Trying to connect new laptop to wireless - PROBLEMS!!

JonnyXXX

All - have a new wireless setup (belkin 125 speed), working fine with my work laptop. However, cant get my new personal laptop to connect. its an advent 7095 with a USB wireless dongle. It is picking up the belkin, and signal strength is excellent but it cannot connect. When I try the repair option, it is just continually renewing IP address.

I have set up a MAC filter on the router, but have added the MAC of the new machine to the filter (and happy that i have got the correct address in there).

the USB dongle was supplied with the laptop and is NOT a belkin, think its a b & g...whereas the router is a g? i think.... Does this matter? Do I need a belkin usb dongle? or what else could it be?

thanks all!!

Teamhair

Have you got a WEP key set up on the router?

JonnyXXX

the network key password i guess you mean? yes. and that was requested by the new set-up and I entered it. didnt come back to me with a message on that. thanks.

irlrobins

Make sure DHCP is enabled on router, and that the laptop is set to get an ip automatically.

Switch off any encryption (WEP/WPA) and mac filter for now. Get the connection working on vanilla settings first and then add the fancy stuff.

Teamhair

Yep, thats the one. I suggest logging onto the router and removing the MAC filtering, just to rule it out of the equation. Maybe have a quick look at your IP settings also. Firewall?

JonnyXXX

thanks folks - whats the method to check that the laptop is set to get an ip automatically?

thanks will try these options.

irlrobins

Start->settings->control panel->Network Connections.

Right click on the wireless connection and click on properties. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click on properties button. Should be set to obtain ip and dns automatically.

Teamhair

Might just check that the router is set up for DHCP then as well.

irlrobins

Did I not say that ^

Teamhair

Ha ha! Don't think so!

irlrobins

irlrobins wrote:

Make sure DHCP is enabled on router, and that the laptop is set to get an ip automatically.

Ahem, post #4. I'll take apology in any form you wish.

Teamhair

Whoops! I humbly apologise. You are the IT King!

irlrobins

What's my name? Say my name, bitch!

JonnyXXX

thanks folks. up and running by turning off MAC filter and network key. but i want these on. i turned them back on again to see but i lost connection again. what could it be? incompatable USB dongle???

Dingatron

JonnyXXX wrote:

thanks folks. up and running by turning off MAC filter and network key. but i want these on. i turned them back on again to see but i lost connection again. what could it be? incompatable USB dongle???

Make sure you are entering the MAC address of the wireless interface and not the networkcard which is also attached to your laptop. Had to fix my brothers before and he'd put the network card MAC address rather than the wireless one.

irlrobins

Add mac filter first, see if that breaks it. If not, add the encryption. If that breaks it, turn both off and then just turn encryption on. That way you can pinpoint the culprit.

JonnyXXX

latest is that both when turned on individually also loose the connection. so i am afraid its not just one being a culprit.

I got the mac address from cmd and then ipconfig all, and used the "physical address". but as i said the problem appears larger than that

MunsterCycling

For now forget the MAC address filtering, it doesn't add much security wise, when entering the passphrase copy and paste it into a text file and save it to a USB stick to transfer the passphrase to your personal laptop, don't just type it in as that's more than likely where you are going wrong.

MC

JonnyXXX

ok some progress. MAC filter aint the culprit. works with that on. the WEP set up is causing it. i am not getting the option to key in the network key. (i did once earlier). when i go into network connections, the wireless conection is there, moving between "not connected" and "acquiring network address". when i go to view wireless networks, the list is empty. however, when i go into the usb dongle icon, i can see the router being picked up but not connecting. when i ask it to connect, it asks me do i want to use a previous WPA setting and i say yes. i have also tried choosing no and keying in the pass phrase but no luck

JonnyXXX

folks i am sorted. i changed security from WPA to 128 bit WEP...thanks to irlrobins, Dingatron, MunsterCycling and i cant forget Teamhair!!