More wireless problems. Sorry!

Blahblahblah_2

Hey,

I've just bought a new laptop (Acer 5735Z) and cant for the life of me get it connected to my wireless broadband. It picks up the signal strongly on the 'view available wireless networks' page but wont then connect when I click on it (wont even get to the point where it requests the security key). My old laptop is connecting fine. Interestingly, when I click on a neighbours network it seems to be working more normally and gets to the stage where it asks me for the security key. I contacted my ISP (Plusnet) who suggested that it might be a problem with compatibility between my new laptop and my router (a fairly old BT voyager 2091). Does this sound likely? I dont want to go out and buy a new router to find it still doesn't work. Is there anything else I can do to rectify the problem. I've done a search online but cant find anything particularly relevant.

Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks

macman

If your old laptop connects OK then it obviously isn't a router problem. Compatability should not be an issueif both your router and your laptop support wireless 'g'.
Have you right clicked and select the 'repair' option? What error message do you get?
Can you connect OK using ethernet? If so then it isn't a firewall problem.
Have you pinged the router?
You need to test each stage in the link to find out where the problem lies.

Blahblahblah_2

When I click repair it says 'there might be a problem with one or more network adapters on this computer' and suggests plugging a cable into the network adapter 'Local Area Connection.' Don't really understand what this means.
What sort of cable?

I haven't got an ethernet cable so cant try that. Should I buy one?

I dont know what 'pinging' the router means. I've done all the usual turning off and back on and pressing reset button etc.

I really appreciate your help. I'm not that overly technical but didn't really expect to have any problems.

macman

You would have had an ethernet (network) cable supplied with the router. If not they're about 3 quid at Maplin. Then just connect it from yout ethernet port on the laptop to one of the ports on the router. If that gives you a connection, then it's a wireless problem only.
Have you done a right click and repair option as previously advised?

Strider590

There is compatability problem with BT homehub and the Intel 2200bg wireless cards in many laptop computers, it's well known and well documented.....

It is likely that the same issue affects older BT kit.

A new router will almost definitely work, but in my opinion you should get a new one anyway.


(Sorry have edited this a few times, slightly misunderstood the OP)