Laptop Unable To Connect To Home WiFi

[Jandrews]

I have one laptop at home that is always connected to my DLink Wireless Router. I brought my work laptop home and it will not connect. It sees the wireless signal, but when I try to connect I get the message, "Unable to Connect to DLink". I had WAP security on the router but it didn't even prompt for a password. Then, I disabled the security temporarily and it still just gives the same message, with no other explanation or alternatives.

This same laptop has connected at home before, but for some reason, now it won't. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

JA

[slodave]

Disable any firewall SW on the laptop and see if it helps.

[Jandrews]

Hey dave...how can I locate the firewall SW?

Thanks,

JA

[slodave]

If if is XP, try to go control panel -> Windows Firewall and disable. You could have third party software installed as well. McAffe, Symantec...

[Vipergrün]

Is the wireless interface on the laptop configured for static or dynamic (DHCP) IP addresses?

On your wireless router, are you using MAC address authentication? You would have had to configure this. Basically lets only specified computers to connect to the router.

[Jandrews]

Looks like Windows FW is not running, but it does have Symantec running. I disabled Symantec and tried to connect - still no joy - same message.

JA

[slodave]

Try Brad's first suggestion.
Start -> Run -> "cmd" (without the quotes)
Type in "ipconfig" (without quotes) and hit enter....

"ipconfig /all" will give you even more info.

[Jandrews]

DHCP Server is "enabled" on the router.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Jandrews

DHCP Server is "enabled" on the router.

But is the client - your laptop set for DHCP as well?

[Jandrews]

How do I check for DHCP on the client?

JA

[slodave]

Follow the steps in post #7 ^^^

Use the "ipconfig /all".

[Jandrews]

Dang...Sys Admin has prevented me from even running the CMD command on the client laptop from work. Any way to check this from Windows?

JA

[slodave]

You can try:

Start -> Settings -> Network Connections -> right click on the Wireless Network Connection -> choose properties.

Highlight "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and select properties... It may let you see if it is set for DHCP or static. I doubt you will be able to change any settings though.

[Jandrews]

Thanks Dave. DHCP is "enabled" on the client. Might also we worth pointing out that this laptop doesn't seem to have any trouble connecting to other WiFi networks...just mine at home.

[slodave]

If your Co. has locked down your laptop, it'll be a little hard to resolve the issue.

[Jandrews]

Yeah...I can see how that might make it hard to diagnose. That said, should DHCP be enabled? Again, this laptop connects fine to other WiFi signals. And my other laptop (the one I am typing on), connects fine to my home WiFi. Strange. Any other thoughts on what to look for?

Thanks,

JA

[slodave]

Yes, it makes sense that DHCP is enabled.

Some of the steps I may try, would be to set an I.P. and Netmask address on the work laptop and see if this makes a change. Problem is that you probably can't make that change on the laptop due to admin rights.

[stevej37]

This is probably a stupid question...but did your wireless key on the top row get changed? Or on some computers there is a switch on the side to enable wireless???

[Jandrews]

steve...not a stupid question. But yes, wireless switch is turned on.

Thanks,

JA

[Jandrews]

dave...how would I set an IP and SubMask on the laptop?

JA