Wireless network -- first question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jeff Kenton
  • Start date Start date
J

Jeff Kenton

Hi folks,

I've just installed a wireless router (Netgear). Wired connections are all
fine. The only machine in the house with a wireless card is my daughter's
laptop, and it can't see the wireless network at all: "wireless connection
unavailable". Windows XP says the 802.11 card is operational (can I trust it?).

I have read the manual. And checked all the settings on both sides. And
restarted the wireless zero service.

I have not re-installed windows XP or any of the drivers that come with it.
My daughter says her wireless used to work until XP and its drivers were
re-installed (the hard disk died and was replaced).

Anybody have thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks.
 
Do you ahve WEP enabled on the router? If so, look for and tick the relevent
box on the laptop wirless connection properties.

Perhaps try taking the router back to default settings (e.g: No security,
default ESSID etc) then bit by bit add the features.

Can you at least see the wirless device on the laptop - e.g: does it give
you a choice of wirless networks to connect to?

You could also install NetStumber (Stumbler.net) onto the laptop - This will
give you a better idea of whats going on (Dont get too excited tho, it wont
offer a solution or fix things!)

HTH.

Simon.
 
Unfortunately, I've already tried all those things. The laptop still doesn't
see any wireless connections.

Simon said:
Do you ahve WEP enabled on the router? If so, look for and tick the relevent
box on the laptop wirless connection properties.
Click to expand...

WEP is already disabled.
Perhaps try taking the router back to default settings (e.g: No security,
default ESSID etc) then bit by bit add the features.

Can you at least see the wirless device on the laptop - e.g: does it give
you a choice of wirless networks to connect to?
Click to expand...

No -- can't see anything.
You could also install NetStumber (Stumbler.net) onto the laptop - This will
give you a better idea of whats going on (Dont get too excited tho, it wont
offer a solution or fix things!)
Click to expand...

Thanks -- I'll try thant.
 
Then probably it's the time to call a professional tech.
Please take no offense. Wireless is really *very* complex,
much more complex than all other home networking.
No matter what the vendors say - they want to sell you the hardware
(and often it just works). Think of it as of your car. You know how to
change a tire or refill water in window washer - but when you see "check engine"
signal, you go to a garage.

--PA
 
Hmmm...Then without seeing the machines, I'm not 100% sure what to try next.

Just an idea - Have you had the laptop sat next the PC when you've been
experiementing? That would illiminate any problems with steel walls etc! :)

Also - Check the wireless devices are not near any speakers or other
magnetic device.

Net stumbler is worth a go - It will at least tell you that there is some
signal out there. If you do find one, go switch off the wirless stuff and
make sure the signal goes too - Just in case you get a false positive (e.g.
Your neighbours wireless lan!)

And...dont rule out a faulty device - Have they ever worked???
 
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