Why Does My Wifi Not Work?

Question

I installed a Phiilips wireless router/modem in my 2 room B&B. My 2 desktops and laptop get internet access no problem. My first guest since installing came in tonight and couldn't get access to the internet even tho my laptop and hers were sitting alongside each other. I couldn't see anything obviouse to explain why her laptop wasn't able to use the system . . .any ideas

Answer 1

It could be one of two things:

1) With your desktops and your laptop already using the router, there might not be room for another computer to use it.

2) Her wireless adapter might not be compatible with the router. This can be helped downloading a Wi-Fi finder. The software should come with an multiple-compatibility feature that will do it automatically.

Answer 2

Based on your question, there is no way to tell if both your Pc's and the laptop were plugged in or not. I am going to assume that your PC's were plugged in to the router, and that your laptop was not. In this case, the PC's have nothing to do with the equation.

Now, if indeed your laptop is functioning wirelessly, then you know your network is up and running.

First - did your guest show any networks when scanning for them? If so, did you put any security measures in place that might have prevented his/her laptop from connecting?

Did your guest even know how to connect wirelessly or (like most people) did he/she assume that you simply turn on the computer and it "magically" connects?

Since you installed the router, I am assuming you are not "most people" and that you can walk your guests through this process if needed.

I have found that the built in Windows wireless controller tends to be able to connect better than Netgear or Linksys and espcially the Intel Proset Wireless utility that is on most Dell's.

Try switching over to the Windows controller instead and see if that helps (right-click on the icon, Properties, and then the Configure... button. Under Advanced select Allow Windows to manage this connection) <--The working is something like that.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Assuming that your wireless router/modem is 802.11 g or 802.11n consider the possible conditions:

1. Your guest's device(laptop) time is either way behind or not in the right time zone
2. Your guest has a 802.11a card which will not connect to networks.
3. Your router/modem is set to 802.11g and is not in compatibility mode which would allow it to work with 802.11b
4. Your router/modem is set to 802.11n and is not in compatibility mode which would allow it to work with 802.11g and 802.11b

Make sure that your guest is able to connect to the wireless access point. If he is able to connect consider option 1.