We have a Sky wireless broadband router running perfectly for my laptop.
However I can't seem to connect the upstaiirs pc.I have plugged in a Belkin 802g wireless adaptor and installed the software.I open the Belkin wireless utility choose the Sky connection, press connect and enter the required information which is 100% correct then enter again and nothing happens.The little Belkin icon on the sytem tray permanently says 'scanning'.
The Windows connection program won't do anything as it says it can't detect networks because another program is in control.
Also the green light on the adaptor is sometimes on , off, or flashing - not sure what this means.
Could I check the adaptor by plugging it into the laptop?

Just re-started the pc and now it does not even recognise the adaptor - what is happening.

Any help would be gratefully received as it is driving me mad and I have no idea what to do next.

I would strongly recommend that you install the Belkin WiFi adapter with drivers only and use Windows (Wireless Zero Configuration in XP or WLAN AutoConfig in Vista) to manage your wireless networking. Instructions for doing this HERE

I have three Belkin adapters - PCI, USB and, in a laptop, PCMCIA - all of which are installed without the Belkin software and all have performed faultlessly with Windows running the networking.

Quote:

Could I check the adaptor by plugging it into the laptop?

Yes, if it is a USB adapter you can plug it into any computer you like. As above, install only the drivers for it.

_________________
Mike

I have tried this and seem to be further on but am still not connected.
Windows still says it cannot show networks as some other software is in control but the Belkin software is not showing so I do not understand.
I ran 'services.msc' from 'run' and started WZC but it won't stay on, when I try to show available networks it says it is searching but then WZC stops and I am back to square 1.
Any more thoughts?

If you have enabled the Wireless Zero Configuration service, do you now have a "Wireless Networks" tab in the Properties of the Wireless Network Connection and is the box ticked for "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings"?

No, still no tab.

Have you definitely uninstalled all of the Belkin wireless software, so that only the drivers are installed for the wireless adapter?

I deleted the Belkin adaptor and I uninstalled the Belkin software then put the cd back in while holding shift.I then connected the adaptor and windows asked where to find the drivers so I specified the cd drive and went from there.There is no evidence of Belkin anywhere on the programs and the monitor utility is not there so i think its gone.
Maybe there is something different I should have done?

If you go into services.msc, set Wireless Zero Configuration as "Started" and its Startup Type to "Automatic" then reboot the computer, is the service still running after the reboot?

Third-party software can take back control of the wireless networking from WZC, which is why it usually has to be uninstalled but, having already removed the Belkin software, there shouldn't be anything to cause a conflict with WZC. I assume there has never been any other wireless software installed in the PC?

No other software.Set to start and automatic but still periodically stops or says stopping after a reboot.Can be on for a long time or stop after a minute or so.

Could this be a case of interference from appliances in the vicinity?

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/432640.html

From the above thread, there was a mention of NetStumbler.
http://www.stumbler.net/readme/readme_0_4_0.html

I've never used it (or heard of it before) but you can download it here:

http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/

Also, WZC dropping out may be a common problem:

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2004/06/63705

Finally, perhaps trying with the Belkin software and disabling WZC may be a solution?

http://paininthetech.com/2005/10/25/disable-wireless-zero-configuration-in-windows-xp/

(I seem to remember I had to do this on one setup where I was using a Belkin adaptor.)

I cannot offer an explanation for the WZC service stopping. You could try going into the service, selecting the "Recovery" tab and setting the 'First', 'Second' and 'Subsequent' failures all to "Restart the Service". Try setting the Restart service after time to zero and see if that makes any difference, but this really is just "trial & error".

Are you by any chance using Mcafee Firewall ..... if so try disabling it.

Maybe if WZC insists on messing up you could try again with the adapters software and with firewall disabled for testing purposes. ??

You also mentioned that after a restart at one point the adapter was no longer recognised ..... are you sure the usb port being used is ok....maybe try a different one if possible.

Done all these and just the same.Will try using the Belkin only and disabling WZC.
Thanks

Belkin CD not working correctly now.Downloaded driver from Belkin site but I get a file missing message from this so I have Belkin on the case at present.
Insanity is setting in so I hope they can sort this bit out.
Thanks for all help so far.

Keep taking the tablets - up the dose if needed.