[Solved] can't connect wireless to routers

[tismehi]

hp compaq 610 laptop, 120gb hdd, 2gb ram, centrino dual core, win 7.

 

i had this problem a few times before and i never really got to the bottom of the problem, although i eventually got connected after days of trying. in saying that, i do not remember what i did but i'm pretty sure that it was not a great solution anyway as when i took the laptop to another location, like a hotel with wi-fi, i could not connect for the same reason.

 

when i obtain the list of available networks and then click on mine, i do not get offered the dialogue box to enter the code. my only other options are to connect automatically but it goes no further than this stage.

 

(i have tried on several occasions to do a system restore. another issue is that there are never any system restore points listed, even when i ask it to display earlier points, none are).

 

i used to then be asked to type in my routers wireless code etc. this is what i would get when i connect any equipment, pc's, laptops, phones, games consoles, etc., to any router with a code.

 

i must have some file missing or broken or something needs reset. what, i do not know.

[KenB]

Hi

 

i do not get offered the dialogue box

If you have connected successfully previously Windows will store this information - you will not need to re-enter it.

 

Can you connect using an ethernet cable direct to the router ?

 

Do other computers connect successfully ?

 

Have you tried disconnecting the power from the router - leave for 1 minute - reconnect ?

[BreatGritain]

When you click on your network from the list, what exactly happens?

 

Do you get any error messages?

[tismehi]

yes i can connect through an ethernet cable.

 

i have just changed from sky to bt for broadband and thats really why i can't connect through some stored memory or whatever.

 

three other laptops, 5 smart phones and a desktop pc can all connect using the wireless code for the router. the problem is that when i select my (or any other), network from the list of available networks, the only options offered are to connect automatically. when i select this, ( and i have tried not selecting it too), there is no dialogue box to enter the wireless code. the desktop is just resumed as if i never was doing anything.

 

no error or any other messages at all.

 

this is also the same when i visit friends or hotels with wi-fi - i can see the networks, but no option is given to enter a code.

[KenB]

Try this:

 

Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Manage Wireless Networks

Highlight the network(s) and remove.

 

Try connecting to your network now.

[tismehi]

thanks.

there were loads of networks there that i have previously used.

i removed them all and restarted the laptop.

 

no difference.

 

i got an error message on restart mozystat.exe - system error. prog can't start because dbghelp.dll is missing

 

also, the wee icon for the wireless on the taskbar beside the clock and battery meter, is dim grey unlike the others which are white. it also hasa yellow "sun" on top of the icon.

[KenB]

mozystat.exe - system error. prog can't start because dbghelp.dll is missing

Mozy is an online backup

I don't see how this is related to deleting what you did.

 

If you right click on the monitor icon ( bottom right of taskbar ) select "Repair"

 

What do you get ?

[tismehi]

probably the mozy is a separate issue.

 

i do not have a monitor icon in the taskbar, nor on my other laptop i'm using to write this.

 

on the bottom right i have battery meter, solve flag, volume and wireless icon- which is sloping up much like the signal strength icon on a mobile phone screen.

 

when i left click on the wireless icon, i get a list of available networks. when i try to connect to any of them, the window disappears from the screen and nothing else appears.

[KenB]

when i left click on the wireless icon, i get a list of available networks

If you right click - do you get the option to "Repair"

 

Start > type in .....devmgmt.msc .....ENTER

Click the + next to Network Adapters

 

What is listed ?

 

Are there any yellow exclamation marks or red Xs ?

[tismehi]

sorry i should have said - when i right click i get two choices only: troubleshoot problems and open network and sharing center.

 

when i click on the first one the windows network diagnostic window opens and gives a further two options.

show a list of networks or skip this step.

 

when i click the first i'm given a list of the available networks again, then it is back to square one.

[KenB]

Sorry - I added this afterwards ....

 

Start > type in .....devmgmt.msc .....ENTER

Click the + next to Network Adapters

 

What is listed ?

 

Are there any yellow exclamation marks or red Xs ?

[tismehi]

ok, i did that.

 

under network adapters there are 4 items listed:

 

bluetooth device (personal area network)

bluetooth device (rfcomm protocol tdi)

intel pro/wireless 3945abg network connection

marvell yukon 88e8042 pci-e fast ethernet controller

 

there are no yellow, red or any other symbols. everything looks normal.

[KenB]

Thanks for that.

 

Check this for me please. ( I am on Vista at the moment ....Win7 will be very similar )

 

Start > Control Panel > ( Classic View ) > Network Sharing Centre > Manage Network Connections

 

You should see the LAN and the Wireless connections.

 

Right click on the Wireless > Properties > Highlight TCP/IP v4

You will see this:

http://res1.windows.microsoft.com/resbox/en/Windows%207/main/f598cd96-6bf9-47be-942d-7d0b0afdbd88_47.jpg

 

Obtain IP Address and DNS Servers should both have a check in the box.

If there isn't - check both boxes then OK.

[tismehi]

bot boxes are already ticked.

 

in control panel, network & internet, network connections - my 3 connections, (bluetooth, lac & wireless), are all not connected.

 

again i went through the motions to click connect and am back to square one again.

 

one thing else i have noticed as a difference between my 2 windows 7 laptops is that the one that can connect to the network has a network profile of home or work and the laptop which will not connect is public (current profile).

 

i have tried to swop this but do not know how to do it.

 

i'm not even sure it is relevant, but i thought i would give it a try.

[KenB]

Hi again

 

Start > type in .....services.msc ......ENTER

Scroll down to WLan AutoConfig

This should be started - if it isn't click on "Start" (upper left)

 

This should be set to "Automatic"

 

As you can no doubt gather ................there are so many options with wireless connections :)

[tismehi]

thanks ken - you are very patient.

 

i did as you suggested and started it. again there is no difference.

 

i have been wondering all day if i should remaster the laptop. i have the 2 dvd's that came supplied with the machine. i have unresolved problems with the browsers and flash.

 

i have unresolved problems with my system restore.

 

i now have this problem with the wireless connections.

 

the machine has not been remastered since new, (winter 2010, i think).

 

what do you think of this as a way forward? i do not want to be here endlessly taking up your valuable time.

 

it is maybe high time to replace the laptop but with the xmas bills etc, i'll have to wait a while longer.

[KenB]

We have had threads that go on much longer than this :)

( I have virtually limitless patience )

 

If you do restore the system to factory settings this would probably solve your problems.

 

Let's try one last thing:

 

Start > type in ....cmd ........right click on the cmd.exe that shows top left > Run as Administrator

 

At the prompt type .......sfc /scannow ..............ENTER [ there is a space after sfc ]

You will need to re-start the system

 

This will check the system files.

 

Try the connection again after running sfc.

It is advisable to run it twice as sometimes things are picked up on the second run.

[tismehi]

ken,

 

i'm really glad i listened to you and i wish i had your patience.

 

another victorious battle in man v machine, you can mark the problem solved.

 

after the first scan i tried and it was the same.

i restarted and tried again - still the same.

 

i run the second scan and then tried again. the dialogue box appeared for me to enter the wireless key.

 

i'll make another donation to the forum shortly.

 

maybe i'll make time to try to make time to try and solve my other issues soon.

 

thank you.

 

joe.

[KenB]

Hi Joe,

 

another victorious battle in man v machine

As Hannibal Smith ( A-Team ) says ......I love it when a plan comes together :)

 

I will happily mark this one "Solved".