Wireless Internet forum: Trouble connecting wifi

WEP does that for many folk. Also when folk used MAC FILTERING or hid the SSID. None of these details appear in your post so keep writing.
bob

It could be a distance issue but look for any detail you omitted. If you are to support your WiFI, you get to dive in. Or find folk to come over to set it up.
Bob

But the issue SOUNDS like the security is set to WEP. WEP has some bad issues such as:

1. Software is out to break into a WEP location in less than 120 seconds. That is, WEP is no security at all.

2. WEP will do as you noted if we get the password wrong. And since it doesn't balk at the wrong password you can waste days trying to convince anyone that thinks they got it right to change it and try again or move to WPA2.
Bob

Still missing. There are settings such as the hidden SSID (don't), MAC filters (don't) and more. There's also the PC. If Norton expires, it blocks the internet.

Details matter. If I ask every question it would upset most as there are over 100 now to check. This is why you tell what you can and keep telling.
Bob

Moving on. Since you installed 3 USB WiFi things, can you tell if you used the maker's WiFi connection manager or the one Windows provided?

Link about -> http://www.purenetworks.com/support/faq/139.html

More troubleshooting -> http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Troubleshoot-network-connection-problems

Since you are using USB, notice that passage about USB POWER SAVING.
Bob

I was able to get the address I needed from Frontier tech support but they say that the manual is for their eyes only, I found that strange but I let it go.

I can confirm that I am broadcasting SSID and MAC filtering is not enabled. My security type is WPA2 - PSK [AES]. There is a list called "My connected home" with all the devices currently accessing the modem and the computer in question is on it. At first it registered as offline but after refreshing the list it showed up as online and upon checking the computer it had signal bars but when trying to bring up web pages it would time out or say it could not connect to server ect. I could not find any power setting connected to the USB adapter but it seemed to have power even when the computer could not detect the modem.

I did notice that while troubleshooting Windows said at one point it could no connect to the hidden network despite the fact that my network is not hidden. searching has revealed that others have had the same issue with Win 7 I have yet to find a solution that work for me though.

I don't think the modem's firewall settings are the issue, I will look at the computer's settings. I know it can connect because I was able to update the computer and the ant-virus at one point. I don't think it's the modem because I have three different gaming consoles and they all can connect via wifi without issue and download updates.

If the problem is with the adapter, I don't think it's damaged. I have two of them and the computer exhibits the same behavior with both. I suppose they could just be crappy adapters.

Thank you for trying to help. I'll keep pounding away at it. Hopefully I'll figure it out.

Sorry it's been so long since I have replied to this thread. I have been trying different things and I think I have solved the problem. While the range was not an issue, I think the computer itself was interfering with the adapter. I originally had the adapter plugged into the back of the computer putting the tower itself between the wireless modem and adapter. I got a USB extension cable and put the adapter a foot or so away from the tower and it seems to be working. I can't say for sure yet as I have only been working with the computer for about 30 minutes since trying this. and the thing has worked for short periods before. I will respond if the thing starts to act up again. Thank you again for helping me with this.