How do I make my laptop "wireless"?

debitcardmayhem

Emuchops wrote: »

I am using the new router, and it came with a yellow cable that you can use if not going wireless. Thats what I'm using as when I try without it I cannot get on the internet.

I'm not sure if I've switched the laptop to wireless although pressing F1 and FN seems to be the way to do it according to what Ive read today. So i've done that several times.

When I try to view the available wireless networks it says that none are found.

Perhaps I'll have to give up on free ranging.

Perhaps if you download inssider from http://www.metageek.net/ then you will see which wireless channels are being used by others or it may give you an error saying no adapter found.

JimmyTheWig

How easy would it be for you to take your laptop to somewhere where they have wirelessto test it? McDonalds often have it, for example. Or a friend's house?
See if you can pick up a wireless network signal there. You don't need to connect to the wireless network, just see if it offers it to you.

If you can pick up another wireless network but you can't pick up your one at home then it is a problem with the wireless function of the router.

debitcardmayhem

It may be a case of the wireless card in the lappy being just 802.11b rather than g/n and the router being set for g/n and the lappy is just b , just an idea of course will look for the lappy specs. Oh and by the way which router did TT give you (all should be compatible with b/g at least)

TakeThis

Emuchops wrote: »

I am using the new router, and it came with a yellow cable that you can use if not going wireless. Thats what I'm using as when I try without it I cannot get on the internet.

I'm not sure if I've switched the laptop to wireless although pressing F1 and FN seems to be the way to do it according to what Ive read today. So i've done that several times.

When I try to view the available wireless networks it says that none are found.

Perhaps I'll have to give up on free ranging.

Ignore the quoted instructions for now. They are a last resort. First we have to check what service pack you have installed and whether Windows is actually handling your Wireless connection.

If you are happy enough to trust me to take card of it, I can do it remotely after my tea. Alternatively, you can ask someone at TT to do it.
I'm sure that it is simple enough.

Press and hold Fn and whilst holding it down, press F1.

If that doesn't work for you, go into the Device Manager and look for your Wireless card entry there.
Right click on it, choose Properties > Update Driver. Check that it is working correctly.

Go to Control Panel > Network Connections. It is there?

GunJack

pretty sure there's a physical slide-across type switch on those P-B lappys, look along the front edge of the machine, the bit that faces you when it's in use...somewhere just below where the LED indicator lights are...wifi card should do G-standard..

Also, is the wifi on indicator lit on the router ??

...and, some lappys won't let you use wifi AND ethernet cable simultaneously, the fact you're plugged in may disable the wifi card until you take the ethernet cable out.

Emuchops

Thanks to All.
Debit-the router is a Talk Talk D Link DSL 2680 ADSL2+
Jimmy-I may well take a trip to Maccy D's-good idea
Gun JAck-I have really scrutinized the laptop-no switches, knobs or buttons. Initially when I set it all up it was without the yellow cable and it didn't work. I have just tried it again without-nothing.
On the router the light that the manual refers to WPS(which I think indicates a connection), is mainly off but flickers occasionally.
TakeThis- I have no idea what you're on about but if you are happy to do it after your tea please be my guest.

TakeThis

Emuchops wrote: »

Thanks to All.
Debit-the router is a Talk Talk D Link DSL 2680 ADSL2+
Jimmy-I may well take a trip to Maccy D's-good idea
Gun JAck-I have really scrutinized the laptop-no switches, knobs or buttons. Initially when I set it all up it was without the yellow cable and it didn't work. I have just tried it again without-nothing.
On the router the light that the manual refers to WPS(which I think indicates a connection), is mainly off but flickers occasionally.
TakeThis- I have no idea what you're on about but if you are happy to do it after your tea please be my guest.

Ok, just run this program; Team Viewer 6 and send me the User ID and Password via PM, not here.
I'll check as much as I can that what needs to be in place is in place.
I won't need to go near any private details.

debitcardmayhem

Aaah it will be WPA2 I guess, then is your Windows version XP with SP3 , Start - Settings - Control Panel - System
tells you what you have

Emuchops

Takethis-I can't pm you anymore as you are full.

Emuchops

To save yourself further stress.... if you can afford £5.30:
USB Mini Wireless WiFi 802.11N Network WLAN Network Adapter Dongle w/ WPS Button
USB Mini Wireless Slim WiFi 802.11N 150Mbps Adapter WLAN Network Ethernet Dongle

Alternatives:

54 Mbps Wireless 802.11g/b USB 2.0 LAN Adapter £4.90
300 Mbps Wireless 802.11b/g/n USB LAN Adapter £7.30


Thanks for that TT- Do they just slot in and do I need to use them with my new router? (For some reason I couldn't connect to Outlook sometimes with the new router. I kept getting error message '797')