sodding computers, sodding wireless, sodding network cards - can I have some help please?

[KatyMac]

We have been given an old very nice laptop

I have installed a network card (at least I think that is what it is called)

The netwrok card says it has 'excellent' signal strengh

But I can't get it on-line what on earth am I doing wrong?

[KatyMac]

I think the fact that the 'link information' is blank is significant - But I'm not sure how?

[KatyMac]

Oh damn now I am confused

[DloeufyDoo]

What equipment do you have? Do you have a wireless router? Do you have a PC wired to the router, and if so can you connect to the Internet from that PC?

What make is the wireless adapter you fitted?
What operating systems are you running. Lots of questions huh?!

If you haven't configured Windows to manage the wireless network connection then you should do so, otherwise you will have to enter the wireless adapters configuration software and manually connect.

[KatyMac]

Ok DloeufyDoo - I understood about one word in three there

I have wireless B/B on my laptop
I have a network car (I think) which is a belkin which is the type of Router I have

Windows is 98 (on the other laptop)

All the rest is 'duh?'

[KatyMac]

Ok DloeufyDoo - I understood about one word in three there

I have wireless B/B on my laptop
I have a network car (I think) which is a belkin which is the type of Router I have

Windows is 98 (on the other laptop)

All the rest is 'duh?'

[KatyMac]

opps

[DloeufyDoo]

Is the laptop you are trying to connect with running Windows 98?

[KatyMac]

My laptop is Hell I don't know what mine is could it be XP?
The new old laptop is 98

[DloeufyDoo]

You will need to configure the connection via the setup program that came with the wireless adapter you installed. Look for an icon in the programs list or look for an icon near the clock. If you find one then right-click it and open the WLAN monitor

[KatyMac]

I think I have that open

Is it a 3Com Officeconnect Wireless Utility?

[DloeufyDoo]

just to let you know katymac..it's my dp answering you.I know diddley squat about compsHe is a very nice person

[KatyMac]

Give him a big kiss

So am I right?

[DloeufyDoo]

Sounds about right. You will need to create a new connection. You will have to enter your network SSID, and any WEP key you are using for security. What options can you see?

[KatyMac]

Configuration with
Authentication type WPA-PSK
& Shared sectret key

Link information with
SSID Belkin 54g
MAC Adress??
Channel 11
Current connection speed 54 Mbps
Signal strength Excellent

IP Inofrmation with
IP address
Gateway
Host name
Subnet Mask
& a graph

Site Survey
& Version Information

[DloeufyDoo]

Have you entered your SSID and WPA key already? Do you know them? Click on site survey - does it say connected?

[KatyMac]

It is connected

I have put in the WPA key

I don't know where I find my SSID

[DloeufyDoo]

Go to your other laptop, the one running XP. Right-click on the wireless icon in bottom right-hand corner. Click View available wireless networks. The SSID will be shown. Does it say the network is Open, WEP protected/enable or WPA enabled?

[KatyMac]

View avail networks brings up a box saying connected but no options

It's WEP so I changed that & now there isn't any connection

[DloeufyDoo]

When you opened the box that said connected the SSID would be shown, its basically the name of the network.

If the connection on your XP computer is WEP enabled, then you need to change the security on the Win 98 computer to WEP (is this what you changed?) and re-enter the code (how many digits is the code?), along with the SSID.

[KatyMac]

I did it's 26 digits

SSID is just the name of the router

[DloeufyDoo]

On the Win 98 PC right -click network neighbourhood, click properties, Click on TCP/IP Ethernet Adapter if you can see it and ensure that 'obtain an IP address automatically' is checked.

Recheck the SSID, WEP key (check case is correct) and save your settings.

Open browser and try to reach your home page

[KatyMac]

network neighbourhood?

[DloeufyDoo]

On Win 98 computer, click Start, Settings, Control Panel, Network Neighbourhood.

Incidentally, is the XP computer connected to the router via a cable or wireless. Do you have the cable, probably blue one, that came with the router?

[KatyMac]

Wireless

couls it have been purple?

no network neighbourhood - just network is that the same?

[DloeufyDoo]

Try it - right-click then select properties and look for Obtain IP address automatically.