Why can't my computer connect to internet/network while everybody else can?

Question

Hi, at a cafe that offers Wi-Fi, my computer cannot connect to their wireless internet, while everybody else in the cafe is able to. Also, at my small office which just set up office network, only my computer cannot connect. Why is that and how can I connect like everybody else? I can connect to ADSL at home and at other wireless internet places. I use Windows XP, and Symantec Client Firewall (and have Windows Firewall off). I thought maybe my firewall is the cause of the problem, so I tried turning it off (for long enough to try connecting), but it still does not connetct. At the cafe, when I ask windows to look for wireless network, it does find the network for the cafe, but does not connect (although it's supposed to be an automatic connection), and when I click "Connect", it tries for a while, but says it cannot connect. If you can offer how I can try changing settings (on Windows, on my firewall, anything else), or suggest any other reason, that would be great. Thank you.

Hi, in both places, the people in charge think it must have something to do with my computer, since everybody else who tries to connect there can. At least that's what I was specifically told when I complained at the cafe.

More details -- the cafe is wireless, and at the office, we use LAN cables (not wireless).

Thank you for all your ideas!
Additional details:
Wireless Zero Configuration says "Provides automatic configuration for the 802.11 adapters" -- not sure what this means.

As I said above, I can connect to ADSL (through a LAN cable) at home, and to wireless internet at another office that I go to.

I wonder if there are any settings in XP or the firewall that I'm using (Symantec Client Firewall) that makes the computer sensitive to differences in the information or settings/codings in info sent by different providers (so allows some connections but not others)

Sorry, regarding Wireless Zero Configuration -- it does say "Started" and "Automatic."

Answer 1

I suspect that your notebook either does not have a built in wireless device or it is shut off.

Go to Device Manager and see if you have a wireless LAN adapter. If you do, then go to View Network connections, right click on the wireless connection and make sure it is enabled.

If you do not have a wireless capable notebook you can purchase a pcmcia wireless adapter and you will be wirelessly enabled.

Answer 2

Do this when you are at the cafe.

1) Go on start
2) Click on control panel
3) Click on the network connections icon
4) On left hand side click on "Create a New Connection". or you might click on "Network Trouble Shooter".

I am not sure if this will work, but give it a try.

Answer 3

If you are using windows XP, have you consider checking on your services configuration by typing "services.msc" @ run then enable it if your wireless zero configuration sets disabled.

Answer 4

Who is your Provider ? maybe they can help you with this issue

Answer 5

this article may help you