Vista - Vista desktop will not recognize Linksys router

I have a laptop with Windows XP which connects stand alone, wired and wirelessly to my Linksys router (Linksys WRT54G, V.1.1). The Linksys website says it is compatible with Vista and I have friends who have connected with the same router and same version of Vista just fine.

New desktop (Vista Premium Home 32bit) connects to the internet fine stand alone to the modem (cable internet) so cable is good, modem is good, router is good but when I plug the computer into the router (NO WIRELESS CARD IN DESKTOP - wired connection ONLY) it recognizes and registers nothing. Go to view Network connections and there is nothing there. Connect it to the modem and there is the network connection and internet loads no problem.

Please help!!! I am assuming there is something I am missing, some little step of some sort. I try to access the router config page and obviously, as computer doesn't register the router when connected, it won't display.

I have the same router and version and had the exact same problem with my new Dell XPS 630i running Vista Home Premium. After many hours of self help and an hour on the phone with Dell Tech Support we finally found a solution/workaround.

It seems that the Linksys doesn't like the Autonegotiate setting on the XPS (using an NVIDIA nForce Neworking Controller).

Here's my fix: >Control Panel, >Device Manager, >Network Adapaters, Expand then right click on adapter and Select Properties, >Advanced Tab, >Speed and duplex settings. I tried some different settings and the fastest that worked was 'Autonegotiate for 10FD' (10 Mbs Full Duplex). None of the 100Mbs options worked at all.

Good Luck!

I had the same problem of my Vista Business 64bit not recognizing my Linksys Router. Generalkos' solution was very helpful and I got connected right away. THANKS a million for your help..!!
By setting 10 Mbps am I missing any speed...?

generalkos,

Your post about the connectivity issue on your XPS 630i gives me hope, but I am running XP Pro on an XPS 630i that I JUST received from Dell.

Every time that I have to restart the system for any reason (simply to restart, or due to a Windows Update patch, or just to pick my nose), once the system goes through the BIOS launch and reaches the desktop, the connection to my wired Linksys Etherfast CABLE/DSL router (Model BEFSR81) is terminated.

As long as I am willing to physically reconnect the standard RJ45 CAT6 network cable to either the computer or the router, the connectivity instantly returns, and I can go about my merry Internet / network way. This problem, for the record, only occurs upon start-up / re-start (though I may have just jinxed myself).

This daily physical operation, however, is an unacceptable cure for a brand new computer system that, like an Apple Macintosh (there, I SAID IT), should perform as advertised right out of the box. I have, indeed, paid for the 3-year tech support deal from Dell, but I am having better luck discussing the problem with my 2-year-old son than dealing with the inexperienced overseas technicians.

I was at my wits end until I saw your comments about the AutoNegotiate setting not playing nicely with the Linksys device. I am certainly willing to attempt the same alteration to the network adapter settings, but I would greatly appreciate some feedback as well.

Thanks to all who are still monitoring this 74 day old thread.

Eric M. Scharf