port 1 on the router (NOT to the internet port).
7) Power up the router and allow it to fully boot (1-2 minutes).
8) Power up the computer (if the computer has a wireless card, make sure it is off).
9) Try to ping the router. To do this, click the "Start" button > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt. A black DOS box will appear. Enter the following: "ping 192.168.1.1" (no quotes), and hit the Enter key. You will see 3 or 4 lines that start either with "Reply from ... " or "Request timed out." If you see "Reply from ...", your computer has found your router.
10) Open your browser and point it to 192.168.1.1. This will take you to your router's login page. Leave the user name blank, and in the password field, enter "admin" (with no quotes). This will take you to your router setup page. Note the version number of your firmware (usually listed near upper right corner of screen). Exit your browser.
If you get this far without problems, go ahead and setup the router manually.
If you cannot get "Reply from ..." in step 9 above, your router is dead.
If you get a reply in step 9, but cannot complete step 10, then either your router is dead or the firmware is corrupt. In this case, use the Linksys tftp.exe program to try to reload your router with the latest firmware. After reloading the firmware, repeat the above procedure starting with step 1.
If you need additional help, please state the results of steps 9 and 10. Also, if you get any error messages, copy them exactly and report back.
Please let me know how things turn out for you.
Message Edited by toomanydonuts on 03-14-2008 03:15 AM