Problem connecting to wireless through laptop

Hello. New here and not exactly technically gifted.

The problem is this:

I have a Dell Inspiron 1520 laptop and a Netgear DG834Gv3 wireless router. Never had a problem connecting wirelessly until yesterday, when it simply wouldn't connect. It connects to the internet fine when I attach the yellow cable, but I can't seem to get the wireless connection to work.

I've been on the helpline with the AOL people, who believe the wireless router sounds fine and suggested it may be a problem with the computer.

I've checked and the wireless switch on the computer is on.

When I click on "Connect to a Network", my wireless connection is not available. It was one time I tried, but then it wouldn't allow me to connect to it.

Can anyone help me figure this out? I'd be very grateful if so.

Thanking you in advance...

 

Hi, welcome to the forums!

What Operating System are you using?

Have you tried rebooting the Router by unplugging the power cable and replugging it. You wouldn't lose any settings by doing this; so give that a try.

Did you or anyone else change any settings on the laptop/Router recently?

BTW, when you click Connect to a Network do you see any other Wireless Networks in the list?

Do you get any error messages when you search for the Wireless Router?

 

Hi makavelli72. Thanks for the reply.

Operating system is Vista.

Yep - tried unplugging and rebooting, etc. Nothing changed.

As far as I'm aware, I've changed no settings on the laptop or router. Not intentionally anyway. If I have, I don't know about it. It was working with a wireless connection fine on Tuesday night, but on Wednesday morning - problems.

When I click "Connect to a Network" I do see other wireless networks on the list. I've tried connecting to a few just to see if I can connect, but they're password protected. And occasionally, though not always, my wireless network is displayed, yet when I click on it, I can't connect.

No error messages other than the standard troubleshooting suggestions appear.

...

 

Hmmm..that's some odd stuff.

Something to try; Go to Control Panel--> Network and Sharing Center-->
Manage Wireless Networks in the left pane and right click your Wireless Network and Remove/Delete it. Then try to re-connect to your Wireless Router. BTW, do you have any encryption set on the Router?

I'm thinking also too maybe Windows Update in Vista updated your WiFi drivers recently and it might not be playing nice with your Router. [Just a thought] Maybe you can try a System Restore. Go to Start--> All Programs--> Accessories--> System Tools and launch the System Restore application and try restoring your computer to a couple days back when it was working fine.

If it was me and I had no luck trying the various procedures I would just do a Hard Reset on the Router. By pressing the little pin-hole that's located at the back of most of them for about 30 secs. After doing this the Router is reset back to it's Factory Default settings. Then you will have to re-configure it to work with your current set up once again.

If after doing the above mentioned and you still have issues, then I think it's safe to say you might be needing a new Router as the current one might be showing signs that it's on its way out.

 

There are several things you can do to fix this - it's not an uncommon problem.

First off, and no offense to Mak, but do NOT do a hard reset on your Router unless your first do a Save Configuration - unless you do so, you WILL lose any Router configuration settings in place, including little things like security keys/passwords, Port setups, SSID's, etc. If you save your configurations and then have to do a hard reset, then all you'll need to do is to Restore them from the Router's Administration panel. The Backup/Restore are usually next to each other.

A hard reset isn't really necessary unless you've recently made some changes to your Router settings, and aren't familiar or can't remember what you did, and are now having problems. The only thing a hard reset does is reset it to factory settings, and that'll give you more problems than you have now.

Before even thinking about a hard reset, do the simple things first - do a Power Reset on your Router first. Very often, Routers will encounter traffic or even a power cycle you might not be aware of that will cause them to be unable to connect to the Internet or your system. Even Consultants like me aren't immune to the problem - even though my systems and network devices are all on Power Regulators and Battery Backups, occasionally I'll get some type of traffic (usually a media stream) that causes the Router's wireless to stop broadcasting. All it takes is a Power Reset to clear it.

If you know enough about your Router and can do it, go to your Router manufacturer's Support page for your Router, and download the current Firmware revision to your system. All Routers have a Firmware upgrade feature, which is known more commonly as "flashing". Flashing the Router firmware is a standard practice for Linksys and other Router manufacturer Support units when their customers are having problems like yours. Flashing clears any problems that a Power or Hard reset won't.

If you can flash your firmware, download it, then run the Backup Configuration utility of your Router first before doing so. Run the Firmware Upgrade - it makes no difference if the version is the one you currently have. All you're doing is clearing any potential problems.

Power Reset
To do a POR, find the power plug at the back of your Router (not the one going to the outlet). Unplug it and leave it disconnected for at least 30-45 seconds. Plug it back into the Router, then check the LED's on the front. The Internet LED should be a steady light, as should be the Wireless LED, or they should be blinking extremely fast. If the Internet light is blinking slowly, it means your service isn't connected.

Once you've done that, go back to your system and restart it. Try connecting again - if it doesn't connect, then delete and re-establish your Network and Wireless connection profiles in your Network and Sharing window, as they aren't immune to problems either. Make sure that you set your Wireless Networks to Private, and not Public. If they're showing as Public, click on the "Customize" link above the Network Status link in the Network/Sharing window. This will let you set it to Private.

Other Considerations

If you've recently introduced any new electronics into the vicinity of your Router or notebook, it could also interfering with your Wireless Signal enough that it's not letting you connect, or even see it if it's in fact being broadcast. Adding another cable box can do it also - the more devices you have on your broadband system, the more it drops the overall signal strength coming into your home. If you have more than 2 boxes, you might need a line amplifier. Again, consider if you've added anything new recently - cordless phones, appliances, anything with a wireless function. If you live in an apartment or townhouse complex, don't forget your neighbors either. I came across a support case a few months back where a user having problems narrowed it down to his neighbor's cordless phone - every time he had an incoming call, it would disconnect the guy's wireless signal. Point is, consider everything, but I'm willing to bet doing a POR will fix you up.