Thread: Wireless Network ?

My parents finally made the switch from Qwest's fail-ass slow dsl (they were topping out at 2Mbs)and had the Comcast Cable guy over today.

He set up the new modem,and I set to work on getting their router up and cooking....again....kind of. Their desktop was wired,and their lappy was using the wireless end of the router. Now,they both need to be on the wireless network.

I hooked everything up....and the lappy (newer HP running W7) immediately recognized the network,and started right up. They bought a USB connected wireless receiver (Netsomethingorother) at Best Buy,and I installed the software on their desktop. I followed the instructions (basically install the software,then plug in the little receiver dealy....the usual),and when I fired the thing up,it found the network and I plugged in the necessary passwords to log in to the network.

Nothing.....a Window pops up and tells me that the signal is too weak,and is not detected or something like that....try to load up their homepage,and no connection....Windows suggestion is to uninstall the network adapter....

I look at the console of the network adapter's software,and it is telling me that the signal it is receiving (from my parents router...it scanned and detected it)is at 93%.

So I went to "Connect to" in XP(their desktop is.....well....a "classic" that has been "upgraded" in the past the decade or so),and it too recognized the network,and showed a strong signal. Still,when you try to log on to the internet, Windows tells you that the connection is weak or non-existent...

I know it's there....it's working perfectly on the lappy. The network adapter's software says the signal is strong....when asked to look for it,Windows says it's strong....still nothing. Fucking XP.


Could this be something with the security settings on the router? I know it has WEP and WPS (not that I have any idea what the differences are).....maybe XP is better with one than the other?....That is about all I can think of....

I might reccomend reseting everything like reloading the software it worked for me when my router would not work.

Hi, dex!

The first thing I'd try is a "reboot" of the modem and the router. Start with the modem, and then reboot the router. Then go into the network settings for each PC and refresh the connection (I can't remember what it's called in XP, something like that; you want the OS to basically repair the connection).

My initial thought was that the problem was firewall related, but that probably wouldn't affect both PC's. I would, though, be sure any fiorewalls are turned off temporarily to be sure they aren't interfering.

Keep us updated.

The problem is only on the desktop...the lappy is working beautifully. It detected the network immediately,and is up and running.

On the desktop,the little control console for the receiver detects the network,and shows a strong signal. If I try to go on the internet,I get a Window that pops up and tells me the signal is weak. If I go to "Connect To.." in XP,it detects the network and shows a strong signal.

It almost seems as if Windows knows something is there,but won't connect to it. That is why I was wondering if it (XP) only speaks WEP and not WPS or whatever....different encryption language?

Nope. I have had two XP PC's running through a wireless router with WPA2 encryption and no issues. You definitely want WPA rather than WEP; WEP is easily broken.

Try (temporarily) turning off the security and see if you can connect; if so, then it's related to that and you can address that problem. If not, it's something else. What about the firewall on the desktop? Have you tried disabling that?

Originally Posted by Viktor_Olin

Nope. I have had two XP PC's running through a wireless router with WPA2 encryption and no issues. You definitely want WPA rather than WEP; WEP is easily broken.

Try (temporarily) turning off the security and see if you can connect; if so, then it's related to that and you can address that problem. If not, it's something else. What about the firewall on the desktop? Have you tried disabling that?

Nope....not yet. I plan on going back over there either tomorrow or Thursday. I think that first I will run through the router settings....then the receiver will be uninstalled/reinstalled. Then firewall and A/V software disabled. If it still doesn't work (assuming I don't do us all a favor and chuck that bitch out the window)...not sure where to really go from there.

I know it's not the modem or router....the lappy is humming right along. It doesn't seem to be the receiver....it says it has connection,and told me the name of my parents network...I believe it. It has to be something on his machine....

Is there anything I'm missing?

Originally Posted by dex71

Originally Posted by Viktor_Olin

Nope. I have had two XP PC's running through a wireless router with WPA2 encryption and no issues. You definitely want WPA rather than WEP; WEP is easily broken.

Try (temporarily) turning off the security and see if you can connect; if so, then it's related to that and you can address that problem. If not, it's something else. What about the firewall on the desktop? Have you tried disabling that?

Nope....not yet. I plan on going back over there either tomorrow or Thursday. I think that first I will run through the router settings....then the receiver will be uninstalled/reinstalled. Then firewall and A/V software disabled. If it still doesn't work (assuming I don't do us all a favor and chuck that bitch out the window)...not sure where to really go from there.

I know it's not the modem or router....the lappy is humming right along. It doesn't seem to be the receiver....it says it has connection,and told me the name of my parents network...I believe it. It has to be something on his machine....

Is there anything I'm missing?

Apparently.

I don't often find these things very helpful, but it is worth running through the recommendations given here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ubleshoot.mspx

My money's still on the damn firewall. Good luck!

Kick ass Viktor.....THANK YOU!!

I think I can get it working....at least that link is showing me a few different ways in. I just need to isolate what device the problem is in...everything points to the XP powered "legacy" machine. Thank you very much for the help.... :9

Nice to see you again Viktor! I hope all is well,and I am sure paths will cross again....hopefully soon....I'll keep my eyes peeled on 2142. If I see you on,I'll pop in for a while. Do you play any TF2?

Originally Posted by dex71

Kick ass Viktor.....THANK YOU!!

I think I can get it working....at least that link is showing me a few different ways in. I just need to isolate what device the problem is in...everything points to the XP powered "legacy" machine. Thank you very much for the help.... :9

Nice to see you again Viktor! I hope all is well,and I am sure paths will cross again....hopefully soon....I'll keep my eyes peeled on 2142. If I see you on,I'll pop in for a while. Do you play any TF2?

No, dex, I don't have TF2, and I haven't played 2142 since before COD4 came out.

I really haven't been gaming since COD:WaW folded. Tried a few rounds of BF2 but I was so rusty I felt like a worthless noob. I bought DOD:S the other day when it was on sale for $2.49, but haven't had a chance to even launch the thing. I need something new to get me back on the servers; I miss the teamwork!

Splurge for DOD:S (if you don't already have it) and I'll join you there!