Wireless Network Card Connection Settings

[David]

I have a CNET Wifi 11MBPS Network Card that used to work
fine on Win XP Pro on my old laptop, and still does on
another laptop. However, when I install the card to my
new Dell Laptop (Win XP Home), it recognises, installs it,
it sees the Wireless Router as Available, but seems unable
to connect to it. If I try my USB Wifi Dongle in the same
laptop, same issue, it sees the router, receives the name,
but will not connect. HELP! Is there some setting in Win
XP that is preventing this connection?

 

[nkjg]

Hi there,

What is the IP address (and subnet mask) of your computer
using both the card and the USB adapter?

In your router configuration, you should see a setting
for a SSID name. Is this the same name that shows up when
your computer says it's connected to the network?

Have you entered the correct WEP code into your new
laptop? While troubleshooting, disable WEP on your router
and see if you can connect without encryption.

Nick
nkjg/at\interchange/dot\ubc/dot\ca

 

[David]

Hi - thanks for your repsonse:
The IP address and subnet mask (from ipconfig) is
192.168.0.2, subnet 255.255.255.0. The default gateway is
192.168.0.1 which is the ip address of the router.
The SSID is ACTIONTEC (the name of the router), and yes,
this is waht appears when the new Dell laptop says a
wireless n/w is available.
WEP is disabled on both router and both laptops.

With the card in, it pops up a message in system tray
saying "one or more wireless networks are available -
cleck here", this lists ACTIONTEC, with a warning that the
connection is not WEP secure, and a checkbox to connect
anyway. If you check this, and click Connect, it just goes
into the same loop, a message saying a wireless n/w is
available, but does not connect. I can connect fine to
the Internet via Ethernet connection direct to the router,
and USB connection direct to the modem, but not
wirelessly. Hope you can help as I was a bit annoyed by
2:00am last night!

 

[nkjg]

Is the IP address you gave the address that you have when
you're still getting the "One or more wireless
networks..." message? It sounds like the IP address and
subnet mask are right.

Have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling the card and
the USB device?

Remove the device(s) and uninstall them from device
manager. Restart your computer and reinstall them
according to the instructions given with the product.
I've found that you can sometimes run into troubles when
you incorrectly install hardware. For some reason,
ethernet and wifi cards seem to be the most finicky.

Hope this helps,

Nick
nkjg/at\interchange/dot\ubc/dot\ca