Computer help forum: Wireless network connection is not connected

Without knowing how you plan on connecting to the Internet -- personal wireless router, wifi access in an apartment building or dorm, something else -- it's impossible to help.

If you're going to be using your own "Home" wireless network, you'll at least need a broadband connection which is then connected to a Wireless Access Point or wireless router. From there, turning on the wireless adapater on your laptop should allow you to pick up the WAP/router's signal IF it's been enabled. Read the links below for general information about the requirements for your wireless connection..

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/tabletpc/expert/russell_tabletlaptop.mspx

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6122-0.html?forumID=44&threadID=151543&messageID=1689092&tag=

Remember, after you actually connect, you'll still need to set up the WAP/router so it's secure..Various things like WEP/WPA password, etc. are definitely needed but that comes AFTER you get your connection set up.
Hope this helps.

Grif

Most laptop computers have a button that enables/disables the wireless adapater. The button will look somewhat like an antenna with radiating waves.

Have you checked the wireless adapter information in Device Manager? On XP, RIGHT click on "My Computer", choose "Properties", then click on the "Hardwared" tab, then the "Device Manager" button. When the Device Manager window opens, click on the + sign next to the "Network Adapters" listing and you'll see your ethernet and wireless adapaters listed. RIGHT click on the Wireless adapter, choose "Properties", then make sure it says "Use this device(Enabled)" at the bottom of the window. If it's not, use the drop down menu to "Enable".

Hope this helps.

Grif

...you may or may not need a password.. Very basic here but the "sender" of the wireless signal (either a hotspot or your home wireless router/access point) must be configured to "request" a WEP/WPA password from the "receiver" in order for you to connect. Since your computer is the "receiver", if the request is not made and you can connect and gain internet access, then there is no need to type in a password phrased. A password is not required in that case. On the other hand, a "secure" wireless access point should have a password requirement. In that case, you'll need to obtain the password from the company using the "sender", then type it into your computer's wireless adapter program. It should be done using the general instructions below:

Configure WPA-PSK on Windows XP

After you've set up your router or access point for WPA-PSK, you'll need to configure the wireless properties on each computer for WPA-PSK as follows:

1. Right-click the wireless connection icon in the notification area, and then click View Available Wireless Networks.

2. Select the WPA-PSK capable network you want to attach to by clicking the SSID (Service Set Identifier). As shown in Figure 2, I am configuring the SSID buffalog.

3. Enter the Shared Secret (passphrase) in the Network Key field and again in the Confirm Network Key field as shown in Figure 2. Although the text refers to a network key, the passphrase can be entered here.

4. Click Connect.
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If you have your own Wireless router/access point in your house, then you should configure that router with a password requirement. It prevents unauthorized users from gaining access. Here's a link that should help although the router manual will give you specific instructions on how to do it.:

WPA Wireless Security for Home Networks

Hope this helps.

Grif

1. It's not really clear to me what you've done.. You state: "I installed a netgear wireless router on my Dell Desktop"...First, you don't really "install" a router on the desktop computer.. Instead, you "connect" the router to the desktop computer using ethernet cables or USB cables, (or possibly a wireless connection) with ethernet being the the most common.. A wireless router should normally be a small box which sits apart from the desktop computer and it should normally have an antenna afixed to the top. The router should be connected to a DSL or cable modem which is then connected to a wall jack. (Sometimes there are combo router/modems which include both devices rolled into one but you get the point..) How is your system set up? IN addition, how is the desktop computer connected to the wireless router? (Is it "wired" or "wireless" and if "wired", are you using ethernet?)

2. What is the operating system of the both computers?

3. Normally, the "Authenticating" message can occur for the reasons below:

a.) The network WEP/WPA password hasn't been typed in.
b.) Router and network adapter firmware needs to be upgraded from the manufacturer's website.
c.) Something is blocking the connection such as a firewall or maybe too much distance/or walls is between the router and the laptop.

Hope this helps and let us know more.

Grif