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abbyqueue
December 1st, 2007, 01:19 AM
Hi. I have a network in my house with one wired PC and one wireless laptop. Just recently, my laptop decided that it wouldn't connect to my network. The wireless card works OK, and it detects my home network (along with the many other wireless networks of my neighbors). It can even connect to one of said neighbors' unsecured networks (I tried it as a test). But it refuses to connect to mine.

I've never had this problem before. I attempt to connect to my network, and the security dialog box comes up with my password (encryped) already in it. (I've tried typing it in again, thinking maybe somehow someone changed it, but no luck.) Then the little dialog box comes up that says "Waiting on the network" or something like that, and you see the nice little picture of the network and the computer attempting to communicate with each other. After a minute or so, the box just disappears, and I'm not connected.

I've tried rebooting the laptop, the wireless card inside it, and my PC and wireless router. No luck.

Any thoughts on why this might be, especially all of a sudden?

rwt325
December 2nd, 2007, 02:28 AM
Have you got the right name for the network?. Defaults are MSHOME in XP and WORKGROUP in Vista.

Dan18960
December 2nd, 2007, 03:58 PM
Have you updated any firewall applications on your laptop? Some of these are causing issues with the Windows Firewall and third party firewalls.

Since it is seeing the network wireless signal, I would first suspect a firewall denial attempt.

abbyqueue
December 2nd, 2007, 10:11 PM
Yes, the network name is correct. It detects the correct network and has the right password.

I haven't updated any firewall applications, either -- I use Windows Firewall, and I haven't changed any of these settings. What else should I be looking for?

giradman
December 2nd, 2007, 11:11 PM
Since you can 'connect' to a neighbor's unprotected 'wireless', have you tried to 'shut off' your own encryption (whether WEP or some form of WPA) and tried to connect? Also, make sure MAC filtering has not been activated or changed - just a few more suggestions - good luck! :happy: