What is going on with my new wireless router?

Question

At first my laptop was picking up the signal, but when I tried to connect it wouldnt go past that "please while windows tries to connect to the network" box. The box would eventually go away, but nothing new would happen, it wouldn't even tell me it couldnt connect..just, nothing happened.

After an hour or two I finally got it to connect, but it was going extreeeemly slow. I decided to turn off and reset the router, and restart my laptop, and now it won't even show up on my list of available wireless networks to connect to.

The two computers connected by cable to the router work perfectly fine, and my dad's laptop picked up the signal and it worked perfect too in the beginning (he has it right now, can't test if it still works after my failed experiment with the reset button)

I have NEVER had a problem connecting to a wireless internet on this laptop until now. Ugh....it's so frustrating! Anybody know what the problem could be?

Answer 1

I strongly suggest you get your hands a little dirty and configure your router and wireless settings and security.

It sounds difficult, but it's really easier than it seems.

What you're trying to achieve:

Change default administrator password

Change default SSID (the wireless beacon name)

Change default Wireless Encryption Type

Change default Wireless Key

Change default Wireless channel (if possible)

How to revert if you feel uncomfortable:

Hold the reset button on the router for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Depending on your wireless router (if you have one provided by Verizon, you'll need to get them on the phone) you may be missing the 'Wireless Channel' option.

To start, we need to find out what your router is:

Click Start > Run > (type in) CMD (press enter)

in the black screen, type in 'ipconfig' (press enter)

The Default Gateway. . . . . that is similar to '192.168.x.x' is the router address.

Open a new web browser window and type in that address and connect to it. Depending on the router, it could require a login and / or password. Use this link to find it:

http://www.routerpasswords.com/

Inside this website, is the actual control page for your router. Do the next steps on a WIRED computer.

You're looking for wireless settings, first basic.

Change the SSID to something you want, try to stay within 8 letters and a single word with no spaces or any other 'special characters' (anything other than a - z).

Click 'submit' or 'apply' and wait until the page responds.

Look for wireless security:

Change your security type from either WEP (64,128), WPA, or WPA2.

I suggest using WPA, with TKIP encryption (AES could be on the screen as default).

When you select WPA, the router will need a passphrase. Use something memorable, but with some complexity to ensure no one will know.

Once done, click 'apply' or 'submit'.

Now, look for Wireless Advanced, and 'Channel' area. This may or may not be available to you, so skip if it becomes a problem to find. You want to select channel 11 or 6 for the least amount of interference.

Now try to find the wireless on your laptop, it should be in a disconnected state, windows will notify you that 'Wireless Networks are available' near the clock. Double-click on it and it will show you the available wireless networks (if you're in a congested area, there may be more than one). Select the one that you've changed your router's SSID to and provide the passphrase you chose earlier.

If everything works out, go back to the router page and look for 'administration' area. In here should be a place where you can change the 'Administrator Password' or 'Router Password', change it to something else!

Don't forget to setup other laptops that will need the wireless passphrase as well!

Good Luck!

Answer 2

One of your neighbors might have just setup a wireless network that is interfering with your's.  To fix this problem, go into the router's interface.  Change the channel to 1, 6, or 11.  Do not use any other channel.

If that does not work, check out these links:

http://syndicate.sellpoint.net/Netgear__...

http://www.cnet.com/4520-7390_1-6274537-...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqLblMpcl...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHmeLQ8zD...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoBYr3Ezk...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HDSVo2ou...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH-omrPFb...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLis...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...