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Need computer help

Old Jul 27, 2010 | 06:34 PM
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Need computer help

I've been having problems with my laptop (Dell inspiron 1521 w/ Vista) connecting to my wireless router for my internet connection. Seems like I've been having to use the repair option and re-set the network adapter or get new IP something on a regular basis. Now I can't get it to connect wirelessly at all. All of the other laptops in the house work fine with no issues, so I'm pretty sure it's just me.

Haven't installed anything lately, connects flawlessly if you plug it in. It doesn't seem to recognize my router. It keeps saying "unidentified network (public network)" after it gives me the limited connectivity message instead of recognizing the network (private)

Any suggestions? Please use ID 10 T language.
 
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Old Jul 27, 2010 | 07:08 PM
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Mine did that every day . The screen saver or the sleep feature was causing it ..I disabled them both( I think is was the sleep battery saver function)
 
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Old Jul 27, 2010 | 07:18 PM
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I've had the laptop for a couple of years now. Ever since I discovered you can't gently tap a laptop that's not cooperating like you used to do to a TV that wasn't getting a good picture. Who knew.

Since this is a more recent problem, I'm thinking the screen save and sleep mode are probably not it. Besides, rebooting, shutting down, disabling the anti-virus has no effect. I still can't connect without the wire plugged in.
 
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Old Jul 27, 2010 | 07:26 PM
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Are you by chance picking up on someone else's unsecured wireless network? Right click on the network icon in the system tray and select "View Available Wireless Networks". See what you're connecting to. If it's the wrong network, click on "Change Order of Preferred Networks" on the left and delete or set to manual all the other networks and move yours to the top.
 
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Old Jul 27, 2010 | 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by dchamberlain
Are you by chance picking up on someone else's unsecured wireless network?


It's my wife's truck, but see all my neighbors in the background? I don't think that's my problem, and the computer does not show any other networks in range. Heck if I walk out to the barn I get out of range of my own network.
 
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Old Jul 27, 2010 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by F350-6
I've had the laptop for a couple of years now. Ever since I discovered you can't gently tap a laptop that's not cooperating like you used to do to a TV that wasn't getting a good picture. Who knew.

Since this is a more recent problem, I'm thinking the screen save and sleep mode are probably not it. Besides, rebooting, shutting down, disabling the anti-virus has no effect. I still can't connect without the wire plugged in.

OK... Did you try it ?

Mine didn't start right a way either . What do you have to loose ..

Mine has been fine since shutting off the crap...


BTW, I'm running vista also
 
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Old Jul 27, 2010 | 08:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Action4478
OK... Did you try it ?
Dumb question. Of course not. I'm stubborn and need to be ridiculed or lectured.

Turning off screen saver seems simple enough, but I need more advice on the sleep thing. I have the following options to choose from

Dell recommended
Power saver
High performance
and in the hidden additional plans
Balanced

Which power plan should I choose? I don't see an off selection
 
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Old Jul 27, 2010 | 08:16 PM
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IIRC correctly ,it was the high performance feature ..

Mine is plugged in all the time so its not an issue...
 
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Old Jul 27, 2010 | 08:17 PM
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Dumb question. Of course not. I'm stubborn and need to be ridiculed or lectured
 
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Old Jul 27, 2010 | 08:20 PM
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IIRC, I turned off the screen saver & it didn't help...
 
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Old Jul 27, 2010 | 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Action4478
IIRC correctly ,it was the high performance feature ..

Mine is plugged in all the time so its not an issue...
High performance is what I guessed as well. It seemed the most logical. Even after shutting down for a couple of minutes with the screen saver also turned off, I'm still stuck with the same issue. No internet unless it's plugged in.

My lazy boy is much more comfortable than the chair and desk.
 
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Old Jul 27, 2010 | 08:56 PM
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OK, so smart a** daughter comes home, tells me to unplug the router for 10 seconds and plug it back in and it should all work. I used to do this on a regular basis thinking I had a problem with my internet connection since that is what the internet company used to tell us to do all the time.

Turns out it worked like a charm. Now why would my computer lose the internet connection every time I turn it on but my wife's can connect all the time. We've set the two of them side by side and hers will connect and mine won't when they're both turned on at the same time. (she's got a newer Dell with a touch screen and windows 7 if it makes a difference).
 
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Old Jul 27, 2010 | 11:06 PM
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Turns out it worked like a charm. Now why would my computer lose the internet connection every time I turn it on
I figured you already did that ..
 
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Old Jul 28, 2010 | 01:09 AM
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Sorry I didn't see this thread sooner Chris. This exact thing happens to my router all of the time. I'll have service and my wife won't and vice-versa. The simple fix for me has always been to disconnect the router for at least ten to fifteen seconds and then power it back up. Mine has also been a tempermental DSL modem and the process has been the same for it. Glad it's fixed.
 
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Old Jul 28, 2010 | 06:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Action4478
I figured you already did that ..
Originally Posted by powerstroke72
Sorry I didn't see this thread sooner Chris. This exact thing happens to my router all of the time. I'll have service and my wife won't and vice-versa. The simple fix for me has always been to disconnect the router for at least ten to fifteen seconds and then power it back up. Mine has also been a tempermental DSL modem and the process has been the same for it. Glad it's fixed.
I guess my problem is I shouldn't have to turn the router off and on every time I want to log onto the internet. I've never had to do that before, and my wife doesn't have to do that. What's the problem with mine?
 
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