Wireless problems, restore factory settings?

Fliss_M

I have an Acer Laptop, its 3.5 years old so I suspect its more likely its on its last legs but I'll go on.

The wireless keeps going. I boot up, internet disconnected, try rebooting (restart now makes windows fall over so I shut down then start up) still disconnected. I can see it and other wireless networks around but I cant connect, it refuses.

I have tried going back to an internal update point but no joy, I was wondering if a full on factory setting may help? Cant really afford a new laptop till after christmas and while my router is currently on the fritz and am waiting for a new 1, I cant imagine being offline at home till after crimbo :eek:

Oh and I have tried using a ether net cable but a) it doesnt seem to want to have it, tho I suspect thats the settings rather then a full out get knotted and b) I usually use it in the bedroom while hubby plays his PS3 so I would prefer not to be stuck in the livingroom with the racket that thing pumps out

Cheers xxx

JJ_Egan

Is the wireless problem due to your router being faulty ??

The settings are in your router so you may have an error between them and your windows settings .

Initially i would delete the network in windows Control Panel Network and Sharing . Factory reset the router you will need your ISP details to set up again .

Setup router then setup netwok on laptop with no security once you have a connection you can change to a secure key .

Also look in Device manager Right click my computer properties device manager network adaptor expand and click on update software .


Oh and I have tried using a ether net cable

Again thats tending to point to a faulty router .

(restart now makes windows fall over so I shut down then start up) This bit is odd and should not happen with a bad wireless connection fault .


jje

Fliss_M

Cheers. When my new router turns up I will check it out. A faulty router had crossed my mind but the PS3 worked ok with its wireless so I figured it had to be the laptop (tho with its age I must admit it did make me biast against it) Tho since I tried turning it off overnight and it then required replacing I may have to agree it was the router lol

With the restart, it wasnt really related to the wireless, its just with me mentioning trying to reboot I thought I would chuck that in there incase anyone had any ideas on that ether

Hammyman

It is most likely a nearby router is on the same channel as yours so your lappy gets confused - I had a customer who couldn't connect to the router in the same room due to the entire village being on the same channe. Download and install InSSIDer on your laptop. Run it, do a scan and see if any other routers it can receive are on the same channel - if you've not changed it from the default, I bet there are as Channel 1, 10 and 11 seem to be defaults for most routers. If there are clashes, log into your router, go to the wireless settings and change it to a clear channel or one where there's only a really weak signal.

exup

even at over 3 years old it could still have a decent amount of life left in it - make sure it isnt clogging up with dust etc.
The first thing usually to go would be the hard drive, as you are having wireless problems with intermittent connection I would expect it could be something simple like hammyman says.
Even in the case of the wireless adapater failing there are alternatives such as a PCMCIA wireless adapter (not saying that your wireless adapater has begun to fail just saying that there are ways to keep a laptop going without replacing it if there isn't a need to).

Fliss_M

What fab tips! Thank you both! I have my mums usb now so I can get on till the new hub arrives (which in this weather could be a while!) so when it does I'll try changing those thinks thanks again