protecting a wireless network?

i am stuck.
i am on cable internet with a modem, originally years ago this went via a cable from the router to the desktop pc (not wireless) and that was that, when i got a wireless laptop and a wireless phone i got a wireless router so i could split the connection and the cable was pulled out of the desktop computer and went into the router then a new cable out of the router back into the desktop this enabled the desktop to continue working and all was good, the laptop could then be used wirelessly or hardwired if you wanted by using another of the output ports on the router (thus splitting the connection) i put a password on the wireless connection and all was good.Recently the wireless connection has been dropping out a lot and i've had to turn it on and off to re-boot the connection which was a pain as the router is upstairs, so today i re wired it all and moved it downstairs and removed the desktop computer from the equasion as it hasn't been used in ages, all works ok obviously as i'm on the net now but the password has gone and i'm on an open network.
Do you think somehow the password was stored on the desktop computer and even though it wasn't running it somehow worked that way? i can't locate the router on this laptop but it's connected.....i'm wondering if i should re-install the disc for the router so the laptop becomes the brains behind the outfit does anyone know what i'm on about lol.

 

open a command box
type ip config
this will show your default gateway ,
type the default gateway into an internet explorer address page and this will take you to your router where you can check you security settings.

 

Sorry Rick, I haven't a clue what you're talking about....

We just use black magic in our house... No wires.....

 

? what lol i ain't got a clue what you're on about man.

 

what version of windows are you on?

 

I have a son who works in IT . You can adopt him if you like - very useful in this kind of situation

 

OK
click on the microsoft symbol and this will open your programs etc there should be a box which you can type into.
type cmd
this should open a command box then type in this
ipconfig

 

the microsoft symbol is in the bottom left

 

i don't know a lot about computers but i get by, basically i can't work out how the protection has vanished when all i have done is remove the desktop pc from the circuit, all i can think is that as the router was originally installed via the desktop removing that has made it open network, but as i said the desktop hasn't been used for months so i'm baffled lol.

 

done that black box loads of writing on it....

 

after you type ipconfig you will get this
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

Cocuments and Settingscongd>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : lan
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.67
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 5:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Cocuments and Settingscongd>

type the default gateway address - (mine is 192.168.1.254) into an internet exporer address bar - where you type www. etc.
this will take you to your router

 

Ok type 192.168.1.2 into an internet explorer address bar and this will take you to your router where you can check your security settings

 

cheers it has done but it's foreing to me lol i'll have to find the book tomorrow, but that's deffo the thing i remember seeing when i first bought the router cheers. k+

 

Your welcome mate

 

Guess I'd better put the adoption papers away..

 

just type the make and model into google.
Most have simillar settings ,just go to wireless settings or security settings.

 

http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?scy=GB&slg=ENG&sct=PC_NETWORKING_SU&cat=NOTEBOOK_ACCESSORIES_CA&grp=PC_PRODUCTS_AND_PHONES_GR&session=20110923161832_86.27.201.238&ctn=SNB5600/05&ds=SNB5600/05&mid=Link_GetStarted&hlt=Link_GetStarted it's this one but i can't see where it tells me how too....