Wireless connection

[Sand]

Hello,

I have been trying unsuccessfully to connect my Thinkpad (2379DXU) to my router (Linksys) to make my laptop portable, but it's not working. I'm following the instructions on their CD exactly, over and over, but whenever I disconnnect the router cable from the port on the side of the pc, it disconnects me from the internet.
The pc has to be unplugged from all cables so that it can be portable, doesn't it? My husband has been helping me, but between the two of us, we don't even make one computer-literate person, so we can't figure out what we're doing wrong.

The little icon in the system tray says the wireless is disconnected, but when I try to repair it, it says it can't. Is it something to do with that? I have gone over _that_ problem in depth with IBM but it still exists. I just never use the laptop as a portable anymore, (months) but I wish I could get it fixed for that was the reason I wanted a laptop.

Could someone please tell me what they think the problem could possibly be?

Thank you in advance,
Sanandra

[Leion]

is encription enabled on your router?
if so you will need to have the same settings on your laptop

did you on your dhcp on your router? you should on it

[bill bolton]

> my router (Linksys)

What model Linksys router do you have?

Cheers,

Bill

[cruzlite]

Sand,
Check out this thread...[click on this link]
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=...
It should get you started...Also..

Signature with your TP configuration will help others help you...
&
Learning how to use 'search function' on this site will open an extremely valuable reference resource for you.

Best lu7k, Happy Holidays,
Don

[GomJabbar]

At the risk of stating something obvious, does your Linksys router have the wireless feature (usually with (2) rabbit-ear style antennas on the back)? I see your ThinkPad T42 has the Intel b/g wireless card.

You need to have the Linksys router using the same 802.11 protocol [if that's the right word] as your laptop. I would choose g, as it is faster than b. Next make sure you are on the same channel 1-11.

As Leion posted, you need to make your security settings the same. To begin with, have the security features turned off. Once you establish a connection, then work on enabling security. WPA2 is most prefered, WPA second, WEP next, or off (not recommended). WEP is not very strong security.

Reset your router from time to time (turn your router off, then back on). Often when you can't make a connection, this is the cause.

Check the Sticky purported 2200bg/2915abg and wrt54g problems [admin edit] at the top of the T-series forum. The 2200bg is the card I believe you have. The wrt54g is a Linksys wireless router. Maybe you can find your answer there if my tips do not get your problem solved.

[newmanm]

did you look to see if your wireless card drivers are installed?

click computer - view system information - hardware - device manager - network adapters.

I have two icons showing for my LinkSys 802.11b/g wireless card.
one is for Windows, which shows my connection and connection speed. it will not let me see any networks when I click "See Wireless Networks"

the other icon is the LinkSys icon, which allows me to see all the wireless networks in the area when I click the tab "Site Survey"

my old LinkSys 802.11b card did not work with newer LinkSys/Cisco software. I had to use the Windows XP software or the original software that came with the card, either worked fine.

[Kyocera]

If you are not using access connections which I know nothing do this- right click on network neighborhood > open properties > right click on your wireless connection which should have a red X > select "view available wireless networks" > refresh network list > if your linksys access point comes up in the list select the connect button > let it churn for a few seconds and it should say "acquiring network address". If you can connect via a wired connection through your router, there should be no problem connecting to the linksys wireless, if you have not messed with any of the wireless security functions none of them are enabled by default so that should not be an issue. If you used the Linksys CD during install I would uninstall any of that software and let windows configure your wireless network for now. Linksys WRT54G/WRT55AG are pretty much plug and play. There is the possibility that it is not broadcasting a signal due to damage, had a brand new one do that once a while back. Linksys is defaulted to use DHCP, in the properties of your wireless connection make sure "obtain IP address automatically" is checked. IF you have tried bridging your connections, unbridge them and start over.

[davidspalding]

A resource admittedly outside this forum is Broadband Reports' forums and FAQs. They have a forum specifically for the Linksys routers. Often people there can help you figure out what's what with your router or networking configuration, better than that Linksys CD.

Of course, the sterling help from forum members here can best talk you through the Thinkpad side of your equation. I wouldn't tell you look off-site without attesting that the help here is some of the best I've found on the Web for Thinkpad owners.

[bill bolton]

Until the original poster comes back and confirms that they actually have kit that does wireless communication, any further speculation is futile.

Cheers,

Bill

[Kyocera]

A resource admittedly outside this forum is Broadband Reports' forums and FAQs. They have a forum specifically for the Linksys routers.

Agreed, and there are many others, however, this is the best one to get an idea of where you need to go next, if you need to.