Quick Windows computer question. (Vanity)

today | me

[thefactor]

Hey all!

I have a real quick question that someone should answer in about 5 posts. My mom bought a Toshiba lap top. We have wireless cable internet. The lap top automatically connects to the wireless network but the internet will not come up!

I do a diagnostic and the laptop shows my wireless network but there is evidently an issue with the IP address. As in the lap top doesn’t have the IP address. Do I have to restart the wireless network? Please help me! Thanks.

PS-Not to start a war, but this kind of thing is why I'm switching to MAC in a few months. I bought my girl a MacBook last year and the darn thing finds networks automatically and just seems to be user friendly. I'm also getting the iPhone because it is simply the coolest thing i have ever used. Don't hold all of this against me. My mom needs help. Think of the children!

[Shryke]

Are there any computers there that can currently connect to the internet via that wireless router? You need to determine what the settings are.

If no information is available, you can always factory reset the modem and start from there (an open connection).

[edcoil]

# Begin setup of your Netgear Wireless Router by first reading the instructions in the included manual, and following their guidelines for plugging in and initializing the access point. The first few steps in this guide should coincide with the information found in the manual, however we will follow up with important information on how to secure your wireless access point. # After powering up the router, use an ethernet cable to connect your computer to one of the ports on it marked 1 through 4. Next open a web browser window on the connected computer and type http://192.168.1.1 into the address bar and press enter. This will take you to the Netgear Smart Wizard welcome page, click OK to begin the configuration. The router will attempt to detect the type of connection you have and the next message you receive should be Dynamic IP (DHCP) Detected, click Next once you see this. # Next you will enable the wireless capability of your router. In the dropdown box for the region where you are located select United States from the list. On this screen you should also change the Wireless Network Name (SSID) from its default value to something unique so that your Base Station will not be confused with another. Click Next. # You should now see a message confirming that your connection is working and wireless is enabled. However, your are not secured yet. Read the notes and click Done. Then direct your browser to http://www.routerlogin.net to continue the configuration. A window will pop up prompting you for your login and password, enter admin for the username and password for the password, then click OK. Make sure it call allocate dynamically. Also make sure if you wep enable you have that set.

[JamesP81]

At the risk of offending the Holy Warriors, this happens with all operating systems. Sorry.

Indeed. Sounds like a network issue as opposed to a computer issue.

Thefactor, you running XP or Vista?

[BuffaloJack]

My daughter recently bought a new Mac and it would not configure in to our home network.
The problem was simple, I needed to tell the network her MAC address (not be confused with the MAC computer). The network router would only accept devices whose MAC address was previously configured in.

[thefactor]

ok, here's the latest. i pulled the plug on the wireless router and plugged it back in. the lap top now connects to an unsecured wireless network that someone in my vicinity has. and the internet works.

however, when i try to connect to my network, which is password secured, it does not work.

[CougarGA7]

I’m telling you, you have to enter the encryption key for your router if it is secured.

[thefactor]

where do i enter it? i have gotten no prompts to enter anything.

[CougarGA7]

give me a second and I’ll write up some instructions (assuming your using Windows XP)

[JamesP81]

however, when i try to connect to my network, which is password secured, it does not work.

Ah! Your router is configured with a network key. This is basically a password that keeps other folks around you from connecting to your router. You'll need to know the network key. See if you mom has it wrote down somewhere.

If your mom has a computer already connected to the network with internet working, then that machine clearly has the correct key entered. You can use that machine to log in to the router and it *might* list the network keys. I know that you can do that with Linksys routers, but Netgear I'm not sure.

If you absolutely can't get the network key, you can reset the router to factory defaults, which will remove the network key. But, if there are any settings in the router specific to your ISP that it must have, you'll lose those settings too, which would cause your internet to stop working altogether. Most cable internet providers don't have anything like that, however. Or if they do it's all stored in the cable modem and you don't have to worry about it.

On a side note, a new Mac laptop out of the box would be experiencing exactly this same problem. I guarantee it.

[dennisw]

password-—must enter

[Billthedrill]

If you're running XP, try Start/Run/Control Panel. Click on Network Connections. There will be one that says "LAN" somewhere (if you haven't customized it) - right click on that and click on Properties. Under the General tab, scroll down until you see TCP/IP and highlight it. Click ont the Properties button. The window that shows up should read something like Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties. There will be a radio button with the selection "Obtain an IP address automatically" - click it. Click OK enough times to get back to your original screen. This should not require a reboot.

It may be a security issue as well as others have noted. But if you don't even see the router, I'd try this one first.

[dennisw]

Your router comes with a CD. Put CD in your “primary” computer which is connected to wireless router with an Ethernet cable.

The CD will walk you through the steps of password encryption etc so you can connect wirelessly BUT DO IT SECURELY!

Once you have encryption password set up you must enter this password into laptop for it to connect

[stuartcr]

Go completely unsecure just to make sure it’s connecting, then assign your securitie one step at a time.

[dennisw]

Good advice but easy way is insert router CD into the non-wireless computer (ethernet cable connected) and go through the steps

[thefactor]

i am not being prompted to enter a password when i try to connect. the "wireless network connection" window lists the available networks. it shows mine as being security-enabled. i try to connect and it simply says "not-connected."

it never asks for a password.

[CougarGA7]

Entering the Encryption Key

On the lower right portion of the toolbar there should be an icon that looks like a computer with a ‘wireless’ wave comming off of it. Double click it.

On the right hand side of the window that opens is a “Related Tasks” column. select “Change Advanced Settings” option.

On the window that opens up select the “Wireless Networks” tab.

If your router is listed on the “Preferred Networks” list then highlight it and click the Properties button. This will take you directly to the “Accociations” tab for that cnnection and you can see where you enter the “Network Key”.

If it is not there then you will have to click “Add” and enter all the information for your wireless rounter including the SSID and Network Key.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Coug! Quit fooling around and get back to making fries...

Sorry factor, he slips into the back office sometimes.

[JamesP81]

it never asks for a password.

Running XP or Vista? It matters when trying to find where to enter the key.

Also, Windows may not be managing your wireless connection. It's pretty common practice these days for manufacturers to install 3rd party software that manages your wireless connection. A common one is Intel PROSet, you might try looking your Start Menu and seeing if you can find that or something similar to it. If something like Intel PROSet is managing your connection, you would be able to enter the key there.

[discostu]

It’s in the properties of your network connection. You know all of this should be in the documentation of your router.

[dennisw]

Was a bad password key entered inadvertently on laptop?

Do you even know the password key?

Start at beginning with your router’s CD