Connecting my laptop to the internet - having issues- help?

[Skinsfan1311]

I have an older Dell Latitude laptop, with XP on it.

I've had it for a few years. The wireless internet connection has worked great, until now.

I took it on vacation where the resort had a LAN connection, that I had to plug into the computer to hook to the internet. It worked fine.

I just tried to use it and it wouldn't connect. In the menu bar, there's a LAN icon. When I put the cursor over it, I get a message that states something like "Local Area Connection Unplugged"

I should be able to on "view network connections", find my home wireless network, and connect.

Now, when I click on "view network connections" all it shows is the LAN, and there are no wireless connections to be found.

Before the trip the wireless worked great. Now it doesn't work at all.
Did plugging a network cable into the computer disable something? If so, how can I enable whatever it is that I disabled?

I'm sure that it's something simple, but I can't figure it out.

Help!!

[terrifNick21]

I had the same problem not too long ago. All I had to do was change the IP address.

[Burgold]

There should be a way to press "disconnect" from the LAN. I know on mine though I can't remember precisely how, you can go through control panel and delete all the connections the laptop has memorized, then you reboot it and it looks for any way to connect. The problem is you have to tell the laptop not to use the landline as a default.

[btfoom]

If your laptop is like mine (Dell Latitude D510), it disables the wireless card when it connects to a wired interface (like you did on your travel).

To get it back (if that is the problem):

1. Right Click on the network properties.
2. Right click on the wireless connection.
3. Choose 'enable'.

Should startup after that.

Good Luck.

[ABQCOWBOY]

Go to Start, Connect to, Choose Wireless, View Wireless Networks, choose your provider and connect.

[tiger187126]

as a sidenote to what btfoom said, dell has it's own program for wireless cards usually.

so it will be a different icon than the normal wireless one.

[ABQCOWBOY]

If you click on Show All Connections, it will give you the option of Lan or Wireless. Double click on Wireless. That should take you to Wireless Network Connection Status. If you click on the Wireless Networks Tab, that will allow you to see all the wireless connections listed in your Preferred Networks List. It will allow you to move the Networks connection you want to use up or down. There is a box in the upper left hand corner that you should check. It allows windows to configure your network settings.

[Skinsfan1311]

There should be a way to press "disconnect" from the LAN. I know on mine though I can't remember precisely how, you can go through control panel and delete all the connections the laptop has memorized, then you reboot it and it looks for any way to connect. The problem is you have to tell the laptop not to use the landline as a default.

There may be, but I can't figure it out.

If your laptop is like mine (Dell Latitude D510), it disables the wireless card when it connects to a wired interface (like you did on your travel).

To get it back (if that is the problem):

1. Right Click on the network properties.
2. Right click on the wireless connection.
3. Choose 'enable'.

Should startup after that.

Good Luck.

It's a Dell Latitude C400 When I right click on network properties, there is no "wireless connection" to right click.

Go to Start, Connect to, Choose Wireless, View Wireless Networks, choose your provider and connect.

When I go to Start, there is no option that states "Connect to"

as a sidenote to what btfoom said, dell has it's own program for wireless cards usually.

so it will be a different icon than the normal wireless one.

When I open the Network Connections, all I see is the LAN and under "Status" it states "Network cable unplugged, Firewalled" and under "Device Name" it shows the "3Com 3C820 Integrated Fast Ethernet..."

Ordinarily, when I'm in Network Connections, it shows the wireless networks, including mine. Now all it show is the 3Com card....

I have to go out for a few hours, but please keep the suggestions coming and I'll check back later.

Thanks everyone!

[ABQCOWBOY]

There may be, but I can't figure it out.



It's a Dell Latitude C400 When I right click on network properties, there is no "wireless connection" to right click.



When I go to Start, there is no option that states "Connect to"



When I open the Network Connections, all I see is the LAN and under "Status" it states "Network cable unplugged, Firewalled" and under "Device Name" it shows the "3Com 3C820 Integrated Fast Ethernet..."

Ordinarily, when I'm in Network Connections, it shows the wireless networks, including mine. Now all it show is the 3Com card....

I have to go out for a few hours, but please keep the suggestions coming and I'll check back later.

Thanks everyone!

You can also go to control panel. Network or Internet Connections, Network Connections and then it should show you two Icons, one for Wirless and one for LAN. Double Click Wireless, Click View Wireless Networks, and choose the correct connection.

[btfoom]

It's a Dell Latitude C400 When I right click on network properties, there is no "wireless connection" to right click.
Thanks everyone!

Sorry, forgot one step.

Right click on Network Connections, then select 'Properties'.

A box will pop up. This is when you can right click on wireless and select 'enable' (if it is disabled).

[DButz65]

I was just about to say, make sure the wireless is enabled Our laptop has a button for it and I sometimes turn it off by mistake (fat fingers)

If all else fails figure out what kind of wireless adapter it is, and uninstall it, then reinstall the drivers for it

[DeaconBlue]

It could be something as simple as the workgroup name being wrong. Would explain not being able to see the other comps on the network.

[Devastate]

Go to Control Panel/Network Connections/Right click on the Local Area Network and disable it.

You shouldn't HAVE to do this but I've had clients run into this issue and it's fixed it on XP.. If you have the cash upgrade to 7 I love it's wireless capabilities. If you ever need the LAN again you can always re-enable it

[Skinsfan1311]

Sorry, forgot one step.

Right click on Network Connections, then select 'Properties'.

A box will pop up. This is when you can right click on wireless and select 'enable' (if it is disabled).

I did that before I started the thread. The problem is that there is no "wireless" to enable.

I was just about to say, make sure the wireless is enabled Our laptop has a button for it and I sometimes turn it off by mistake (fat fingers)

If all else fails figure out what kind of wireless adapter it is, and uninstall it, then reinstall the drivers for it

I may have to try that, if I can figure out how to do that.

Go to Control Panel/Network Connections/Right click on the Local Area Network and disable it.

You shouldn't HAVE to do this but I've had clients run into this issue and it's fixed it on XP.. If you have the cash upgrade to 7 I love it's wireless capabilities. If you ever need the LAN again you can always re-enable it

I tried that before I started the thread, (but not the upgrade to 7), I disabled the LAN but that's not the issue. The issue is that there is no means to select a wireless network.

I know the wireless network is working, (we have FIOS), because my sons Macbook and XBox are working fine.

BTW it's XP Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 3, if that makes a difference. I'd rather not upgrade, because I only paid $100.00 for the computer and the only thing that I use it for is travel.

I'm sure that it's something simple, that's probably staring me in the face, but I just can't figure it out. I'll keep plugging away.

Thanks, again, for all of your suggestions!

[kubstix]

I would make sure the button is on for wireless. On laptops the wireless button light or symbol is usually blue/green when it's on and amber when it's off. Does it exist in device manager?