A little wireless network help? - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

05/28/2008 11:15:27 PM · #1

At home I have a desktop, a netgear wireless router, and my laptop. Suddenly yesterday my laptop wasn't able to connect to the wireless. It can detect it, and sporadically it will actually let me through but the network connection will read as "not connected" on the Wireless Network Connection window. Other times it will try to connect and simply get stuck "waiting for the network connection".

Having only one laptop and one router, what is the easiest way to determine if it is the card in the laptop or the router that is the issue?

Nikon D200

05/28/2008 11:20:58 PM · #2

Plug the ethernet cord into the laptop WHILE the router is frozen.

If your internet magically comes back, it's the wireless router. If it doesn't, it's the laptop.

Most wireless routers have a reset button on the back. You could try that as well.

trevytrev

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

05/28/2008 11:21:09 PM · #3

You didn't hit the wireless button on the laptop did you? looks like an antenna with waves around it, that will disable the network. Probably not it but you never know.

frisca

Nikon D70

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

05/28/2008 11:21:36 PM · #4

can the desktop connect wirelessly? Does it also connect via the router? If it does, and it has no issues, its likely your laptop...but that's just my guess based on the fact that my own laptop's card went south recently.

pixelpig

Sony Alpha a55

Sony DT 1.8/50mm SAM

05/28/2008 11:28:23 PM · #5

Shut down both computers & turn them off. Unplug the wireless router from the electricity. Unplug the modem from the electricity. Wait at least 30 seconds. Plug in the modem. Wait 2 min. Plug in the router. Wait 2 min. Turn on the computer(s). If you use the Reset button, you might have to reconfigure your WEP key. That's my story & I'm sticking to it!

Message edited by author 2008-05-28 23:28:49.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

05/29/2008 12:06:54 AM · #6

Thanks guys. I'm working on it and I'll give you and update momentarily. I believe it is the router as the wireless card on the laptop can detect other networks and get as far as asking me for their password (all the local networks are security enabled).

I'll try the turn off thing. I did some of that yesterday, but not as complete as pixelpig talked about above.

trevytrev

Canon EOS-5D

05/29/2008 12:18:27 AM · #7

Just another thought Doc. The antenna on the back of the router should be sticking straight up, mine was knocked over on accident one day and for a few days I was getting dropped and crappy reception. I finally went to reboot the router and then noticed that was my problem. i tilted it back upright and was golden again. I'm sure you know all this already but I'm just trying to cover some bases, hopefully rebooting your router will help.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/29/2008 12:19:01 AM · #8

OK, I did that and I'm getting through fine (as always) on the desktop which is connected with an ethernet cord. The laptop says the connection status is:

Status: Limited or no connectivity
Duration: 00:03:50
Speed 54.0 Mbps
Signal: (four bars)

Activity has 7 packets sent and 0 received.

EDIT: So I actually do have another wireless device. I forgot about my Roku Soundbridge. That appears to be working fine.

Message edited by author 2008-05-29 00:26:58.

roba

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/29/2008 12:31:19 AM · #9

Hey Doc... based on the Roku still working, it narrows it down a bit (laptop card, or software settings on either the client or router).
Let's start with the software:
Which wireless client are you using? The native windows client, or something that came with the card?
Make sure that you're connected to the right AP, and check that you didn't lose your configuration.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/29/2008 12:33:19 AM · #10

Originally posted by roba:

Heh...I understand that like a German might understand Dutch. I am using the native windows client, I believe. I'm not sure what "AP" is, and I'm not sure about my configuration. :)

littlegett

Canon EOS-20D

05/29/2008 12:36:35 AM · #11

I did not read all the suggestions, but I recently had a similar issue. First check was if there are/is any new drivers available for your network card or wireless router.

If that doesn't work, what I did was pick up a new router and network card )-;

Though I guess my issue was a bit different because there was no signal going through the first router. The new one the old card saw it, but wouldn't connect so I had to get a new card as well. Ended up with a usb card instead of an inside one (I have wireless on my desktop).

roba

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/29/2008 12:40:20 AM · #12

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Heh...I understand that like a German might understand Dutch. I am using the native windows client, I believe. I'm not sure what "AP" is, and I'm not sure about my configuration. :)

oops... sorry! AP=Access Point (or wireless router)
This might be easier by phone... PM on the way.

Dirt_Diver

Nikon D3s

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

05/29/2008 12:45:20 AM · #13

Start from the beginning...

Make sure that you are using the most updated drivers. Go into your routers config settings, usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.2.1. If nothing happens with those go to start> run> type in CMD >type ipconfig > look for default gateway, it would be something like 192.168.X.X, whatever it is that's what you want to use.

Open an ie/ff page and just type in the address 192.... look for router reset, or restore to default. Once you find it restore the defaults. Unplug the router for 10 seconds then plug it back in.

You should be good, make sure you reset your WEP settings.

Message edited by author 2008-05-29 00:45:46.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

05/29/2008 12:49:20 AM · #14

I'm starting to think it's the card in the laptop. The Roku works fine wireless, the desktop works fine through the ethernet cable. Only the laptop is having trouble. I'll see if our guy at work can do any diagnostics on it.

smardaz

05/29/2008 12:59:41 AM · #15

Originally posted by L2:

looks like you prob got this figured out, but i have to disagree with this statement (us computer nerds are like that) but if you can't get thru on wireless and you can on wired i personally would look at the wireless nic on the pc first, odds are usually on the nic than the router

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

05/29/2008 06:25:12 AM · #16

Sounds to me like you're connecting to the network but not authenticating or getting an IP address, which suggests your network settings on the laptop might be borked. A couple things to try with the laptop:

1. Delete the network from your list of preferred networks and re-add it.

2. Temporarily set your wireless network to unsecured (and set the laptop appropriately) and see if you can connect. If you can, add back the security features one at a time.

3. Take the laptop to someplace that has public wifi access, like your local library or a Starbucks, and see if you can connect there. The wifi doesn't need to be free (just unsecures), since if youu can get to the login screen, you've proven the connection.

~Terry