Wireless networking help. >.<

[Budweiserbob!]

Right, need help with my wireless networking. Recently it's been driving me crazy.

Well, here's the story. Recently I've just bought myself a brand-spanking new computer because my old one, after 4 years of constant use and abuse, had enough with me and "kicked the bucket" (*weeps*). But this computer isn't for my personal use, it's for my work and home business. I use my laptop for all my entertainment, which is where my networking problem comes in. I can't connect my laptop to the new network. Now, I haven't just updated my computer, I've completely updated my office which means I've bought a new computer and new wireless router. I don't know what information you need, so I'm going to give you everything I know.

Before I updated my computer and router, everything worked fine. I had a Linksys Wireless-B Router which connected perfectly to my laptop. No problems. Now I've updated my router to a Wireless-G which I think is a big factor to the problem.

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The Specs (only things connected to the problem I think):

Below I have printed the specs to my comp:

- Windows Vista (32 bit)
- Connected via Ethernet

Below is a link to my laptop specs:

- Windows XP Home
- Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN

Below are the specs to my router:

- Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router (WRT54G version 6): Link

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The Problem:

I can't seem to connect my laptop to the wireless. My laptop can find the wireless network in range and lists it on the lists of available networks. But when I press "connect" on my wireless network, it seems to connect but on the list it says "Not-Connected". But I can still get on the internet even though it says "Not-Connected", but only for a short time, then the connection ends and I have to reconnect or repair.
Also, my network does seem to disappear from the list from time to time.

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What I've done:

Well, the only thing I've done is uninstalled and reinstalled the Router using the CD several times, following it exactly to the last exact detail.
I haven't changed any of the wireless settings on my laptop or my computer.
I know it's not my internet connection because, without the router connected, I've plugged it into my comp which also means my comp can't be the problem. I've read on the internet about connecting my laptop to the router via an ethernet to see if it's my laptop that's the problem. I would try that but the problem is I can't because my laptop only has a DSL port. My laptop did come with an adapter to this, but I lost it a while back. 🙁 I need to find an adapter.
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that's all I can think of telling you for now. If you need any more information at all that I haven't given above, I'd be happy to research it for you. I feel like I haven't explained it that well or that thoroughly. 🙁

But any help would greatly be appreciated. As you can tell I'm kinda a noob when it comes to things like this. 😛

Thanks in advance. =]

 

[the_jimmy_james]

What release of Windows XP? Original, SP1, or SP2? If you aren't running SP2... GET IT NOW! Don't let any noobs give you shit about "BUT JIIMEY IT HAES TEH BUGZ" or "OMG OMG OMG OMG". Just get it.

Okay, onto the next part. It's possible that the passkey system used by the new router is unsupported by your connection software. Most new WiFi hardware supports the current, as well as the older routines, but your end might not support the newer methods. Upgrading Windows to SP2 would fix that, as long as you use the wireless connection manager provided with Windows.

I cannot stress enough... DO NOT USE connection software provided with the networking hardware. In my experience, it is always inferior to the tools that are already part of your OS.

There may be one last thing to do that would require starting a system service called Zero Configuration, but it's actually quite easy.

 

[Budweiserbob!]

Thanks Jimmy. I think I know how to do that. 😛

Oh yeah, I just need to add something else. If you advise me to change a setting or look at a setting, could you give me a step-by-step guide to how to do so?

I'm sorry about asking this much, but I'm truly stumped. :S

 

[the_jimmy_james]

Not a problem at all. BTW, add me on Yahoo!

 

[Budweiserbob!]

Sorted! 😀

My brother came round and offered to help.

And shall do Jimmy. ^^