2012: WIreless network not working!!!

HELP! I love this computer, but I am having trouble connecting to the internet! I am currently on the main computer....my laptop recognizes the network, but when I try to access IE, it says the page is not availible....I cannot even update the time on it! Can someone who figured it out help me! I already went into network connections, etc, etc and it DOES recognize the network, but its not connected to the internet.

My sister's gateway connects with no problem...but i ant get in touch with her!!

And yes, I do have the wireless lan button ON on the laptop....thanks!!!

BTW, called Acer and they do not know why...called cable company (we have cable internet) but they dont have tech support for it...

 

Hi HazelGirl,

I'm assuming your using a Wireless router to connect to the internet. Have you ever setup a wireless connection to the router before? If not, you have to config your router to utilize the wireless connection and also enable things like encryption. Once done on the router, you have to set the same things up on your wireless card in XP. The encryption key must be entered correctly otherwise you may see the network, but it won't give you an IP address.
Check your IP address to make sure you're getting an IP from your router. Do this on your notebook and your sisters computer to see if they're similar.

Goto Start -> Run -> Type CMD & hit OK
Type IPCONFIG and hit the Enter key

If your wireless IP address is almost the same as your sisters (last 3 digits may be different) they you're getting an IP from the router. But, if they're completely different, then that means that you're not even connected to the router and that means your wireless network settings are wrong or have not been setup.

Here's a link you can try to get the info on how to setup a wireless network.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1276145,00.asp

This is completely on the assumption that you are using a wireless router. If you're not, and you're using the Internt Connection Sharing option, then you have to again configure the wireless card in your sisters computer and yours before you can connect.

Hopefully I didn't confuse you. If so, checkout that link to get all the step by step setup of a wireless network with a router.

Good Luck!

-Vb-

 

Thanks...my ssiter's laptop works with the network int he house...I am just trying to figure out how to make mine work too....

Yes, we are using a router. The router is hooked up to the main computer downstairs and the signal goes throughout the house....

 

It's a bit more complicated to connect to a wireless network than just turning the wireless button on... There's lots of configurations to do before it works like Venombite has already said.

Hope you can figure it out

 

Okay, its fixed....after fumbling with it some more, I finally got it to work. Here were the problems:

The ethernet cables were plugged in the wrong holes...I had to fix the connections so that the router, modem, and maincomputer were hooked up right.

Also, either my sister, OR I had my eetwork set up as a "bridge connection" when we were messing witht he ettings on my laptop...I unbridged them (I dont even know what a bride is, but I undid it!).

I also looked around the desk area to find the Belkin cd...I found it and installed it on my lapop.

the internet at our house was down for a while, but when the internet came back up, the Belkin software was able to full install correctly and I was able to go online.

So now I am tping to ou in my room with my laptop running on battery...and I LOVE IT!!! I canceled AOL (my backup dialup connection that I used in the meantime) and now I can surf the web a gazillian times faster! .

 

Congratulations on fixing the problem! I did have a question though. You mentioned that the ethernet cables were connected to the wrong holes, was that from the DSL modem to the router? The reason why I ask this is because in a wireless setup, you don't connect to the router via an ethernet cable. But I guess that's a moot point, just happy things are working!

-Vb-

 

its a cable modem...the etherne went from main comp to modem and nothing was hooked into the router except its power supply! I had to change to go from main comp to router (one of the LAN) pors) and then from modem to router's WAN port. Then everything worked out well after instaling hte Belkin stuff onto my computer. Wow, this notebook is great! This is my first laptop and I am sooo glad its working like I want it...espeically since NewEgg.com has a no refund on notebooks policy!

Now just gotta choose the perfect waterproff laptop bookbag with nice, secure laptop compartment and comfy straps....