Setting up a wireless bridge can be tricky, Slingbox or not. Here's some help!
Setting up a wireless bridge can be tricky, Slingbox or not. If you are having difficulties using a wireless bridge to connect your Slingbox to your network, the instructions below should help.
A common problem when setting up a wireless bridge is that the bridge is not “seen” by your network when it’s first configured. The most typical reason for this is that the bridge is not on the same local area network or subnet (if there are multiple networks in your home) as your router and computer.
The example below lists how to successfully complete this task setup using Windows XP and a NETGEAR® WGE111 Wireless Game Adapter.
Note: Your wireless bridge configuration will probably be different to the example provided however the overall concept is the same. These instructions also assume that you have connected the Slingbox to you television source and to your wireless bridge and see the following message when opening the SlingPlayer application:
Note: If you have not yet connected your Slingbox, then these instructions will also help you configure your wireless bridge to ensure your Slingbox installation process runs smoothly.
Fixing a wireless bridge configuration
To resolve this problem your wireless bridge needs to be on the same network as your computer to successfully complete the initial setup of your device. If you see the following (or similar) message when configuring your wireless bridge, then the most likely reason is that your bridge is not on the same network as your router and computer:
Here’s how to fix the problem:
You will need to temporarily change the IP address of your computer so that it is in the same IP address range as the wireless bridge. Once you've changed your computer’s IP address and completed the wireless bridge’s configuration screens, you will then return to your original network settings.
Changing your network settings:
- Make sure the bridge is on.
- Connect the Ethernet cable from the wireless bridge to the Ethernet port on your computer.
- From the Start menu, select Control Panel and then double-click on Network and Internet Connections.
- Click Network Connections.
- Right-click the network connection you want to configure, and then click Properties:
- Scroll down, click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and then click Properties:
TIP: Before completing the next steps, it is recommended to take a note of these settings as you will be restoring them later.
- Select “Use the following IP address:”
- Enter an IP address that is in the same range as the wireless bridge.(In the example above, the wireless bridge’s IP address is 192.168.0.122). The bridge’s IP address should be located in its documentation.
- Make sure the Subnet mask field is completed.
- Click OK and then close the open Windows screens.
Note: Make sure the Subnet mask field is completed.
Reconfigure the wireless bridge
Now that your computer’s IP address is changed, both your computer and wireless adapter are now on the same network. You should now be able to successfully configure your wireless bridge using the setup/configuration instructions provided by the manufacture.
IMPORTANT: If there are more than one available networks in your area then they will be listed as available to select. Make sure you connect to the wireless bridge you're using with the Sling box and not any other wireless networks listed.
Complete the setup of your wireless bridge connection; referring to the documentation provided with the bridge if required.
You can complete the following steps to setup of your and Sling box to work with your wireless bridge:
- Disconnect the end of the Ethernet cable that is connected to your computer
- Connect it to the Network connector on the Sling box. Keep the other end of the cable plugged into your wireless bridge.
- Change your computer’s IP address before restarting or installing the SlingPlayer
- Make sure to change how your computer receives its IP address before you start the SlingPlayer application.
- Repeat steps 2-5 from the "Changing your network settings" section to restore your original network settings.
- Click OK and then close the open Windows screens.
- Restart the SlingPlayer application and complete the Slingbox Setup Wizard.
Note: If the Network light is flashing after connecting the bridge to your Slingbox, press and hold the Reset button on the back of the Slingbox for five seconds. The Slingbox will be reset to factory defaults. The Network light will remain solid once it is recognized by your network.
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