Vista cant find wireless network

Question

Hello everyone I am getting quite flustered with this problem of mine.

My computer is an HP Pavilion Media Center m8430f PC

I am running Windows Vista Home Premium

It has a wireless lan capability that I am trying to take advantage of.

My problem is that this computer cannot find my wireless network.

I normally have it connected to my router :

Linksys WRT54G2

via ethernet cable, but as of late I moved my Xbox360 near my computer and use that cable for it instead. I tried looking for the wireless network but it won't show up in the network list. It was WEP secured and it couldn't find it, so I disabled security and it still couldn't find it. I know for a fact that this router works and its wireless works as I have a ds and a wii that can find it. So any ideas?

This should go without saying but people can't really tell so I would appreciate it if no one types in "Sorry I don't know" or "Omg Vista sucks" Thanks in advanced

Answer 1

are you sure your wireless in enabled on your computer? make sure of that before u do anything. there is usually a switch or button to turn it on and off. also, sit right next to the router to and try to connect to it to make sure its not a "too far away" problem. you may need to get a new router that reaches farther if you are able to connect to it when sitting right next to the router.

hope it helps.  

Answer 2

I'm an Internet Tech that troubleshoots connections via phone, and with Vista's I've noticed that WEP security isn't accepted as easily. If you plug your laptop into the router via ethernet (for a few minutes to follow these instructions), you can log into your router, and change your security setting from WEP, to WPA-Personal.

Your network will still be protected, but not encrypted, and Vista will actually be able to both see AND connect to it.