Today my Dell laptop stopped connecting to the internet after a restart. I can't connect through my usual wireless network (another laptop can), or by using an ethernet cable, either through my router or directly to the modem. I've tried a system restore (the laptop was behaving oddly before the restart - hanging/crashing) and connecting in safe mode, which doesn't work either.
Occasionally the laptop will completely disable either the wireless card or my LAN connection or both (the WiFi light will go off and I won't be able to turn it back on). Once, I could connect wirelessly to a neighbor's unsecured network for a brief period. When the wireless card is on, it can detect networks, but will not connect to my network (it tries for a long time, then just says Not Connected.) I've also tried taking down the encryption on my router with no luck. I've done the Repair Connection thing a bunch of times, and half the time the laptop hangs at Disabling Wireless Adapter. The other half it claims everything is fine but still won't connect.
I don't really know anything about networking, but it seems to me this is a problem with my laptop, not the router. I'm out of ideas and would appreciate any suggestions.
Occasionally the laptop will completely disable either the wireless card or my LAN connection or both (the WiFi light will go off and I won't be able to turn it back on). Once, I could connect wirelessly to a neighbor's unsecured network for a brief period. When the wireless card is on, it can detect networks, but will not connect to my network (it tries for a long time, then just says Not Connected.) I've also tried taking down the encryption on my router with no luck. I've done the Repair Connection thing a bunch of times, and half the time the laptop hangs at Disabling Wireless Adapter. The other half it claims everything is fine but still won't connect.
I don't really know anything about networking, but it seems to me this is a problem with my laptop, not the router. I'm out of ideas and would appreciate any suggestions.
