Hi. I have 2 Win98SE machines and a cable modem. I'm trying to network them by using a Linksys BEFSR41 router, but it's not working. I've checked all the wiring, software configuration, hardware, etc. and it's all setup and working properly. When I plug everything into the router, only the router and the modem can communicate with each other. I get no link LEDs on the router or the computers. I can't even get to the router's setup page :( What do I do?

"I've checked all the wiring, software configuration, hardware, etc. and it's all setup and working properly. " Does this mean you can establish communication between machines without the router? Do you use a crossover for this?

Read the manual and push the recessed reset button which will reset the router. Or You could put in the missing gateway IPs on your computers. start menu>setting>control panel>network>TCPip (your network card adapter)>properties>gateway> 192.168.1.1 add (I think for belkin and linksys routers) or 192.168.0.1 (netgear routers) Now the pc will know where the router is and talk to it. Set the Internet_Explorer too. Launch IE>tools>internet options>connection>setup I want to connect through my lan. You never run that cable company's software again!

I haven't tried linking the machines without a router yet as I do not have a crossover cable. I practically know the manual by heart and have tried resetting the router over 50 times now. I've also tried installing the gateway IP, subnet mask, and assigning static IPs; IE is already setup for a LAN. I guess the last thing I can do is uninstall the NICs and start from scratch but I'd really like to avoid that. Any other ideas?

you have link lights or not (on both the router and the NICS)?

With just 2 PCs get rid of the router and replace it with a HUB. Use Cat 5 or 6 cables. Set your network up naming your PCs along with the workgroup make sure you enable shareing what files or drives you want. Use the netBEUI protocol. It is the easiest protocol to set up. With an Internet connection make sure you hook your Internet connection up to the uplink port on the HUB and be running a good AntiVirus and FireWall program. I run this network setup with 6 PCs and Norton AV an FW with no problems. Good Luck

Veronica, I just had my Linksys replaced for ports 2-4 going dead. Oddly, port 1 was OK. Linksys may have had a bad bunch of chips in some units. have you tried either PC in port 1 of the router to see if you get a link light? Secondly, try to borrow a hub and use it to at least verify the NICs are good.