My wireless connection (for laptop) will only work if my desktop is switched on??!?!?!?

[LadyTrimmer]

Basically I have just bought a new laptop. it connects to my router by WiFi quite happily. BUT if my desktop goes to sleep (which it usually does if I am not using it!) my laptop looses internet connection.

I assume that my laptop is in some way connecting via the desktop. Can my laptop not detect my router independantly? I don't particularly want to have my desktop on permanently just to get an internet connection via wi fi.

You might try on the laptop (this is XP but similar on other MS Windows versions)
'Start'
'Settings'
'Control Panel'
'Network Setup Wizard'
Click the Wizard, then 'Next' until it asks something like
Do you want to use the existing shared connection for this computer's Internet Access (recommended)?
Then cancel the Wizard.

If it does ask the question that way, then you are probably using the desktop's Shared Internet Connection with all the palava thereby associated. If you really are connecting wirelessly to the ROUTER (and not the laptop), then it's routing you to the Desktop. Ho humm. Best bet is to turn them all off, reboot the desktop, run the Network Setup Wizard, saying NO, you DON'T want to share its internet connection; then make sure you can see the internet from the Desktop, then turn it off. Do the same with the laptop (with desktop still off) and hopefully your router will have two independednt internet connections at the end.

Or of course nothing will work and you'll have to go to the intrnet cafe to talk to MN. Have fun :-)

It won't come to the internet cafe. I will just have to run the desktop 24/7 .
Will have a look at instructions now

I can't seem to get to the wizard (am on Vista).

I can see from the map of the network in teh sharing centre though that my desktop sits between my laptop and the www

I have found a box which says "Allow other network users to connect through this computers internet connection". It is unchecked on both compuuters