Laptop doesn't connect to Wifi

[Heinrich]

Can anyone throw a suggestion and/or solution?

My laptop, a 2009 HP, with Vista, will not connect via my Netgear router. My smart phones do, but not the laptop. The laptop will connect via the ether net cable and all's well there.

Here is what I have done:

1) went to this forum, followed all instructions: http://forums.techguy.org/all-other-software/568737-solved-internet-explorer-wont-start.html

2) Downloaded malware update detection from Microsoft and uploaded to laptop; there was no malware infections.

3) followed the diagnosis problem prompts when trying to connect

The network access displays that my network is transmitting and at full strength, but to no avail.

Can anyone help?

[CollegeCatholic]

Has it worked before? 

Can you access this page:
192.168.1.1
That should be your router settings page.

Also, is your WiFi on?  (No offense!  Just checking). 

Is the password properly input to your computer? 

[James02]

Take the laptop to Starbucks or McDonalds and see if it can detect public WiFi's.

The fact that your phones are working shows the problem is with the laptop.  I was going to suggest you check you DNS IPs, as that is the usual culprit.  Does email work, or are you completely dead on WiFi?

Maybe the WiFi do-hickey is fried.

A work around is to get an external Wifi access point that can plug either into your USB or Ethernet port.  USB MIGHT be self powered.  Ethernet one will require external power.  Probably cost you around $30.

[Heinrich]

Has it worked before? 

Can you access this page:
192.168.1.1
That should be your router settings page.

Also, is your WiFi on?  (No offense!  Just checking). 

Is the password properly input to your computer? 

Also, what am I supposed to do with this 192.168.1.1?
I am thinking that the password may be the culprit. SOmewhere, somehow, sometime I changed some settings around. If this is the case, how do I correct it? Or can I? I always forget my passwords.

[James02]

Easy way:  Go into the smart phone and copy down the settings.  You will need the network name and password.  You may have the wifi set for "no broadcast", which means the laptop won't detect it.  You must tell it the network name.  If it is in "broadcast" mode, the laptop should see it.  By the way "no broadcast" is preferred for security reasons, but that is usually not default.

If you can surf into the Wifi router, you can check those settings.

Hard way:  Hit the reset switch on the WiFi router.  It will go to the default settings.  They are usually written on a label on the bottom.  If not, google your brand and model, and find out the defaults.

But before you do that, you might want to run it by McDonalds and make sure the laptop is functioning properly.

Also, forgetting the password would only be an issue if it asks you for the password.  If it asks for the password, then it is talking to the Wifi router.

[James02]

The network access displays that my network is transmitting and at full strength, but to no avail.

Does this mean that the network indicator ON THE LAPTOP is showing it is connected?  So does your email work?  Can you click on the indicator and get the name of the WiFi network?

Could be you didn't give it a DNS IP, but then the hard wired network wouldn't work for IE either.

[Heinrich]

The network access displays that my network is transmitting and at full strength, but to no avail.

Does this mean that the network indicator ON THE LAPTOP is showing it is connected?  So does your email work?  Can you click on the indicator and get the name of the WiFi network?

Could be you didn't give it a DNS IP, but then the hard wired network wouldn't work for IE either.

How is my email going to workif I can't logon? Is there a different 'way' via Outlook? I don't think my settings are connectied to Outlook. In fact, I know they're not. I will try your advice in previous post. Thanks.

[Rosarium]

You need to find out where the problem is (or try random things).

There are a lot of things which could be happening, so:

* How is the router set up? Do you know:
        * The SSID
        * The encryption scheme
        * Whether it is broadcasting or not?
        * The password
        * The type of wireless 802.11 b/g/n (or all)
        * Is the router allowing any device to connect to it?
* How is the computer set up?
        * Does it have a wireless card?
        * Is it turned on (there are manual switches to turn them off usually)?
        * Is it detecting wireless networks otherwise (or, saying none are available)?
        * If the SSID of your network is broadcasted, does it show up?
        * Does it work on other wireless networks?
     
I would go through these steps, one by one. Make sure everything is working and is compatible and nothing is being restricted.

I would, for the sake of removing variables, simplify the router settings (broadcast SSID, WEP and with a simple password) while setting it up to eliminate potential errors. You can even (for a short time), remove all security from the router to see if it works at all.

Make sure the computer wireless card is turned on, and is able to be used (drivers, etc). If it works on other networks, that means it is working.

[QuisUtDeus]

What does "doesn't connect" mean?

Does it say it is connected to the router and your internet is just not working?  Or does it say it's not connected to anything?

[Heinrich]

What does "doesn't connect" mean?

Does it say it is connected to the router and your internet is just not working?  Or does it say it's not connected to anything?

Yes, it says that the router is broadcasting, it is picking up the signal, but when I attempt to open the IE browser, the page can't be displayed due to no connection.

I will attempt to complete the tasks laid out by Ros and James. If not, I guess I'll to pay a troubleshooter type person.