Wireless Networking is such a PITA

[Yzzim]

One laptop will not connect to the my wireless router no matter what I try. I've unistalled the driver many times. Removed the card, reinserted, etc etc and it still won't even TRY and connect. Using the Windows Wireless utility I will click refresh and it instantly tells me there's no wireless signal, like it's not even searching for a signal. THE ROUTER IS LITERALLY 5 FEET BELOW THE DAMN LAPTOP :|:|:| Here are the specs:

Wireless PCMCIA cards:

Linksys wpc54g version 1
Linksys wpc54g version 2

Wireless Router:

Microsoft MN700

Neither cards will work in one laptop. Both cards work just fine in another. Both laptops using Windows XP Pro.

Tried taking the driver off the working laptop and putting on the PITA laptop, it still didn't work.

Thinking it might be my router (though the laptop doesn't even try to search for a signal) I took it to a couple friends house (both have Netgear routers) and neither one of them worked.

This is testing my patience. Please help!

 

[Kibbo86]

Go to Administrative Tools>Services

Find Wireless Zero Configuration, right-click and restart. Reboot.

Go to Network Connections, right click on your wireless card and select properties.

Add a new profile right into your "preferred networks" area. Report back with results.

 

[Yzzim]

Wireless Zero Config was Disabled. I enabled it, turned off my Linksys Wireless Connectivity (POS!) software, and it detected my router! YAY!

Thanks for the help

 

[Goosemaster]

Rule one of wireless home networking configuration

1) gather kindling

Rule two of wireless home networking configuration

2) grab some nice twigs, and eventually create a nice roraing fire with some hefty logs (yea it takes time)

Rule three of wireless home networking configuration

3) let the fire heat up and then chuck the included wireless software into the blazing heap while you stroke your roserie...

 

[tvarad]

I once spent two days throwing everything but the kitchen sink at getting a wireless network going with a new laptop until I figured out that I had to throw a damned switch on the lappy to turn it on. As they say, RTFM.

Other than that, I've not had any problems configuring wireless networks.

 

[nweaver]

I hate WZC, I much much prefer the utility provided with the card, but I am using more enterprise level stuff (i.e. no linksys, dlink, netgear)

 

[InlineFive]

I like the Intel PROWireless utility much better then the WZC software. If anyone know of other good WiFi management utilities please let me know.

 

[bupkus]

Originally posted by: PorBleemo
I like the Intel PROWireless utility much better then the WZC software. If anyone know of other good WiFi management utilities please let me know.

Can the Intel PROWireless utility be used with another brand of hardware, ie. Netgear?
I've been told to only use the preprietary utility but if Intel's is better and can be used for my Netgear I'd consider it.

 

[Yzzim]

Originally posted by: nweaver
I hate WZC, I much much prefer the utility provided with the card, but I am using more enterprise level stuff (i.e. no linksys, dlink, netgear)

My card is a Linksys card, and the included Linksys software is terrible. Haven't been able to use the software because the app keeps freezing :|

Originally posted by: bupkus

Originally posted by: PorBleemo
I like the Intel PROWireless utility much better then the WZC software. If anyone know of other good WiFi management utilities please let me know.

Can the Intel PROWireless utility be used with another brand of hardware, ie. Netgear?
I've been told to only use the preprietary utility but if Intel's is better and can be used for my Netgear I'd consider it.

I would like to know that as well!

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: tvarad
I once spent two days throwing everything but the kitchen sink at getting a wireless network going with a new laptop until I figured out that I had to throw a damned switch on the lappy to turn it on. As they say, RTFM.

Other than that, I've not had any problems configuring wireless networks.

Good point.

Lots of laptops have a hard switch for the card.

 

[nightowl]

I have the Wireless Zero Config turned on because with it off my laptop started up and shut down slowly. I do not use it and just let the Cisco ACU take care of everything.

 

[Kibbo86]

I'm not a huge fan of WZC, but it's better than my SMC utility, and it does the job. I just threw that one up there because I was pretty sure it would work.

 

[lyssword]

I suffered with wireless connection, it connected one comp but if more than one then there were problems. then I found somewhere to change to chan 9 and it was the magic, all connected