Laptop suddenly cannot "see" home network

pippa93

Hi,

I currently have a problem with a Fujitsu laptop. It was connected to a wireless network, which worked wonderfully until 2 days ago, but now the network doesn't appear in the list of wireless networks that the laptop can see.

2 other networks (neighbours') appear in the list, so I believe that the wireless network card must be working.

Two other computers and a PS3 can all connect to the wireless network, and it is working as normal.

Nothing has changed on the laptop since when it could connect, no updates or new security software.

Can anyone help?

Pippa

The laptop is running Windows XP and the router is a Netgear DG834PN. The only thing that I can think of is that the router only uses WEP security (less secure, I know, but I don't think it supports WPA2) and the 2 networks in the list are WPA2 secured.

Lokolo

You would still be able to see the network even if it uses a different key structure.

Can you plug the laptop into the router using a network cable? (and it work)

pippa93

Thanks a lot

Plugged it into router via a network cable, and it found the wireless network! Confusing, as I though it'd find a local area network connection, but it works now.

Must have been an odd fault.

computershack

Download and run InSSIDer on the laptop.

http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider

It'll tell you what networks your laptop picks up in the area and which channel they're using. You may find one nearby on the same wifi channel as you. I went to one house where a customer had a problem and there were several adjacent networks all on Channel 11, the same as the default for his. Changed the channel to a clear one and problem solved. Doesn't help that many are set to Channel 11 or Channel 1 as default.

Wonderful100

I don't suppose that your provider is Tiscali?

The exact same thing happened to us and they put yesterdays downtime on problems via their side but we had to faff on for ages with them today to get things up and running again.

As everything was perfectly fine prior to a problem on their end I still think that the fault was with them anyway but has now thankfully sorted itself out.