I need some tech support.

[Omikron009]

My family just got a new computer today. It's an HP desktop running windows 7. We need to connect to our wireless network. Now I know that the computer has a built in router, and it can detect our network, but even though it's in the same room as the router it shows an unusually low signal strength, and when I put in the password it won't connect. Some help would be much appreciated.

EDIT: To clarify, it attempts to connect for a few seconds then shows a message that says it's unable to connect to the network.

 

[delet]

Try connecting your computer to your router.

 

[Omikron009]

Try connecting your computer to your router.

That's not an option, unfortunately. It sounds strange, but we can't.

 

[delet]

Try connecting your computer to your router.

That's not an option, unfortunately. It sounds strange, but we can't.

Hmmm... The only help I can give ya then is to attempt to 'borrow' the wifi from your neighbors house.

For more helpful advice, I'm sure the Escapist will turn up something...

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Firstly, do you mean your computer has a builtin router or wireless card?

Oh and, maybe the network you can see isn't actually yours?

 

[Omikron009]

Firstly, do you mean your computer has a builtin router or wireless card?

Oh and, maybe the network you can see isn't actually yours?

It says it's a built in "wireless network module." And the network I can see is mine. The signal strength is so low that sometimes I can't even see the network even though the router is less than 10 feet away.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Firstly, do you mean your computer has a builtin router or wireless card?

Oh and, maybe the network you can see isn't actually yours?

It has built in wireless, and the network I can see is mine. The signal strength is so low that sometimes I can't even see the network even though the router is less than 10 feet away.

Rightyo. Well I suspect the built in wireless card in your new computer is crap. Buy or borrow one of someone to see if it makes a difference.

I just thought of something else, did the wireless that came with you computer include an antenna to attach to it. That might make it work better. And when you say your desktop has builtin wireless, do you mean actually builtin, or came with a card already installed.

 

[Shepard's Shadow]

Maybe something is interfering with the signal. My wireless internet is slow/doesn't work when its raining/storming outside.

 

[Omikron009]

Well what other wireless devices do you have that could interfere with the signal?

And your router; is it broadcasting in b, g or n mode?

G.

 

[Ossum]

If there are external antennas on the router, PC, or both, make sure they're turned vertically. Make sure there's no concrete or dense metal walls between the PC and the router. If you have another computer, try using it in the same location. If there's no external antenna, take off the side panel of the case and turn the open side toward the router. If signal strength improves then the case was blocking the signal (goofy, but possible).

If all fails, it sounds like for low signal strength there has to be something wrong with the wireless card. Do any other signals show high strength or all they all similarly low?

 

[Sprogus]

Make sure that windows is the one controlling your wireless network. I've found that thrid party software can sometimes affect the connectivity to a wireless router.

 

[Omikron009]

If there are external antennas on the router, PC, or both, make sure they're turned vertically. Make sure there's no concrete or dense metal walls between the PC and the router. If you have another computer, try using it in the same location. If there's no external antenna, take off the side panel of the case and turn the open side toward the router. If signal strength improves then the case was blocking the signal (goofy, but possible).

If all fails, it sounds like for low signal strength there has to be something wrong with the wireless card. Do any other signals show high strength or all they all similarly low?

I'm currently using my laptop in the exact same location as the desktop and I have excellent signal strength.

 

[FoxboyJT]

Is this a desktop or laptop, if it's a desktop did you make sure the antenna for the wireless card is attached? If it is, you might need to turn the antenna so that the sides of the antenna, not the top, is facing in the direction of the wireless router. If the signal is still low, you might want to similarly aim the routers antenna's side at the system, rather than pointing up and away. To note, if your internal wireless card has no antenna coming out the back of your system, that would explain the super-lower connection power, and lack of a proper signal. I would guess that the lack of signal is the reason for your inability to connect to the router.

 

[Ossum]

If there are external antennas on the router, PC, or both, make sure they're turned vertically. Make sure there's no concrete or dense metal walls between the PC and the router. If you have another computer, try using it in the same location. If there's no external antenna, take off the side panel of the case and turn the open side toward the router. If signal strength improves then the case was blocking the signal (goofy, but possible).

If all fails, it sounds like for low signal strength there has to be something wrong with the wireless card. Do any other signals show high strength or all they all similarly low?

I'm currently using my laptop in the exact same location as the desktop and I have excellent signal strength.

That doesn't tell me anything about the other diagnostics tests I mentioned above. Did you try them?

 

[FinalIrony]

Hey I actually have had this problem and figured out the solution, you need to adjust your Internet Protocol Version 4... thing. Basicaly all you do is go into your 'Network Connection' window then right click on your Wireless Network Connection, then to Properties. After that you should see it in the list, and the Properties button, it should be locked on to a specific IP address; just change it to obtain one automaticlly.
Hope this helps!

 

[FoxboyJT]

The problem with his system is a lack of connection, nothing to do with his IP.

 

[FinalIrony]

Connection has everything to do with IP

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

The problem with his system is a lack of connection, nothing to do with his IP.

Lol, burn. Anyways, gotta love windows!

 

[Omikron009]

If there are external antennas on the router, PC, or both, make sure they're turned vertically. Make sure there's no concrete or dense metal walls between the PC and the router. If you have another computer, try using it in the same location. If there's no external antenna, take off the side panel of the case and turn the open side toward the router. If signal strength improves then the case was blocking the signal (goofy, but possible).

If all fails, it sounds like for low signal strength there has to be something wrong with the wireless card. Do any other signals show high strength or all they all similarly low?

I'm currently using my laptop in the exact same location as the desktop and I have excellent signal strength.

That doesn't tell me anything about the other diagnostics tests I mentioned above. Did you try them?

There's nothing between the computer and the router, the router's antenna is pointing up, and if there's an external antenna on the PC I can't find it. I'm definitely not willing or able to take the side off of the PC because we just got it and seeing as it was a floor model (which might be part of the problem) we might take it back.

 

[FoxboyJT]

Connection has everything to do with IP

Read his problem, he has little-to-no-signal with his router, if you cannot get a wireless signal, you cannot achieve a proper connection to get said IP, and considering that he mentioned a password, that means his router requires a password to obtain said IP. Moving from this, an error shows up saying he could not connect, not that there was a conflict with his connection, being that of a improperly identified IP, or missing configuration. Considering that this system is probably fairly new, it's automatically configured to obtain the IP through the routers system automatically as well.

There's nothing between the computer and the router, the router's antenna is pointing up, and if there's an external antenna on the PC I can't find it. I'm definitely not willing or able to take the side off of the PC because we just got it and seeing as it was a floor model (which might be part of the problem) we might take it back.

The question I would like to ask you right now, is to point the router antenna's side toward the computer, and look on the back of the system where the PCI slots would be, there should be little indents, to see if there;s a roundish port on the back. if there is, you are missing the antenna for the wireless card, which explains your inability to connect.