Having trouble connecting my laptop to my home wireless network.?
I just bought a used HP Pavilion ze4500. I powered it on and everything seems to be fine. It recognizes my home wireless network, but when I try to connect, it doesn't. My network is unsecured. The laptop wireless connection shows it is a Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN. I have Verizon DSL with a Westell Versalink 327W wireless router. I have 2 computers hooked up to the router via ethernet cables and my Xbox 360 is hooked up to my wireless network via the Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter. The 360 was extremely simple to hook up. It pretty much did everything on it's own. I also managed to get my Sony PSP to connect to it...again virtually on it's own. I am VERY inexperienced with wireless networks, so any help would be appreciated. I would also appreciate step by step instructions if you tell me to go in and change something. Maybe I should secure the network? Thanks. How exactly do I add encryption? Ok, I have the network secured. The laptop recognizes the network as being secured. When I try to connect, I put in the key and it tries to connect, but it still can't. I don't understand why it sees it but can't connect to it. Any other suggestions?
Public Comments
- If the machine is second hand, it may have an encryption key set, or even be set to only use previous profiles. Use it's wireless card utility to find the network, then set up a profile for this connection. For your own protection, always use encryption. Nearby users can actually take over the wireless and lock you out if you leave it unsecured, apart from using it to send illegal emails, for which the authorities can confiscate YOUR equipment, as it will trace back to your connection.
