Defragging caused Netgear failure

Jolly_Roger

My Netgear 54 Mbps Wireless USB2.0 adaptor will not now work on either of the two computers it formerly worked on. The device exhibits a blue light and is trying to connect, but without success. This started on Sunday evening after our ethernet connected computer had been defragged. We also defragged one of the two now non-functioning computers! It looks like defragging has made it impossible for something to connect somewhere.
Any thoughts?

albertross_2

highly unlikely to be caused by defrag..

rogerramjet

albertross wrote:

highly unlikely to be caused by defrag..

I think your being kind...defrag would not cause the USB adapter to stop working.

Have you checked you router? is it secure? if not secure. can you still gain access? Reason for these questions is that many people have unsecure wireless connections and if unsecure its easy for people to access your router, change setting and even lock you out on the wireless front without you knowledge

Jolly_Roger

Yes, I can access my router by keying in 192.168.0.1 and then logging in using username and password. What should I be looking for then?
By the way, if the adaptor is showing a blue light and the programme on the computer using the adaptor is looking for, but cannot find, the router, where should the fault lie?

albertross_2

are you saying that you can access the router using the wireless dongle, or by some other means (i.e. wired connection). If the former, your dongle is working..

If it is a netgear router, check the connection status in the router status/connection status screen. (to see if your router is connected to your isp)

also check attached devices

Jolly_Roger

My main computer is linked to the router by cable and is working fine. Whenever I plug my adapter into my other two computers, it tries to establish a connection with the router, but cannot. The adapter appears to be working correctly, but why cannot it establish a connection?

Chippy_Minton

It could be due to incorrect wireless security settings on the router and/or wireless computers. To rule out this possibility, log in to your router's config screen and disable all wireless security. You don't say what model router you have but the following wireless settings are typical:

Enable Wireless Access Point should be On
Allow Broadcast of Name (SSID) should be On
Wireless Station Access List should be Off
Security Options should be Disable

Then on one of the wireless computers, click Start - Connect To - Show All Connections. What is the status of Wireless Network Connection? If Disabled, enable it. Double-click Wireless Network Connection; what does it say?

Next, run the Wireless Network Setup Wizard in Control Panel on the wireless computers.