SOOO CONFUSED & FRUSTRATED.. i cannot connect to the internet!!

Question

Okay so I have wireless internet in my home && i have a Dell Inspiron E1505 and Windows Vista. My notebook connected to the wireless internet before but then 3 days ago it just disconnected and whenever i try to connect with it, it doesn't go through. It says that the capability of my network adapter does not match the requirements of the network? What does that mean... and how do I fix this? I'm so confused because it worked before for a couple of weeks and then all of a sudden the requirements don't meet? >___ And WHAT is a network adapter?!! ROARRRRRRRRRRR... T_T Somebody pleasee help!!

Message Edited by dopeboymagikkk on 07-13-2007 01:28 PM

volcano11 · Answer

I'm reluctant to try to help you because I have never worked with Vista.  Nevertheless, I'll give it a shot.  Is that the full and exact text of the error message?  If not, please post the full and exact text of the error message.   Steve

dopeboymagikkk · Answer

Okay this is going to be very long so please bare with me. Sometimes my windows cannot find any networks.. But that doesn't seem to make sense since its placed right next to the router && alongside my other dell PC, which connects to the internet just fine. Windows tells me that if my computer has a wireless network adapter, windows will automatically detect wireless networks in the range of my computer. It also says that if Windows doesn't detect a network that I think is in the range of my computer, it could be because of one of the following reasons: -The wireless switch on my computer is turned off- BUT it's turned on. So this can't be it.. -My computer is too far away from the wireless router or access point- BUT it's right next to the wireless router.. -The wireless router or access point is turned off or is not working properly- BUT other dell PC's and notebooks in this house are working perfectly.. -There is interference from other devices- BUT... There really isn't.. -Windows is not configured to connect to the right type of network- .. Mm.. Well this doesn't make sense because the notebook was connected to the internet for weeks before lately... -The router or access point is busy.- No because the router is working for other PC's.. -The network you are looking for is set to not broadcast its network name- eh huh? -Your network administrator is blocking access to certain networks.- No I'm not. And then once in a while.. Like every couple hours.. For 5-10 minutes, it detects my network but it refuses to connect with it!!!! And when it does, my network (CookSux is the name) comes up twice. One of them shows the strength of the signal and the one below says that the capability of my network adapter doesn't match the requirements of this network. When I try to connect to it, it says Windows cannot connect to CookSux and there is an option to diagnose the problem. It says that this network is marked as a 'hidden' network and is either not in the range of this computer or the wireless settings saved on this computer do not match the settings of the network. But I AM SO CONFUSED because I don't understand how I was perfectly connected to the wireless internet just a week ago for.. about 2 weeks and then all of a sudden it will not connect... Sigh. This is everything that Windows Vista tells me.

volcano11 · Answer

Windows Vista has complicated networking.  One thing is that unless you set up a profile, it will always have trouble connecting to hidden networks.  A hidden network is one where the router is set to not broadcast the SSID.  Is your router set to broadcast its SSID?  If it is and you want to leave it that way, you will have to set up a profile for this network in Vista.   There are also some wireless network cards for which the drivers are not yet Vista ready.  Do you have an Intel wireless network adapter on this machine?  If so, which model is it?   Steve

Kram1234 · Answer

Just read your email and can't believe I have found someone else having the same problems as I.  I have called Dell support for 2 days now and still have not resolved the issue.  My laptop(which is running Vista) says I am connected but can't get on the internet.  They told me to go to a hotspot to see if that would work but it didn't.  They also told me it could be my router.  However I just switched to AT&T and the router is built in and they say that is not the issue but could be my modem.  I am keeping in touch with your responses hoping someone out there can help.  I am so upset with Dell tech support I don't even want to talk to them.  So far I have spent a total of 8 hours on the phone and still have no answers....

volcano11 · Answer

You do not have the same problem as the original poster.  Please start a new thread describing your unique problem and perhaps someone can help you.  Do reply to this thread, as it gets way too complicated trying to help more than one person in the same thread.  Thanks.  Hopefully the users on this forum can help you.   Steve

dopeboymagikkk · Answer

sigh steve.. i appreciate your help a LOT but i have no clue what many of the terms you have just used are. What is SSID.. Idk what a network adapter is.. or how to set up a network. =T

Message Edited by dopeboymagikkk on 07-17-2007 11:51 PM

volcano11 · Answer

SSID is the name of your network (the name you gave to the router).  The error message says that your router is set up to hide the SSID (name of your network).  Windows Vista is different from previous versions of Windows, and has trouble with routers that are hiding the SSID.  Whoever set up your router should be able to tell you to change the router setup so that it broadcasts its SSID.   A wireless network adapter is the device inside your computer that makes it capable of connecting to wireless networks.   Steve

dopeboymagikkk · Answer

I'm pretty sure the the name of the network is not hidden. Because once in a while the SSID will show up but it will not let me connect to it. The problem lead from me not being able to connect to the network even though.. i press connect. to suddenly not seeing any available wireless networks. And yes my notebook has a wireless adapter because it has been connected to wireless internet the first couple weeks. It's just that suddenly it will not connect anymore.

volcano11 · Answer

Alright, so it does appear that the SSID is not hidden and that you do have a wireless netowork adapter.  Now let's find out which one it is.  Use the Help files on your computer to get into Device Manager.  Once there expand the listing for network adaptes and tell me what is listed there.   Steve

dopeboymagikkk · Answer

Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller and Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN

volcano11 · Answer

Try getting and installing the latest Vista drivers for the 4965 AGN card from the Intel website.   Steve

dopeboymagikkk · Answer

http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/cs-023579.htm would this be okayyy to follow? >_ I dont know how I'm going to download this driver onto my notebook when i can't access the internet from it >____

volcano11 · Answer

Yes, that's where you get the latest drivers.  You will have to download the drivers file on a computer with intenret access (you have that, otherwise you would not be able to read this post).  Then copy the downloaded file to removable media (CR-R or USB memory stick), take the removable media containing the file to the computer with the problem, then copy the file to that computer.  Once it is there, run the file to install the drivers.   Steve

dopeboymagikkk · Answer

omg.. WOWWW my internet WORKS NOWW!!! :) thank you so much. you are a tech genius 3 thanks so muchh!!

dopeboymagikkk · Answer

Okay. nevermind. the next day, the internet went back down on the laptop and the situation still arises... like the same thing keeps happening. when i did that the new drivers thing.. the internet worked for the day.. then the next day it went back down. :( :( :( what the heck..seriously.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

SOOO CONFUSED & FRUSTRATED.. i cannot connect to the internet!!

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