Laptop not connecting to the internet - help!

[NotAnotherBrick]

One of my laptops has suddenly started not connecting to the internet. It says it's connected; there's a wireless signal that comes and goes. When I open firefox or IE though, it says it's working offline. My other laptop connects fine.

When I ask it to repair the connection, it gets stuck on 'renewing your IP address' and gets no further.

Can anyone help? It is very, very annoying having it not working as all my files are on that one!

And why does the wireless connection come and go on that one and not on this one?

Bump!

Reboot... though expect you will have already done that.

Have you tried entering in the WEP code again? Sometimes that will work.

What's the WEP code?

When you connect to a protected WiFi network, it asks you for a passcode. The system then remembers that code. Though it can sometimes get confused... thus then not letting you have access.

The code is set on the WiFi router. On some routers it is fixed so you can't change it... the code if often on the back of the router.

With regard to the signal coming and going... are you moving the computer around? That can affect things. Also if one computer works in one position it does not mean another will work in the same position - some WiFi receivers are better than others. So check signal strength the WiFi receiver is getting.

Get the laptop as close to the wireless router as possible, that just about removes the possibility of there being a weak signal.

Ok, I am getting desperate now :-( Will have a look on the back of the router for the WEP thing now.

Not moving it around - they're both being used in the same place they've always been used.

Definitely not a weak signal - when it's there, it's very strong.

And how/where do I re-enter the WEP code?

Ok, nothing that says it's a WEP on the back or underneath either the modem or the wireless router.

The things that there are on the wireless router are:

Security pin
Serial number
MAC

Any ideas?

Ok, the security PIN will be the WEP code.

You need to go to your network and sharing centre

Firstly, what make is your router?

Netgear

Where do I find the network and sharing centre?

Can't believe I'm being so thick!

I have a Dell laptop, btw, windows XP if that makes any difference

Ok, don't worry.

Go to your start menu (the windows symbol on bottom left of your screen).

Right, on the Wireless Network Connection Settings page, which has an option for putting a WEP in, it says it must be 5 or 13 characters, but my security pin is 8!

Go to the 'control panel'

Ok, you haven't got a WEP then, you have a WPA/WPA2.

The first thing to make sure is that your IP address is obtained automatically. Can you go to your internet connection properties?

Ok.......... Dh says he's noticed two more numbers on the router. He's just writing them down for me now.

ICC and something else, he says.

How do I find the internet connection properties? By opening a browser? Or in internet options?

No the security PIN is the right thing. But if it is struggling to assign your IP address, you need to make sure that it is set to get your IP automatically.

Ok, when I've tried to repair the connection by clicking on 'repair' in the connections window (the one with all the available wireless connections), it gets stuck on the IP address bit, so I guess that could be the problem?

Will it have the same IP address as my other laptop, which is using hte same connection? (the one I'm on now)

No, it won't. All the devices have their own, but it will be similar.

So for example I have a belkin, so my IP address is 192.168.2.1, one computer is 192.168.2.4, another 192.168.2.7, etc.

Thank you for all your help, by the way! I am immensely grateful for you taking the time!

ok, so what do I do next? I've opened IE and found the properties, but it says nothing of use at all! Am I looking in the wrong place?

[[http://support.microsoft.com/kb/305553]

Look here. Follow the instructions, then when you get to the IP/DNS page, make sure 'get IP automatically' is ticked.