Connection Problem

Claribelle

Hi everyone.

I just bought a new desktop PC and decided to set it up in a different room to the router with a wireless dongle thingy (yes I'm THAT PC-illiterate.....) I thought it should be easy enough to get online as I was already set up online with my old PC, however after going through all the set up options with the PC, the dongle etc, it tells me that it has connected to my internet network but the signal is poor (2 bars) and therefore I cannot actually use it. However, my laptop still goes online with no problems. I then used a telephone extension cable and moved the router/modem into the same room as the pc and the signal strength went through the roof but it still said that the signal was poor and wouldn't connect. I then tried the ethernet cable and again, nothing.

Would anyone be able to talk me through what I should look for as I'm obviously missing something important but I just havn't a clue what. Really sorry if it is obvious.

Many thanks for your help.

juliescot

I take it you use the lap top wirelessly with no problems?

What Operating System are you using?

geewhiz

Are you sure you need the dongle, if it's a brand new desktop is there not a wirless card in it ?

Another thing to check is the Network icon at the bottom right of your screen, make sure it's your own network you are on and not one of your neighbours which could explain the poor signal, although 2 bars isn't great it should be more than enough to get online.

Claribelle

Thank you for the prompt responses

Yes the laptop is working just as it always does - a bit slow but I think that is our broadband speed but it's fine. And yes it is my networkt hat I'm logged into, just re-checked that one just in case! There must be something that I havn't set up properly but I just have no idea what it could be.

Thank you.

Claribelle

Oh and just remembered, yes I do need the dongle as the sales guy said that he only sold laptops with the wireless thingy and therefore I had to buy the dongle to enable the desktop PC to use the wireless router. So fingers crossed he was telling me the truth!

juliescot

Are you running Vista?

There is a network, trouble shooting guide with that.

Did you also infer that the desktop would not connect to the internet by means of a cable to your router?

Claribelle

Yes sorry, I am running vista home premium and I havn't found the troubleshooting page yet - keep going round in circles at the moment which is getting rather frustrating to say the least! lol And yes, I tried the ethernet cable from the back of the PC to the router and again it didn't register anything. I think there must be something somewhere that I need to 'tell' the computer re: internet connection. I've looked on my laptop and can't see a page outlining any internet connection codes that I can copy.

I'm sure this is simple and I've not put something vital in which will tell the computer where to look for the modem but I just don't know where to find it!

Thank you.

juliescot

The first thing you need to do is ensure that you can connect - by cable.

As soon as you plug the ethernet cable into the router and pc the pc should detect it and away you go. But it appears it is not for some reason?

Will have a think and come back but hopefully some clever clogs will be along soon.

What router are you using?

Claribelle

Hi again.

My modem is an oldish one now but still working as it's powering my laptop at the moment. Its a Belkin ADSL2 modem with G wireless router. I've just taken the dongle out of the desktop where its not been any use and installed it on the laptop (as that is fairly old too and has to use an external wireless 'tail) and it works just fine on the laptop. The 'tail' from the laptop is not doing anything on the PC (as expected).

Tonight I'm finding that the PC wont connect even though it is detecting networks (and there are three bars of signal up on my network tonight) but it says 'wireless association failed because windows did not receive any response from the wireless router or access point' But as I say, I know the router is working as the laptop is working just fine right now.

Is there a set up page that I can tell the pc about the router at all?

Thank you.