Help with Wireless connection

[telboy1938]

I have just purchased a new Packard Bell Easynote MZ-36 and having negotiated most problems I still have one to go.......My first connection made was to connect to the internet via an ethernet cable from my 3Com router (this also feeds my PC)......I then tried to connect to the net via a wireless connection (I'm told it has an internal adapter) Try as I may I cannot get connected....I've followed on-line instructions but all have resulted in failure. I wonder if it is possible to delete any connection I have already made and start from scratch possibly connecting via the WiFi adapter before connecting the ethernet cable...If so. how do I go about it please....Your help is much required.
Thanks....Telboy

[Ethel]

Firstly, is the laptop wifi switched on? My Acer has a cunningly disguised switched for enabling and disabling the wifi.

If it is, the the simple things first. Switch off all pcs, the modem and the router (if separate) at the mains. Wait at least 30 seconds. Now turn back on in this EXACT order (it won't work if you use the wrong order).

1. Modem. Wait at least 30 seconds for the lights to settle down.

2. Router (if separate). Wait again.....

3. Pcs and laptop.

Hopefully this will hook everything up.



I

[telboy1938]

Hi Ethel......I have followed your advice "to the letter" but still no joy....The Ethernet connection to both PC & Laptop ars fine but still WiFi not connected.... When I press the WiFi switch...the light comes on....or pressing "Fn & F2" simultainously the light comes on....So over to you please. Telboy

[Ethel]

What joy. :|

Is your laptop seeing the wireless connection at all?

What exactly is happening?

Few things to check:

1. Is your router set to allow only certain MAC addresses MAC filter) and your laptop is excluded?

2. Is your router set to only accept 'b' wifi and your laptop is 'g'?

3. Have you tried TEMPORARILY disabling the firewall on your laptop? That can block the connection. If that is the case, once connected you can enable the firewall and all will be well.

4. If all else fails press the reset button on the router. On mine it is a teeny tiny hole in the back of the router that has to be pushed in for 10 seconds with a pen.

This will wipe all your security settings so Joe Bloggs could connect. But if it means you can connect the problem has been found and can be dealt with.

In case you don't know you access your router setup page by typing 192.168.1.1 (or similar) in your address bar and press go.

[telboy1938]

Hi Ethel...The big difference between you and me is that you know what you are doing......Firstly thank you for your help.......re your questions:-
MAC addresses....How do I check if I am excluded?
Router setting...how do I determine the wifi setting ("b" or "g" on router and laptop?
I have tried disabling firewall but no difference.
Would pressing the reset button result in disabling the ethernet connections on both the PC and the laptop?? which are fine at present.
I was going to attach the printout of the 3Com router but I can't see a provision for doing so.
Lastly...If I turn off the internal laptop wifi adapter should I be able to connect a USB wifi adapter?...Thanks..Telboy

[Ethel]

As you don't know about Mac filtering it is safe to assume you haven't got it, likewise with the b and g.

Resetting your router will not affect the ethernet connections and I strongly recommend that as the next step.
With no security settings at all everything should hopefully connect.

Pointless using a USB wifi dongle, which are precarious at best, when you have internal wifi.

Reset, switch everything off as before and tell me exactly what happens. Do you get the wifi icon in your system tray on the laptop? It looks lke a monitor with )) to the right side.

[kloofnek]

Hi Telboy
Do like I have .get yourself a USBModem from T-Mobile.I pay �29 a month for unlimited internet access.Plus �34 worth of calls,messaging ,the latter can be done on your PC.

Very easy to connect..absolutely great !!!!

[telboy1938]

Thanks Guys......Good to know there are people out there who know what they are doing eh?...Thanks again....Telboy