Can't pick up wireless network

Kua · 8 Aug 2010 at 23:42

I just moved into a new house with a wireless router. My laptop picks up the network no problem, but my PC doesn't. When I click on the icon in the taskbar (in Win 7) it says "Not connected" and then underneath "Connections are available" - which suggests its finding a network, but it doesn't list it.

The wireless card is a "Realtek RTL8187 Wireless 802.11b/g 54Mbps USB 2.0 Network Adapter", which I'm assuming should do the job.

Any idea how I can pick up this network?

Cheers!

PistolPete · 9 Aug 2010 at 11:03

Stupid question..... is the wireless router compatible? It's not a 5Ghz jobbie and you just happen to have a 2.4/5Ghz card in the laptop?

Long shot, but possible.

Kua · 9 Aug 2010 at 12:16

PistolPete said:
Stupid question..... is the wireless router compatible? It's not a 5Ghz jobbie and you just happen to have a 2.4/5Ghz card in the laptop?

Long shot, but possible.

I'm not sure. I'm not at home to see if anything is written on the router itself, but I'm pretty sure its the standard router that TalkTalk sends out: http://broadband.talktalk.co.uk/broadband/wireless-router

PistolPete · 9 Aug 2010 at 14:20

Doesn't appear to be that then.

vsmora · 10 Aug 2010 at 18:46

1) Is the SSID set to hidden on the router? PCs with a manually programmed wifi profile would still work fine but otherwise wouldn't detect it on a scan.
2) Is the reception of your USB dongle good enough? Try moving it higher up or as a test, disconnect the router from the phone line and temporarily power it up right next to the PC, to see if it can get a signal that way.

Kua · 10 Aug 2010 at 23:12

vsmora said:
1) Is the SSID set to hidden on the router? PCs with a manually programmed wifi profile would still work fine but otherwise wouldn't detect it on a scan.

Not sure - how would I check?

2) Is the reception of your USB dongle good enough? Try moving it higher up or as a test, disconnect the router from the phone line and temporarily power it up right next to the PC, to see if it can get a signal that way.

Lm Technologies 802.11g Wireless G USB Network Adapter for PC

I haven't got a dongle. Would something like this fit the bill? Don't want to buy it if its not neccessary but that is super cheap.

I did try setting the wireless network adapter to all 14 (not sure why there is 14) channels. But it didn't help.

vsmora · 11 Aug 2010 at 06:25

"Hidden SSID" (or siomething similar) is simply a tickbox on the wifi configuration pages of many routers. Would need the exact model number of yours to be more specific.

For the adaptor, don't buy anything until you've ruled out simpler causes. Try temp relocating the router first.