I'm trying to set up a wireless network to use a DSL modem for internet access. The DSL modem has a USB & ethernet port. The phone wire comes in and goes to the DSL modem. The USB cord goes from the modem to my computer. The ethernet then goes from the DSL modem to a wireless access point. Two computers upstairs have wireless NICs to supposedly connect to the access point. I can get them to locate access point but not to get internet access. My computer, hard wired via USB to the DSL modem, has no problem with internet. Any ideas? I've tried connecting access point to my computer via a nic, but then nothing connects to it. I've tried using a hub, but no luck. This sucks - I've sent hundreds of $$$ on supposed instant access equipment and it has all failed. THe PCs upstairs use Win98SE. ANyone have any ideas at all?

I'd suggest installing windows xp. If not go through the network setup again. Sometimes mine doesn't work and I have to go through the network setup, and the internet connection setup.

Check the specifications of your modem. Most of the modems with both a USB and an Ethernet connection will NOT support both at the the same time. If you connect a USB interface to a computer with USB drivers loaded, that is all it will support and use, and the Ethernet port will not work. On modems that support both interfaces at the same time, there must be either a builtin DCHP router or you must have two IP addresses assigned by the ISP for the modem. One set into the USB attached system, and a separate IP address for the Ethernet connected system/router. To check this, power off the modem and router. Unplug the USB port connection. Wait for at least 15 minutes. Power on the Modem and router. See if you can connect with the wi-fi systems or with an Ethernet connected system through the router. In some cases you may have to power off the modem and router overnight to get them to come up in the Ethernet only configuration. But to share a single IP address, all systems must connect through the router. I am assuming your reference to wireless access point is really a router with wireless access point built in. So you will have to add an Ethernet to your system. Now if you made a mistake of getting just a plain wireless access point (not a DCHP router with wireless access), then you will have to use the USB connection to your system, set up ICS, add a Ethernet adapter to the system and connect the wireless access point to it (not the modem), so your system can do the ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) for the devices connected through the wireless access point. (Or by a router or router with wireless access point.)

I agree. You need to disconnect the modem from the computer with the usb. You will need to connect that computer directly to the access point(if possible) or set it up wirelessly. -DF

Your setup should be line from ISP to DSL modem , ethernet cable from modem to wireless router . All your connections have to be thru the wireless router , generally the default connection out of thes dsl modems is ethernet not USB . Wire your pc into one of the ports on the wireless router . The router suplies the addresses to the devices which then tranlates it to the one address assigned to router . Router must be setup for dhcp addressing also .