Home network issue - Mac

[Christien]

Just got a new iMac today - my first venture into that world. But I'm having an issue setting up the wireless connection. We've got a wireless router, with my wife's laptop connecting wirelessly and my office computer connected wired. All used to be fine, but when she installed Windows 7, all of a sudden the network name was changed from the default DLink to "STEF-LAPTOP_NETWORK". Ok, no big deal. But now the iMac sees that and requires a password. Huh? We never set up a password. The iMac can't find the router itself, just this STEF-LAPTOP connection.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Did Windows 7 create a new virtual network with her laptop as the gateway?

Thanks for any advice.

[Moses]

Click the little airport logo at the top right of your screen. You can choose which connection to make.

[stomachmonkey]

Sounds like your wifes machine is sharing its connection. It's basically created it's own wireless network.

See it all the time when out in public.

[DonDavis]

Please read the online instructions for what I am going to suggest! I don't have a dlink but I'm guessing the process is similar.

Now, reset the router back to factory defaults. There's probably a very small, recessed button on the router someplace. Press and hold that in for at least 15 seconds. Then recycle power. That should return the name to dlink. Then go back in, rename it and make it secure with a password. On the Mac put a "$" at the beginning of the password. That tells the Mac that it's connecting to a non-apple router.

[Christien]

Don, that fixed it - thank you!

[DonDavis]

Great news! Btw, did you make it a secure network and use the dollar sign thingy? I'm curious to know if that worked too. Thx.

[Christien]

Not yet, no. Just needed to get all the computers connected, then I'll get a friend of mine (who knows these things much better than me) to set it all up properly.

[Z-man]

Definately get your wireless router password protected.

-Z-man.