IBM ThinkPad doesn't connect to D-Link Wireless Router?

Question

I have a D-link wireless router at home and my new IBM ThinkPad laptop with WIN XP is very very rarely able to locate the wireless network at home. In the last six months, it has located it only twice. It doesn't work even if the laptop is in the same room as the router.

My previous Dell laptop with WIN XP used to connect to the home wireless network. My room-mate has an IBM ThinkPad as well and he has no problems connecting to the home wireless. However my new IBM laptop does not, even though it can locate several of my neighbors' wireless networks.

I usually access the internet via my city's free wireless network, but fail to understand why my home connection does not work. Any idea?

Thanks.

Thanks for your responses. After trying out different options, I figured out that the hidden SSID was the issue.

Answer 1

Call D-link tech support after reading the D-Link User Manual from cover to cover.

My guess is you set up the router to use WPA encryption, but haven't matched the pass-phrase on the new XP PC.

Answer 2

I'll bet the wireless drivers for the problem computer need to be updated to current release versions and checked for proper installation and configuration. and one last thing, if proper security has been enabled, then MAC address filtering may be turned on for the wireless clients in the D-Link router, if not, TURN IT ON. make sure your new wireless computer is listed in the list of permitted wireless clients. What ever turns out to solve the problem, make sure MAC address filtering is enabled in the router, make sure you add your computers to this list, AND MAKE SURE YOU SAVE THE LIST. Also, make sure you have the latest firmware for your router, it very well could be a bug in the firmware that is preventing the computer to connect.

Answer 3

A Guy at Radio Shack once told me not to get a D-link products because they are kind of old...and they don't work well with wireless G/B wireless cards...