Connecting to Wireless internet problem.

[squirtle]

To anyone who can assist me here - I purchased a laptop, and subscribed to AOL and got their free wireless router - i set everything up as it suggested on the installation disc. When i connect everything up via cables its ok, i cannot however get the internet to come up when i try and go wireless. I have a message that says i am now connected to my wireless connection (i have named it) and that the signal strength is excellent. But as soon as i disconnect the ethernet cable from my laptop i get nothing.............so is it me doing something totally stupid here. My Laptop is an Acer Aspire 5044wlmi, there is a button on the front which is lit up orange and a little symbol next to it which is lit up so i was hoping that meant the wireless is working in that aspect. Is it possible i need to contact AOL? Help please.

[sara3]

I'm no expert but first you need to make sure the wireless is turned on. there will be a switch on your laptop. mine makes a blue light come on, but if it gets knocked off (courtesy of my son, usually) the light goes amber.

failing that, my daughter had a new Packard Bell laptop that did exactly what yours is doing, and there was a problem with the wireless card. it had to go back for repair, and Currys returned it in exactly the same condition. eventually they replaced it with a new laptop.

[Ethel]

Your wireless card is working - no doubt if you press your orange button you get the message 'Wireless Lan disabled' - press it again - 'Wireless Lan Enabled'.

I suggest you switch everything off at the mains. Wait 30 seconds, turn on the modem/router and wait for the lights to settle, then turn on the laptop.

Sometimes that can help them see each other.

If that doesn't work we'll have a look at your settings.

[squirtle]

Ethel, i am not at home at the moment so i will have to try it this evening...........hope you can come back to me with more advice once i have tried waht you have suggested.

Am i connecting everything up correctly though. Router is plugged into mains and to phone line, and then yellow ethernet cable to Laptop............then do i disconnect yellow cable and try wireless or is there something else i am missing?

[ChuckFickens]

It's an incorrect security key, guarantee you

connect via the cable, log into the router (you must know how to do this as you've named your wireless connection) find the security settings page for the wireless and make a note of the security type and the key, disconnect the cable and try connecting by wireless ensuring you put the correct type of security and key in

[squirtle]

ok i will try that..............Just to add, when i double click on AOL and it comes up thern i click on log on/connect......it normally goes through 3 steps, however it stops after the first one with an error box saying a local area network cable isn't connected.

[Ethel]

Best wait until you get home - there will be plenty of people to help you this evening

[squirtle]

You're right Ethel.........hopefully i'll have time later to try it all out. Rugbys on the box so can't see me watching tv tonight.

[squirtle]

ok i'm back and tried your suggestion Ethel but still can't get obto net via wireless.

[Ethel]

What exactly is happening?

[squirtle]

when i switch the laptop on it says i am connected to the wireless network and the signal strength is excellent, however i cannot access the net without the yellow cable connected to my laptop from the router.

I have a netgear wireless router which has a cable in from the adsl and a yellow ethernet cable going from it to the laptop........it all works ok this way.

I may be doing something really really stupid here so thats why i need help.

[Ethel]

Assuming you are on XP

Start - control panel - network connections

Right click on the wireless network connection - properties

Is the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) ticked?

[squirtle]

Yes, its ticked

[Ethel]

Have you tried TEMPORARILY disabling your firewall?

Can you connect wirelessly if your firewall is disabled?

[squirtle]

No, when i disabled the firewall then disconnected the yellow cable it seemed ok then a soon as i tried to do something on the net AOL bid me goodbye and stated my connection had been cut because of the cable.

I appreciate your time n patience ethel. Is it worth starting a wireless connection again from scratch?

[Ethel]

I think it probably is. You must have accessed the admin pages.

I am not familiar with the layout of the AOL modem/router, but I guess there must be a wireless security part in it.

Did you set the wireless security? It will be WEP, WAP or similar. You must be connected by cable whilst you do this.

[squirtle]

I recall seeing WEP somewhere.........sorry for being so useless.

I initially set up the connection with the disc that came with it. Can i undo what i have done and start again?

[Ethel]

Try reinserting the disk - I can't see it will do any harm.

[sara3]

I hate to repeat myself (see answer 1) but I think you may have issues with your wireless card. my daughter's laptop did exactly what yours is doing. I spent a whole weekend trying to sort it out. if you can connect with the ethernet cable, but not without.. it's probably the wireless card!

if it's a new laptop you need to call the seller's helpline. if it's not I believe a wireless card is under �20.

[Ethel]

Is this any help?

http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n1011 94.asp

[squirtle]

ethel, i have the disk somewhere but to be honest its a problem i have had for ages now but decided to give up and live with all the cablingjust thought i'd try my hand at it again. I thank you so much for your suggestions and help - cheers
sara3 how would i find out about the wireless card......a local computer repairer?