R32 Wireless connection woes

Hi -

I have a friends' R32 laptop that I am trying to get working, and I can't get the wireless to connect (this is her main complaint on this computer. She can't get it working almost anywhere. It will on occassion connect, but not on a regular basis). I am using a Linksys Wireless G notebook card. I have tried my own D-Link card that I know works to see if it is the card, but that didn't work either.

It sees the network, asks for the key, accepts it, tells me signal strength is excellent, but says "Limited or no Connectivity". If I try to repair the connection, the computer freezes.

I've looked for the ThinkVantage program to check that (as suggested by others for this problem), but it does not seem to be installed.

OS is WinXP Pro SP3
Windows firewall is ON (truning it off did nothing)
Computer connects to internet great using ethernet cable
If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd be grateful.

 

I'd try it on a unsecured network to see if it's the encryption mucking it up. You should be able to download Lenovo Toolbox on their website.

 

ZaZ,

Thanks for the tip. I tried it at a McDonalds where I *thought* the WiFi was free, but no. I did connect to the McDonalds connection, could not surf because I didn't pay, but could view pages from Mc's itself (nutrition, menu, etc) so I'd have to say I was "on".
So if it is the encryption that is messing with me, how do I fix that? Will that Toolbox do it?

 

The toolboox will not fix it. I'll move this to the networking forum, where I think you have a better chance of getting help. I don't use encryption myself.

 

Thanks for putting me in my (proper) place. ;-)

 

Can you uninstall and reinstall utilities and drivers related to the wireless card? I have had difficulty with Windows wireless networking that could only be solved that way. I suspect that too many settings changes leave the driver configuration in an inconsistent state that prevents further operation until things are cleared up by a driver reinstall.

HTH,
hank

 

Hank, thanks for the reply. I thought about that, but since it wasn't MY laptop, I needed to check with her first. And when I got the chance to see her yesterday, she says she can get on her network at home ok so the problem may just be mine. I have my doubts that that is correct, but I'll give her a few days with it and see. If needed, then I will try the uninstall.
Thanks again.