Dynex DX-WEGRTR, DX-WGRTR User Manual

Dynex Wireless G Router (DX-WGRTR) &

Wireless Enhanced G Router (DX-WEGRTR) FAQ

March 2013

The Dynex Wireless G Router and Wireless Enhanced G Router have been discontinued.

Windows® 7 and Windows® 8 operating systems have not been tested with these routers.

The routers may function normally with these operating systems;

however, that usage is not supported by customer support.

Setup ............................................................................................................................................................ 2

Question 1: Where do I place my wireless router? ....................................................................................... 2

Question 2: How do I connect my router to the modem? ............................................................................. 2

Question 3: How do I set up a wireless network? ......................................................................................... 2

Question 4: What should I do if the Easy Install Wizard does not run? ........................................................ 3

Question 5: What should I do if the Easy Install Wizard cannot find my wireless router? ............................ 3

Question 6: What should I do if the Easy Install Wizard cannot connect my wireless router

to the Internet? .............................................................................................................................. 3

Question 7: What should I do if I completed the Easy Install Wizard, but can’t connect to the Internet? .... 4

Question 8: How do I manually configure my network settings? .................................................................. 5

Question 9: How do I change my wireless network channel? ...................................................................... 7

Question 10: How do I change my wireless router’s name? ......................................................................... 7

Question 11: How do I set up a wireless network without the Easy Install Wizard? ..................................... 8

Question 12: How do I connect to the wireless network? ............................................................................. 8

Question 13: How do I connect my cell phone, game system, or other WiFi device to the network? .......... 9

Question 14: What should I do if I can’t connect to the Internet wirelessly? ................................................ 9

Usage .......................................................................................................................................................... 10

Question 15: What is my wireless router’s range? ..................................................................................... 10

Question 16: How do I extend the range of my wireless network? ............................................................. 10

Question 17: What should I do if I forgot the password to my wireless network? ...................................... 10

Question 18: How do I access my wireless router’s settings? .................................................................... 10

Question 19: What should I do if I have a poor signal or the signal drops periodically? ............................ 10

Question 20: How do I use my wireless router as an access point? .......................................................... 11

Security ...................................................................................................................................................... 11

Question 21: How do I save my current configuration? .............................................................................. 11

Question 22: How do I restore a previous configuration? ........................................................................... 12

Question 23: How do I update my wireless router’s firmware? ................................................................... 12

Question 24: How do I reset my router? ..................................................................................................... 13

Question 25: How do I restore the factory settings? ................................................................................... 13

Question 26: Which encryption method should I use to secure my wireless network? .............................. 13

Question 27: How do I secure my wireless network? ................................................................................. 14

General ....................................................................................................................................................... 15

Question 28: What are the system requirements to use the router? .......................................................... 15

Question 29: Where can I get more information about the Dynex Wireless G Router? ............................. 15

Question 30: Where can I find more information about my warranty? ....................................................... 15

Setup

Note: Use a wired connection to set up the wireless router even if the computer will later be used

wirelessly.

Question 1: Where do I place my wireless router?

Make sure that your wireless router’s antenna(s) are positioned vertically (toward the ceiling). If

your wireless router itself is positioned vertically, point the antenna(s) as much as possible in an upward direction. If your router has two antennas, make sure that they are parallel to each other.

In multistory homes, place the wireless router as close to the center of the home as possible. This

may mean placing the wireless router on an upper floor.

Avoid placing the router under ground level, if possible. This may block the signal and limit

coverage.

Avoid placing your wireless router near objects that may cause interference such as microwaves,

cordless telephones, dryers, or metal cabinets.

Question 2: How do I connect my router to the modem?

1. Unplug your modem’s power cord. Put the router next to the modem and raise the router’s antenna(s).

2. Locate the networking cable that connects your modem and computer. Unplug that cable from your modem, and plug it into any blue wired computer (Ethernet) port on the back of the router.

3. Connect the networking cable (included) from the green modem port on the back of the router to the free port on the modem.

4. Plug in the modem's power cord, then wait 60 seconds for the modem to start.

5. Connect the power cord from the power jack on the back of the wireless router to a wall outlet.

6. Wait 20 seconds for the router to start up, then make sure that the Modem LED and one of the Wired Computer LEDs on the front of the router are lit up in green. If they are not, recheck your connections.

Question 3: How do I set up a wireless network?

1. Connect your router to the modem. See Question 2 for setup information.

2. Shut down any programs that are running on your computer.

3. Turn off any firewall or Internet connection-sharing software on your computer.

4. Connect a network cable from a blue wired computer (Ethernet) port on the back of your wireless router to a computer.

5. Insert the Installation CD into the computer that is directly connected to the router. The Setup

Assistant automatically appears on your computer’s screen within 15 seconds. Note: If you are using Windows and the Setup Assistant does not start up automatically, see

Question 4 for more information.

6. Double-click the Setup Assistant, then follow the on-screen instructions.

7. After configuring the router, the Setup Assistant checks your connection to the Internet. This completes the router installation. You will see the Congratulations screen when your router can connect to the Internet.

Note: You can use the Setup Assistant to set up your other wired and wireless computers to connect to the Internet by clicking Next. If you decide to add computers to your router later, select Exit the Assistant, then click Next.

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Question 4: What should I do if the Easy Install Wizard does not run?

Make sure that your computer meets the system requirements:

A PC running Windows® 2000, Windows® XP, or Windows Vista®

OR A Mac computer running Mac OSx 10.4x

A minimum of 64 MB RAM A working Internet connection An Internet browser Note: The Dynex Wireless G Router and Wireless Enhanced G Router have been discontinued.

Windows® 7 and Windows® 8 operating systems have not been tested with these routers. The routers may function normally with these operating systems; however, that usage is not supported by customer support.

If your computer meets the system requirements:

1. If the Easy Install Wizard does not appear within 15-20 seconds, select your disk drive from My Computer.

2. Double-click the file named Setup Assistant. The Easy Install Wizard should start within a few seconds.

3. If a window opens showing the files on the CD, double-click EasyInstall.exe.

4. If the Easy Install Wizard still does not start, see Question 11 for an alternate setup method.

Question 5: What should I do if the Easy Install Wizard cannot find my wireless

router?

Make sure that your cables are correct and secure. See Question 2 for connection information. Unplug the power cord from the wireless router for 10 seconds, then reconnect the power cord. Make sure that the wireless router's Power light is on and solid green. If not, make sure that the

power cord is correctly connected to the wireless router and plugged into a wall outlet.

Try shutting down and restarting your computer, then rerun the Easy Install Wizard. There may be third-party firewall software installed on the computer attempting to access the

Internet. Examples of third-party firewall software are ZoneAlarm, BlackICE PC Protection, McAfee Personal Firewall, and Norton Personal Firewall. You can determine if the firewall software is preventing Internet access by temporarily turning it off. If Internet access works correctly while the firewall is disabled, change the firewall settings to function properly when it is turned on. Note: See the instructions provided by the publisher of your firewall software for information on configuring the firewall to allow Internet access.

If the Easy Install Wizard is still unable to find the router, see Question 11 for an alternative setup

method.

Question 6: What should I do if the Easy Install Wizard cannot connect my

wireless router to the Internet?

Use the troubleshooting suggestions within the Easy Install Wizard. If the troubleshooting screen

does not open automatically, click the Troubleshoot button in the lower, right corner of the Easy Install Wizard window.

If your ISP requires a user name and password, make sure that you have typed in your user

name and password correctly. Some user names require that the ISP's domain be at the end of the name. For example: myname@myisp.com. The @myisp.com part of the user name may need to be typed as well as your user name.

If you continue to have no Internet connection, see Question 8 for information on manually

configuring your network settings.

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Question 7: What should I do if I completed the Easy Install Wizard, but can’t

connect to the Internet?

On the back of the wireless router, look at the wireless router’s WAN light and Connected light.

If the WAN light is off and the Connected light is blinking:

Make sure that the network cable between your wireless router and the modem is securely and

correctly connected. The cable should connect from your wireless router’s green modem port to the network port on the modem.

Try unplugging the modem from its power source for three minutes, then plug the modem back

into its power source. This may force the modem to recognize the wireless router.

Try unplugging the wireless router from its power source for 10 seconds, then reconnect the

power. This will cause the wireless router to reattempt communication with the modem.

Try restarting your computer.

If the WAN light is on and the Connected light is blinking:

If you have a static IP address connection, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) must assign you

the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway address. Contact your ISP to get this information and see Question 10 for an alternative setup method.

You may need to configure your router to meet the specific requirements of your ISP. To search

our Knowledge Base for ISP-specific issues, go to the Dynex website (http://www.dynexsupport.com), type “ISP” into the search bar, then press ENTER.

If the wireless router’s WAN light is blinking and the Connected light is solid:

There may be third-party firewall software (for example, ZoneAlarm, McAfee Personal Firewall, or Norton Personal Firewall) installed on the computer that is unable to access the Internet.

Turn off your computer’s firewall. If the Internet works, change the firewall settings so that the

Internet works when it is turned on. See the instructions provided by your firewall software for information about configuring the firewall to allow Internet access.

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Question 8: How do I manually configure my network settings?

In order for your computer to properly communicate with your router, change your PC’s TCP/IP settings to

DHCP. Note: The Dynex Wireless G Router and Wireless Enhanced G Router have been discontinued.

To manually configure network settings in Windows Vista®, Windows® XP, or Windows® 2000:

1. Click Start, then open the Control Panel.

2. Double-click the Network and dial-up connections icon (Windows 2000) or the Network icon (Windows XP or Vista).

3. Right-click the Local Area Connection associated with your network adapter, then select Properties from the list. The Local Area Connection Properties window opens.

4. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) from the list, then click Properties. Internet Protocol Properties window opens.

5. Select Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically, then click OK. Your network adapter(s) are now configured for use with the router. Note: If Use the following IP address is selected, set up your router for a static IP connection type. Write the address information down. You will need to enter this information into the router. See Question 18 for information on accessing your wireless router’s settings.

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