Do I need a new network adaptor?

Money_Grabber13579

Bonhomie said:

Money_Grabber13579 said:

I have a reasonably old laptop (possibly around 8 years old) and a desktop (around 4 years old). Both are in full working condition and could connect to the internet. A few weeks ago, I moved my broadband provider and they provided, as a router, an Amazon eero.  Since then, my laptop has not been able to connect the the internet, but the desktop can (the laptop can’t find the signal from the router).

I’m not very knowledgable about the various Wi-Fi protocols but is this likely to be due to the network card on the laptop not being able to detect the latest signal type of the eero (which I think is ‘n’ or IPv6)?

If that is the case, it seems I get get network cards which can be plugged in via USB but can anyone recommend one which would be able to detect the signal from the eero, is not too bulky and doesn’t cost the earth?What laptop exactly? it's difficult to imagine why someone would imagine that is not information critical to their query.

What laptop exactly? It's difficult to countenance why someone would imagine that information is not critical to their query.

I do apologise for not including every single detail which might have been relevant. If I had done so, the complaint would have been that it would have been too long to read.

Fortunately, others have been very helpful in steering me in the right direction.

Money_Grabber13579

prowla said:

Routers typically allow 5GHz and 2.4GHz and which Wi-Fi protocols to be selected; typically older machines will need 802.11b or g at 2.4GHz, which may not be enabled at the router.

There may also be security options (WPA-something) set which improve security but aren't supported on older equipment; you are then faced with the choice of opening up security or ditching your older kit.

I think this must be the issue, b and g are the only options in the settings of the network card and that mustn’t be compatible with the eero. I’ve ordered the replacement network adapter mentioned in the first reply so will see if that works.

Money_Grabber13579

km1500 said:

Have you tried having no wifi password set on the router (ie open network - anyone can connect) and see if the laptop can see the router then?

I haven’t actually tried that but might try if the new network adaptor doesn’t bring any joy. I think I’d rather not remove the password (even if it is just temporarily) so might be something I try right at the very end.

molerat

The tech specs of the eero quote

Dual-band Wi-Fi radios, simultaneous 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, 2 x 2 MU-MIMO, beamforming, IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

so should be pretty much compatible with anything. Likely just an odd ball wifi card in the laptop. (Been there, done that.  Swapped wifi cards between 2 devices and both worked fine, go figure !)

Bonhomie

Money_Grabber13579 said:

Bonhomie said:

Money_Grabber13579 said:

I have a reasonably old laptop (possibly around 8 years old) and a desktop (around 4 years old). Both are in full working condition and could connect to the internet. A few weeks ago, I moved my broadband provider and they provided, as a router, an Amazon eero.  Since then, my laptop has not been able to connect the the internet, but the desktop can (the laptop can’t find the signal from the router).

I’m not very knowledgable about the various Wi-Fi protocols but is this likely to be due to the network card on the laptop not being able to detect the latest signal type of the eero (which I think is ‘n’ or IPv6)?

If that is the case, it seems I get get network cards which can be plugged in via USB but can anyone recommend one which would be able to detect the signal from the eero, is not too bulky and doesn’t cost the earth?What laptop exactly? it's difficult to imagine why someone would imagine that is not information critical to their query.

What laptop exactly? It's difficult to countenance why someone would imagine that information is not critical to their query.

I do apologise for not including every single detail which might have been relevant. If I had done so, the complaint would have been that it would have been too long to read.

Fortunately, others have been very helpful in steering me in the right direction.

Though you managed a reply without including a single relevant detail. Why not include the relevant detail in your reply to me? Fortunately? You have failed to find the solution thus far? I have a good idea as to what the issue might be, but I am happy to follow your lead by not publishing it, lest it make your thread "too long too read" 
Hint: You could have replaced "eight year old laptop" with the actual model. This is a Tech forum, we would understand. You are confusing the issue further by stating that it's eight years old but only have a network card capable of 802.11g. 802.11n kicked in in 2009. I'm out  I suggest that you stop sabotaging your own efforts by being deliberately uncooperative. 

grumpycrab

Coincidentally a neighbours BT hub stopped transmitting on  2.4ghz last week  (and laptop couldn't see it).  I assume its a fault rather than BT disabling it.   She's talking to BT today.

Money_Grabber13579

Many thanks to all those who have helped, the replacement network adaptor did the trick and the laptop is now back online again.

cymruchris

Money_Grabber13579 said:

Many thanks to all those who have helped, the replacement network adaptor did the trick and the laptop is now back online again.

Good to hear it - luckily a simple fairly inexpensive fix to keep the laptop going a good while longer.