Why isn't my wireless network working?

Question

I have a DSL/ WLAN modem but the WLAN is red and my computer always says that there are no wireless networks in range! why is this happening? the wireless button on my computer is turned on btw... how can i make a wireless network that all the computers in my house can detect and use?

Answer 1

I don't know what RED means on your modem.. tell us the model maybe we can help.

Red on many of these means it is NOT WORKING. Green usually shows if the device is working. All depends on make and model. Log into the thing and check to see if the wireless is turned on and what the SSID and security settings need to be inorder to access it. (You should be able to connect with a cable to setup the wifi.)

Answer 2

It could be caused by interference with other devices such as phones, radios etc.. Try moving all objects and wires away from the Antenna of the wireless adapter chip. What brand is your chip, linksis is the worst possible brand, it looses connection and its signal, get a netgear chip with rangemax so it has a far distance range, try moving the DSL router closer to the computer with the wireless network. Do system recovery remove the chip from your computer, replace it and reinstall the software. Scan your computer for viruses, using norton or mcafee anti virus programs. If none of this works take the last resort and switch to wires, it will be a haslte but atleast you will be able to get on the internet. Or call your isp and ask them about reciveing two routers, it might cost you 20-30 dollars more a month...

Answer 3

Westell®
802.11G WIRELESS USB ADAPTER
Quick Start Guide

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Westell® 802.11g Wireless USB Adapter allows you to connect your
laptop computer to a wireless Local Area Network (LAN). The wireless LAN
allows you to share your Internet connection without attaching a cable to your
Gateway.
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
The following system specifications are required for optimum performance of
the Westell 802.11g Wireless High-Speed Adapter.
Pentium® PC III 600 MHz (or equivalent and above machine) with
the following attributes:
Microsoft® Windows® (98 SE, ME, 2000 or XP)
64 MB RAM (128 MB recommended)
10 MB of free hard drive space
1 available USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 port
Computer Operating System CD-ROM on hand
CD-ROM Drive

PACKAGE CONTENTS
Before you begin using the 802.11g Wireless USB Adapter, check the
package contents to ensure that your kit contains the following items.
Items
Quantity
802.11g Wireless Adapter
1
USB 2.0 Cable
1
Installation and Documentation CD-ROM
1
Quick Start Guide
1

HARDWARE FEATURES
This section provides information about the hardware
features of the 802.11g Wireless Adapter.
LED Indicators
The 802.11g Wireless USB Adapter provides an LED, which is used to verify
the Adapter’s operation and status.
LED States and Descriptions
LED
State
Description
ON
Adapter is powered up, WLAN connection
established.
OFF
No Power, No WLAN connection established.
POWER
BLINKING
Attempting to establish a WLAN connection.

INSTALLING THE 802.11G UTILITY SOFTWARE
Before you can browse the Internet using your 802.11g Wireless
Adapter, you must install the utility software needed for your Internet
connection. Follow the instructions in this section to install the utility
software. Note: Please wait until you have received notification from
your Wireless Service Provider that your wireless service has been
activated before installing this Adapter and software.
STOP! Do not insert the 802.11g Wireless Adapter into your computer’s
Adapter slot until after you have completed the utility software installation.
Turn on your computer and insert the utility CD-ROM into your computer’s
CD-ROM drive. The following screen will be displayed. Click Install.
NOTE: The screens displayed in this document are based on the Microsoft®
Windows® XP operating system.


If you clicked Install, the InstallShield Wizard will automatically begin, and
the following screen will display the message, “Configuring Windows Installer.”

After “Configuring Windows Installer” has completed, the following
Welecome to the InstallShield…. screen will be displayed. Click Next to
continue the utility installation.

If you clicked Next in the preceding screen, the following Choose Destination
Location screen will be displayed. This screen displays the pathname
C:\Program Files\11g USB adapter\ where the setup files will be installed. To
install to this folder, click Next. To install to a different folder, click Browse
and select another folder.

If you choose to install the setup files to different folder, type the folder name of
your choice in the field labeled Program Folders. Or, select a folder from field
labeled Existing Folders. Click Next to continue.

After you click Next in the preceding screen, the Adapter utility installation will
begin. During the installation, a progress bar will display the status of the
installation, as shown in the following screen.

After the installation has completed, the following screen will be displayed.
Click Finish to continue.

After the utility installation has completed, the following screen will be
displayed. Click OK in this pop-up, and then attach the 802.11g Wireless USB
Adapter to the USB port of your PC. Next, go to section 3 to install the Wireless
USB Adapter drivers.

INSTALLING THE WIRELESS USB ADAPTER DRIVERS
After you have completed the utility installation (explained in section
2) you are ready to begin the driver installation. The instructions in
this section explain how to install the drivers needed to use 802.11g
Wireless USB Adapter.
After you have connected the 802.11g USB Adapter to your PC, the following
screen will appear. Select Install the software automatically (Recommended).
Click Next.

If you clicked Next in the preceding screen, the following screen will be
displayed.

After a brief moment, the following screen will be displayed, and the software
installation will begin.

After the USB software has been installed, the following screen will be
displayed. Click Finish to close the wizard.
Click Finish in the preceding screen, and reboot your computer.
NOTE: You must restart your computer for the USB driver software to take effect.
After you have rebooted your computer, proceed to section 4 for instructions on
configuring your 802.11g Wireless USB Adapter.

READY TO BEGIN
If you are ready to access the Adapter’s configuration utility, follow
the instructions provided in this section.
After you have completed the instructions in the preceding sections and
rebooted your PC, go to your computer’s taskbar and double-click the 802.11g
Wireless USB Adapter icon located in the system tray. By clicking this icon,
you will launch the USB Adapter’s configuration utility.

CONNECTING TO THE WIRELESS GATEWAY
If you are ready to connect to your Wireless Gateway, follow the
instructions provided in this section.
Select the Site Survey tab from the menu at the top of the page. The Site Survey
page displays a list of wireless networks (wireless clients and wireless
Gateways) that are in your signal range. Double-click on a network in this page
to establish a wireless communication link with the network.
NOTE: For additional information on configuring the 802.11g Wireless USB
Adapter, refer to the User Guide located on the CD-ROM provided with your kit.