Unable to connect to internet

[anotheoldgit]

My grandson brought his brand new laptop to my house.

He tried to connect to the internet via my router, but was unable to do so , even though i had provided him with my Network key.

Does anyone please know the reason why he could not connect?

[anotheoldgit]

No I just assumed that because my computer will connect to the internet with out any trouble, any other computer should connect providing they type in my security key.

If for instance my network wasn't protected anyone should be able to connect to my network even if they where outside in the street.

So wires should not be necessary.

[JK04]

There's a little switch on most laptops to turn on and off broadband, make sure its switched on. U will probley find it on the side of the laptop or above the keys somewhere.

[markysngc]

check that he is using the correct type of security, there is more than one sort, the 2 common ones are WEP and WPA-PSK try both with the key.

[ACtheTROLL]

also ... secure your network

you are legally responsible for EVERYTHING that comes down your connection

make sure the network card is switched on (network properties)

run the network setup wizard ...
that should do it (your router is wireless ? - not just a modem) - how does your pc connect?

[Marg0]

are you on XP? Pretty easy to set up. You may have SSID set to broadcast (less secure), but at any rate he'll need your SSID as well as the WEP key.

ps. WEP key encryption can be bypassed in about 2 minutes by someone what kens fit they're daen.

[sp1214]

I had the same trouble. I was able to connect my laptop to the internet through the router but only by using an extension Ethernet cable the same method as the main computer. Using wireless did not work.

[anotheoldgit]

Thank you all for your answers so far, I will pass them on to my grandson.

markysngc your answer seems to make sense, regarding the WEP and WPA-PSK encryption key.

How does he enter these, so as to try both along with my Network key?

ACtheTROLL

My router is wired up to my main computer operating on XP, and my laptop is wireless operating on Vista and these are both secure and work fine. My grandson's laptop is also wireless operating on Vista, but this is the one that won't connect to my network.

[ACtheTROLL]

the wizard should sort things ....
if the wifi adapter is powered on the wizard should see it when run....
if it needs more ... it will ask (ssid (possibly) - ssid won't show on the wired connections you'll need to either look in the routers setup screens .... or properties on one of the wireless machines) & wep key (almost certainly - if not you need to set one).