Can't connect to wifi on new pc

sb44

I say new pc but it is an old IBM Thinkpad X31 that I have just bought for ebay (only had 4 hours use by previous owner).

I am having probs connecting to the internet using wifi.

The wifi icon is displayed, when I double click it it shows a list of wireless networks as normal, ours is at the top of the list.

If I left click it brings up the connect box but it doesn't bring up a box to enter the network key to the internet, it brings up another box showing that it is trying to connect, then brings up a box saying it is unable to connect to the network!

If I were to scroll down to another wifi network (ie the house across the road ) and double click, it brings up a network key box but not for our account.

Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong please?

I clicked the repair but it couldn't carry out the repair, said to contact network owner.

Oblivion

Is your router set to transmit b,g & n or set to n only? An old computer with an equally old network card may not work on n.

sb44

Oblivion wrote: »

Is your router set to transmit b,g & n or set to n only? An old computer with an equally old network card may not work on n.

Can you please tell me how I find the settings for that? :o

shaun_from_Africa

What is the make and model of your router?

Probably the easiest way to check to see what it transmitting will be to plug the laptop directly into the router using a lan cable.
Then go to Internet explorer and in the address bar, type in the default address for the router. (you should be able to find this on the paperwork supplied with it, if not, a Google search will give it).
If you still can't find the address, try 192.168.1.1 as this is a fairly common one used.

Once you have connected up to the router, you will have to look for the settings page and this should give the option to choose what it will transmit.
As Oblivion stated, old computers were normally 802b & 802g. Newer ones are 802n (and this 802n is often the default setting for many routers).

sb44

It says Band 802.11g and the pic below is from the ebay listing, can someone tell me how to find this on windows xp pro please then I can try and connect that way.

HereToday

Look here

Scroll down to Wireless Zero Configuration

You'll probably also have to lower the Wireless security on your Router to WEP.

Why do you keep buying this old stuff? Does it even have Service Pack 3?

sb44

HereToday wrote: »

Look here

Scroll down to Wireless Zero Configuration

You'll probably also have to lower the Wireless security on your Router to WEP.

Why do you keep buying this old stuff? Does it even have Service Pack 3?

Thanks for that, I will have a look later, I have a dongle connected for now.

Why do I buy old stuff? :rotfl: Not everyone has the money to buy new stuff you know! Just spent 350 quid on a laptop for my daughter, this was less than 30 and will do for me to surf the net.

HereToday

I thought you already had an HP and various other bits and pieces.

sb44

HereToday wrote: »

I thought you already had an HP and various other bits and pieces.

My husband nicked that to play some of his old pc games ie Monkey Island etc.

johnmc

HereToday wrote:

Why do you keep buying this old stuff?

You've got to love this forum! It's like having a family there to support you.

sb44

johnmc wrote: »

You've got to love this forum! It's like having a family there to support you.

:rotfl: