Don't want to use wireless - Update - all OK

[pasusan]

I've been getting home computers (and networks) to work since 1994... But - I've got something new that I thought someone here might be able to help with. Apparently I haven't come up with the correct search terms for Google...

Just got a new desktop that has integrated wireless. I've got wires. And wireless. I definitely want the new desktop to connect to the network and internet with the wired ethernet.

Windows 7. The taskbar at the lower right on the screen says: Netgear Internet Access. Netgear is my wireless router. My wired router is D-Link. I'm thinking I'd rather have my internet access with the wired connection.

Anyone know what I should look at and how to turn off my wireless connection in the new computer so it will connect through the wired D-link router?

Yes, the ethernet cable from the D-link router is plugged into the back of the new computer.

Also - I can't use "Homegroup" as I have a Vista and XP machine in the network.

If pictures of the "network and sharing center" info are needed I can provide them.

Thanks for any help.

[LittleBill]

Bobbo wrote:

wa8yxm wrote:
Ok, first: on a computer with a LAN jack (Eathernet jack) simply plugging in the Cat 5 cable SHOULD disable the Wi-Fi (At least it does on this 8.1 box)

That is not always the case. When DD was an undergrad at Ole Miss in 2003, she had her WIFI enabled so she could use the laptop when at different university buildings. When in her dorm, she would plug in the ethernet cable in her room for better throughput, and because the dorm WIFI was weak and would drop out.

Or that was what she thought.

It soon became apparent that EVERYONE in the dorm was having drop out problems, everywhere in the dorm.

Eventually, several weeks into the process, an IT guy showed up at her dorm room door and unplugged her ethernet cable. That fixed the drop out problem. They had finally tracked the problem to HER dorm room, and she was the only one with a computer in that room.

Her laptop was connected to the network by WIFI AND by ethernet, and was confusing the network, which locked up the network.

We won't go into the story about when she caused the evacuation of an entire motel while a fraternity and sorority were trying to prepare for a gala in the state capitol. Literally dozens of folks were standing around outside the motel wearing towels and robes while the fire dept looked for a fire that didn't exist. This DD can cause mayhem while trying, unsuccessfully, to remain innocent.

although i agree both can be online, not sure what is the deal with your daughters computer, but i can routinely have multiple connections via wireless and wired, without problems on the same subnet. i do it all the time at home

[Bobbo]

wa8yxm wrote:
Ok, first: on a computer with a LAN jack (Eathernet jack) simply plugging in the Cat 5 cable SHOULD disable the Wi-Fi (At least it does on this 8.1 box)

That is not always the case. When DD was an undergrad at Ole Miss in 2003, she had her WIFI enabled so she could use the laptop when at different university buildings. When in her dorm, she would plug in the ethernet cable in her room for better throughput, and because the dorm WIFI was weak and would drop out.

Or that was what she thought.

It soon became apparent that EVERYONE in the dorm was having drop out problems, everywhere in the dorm.

Eventually, several weeks into the process, an IT guy showed up at her dorm room door and unplugged her ethernet cable. That fixed the drop out problem. They had finally tracked the problem to HER dorm room, and she was the only one with a computer in that room.

Her laptop was connected to the network by WIFI AND by ethernet, and was confusing the network, which locked up the network.

We won't go into the story about when she caused the evacuation of an entire motel while a fraternity and sorority were trying to prepare for a gala in the state capitol. Literally dozens of folks were standing around outside the motel wearing towels and robes while the fire dept looked for a fire that didn't exist. This DD can cause mayhem while trying, unsuccessfully, to remain innocent.

[pasusan]

Thanks all!

CloudDriver - the Tom's Hardware site definitely helped - the task manager tells me that there is no activity on the wireless connection but that the local area network is getting the activity when I'm on YouTube.

And I unplugged the wireless router - everything still worked.

So it looks like I'm all OK... I've renamed my local area connection to D-Link. Can't imagine how it got named Netgear. Maybe *I* did that in the last few days of setting up the new computer. :S

I did have crazy fun watching PSY on YouTube while working on this little project!

wa8yxm - thanks - me too - I actually had to talk to folks in Japan when installing a Soundblaster card in my 486.

Thanks again all. Sometimes I just need a little kick in the brain.

[coolmom42]

Go to the icon in your task bar that has the bars for the wifi connection. Click on it. A list of wifi signals will show up. (Yours and possibly your neighbors.) Right click on yours, and choose DISCONNECT.

Plug in the Ethernet cable before you do this. When you choose DISCONNECT, the Ethernet icon will replace the wifi bars in your task bar.

[wa8yxm]

Ok, first: on a computer with a LAN jack (Eathernet jack) simply plugging in the Cat 5 cable SHOULD disable the Wi-Fi (At least it does on this 8.1 box)

If that does not work you can do the following

Right click on teh NET GEAR access icon, Choose open network and sharing center
Then from the left of that window choose CHANGE ADAPTER SETTING

Find with wireless connection and right click on it,, Choose DISABLE,, this shuts it off. Some laptops have a function key shortcut that does all that.

If you have a different operating system, advise, i have worked with everything back to 3.11

[fj12ryder]

And others will surface. 😛

[joeshmoe]

Buy an Apple. Problem solved. 😛

[magicbus]

wlstroud wrote:
x2 Dutch. And/or you can go to devices in control panel and disable your wireless card on your computer.

And make sure your hardwired port is enabled. In Win 7 Control Panel->Network and Sharing Center->Change adapter settings (on left side of page) then right mouse on Local Area Connection and Enable (if not enabled) and the opposite for any Wireless Network Connections.

Dave

[CloudDriver]

A Google search came up with a lot of answers to this problem. Try this one http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/32542-42-choose-connection-wired-wireless-desktop-computer

If you can't get on the internet with the wireless router unplugged and the wired router connected to the PC, you may have a driver issue with the LAN on the motherboard.

[wlstroud]

x2 Dutch. And/or you can go to devices in control panel and disable your wireless card on your computer.

[pasusan]

OP here - what's strange is the Windows wireless is off. I'm thinking there is a Dell wireless also?

But - I think I will try turning off the wireless router (pull the plug) and then turn on the new computer - maybe it will find the wired router.

dahkota - no it doesn't see it. Will try above step...

[obgraham]

Go to the Windows Control Panel. Then Network and Sharing Center. Then Change Adaptor Settings. Find your wireless adapter there, right click on it, and turn it off or disable it.

Then when you reboot with the wired connection plugged in, the computer will find it. And Bob's Your Uncle.

[Dutch_12078]

Open your network settings and disable the wireless connection.

[dahkota]

It is a desktop, not a laptop.

Have you looked to see if Windows even sees the D-Link? Go into the Hardware section of the control panel. If it isn't there, try to add it.