New desktop won't connect to wireless

[nickwireless]

Hello folks,

 

Apologies if you've answered a query like this many times before!

 

In-laws gave us a new Dell Inspiron Zino HD desktop for Christmas and I can't for the life of me get it to connect to our home wireless. We've got two laptops and two smartphones both connecting just fine.

 

On the desktop, the networks appear, I select ours, enter the correct key and every time get shut out saying it can't connect to the wireless.

 

Tried rebooting the router etc etc without any difference!

 

Please help! (bearing in mind I'm a semi-beginner when it comes to computers!)

 

Thank you i advance

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

The Network Key that you submit is case sensitive.

Take a look at the back or base of the router - you should find it there.

Make sure you type it in exactly as it is printed on the label.

 

If it happens again can you post the exact error message please?

[nickwireless]

Sorry for my late reply!

 

I try logging on, entering the correct WEP key (i know it is because everything else logs on fine) and it thinks about it, then a messag pops up saying "windows was unable to connect to o2wireless etc etc..."

[KenB]

Is this Win 7 ?

 

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

Click the + next to Network Adapters

 

1. What is listed ?

 

2. Are there any yellow exclamation marks or red Xs ?

 

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

 

==========

 

Can you see an icon that looks like a monitor bottom right of screen ?

If so - right click on this and select "Repair"

If you get any errors let me know exactly what has been reported please.

[nickwireless]

Thanks again for your quick reply!

 

Yes it's Windsows 7.

 

1. It says: Broadcom NetLink Gigabit Ethernet, Broadcom Virtual Wireless Adapter and DW1520 Wireless-N WLAN Half-Mini Card.

 

2. There don't appear to be any exclamation marks

 

3. Haven't tried yet - the router is downstairs and I'm upstairs :-/

[KenB]

Please try the cable - it will isolate the wireless side if you can connect.

 

Have you tried the "Repair" yet ?

[nickwireless]

Ok i'll just go and fetch it. No i haven't - where's that option? Sorry! My computer knowledge is quite limited!

[KenB]

From my previous post.

 

Can you see an icon that looks like a monitor bottom right of screen ?

If so - right click on this and select "Repair"

If you get any errors let me know exactly what has been reported please.

[nickwireless]

Oh sorry, no there's no monitor icon at all. Ethernet connection seems to work fine.

[KenB]

I assume that the wireless is not switched off ?

There is often a switch on the front or just under the screen.

[nickwireless]

Yup. It's picking up all available networks, just not connecting to them :-) Tried to connect to some open networks listed and it's not doing that either :-(

[nickwireless]

I've run the cmd, ipconfig/all (not that I really know what any of this stuff means!) and under the Wireless LAN adapter bit it says the media state: media disconnected. Could this have something to do with it?

[KenB]

Hi again

 

Wireless LAN adapter disconnected

It probably explains why you are not connected - but it doesn't tell us why. :)

 

With the machine connected to the router via cable:

 

Run the blue Wireless Test in my signature at the bottom. (Hoping it will work this way around :) ) You may get a message saying that this is not certified or similar ..... allow it.

It will take a little time to complete.

Copy the results ( there will be a lot ) and post them here please.

[BreatGritain]

Broadcom Virtual Wireless Adapter and DW1520 Wireless-N WLAN Half-Mini Card.

 

Whilst you have the pc connected the te router by cable, it might be worth going back to the device manager and right clicking what I have quoted above, then click "update driver software" - let Windows search online to see if any newer software has been released for your computers hardware