Having trouble Connecting to Wireless Networks

[omarBMX]

I just received a HP nc6220 notebook with the Intel Centrino Mobile Technology. Different available wireless networks will pop up depending on my location. The problem is that I can never connect to any of them.

I click the little icon in the lower right of my screen, and a list of available networks show up. I've tried all the ones that don't require a network key, but when I click connect nothing happens. It doesn't even tell me that it couldn't connect to the network.

I've tried changing the "Data Encryption" field from WEP to Disabled (in Advanced Settings). Still won't connect to any networks.

What's the deal, does something need to be configured or is the signal strength just too low for all these networks?

EDIT: Here are a couple of pics of what happens. This is just an example, back at my home there will often be 2 or 3 networks that don't require a key, and the same thing happens.

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=432328038

 

[JackMDS]

Are the "Different available wireless networks will pop up depending on my location", your own Nework, or public Hotspots?

Otherwise, why you think you can connet to some one else Wireless Network?

:sun:

 

[omarBMX]

Most seem to be public hotspots (nearby university buildings, cafes, etc). One of the available networks at home belongs to my upstairs neighbor (who said I can use his connection if I give him a case of beer once a month) but he is not too computer savvy and I would feel awkward asking to play around with his router settings.

 

[JackMDS]

Available connection would appear on your computer whether they are really available or not. The computer is a real libertarian and does not discriminate against signals.:thumbsup: So it shows the presence of the Signal but that does not mean that it has the correct log on parameters.

Public HotSpot most likly do not use special security and should react to default Wireless settings with security filters Off.

Otherwise, you would be able to connect only if given permission and the right Log On parameters.

Default Setting of Wireless: http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Config.html

:sun:

 

[omarBMX]

You would think that Windows would give me a "time out" message or some other message saying that it couldn't connect to the network. Instead, it just does nothing.

So you're saying that just because wireless connections appear on the Wireless Connections list, it doesn't mean that the signal is strong enough to connect to them? So then the reason why I can't connect is because of the signal strength, rather than my settings?

 

[volrath]

Do you get the little ball moving back and forth saying it is connecting to the wireless network? Does it say connected to network? Do you get an IP?

 

[omarBMX]

Originally posted by: volrath
Do you get the little ball moving back and forth saying it is connecting to the wireless network? Does it say connected to network? Do you get an IP?

No, there is no moving little ball, just the icon with the 2 computers that is also there before I connect. Like I said, when I hit connect absolutely nothing happens.

 

[omarBMX]

Here are a couple of pics of what happens. This is just an example, back at my home there will often be 2 or 3 networks that don't require a key, and the same thing happens.

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=432328038

In this example I was already online through a physical LAN, but the same thing happens when I'm not connected at all (except the little "two computers" icon has an X over it)

 

[omarBMX]

I figured it out, apparently you have to add the networks to your list of preferred networks in the advanced settings. weird like that.