Netgear router set up but can't connect laptop

krishna

My Netgear DG834G router just arrived and I've got it installed and working fine on my desktop (connected by ethernet cable), but my HP laptop with built in wireless doesn't seem to find any wireless networks. I have not set up any security on my network at present because I wanted to make sure things were working well, but still nothing. I tried giving my network a name and setting up a wireless network of that name on the laptop, but still nothing.

I must be missing out some key step, but no idea what.

What should I be doing?
Thanks

albertross_2

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=142390&highlight=%7E%7E%7E%7E%7E%40

is there a switch or hotkey combination to turn the wireless function on/off on the laptop?

try netstumbler to see what the PC can see..

http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/

Chippy_Minton

In the router config pages at http://192.168.0.1 have you enabled Wireless Access Point?

krishna

yup wireless access point enabled.

Not bothered with security yet, just wanted to keep things simple while I get it working.

scheming_gypsy

start > settings > network connections. Make sure your wireless network adaptor isn't disabled, if it is you should be able to right click and enable or properties and enable.

If it's enabled disable any firewall you've got and see if you pick up the network, just in case.

albertross_2

try netstumbler, it will tell you if the laptop can see the router, or your neighours router. (assuming that you are broadcasting the ssid)

krishna

Just installed netstumbler but it's not finding anything. Flashing "No APs active" at the bottom of the screen

Chippy_Minton

Try running Wireless Network Setup Wizard in Control Panel.

Does your laptop have built-in HP software for configuring/managing the wireless connection or can it use Windows to manage it?

krishna

Can't see any HP software for managing wireless networks. Tryed to run wireless network setup wizard. It seems to expect network keys etc, so I have done the following on the router settings

Enable wireless access point
Allow broadcast of SSID
Security options WEP
Authetication type open system
Encryption strength 64bit

I entered a pass phrase. It gave me some keys

Then on the laptop I ran wireless network setup wizard

Selected setup a new wireless network
Entered the same SSID as for the router
Manually assign network key
Entered the first key provided in the netgear setup
Selected setup a network manually ( don't have a USB flash drive at the moment and no other devices to install at present either)

Still nothing found.

I can;t see any way to switch on or off the wireless card in the laptop. Also it has found wireless networks before automatically, though none that I have been able to use.

What next?

krishna

What a pillock I must be! I've just seen the wireless button above the keyboard!

Switched on and all is well.

:T

Thanks guys!

albertross_2

WPA is better (more secure) than WEP btw..