rebuilt laptop now can't get wireless internet on it. Any ideas?

[fryalot]

I can get on-line if I plug it into the router, but not wirelessly.

Have switched the wireless on, but the laptop doesn't seem to be able to "see" the wireless conneciton. Have done all the wizard things that it suggests.

Is there something really, really obvious that a technophobic twunt like me is just missing?

I wannnnnna sit on my comfy settee and mumsnet, instead of coming out to the cold, draughty hall to sit on the pc

so when you click view available connections it can't actually see your SSID in the list? Do you broadcast your SSID?

If so and you can't see it - try resetting your wireless router and see if it can see it then.

If not re-download the drivers for the wireless card.

SSID?

how do I reset the router?

wireless card?

I knew I'd get an answer I didn't understand (but thanks for replying )

OK SSID - the "name" of your wireless network - when you are in your wizard and it shows you the wireless networks available - you say you can't see your "name"?

Reset? Pull out the power supply and put it back in

Wireless card will most likely be built in to your laptop. Give me details (ie make/model of laptop and version of operating system ie Windows Vista, Windows XP etc)

So how does a technophobic twunt (to quote you) rebuild a laptop?

dp did it

right, am off to try unplugging things and looking for SSIDs, and I have to take dd2 to nursery, will report back later

Actually apart from the whole - can't see your wireless network thing - following a rebuild you would need to reconfigure your wireless connection - but i'm guessing that is what you attempted with the wizards.

I would imagine your wireless connection is using some sort of security to connect - and you'll need to enter the key to unlock it

oh I'm giving it back to dp.

bah!

thanks for the help, but I'm obviously a lost cause!

Obvious question here - but have you checked your wireless switch is on?
For some reason manufacturers seem to delight in putting wireless switches where they can easily be turned off accidentally - I am always having to rescue teachers who have done it.

Another possibility is the channel the router is set to - it may be one your laptop hasn't got or your laptop may not be able to change automatically.
You can find your laptop's channel by looking in Device manager - right click on your wireless network card & select properties & you should be able to find the channel somewhere there (probably the Advanced tab)
It's more complicated finding it on your router, as the interfaces are all different - do you have a manual/CD which tells you how to get to the interface?

are you still here squonk .. I have some simple checks you can do if you are