I am running two laptops wirelessly, and one desktop from a Belkin router which is attached with an ethernet cable to my cable broadband

Both the desktop and one of the laptops connect without bother to the internet, but the other laptop frequently fails to connect and displays the above message.

Since my husband uses this laptop to play a (non internet) game, I don't always bother about it not connecting, but then, perhaps 30-45 minutes later, it will suddenly connect by itself. If I can't persuade it to connect by the 'repair' button, or by manually connecting, I am always successful if I unplug the router for a few seconds.

Any ideas?

Could be due to where it is sitting Anne.

What happens if you move the laptop to somewhere a bit closer?

He sits at the opposite side of the table to me Dave, could the laptops be too close?

It could be due to the type of encryption you are using, if using wep try wpa-psk instead.

Also make sure it is deffinately your router he is trying to connect to .... just incase he's actually picking nextdoors up

I am using wpa-psk, and all other local networks are secured

When I view networks, it is mine he is connected to, even when it is saying limited or no connection. In that case it shows only one or two green bars instead of the normal five. I just can't understand why it should pick up the connection itself after nearly an hour

Try deleting the existing "profile" and then "Connect" again.

My standard blurb:
When you connect to a wireless network, a "profile" is saved so that, in future, the Wireless Network Adapter will connect automatically to the network if it is available.

If you've changed some settings in the router, the "profile" will no longer be valid and so you cannot connect. You need to delete the existing "profile" and then go through the procedure to "Connect" again when a new "profile" will be created - in other words, run the wireless adapter's software, scan for "Available Wireless Networks", find and highlight the one that matches your router's SSID (network name) and select the option to "Connect" to it. You should be prompted to enter any WEP or WPA encryption key and, once "Connected", the wireless adapter should get its IP address by DHCP from the router and you should have network and internet access.

To delete the profile:
In Windows XP, if you're using "Wireless Zero Configuration" to manage your wireless networking, go into the Network Connections folder ("Start > Run", type ncpa.cpl and click OK), right click the Wireless Network Connection, select Properties and then the Wireless Networks tab, where you can highlight and then "Remove" an existing profile.



If you're using third-party software provided with the wireless adapter, there should be a similar option to remove an existing profile.

In Vista, right click "Network" (My Network Places) and select Properties. Click the link at the left to "Manage Wireless Networks" then, in the next window, highlight the "Network" to delete and click the "Remove" button.

Thanks Mike, I've printed that off and will give it a go tomorrow, I'll let you know any developments

It may be some time before I know for definite, since sometimes it connects straight away, like it just has done

Alas, I've done all that and the problem remains. Just as well I know that resetting the router solves it

Hi Anne,

sorry for late reply.

I would try changing the channel in the routers setup ...... I know you say it connects in the end but its possible another channel could make all the difference.
Maybe something in the room where you both sit is interefering but not bothering your laptop ..... it is possible.

I don't know if you have entered the routers setup page before but its done by typing an address into the browsers address bar, normally 192.168.2.1 but your manual or back of the router should give you the info along with login details.

Look for the section on wireless and change the channel to something 4 figures higher or lower than what it is set on.
So if set to 6 you could change it to 2 or vice versa.

Apply the changes and log out ... ( I always tell people to just be careful that you don't inadvertantly change other settings ).
If the new channel is worse for either laptop you can always change to another or back to how it was originally.

Your laptop should re-discover the network and you can click to connect, enter details etc as in Mike's steps above.

Anne

PS, Have you tried disabling your firewall just to be cartain its not security that is causing this?
I hear Macfee firewall can be a nuisance for wireless

Thanks Anne, I will try that next. I know I said Mike's fix didn't work, but it may have done some good because it has connected the last twice it's been switched on.

Something just occurred to me last night. I installed the present router about two months ago because the old one (same model) was overheating and kept cutting out. Prior to that my husbands lappie connected no bother, and it was mine that was temperamental. It's a much better way round now of course

If its connected the last two times maybe its settled down with the new profile now

See how it goes anyway and least you know you have another option to try if it persists.

Anne

If the "Network Authentication" is WPA-PSK, are you using TKIP or AES encryption? AES requires more processing power, but either way you could try changing to the alternative option to see if that is more reliable with both laptops. Having changed the setting, you will then need to remove existing "profiles", as per my earlier details, and go through the procedure to "Connect" again.

Yes, the settings will be in the router's wireless security section.

...but if it's working, i.e if it ain't broke, don't fix it!