Wireless Connection Loss

Question

I have been using my Inspiron 8600 laptop, the Dell Truemobile 2300 router, and a Sprint modem for several years.  It is security enabled.   No problems.  Out of the blue, the wireless log on started asking me for my WEP key.  The system was set up by someone else and I never needed to enter the WEP key.  But!  Several days later, upon starting my computer there was no problem and no request for the WEP key.  WIreless was working.  It stayed this way for several weeks.  A networking pal couldn't give an explanaton of this.  A week or so ago, the problem started again and has not gone away.   The modem seems to be working because I have no problems with my wired computer.  I really don't want to reset everything if there is some other problem that is causing this.  Anyone ever seen anything like this?  I'm stumped.  Thanks in advance.

volcano11 · Answer

Are you sure your network adapter is trying to connect to your router and not a nearby neighbor's router?  Does your router have a unique name (SSID) or is it still using the default name.  If a neighbor has a router and did not change the name from the default value (i.e. like Netgear, Linksys, etc.) and your router is also using a default value with the same name, it could be causing the problem.   Steve

oceandreamer · Answer

Thanks Steve - I recently moved, but every thiing had been working.  I do have an SSID.  I'm wondering if it is not the card.  I couldn't on line through a wired modem, either.  I still need to some checking.   Joe

volcano11 · Answer

Now things are getting more complicated.  You say you cannot get online through a wired modem.  Does this mean you trying to connect by ethernet directly to the modem?  What kind of modem is it - cable or dsl?  If it is cable and you changing the connection between a router and a computer, are you doing a complete reset of the whole network everytime you change the device connecting.   What happens if you try to make a wired connection through the router instead of the modem?     Steve

volcano11 · Answer

Try downloading and running winsockfix for Windows XP from the Here   Steve

oceandreamer · Answer

Hi Steve - it is a sprint 645 series dsl modem.  My Gateway desktop XP is linked to the truemobile 2300 router by a T1 and then to the dsl modem with a T1..  It has internet.  My inspiron 8600 XP laptop is the wireless part of the network.  I have not tried to hook up the laptop that way.  I just ran a TI from the laptop to the dsl modem and that is that didn't work.    I am having the identical problem that sktym is having - you are helping him (or her).  I did what you suggested to sktym with ipconfig and got the 169xxx address.  I started in safe mode and it looks the same - strong signal, with the yellow caution sign on taskbar wireless icon.  Prior  to this, I was being asked for a WEP key.  I typed in 'admin' and this is where I am now - same as sktym.  One thing for sure - I am learning alot about wireless networks.   Thanks for your help.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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