Wi-fi problems...

I just formatted and reinstalled WinXP on my girlfriend's laptop, and now we can't get her wi-fi working. It was fine before, just from installing the default Belkin software, but now it won't connect to the net even though it can sense the signal. One diagnostic said it was because her IP address was incorrect... any advice on how to fix it?

I had this. it turned out I had to actually use the key seen in "field one" of the 4 WEP panels... rather than use the passphrase.

I've got the WEP key set correctly (took me ages to figure that one out last time), it seems the wi-fi connection itself is good - just the client IP address.

Just tried to connect to the router (192.168.1.1) through the laptop - no go.

make sure the wireless router has DHCP enabled, and also make sure your girlfriends laptop is set for DHCP in the network settings ( i.e. dont specify a manual IP address )

if you type 'ipconfig' in the command prompt on your gf's laptop,the subnet and default gateway should be the same as it is on your computer.

if its not the same, then chances are the laptop isnt being assigned an IP address and DHCP isnt enabled on the router.

one quick thing to try - manually set your gfs laptop to the ip address above the one of the computer:

on your comp: type 'ipconfig' at the command prompt

e.g.

ipaddress: 192.168.1.100
subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
default gateway: 192.168.1.1

so set the gfs laptop to:

ipaddress: 192.168.1.101
subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
default gateway: 192.168.1.1

Sounds promising... how do I set the laptop's settings? (MY machine is a macbook by the way, so I don't know how to check IP settings on that - GF's is a PC)

When I check her current settings they say:
Autoconfiguration IP address: 169.254.207.81
Subnet Mask: 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway:

Okay, worked it out. Changed it to 192.168.1.104 - 255.255.255.0 - 192.168.1.1. Did a restart. ipconfig now comes up with the correct deatils. Says it's connected - but still won't connect to the internet. In internet options, under Connections, there is nothing listed.

Typing 72.14.207.99 into your browser should bring up google.

If that works, try setting your primary DNS (ignore the secondary) to be same as your default gateway (192.168.1.1).

If that doesn't work, find out your ISP's DNS IPs and use those.

[edit]
You can use these for now (Pipex):
212.103.224.51
212.103.224.52
[/edit]

No response typing in 72.14.207.99... it says I'm not connected to the internet... I can't believe how complicated it is, to simply connect to the internet with a brand new installation of Windows.

Go into TCP/IP config.

Enter the following:
IP: 192.168.1.x*
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1

* = make sure you don't use the IP address you're using on your Mac. Also don't use 192.168.1.1 as thats the address of the router.

You may want to turn off DHCP on your router if you haven't done already. That's assuming you're specifying an IP for your mac and aren't leaving it to DHCP to assign one.

Are you able to ping the router?

There are other factors that could restrict your connection also, such as the WEP/WPA key (make sure its correct - case sensitive), or do you have MAC Address Filtering enabled?

Yep, did that before...

Now for no apparent reason it's working. I had the Belkin utility managing the wireless connection... after trying for ages to allow Microsoft to manage it (it kept just unchecking the box I'd checked) it suddenly connected. For how long, I've no idea. God, what a hateful thing Windows is.

Well, I'll see how it goes for now. Cheers, everyone...

Are you sure that 192.168.1.1 is the correct IP address for the router?

Can you ping it, for example?

[edit]
Ah, OK...
[/edit]