Wi-fi Won´t Connect

hi folks..need some help in configuring our notebooks to connect to our router. we have 3 computers in the house all running WinXP and just a few days ago i installed a wireless router to tidy things up..no more cables lying on the floor that is ..im sure i configured the router right because 1 computer is already connected but the other two just can´t. .one is a sony vaio VGN-FS315H and the other is a Packard Bell Easynote R3450; the tiny icon on the system tray says that it can´t find any wifi network in range..tried doing a cross checking with the network control panel and all of them are set to obtain IP address and DNS automatically. any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated..thanks in advance! More power to TOMCOYOTE!

Make sure that all machines belong to the same WORKGROUP For configuring the Network Interface (NIC) of each machine, it is best to select "Allow Windows to configure Network" Are you using an encrypted wireless network? WEP is the older standard Take a look in your Router Setup to see what encryption utility standard is being used. Each computer will have to have the same correct password installed for the encryption to allow access. Your Router may have an installation CD necessary to install on each machine to correctly configure it. (but probably not, as any of the machines should be able to access any hot-point in the world) (the main issure is password protection) You "might" be able to get a good configuration by running the NIC software installation on each machine. (each machine is likely to have their own (and different) NIC software) Beyond those two tips, we would need a bit more information. Best Regards

hi doug..thanks so much for the quick reply..checked the wireless network tab in the network control panel and the "Allow windows to configure network" are all checked. i´m using the standard WEP encryption and all the 3 notebooks have the same network key. i just can´t understand why these 2 computers can´t find any wireless network..forgive my ignorance but where do i find the NIC software? when i tried clicking on the repair button of the wireless network the easynote came up with a "limited or no connection". i find it strange because my pocket pc can connect to the router without any problem. thanks again..will be waiting for your reply. by the way..im using a 3com wireless ADSL router.

Take a look in Control Panel - Network and Dialup Connection - Local Area Connection - Properties Should read: *Client for Microsoft Networks *File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks (user choice/ optional) *Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) And just above the Window that displays the items listed above, you will see an item: "Connect With" and a dialogue box listing your Network Adapter. There is a button for "Configure" where it will tell you if it is "This device is working properly". There, you will find a (tab) for Driver (to reinstall or update.)

Do you have an Icon in your TaskBar Tray for the Wireless device?

Double-clicking on that Icon should bring up: "Wireless Network Connection Properties" with a list of "Available Networks"
You should have an options to "Refresh" and to "configure" near the "Available Networks".

Below, you should see a Button labeled "Advanced"
Click on Advanced and you should find Options
*Any available Network <—————–this is the one that should be selected on all computers
*Access point(infrastructure) networks only
*Computer-to-Computer

If you do not have the Icon in your Taskbar Traay, you can get to Network Connection Properties, as follows: Control Panel - Network connections double-Click on the Wireless Network Connection that your machine displays, to get to the Properties Panel If the machine is not showing a Wireless Network Connection (it should because XP supposedly creates one automatically), then you can use: File - Network Setup Wizard …. to create a new Wireless Connection.

thanks doug..will do everything you instructed..first thing tomorrow.for now i need to shut my eyes and rest my mind…this whole wifi thing is starting to get on my nerve thank you so much for your patience..hope to hear from you later..

hi doug..so sorry for the late reply..anyway..did everything that you suggested and still no luck..tried to configure the router again by resetting it but i still got the same result..but this time i change the encryption settings from WEP to WPA. now i´m suspecting that i made the wrong decision of buying a 3com router..maybe i should´ve opted for the cheaper ones like Conitech or something. what else is there to do sir? don´t want to get all the cables from the basement again and lay them on the floor again.

someone out there have any idea bout my problem here? seems like this kind of problem is very unusual..for me that is. any other suggestions from our good guys in OCP Techs will be much appreciated..thanks!

Greetings Jenko: I am in no way in the same class as Doug in computer configurations and am not suggesting you make any changes due to the restrictions put on those in a training status here. With that said… I would ask if you ever had these other two computers (the sony vaio VGN-FS315H and the Packard Bell Easynote R3450) on a wireless network before? I have read you have had them on a ethernet connection but have they ever at anytime ever used a wireless connection in the past? Reason for asking is to see if they were or are capable of doing so. I also would point out that many laptops have a "REAL" hardware switch, usually marked with a antenna symbol, (that little i with (( )) around it) and marked with a on or off position. Located many times on the edge in front of the laptop or sides. Sometime located near the powerswitch or in a row of buttons to the left or right of it. Also take a look at at the F functions keys on the first row of the key board. Sometimes you will see that symbol on top of the f7 key. To activate you usually have to press a FN key plus the F7 to turn on or enable the wireless. Because you will not break you computer or OS by Locating these switches or function key and using them, I feel that I am not breaking the rules in posting this information to you. Note to Doug: Please feel free to delete if I am out of bounds on this.

ciao kazzoo..first, thank you for taking time in reading my post..really appreciate it. you know what? you were right about the "REAL" WLAN switch..now the vaio is connected ..i must have switch it off accidentally and was never aware that there is the "SWITCH"… anyway..that was 1 problem less because the easynote doesn´t have the "switch"..will check on the function keys tomorrow to see if there is one for wifi. thank you so much for your help sir. (i´m sure sir doug and the people in OCP TECHS will be glad that someone like you is there to offer some harmless suggestions to end users like me )