I recently purchased a D-Link DSL-G604T Wireless ADSL Router to share an internet connection between my desktop computer and laptop. However, I have been unsuccessful in sharing the internet connection. How can I configure the network and computers to allow access to the internet by both computers at the same time? The computers are running Windows XP.

So we can start from a common understanding, we will first attempt a factory reset on the ADSL router. This will reset the device to the factory default (out of the box) settings, allowing us to setup the device from scratch. Before commencing, ensure that the router is disconnected from all data and phone lines. The only cable plugged into the router should be the power cable supplying power to the router. This will ensure that we will reset the router to a completely “out of the box” state, and reconfigure the router from scratch. Once the router has been disconnected from everything except the power, we are ready to commence the factory reset. On the right-side of the router box there is a small reset button. While the device is powered-on, use a ballpoint pen or paperclip to depress this button for 10 seconds and then release. The router will initiate a factory reset. Wait a few minutes for the router to properly boot and be ready for operation, and then follow the setup steps included with the router. The router should have come with a Quick Installation Guide, providing step-by-step instructions on setting up the router to allow internet access. If you are unable to locate your Quick Installation Guide, this can also be downloaded from: files.dlink.com.au/products/DSL-G604T-GenII/QuickInstallGuide/DSL-G604T_GenII_QIG.pdf . Additionally, if you need to reference the actual product manual this can be found at: files.dlink.com.au/products/DSL-G604T-GenII/Manuals/DSL-G604T_GenII_Manual_v1.11.pdf .

The setup you follow using the Quick Installation Guide will use the D-Link Click’n Connect Utility, which provides for the easy configuration of the wireless router. Step 7 of the Quick Installation Guide will ask whether you wish to enable the wireless radio on the router. You must select “Enabled” in this step so that wireless is enabled on the device, otherwise you will be unable to use wireless internet. In the next step you will be asked to configure the wireless settings. When asked about the encryption you would like to enable on the wireless connection, ensure you select WPA-PSK and that you write down the passkey which you enter. This is the password for the wireless network, and will need to be entered on all computers which you wish to access the network. Do not forget this code, otherwise you will not be able to connect wirelessly to the network.

There is also an alternative configuration method covered in the Quick Installation Guide, whereby you can configure the router using the router’s in-built web based interface. If you have configured the router using the Click’n Connect Utility this is not required, but should you have trouble using the Click’n Connect Utility, or you are unable to locate the CD containing this program which came with your router, then you should use the web based interface to setup the router. In this situation, make sure you enable wireless when configuring the “Wireless LAN Connection” portion of the web based setup.

Once the router setup has been completed, try accessing the internet using your desktop computer (which is connected via Ethernet cable to the router). Assuming you are able to successfully connect to the internet, this confirms that the internet connection is working correctly. We now need to verify whether the wireless connection is working. Using your laptop, open the wireless network window and scan for your network. Once found, it should detect that your network is secured, so when you attempt to connect to this network you will be prompted to type the WPA-PSK which you previously configured. Once this has been entered, and the connection to the wireless network is established, check whether you are able to access the internet.

Should the internet still not be accessible, you should check the network configuration on the laptop. Go to the “Start” menu > “Control Panel” and open the “Network Connections” control panel (you may need to first select the “Network and Internet Connections” category). Right-click on your wireless network connection and select “Properties”. In the window that appears, click the “General” tab and in the list of services select ?Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)? then click “Properties”. In the TCP/IP Properties, ensure that “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically” are both enabled and then click OK. Check whether the problem persists. Should you encounter further problems, then please contact me again for further advice.