Hi guys,

 

I recently purchased one of Mario's laptops and am now in the process of configuring various bits and pieces. The laptop is WiFi-G enabled and I have a WiFi router/access point at home but can I get the two to talk to each other ... heck no! :headvswal

 

I know that this is probably a case of getting a pro in to sort this out but I thought I'd launch the question here first.

 

The router/access point is a Linksys WAGS54GS and the laptop has a Broadcom wireless card in it (internal). I've accessed the linksys internal setup pages and it was configured using WAP2-MIXED security with a 64-character network key. Network Authentication is WPAPSK and Data Encryption is TKIP. I've been through the various WiFi network setup screens on the laptop but despite it "seeing" the Linksys access point it doesn't want to connect. It comes up with a message saying something to the effect of "network connected but has limited or no connectivity". This is despite the two units sitting next to each other on the desk and clearly showing a strong 54Mbps signal.

 

Can anyone see anything obvious that I'm doing wrong or can you offer some advise to get me on my way? Failing that, anyone know someone who can set this up for me at home (Midlands, just south of Birmingham)?

 

Many thanks for your feedback (as usual! :))

 

Dan

dan, do you still have my mobile number?

Dan

 

If Stevie hasn't been able to help, I would suggest that you remove all encryption to start so you know it all connects.

 

Also check that the laptop requests an IP address from the router, this way they will be on the same subnet and will be able to talk to each other. If this still doesn't work send me a PM and I will try and talk you through it (or persuade one of my IT guys) to talk you through it.

 

Mark

Hi Dan,

 

Does your router have the option of only allowing access from pre specified MAC addresses? If so, you may have this setting turned on, in which case you need to add the MAC address of the laptop to the allowed addresses. Other than that, I would say its an encryption issue, and as Rat2611 has suggested, I would disable the encryption just to rule out if that is the issue.

 

Cheers

Colin

I had a similar problem with my sisters laptop, the wireless radio was turned off, you are supposed to activate it by pressing the function key(usually on the bottom left hand side Fn and the corrosponding F1-F12 KEY normally in blue showing a pic of the wireless utility) my sisters hot keys are not working though so i had to plug an external wireless card into the laptop for the time being.

Hi Dan,

 

It's likely that it's the type of encryption you are using. I've had quite a few problems with WPA encryption, especially if the router and network card being used is from different manufacturers.

 

I'd suggest you first try no encryption at all (as per Rat2611 and Annihilate's earlier suggestions) and if that works, try to use a simple 64 bit WEP encryption.

 

If you can't get it to connect even when you switch off all encryption, first try updating the drivers for the network card. If it STILL won't work, flash upgrade the router.

 

Hope this helps mate.

Guys!

 

Thank you very much for all the suggestions. I've had a call from UNO this morning who talked me through a number of options. It's not quite working yet but I've got a much better idea of what I'm looking for now. I shall continue to do battle with it later on today and if that fails I'll most likely be in contact with one of you for additional help.

 

Stevie007 - I've still got your mobile number.

 

Thanks again!

 

Dan

Hope you get it sorted mate - WiFi's great when it's working but can be a real pain the the ar$e when it's not. And it's usually for no good reason - spent many an hour sitting there yelling 'but it's all bloody setup correctly!!!!'