"New" laptop will not connect to internet

pompey

Hi,

I have an ex-work laptop (Acer travelmate 4600) which was complately wiped of data and operating system before I received it. I installed windows xp, and am trying to get internet access.

My broadband is via virgin cable which then goes into router.

I cannot get the wifi button to turn on so in the meantime and trying to connect via ethernet cable from router (hard-wired). I have a dell desktop which is hard wired to router and this is working fine.

Are there any settings on laptop I can check to understand why it will not connect?

Many thanks

Donnie

Have you installed the necessary driver? Take a look in the Device Manager

pompey

Donnie wrote: »

Have you installed the necessary driver? Take a look in the Device Manager

Hi, thanks for response. I did wonder about drivers?

Laptop has got a number of yellow question marks against "other devices" so I suppose that indicates a problem!!

Is the best way to use my desktop and connect to acer website and download drivers for travelmate 4600 onto a USB and then install onto laptop? It sounds quite easy, but there are a number of drivers to choose!!

GeoffX

- Go to http://www.acer.co.uk/
- Click "Service & Support"
- Click "Driver Download"
- Then click "Notebook", then "Travelmate", then "4600" in the list that appears.

Download and install the drivers.

Donnie

Yes, though just the Wireless Driver will do. Then you can download the others to the laptop itself. http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/downloads_gd.html

Donnie

Use this wireless driver

z3phyr04

pompey wrote: »

Hi, thanks for response. I did wonder about drivers?

Laptop has got a number of yellow question marks against "other devices" so I suppose that indicates a problem!!

Is the best way to use my desktop and connect to acer website and download drivers for travelmate 4600 onto a USB and then install onto laptop? It sounds quite easy, but there are a number of drivers to choose!!

For those still there after installing drivers from the Acer site, if you double click one in the Device Manager a new box will open with various tabs across the top. Select the Details tab and in the drop down box choose Hardware IDs. There will then be a VEN_ and DEV_ code usually. The device and it's drivers can then normally be found with a quick google of the code such as 'VEN_168C&DEV_002B' returns a result for my Atheros Wireless card.

Donnie

pompey wrote: »

There appear to be 2 drivers, what is the difference between:

Wireless LAN Ambit Wireless LAN Driver 2.10.03.2004 1.6 MB


Wireless LAN Intel Wireless LAN Driver 9.0.1.9 43.7 MB

One appears to be slightly larger in MB than the other!!

Or do I need both?

Read my post

pompey

Donnie wrote: »

Read my post

Yes, apologies was not concentrating!! I have deleted my message.

I copied zipped folder onto USB and navigated to the folder on acer laptop, I clicked on autorun to install.

It installed, and has detected the wireless network (SSID) but I am struggling to connect?

I see it in available networks, and have to click onto configure but am struggling to understand the security settings screen, it is asking for what appears to be a 13 character password. I know my network password - which is only 10 characters long?

pompey

Ok, I changed one of the drop downs and was able to enter my password.

Thanks for help, can I ask what the next steps should be.

I am connected to network, how do I now connect to internet. Do I have to set something up in interneet options?

Donnie

pompey wrote: »

Ok, I changed one of the drop downs and was able to enter my password.

Thanks for help, can I ask what the next steps should be.

I am connected to network, how do I now connect to internet. Do I have to set something up in interneet options?

Perhaps you need to change your Encryption to WPA2-PSK in order to enter your key.