Why am I not surprised?

[auntiemeesh]

Something is awry. All the wireless networks have disappeared off my Connect To list. Not just mine, all of them. I'm not sure if this is a problem with the internet, or my laptop. I double checked that I had wireless enabled (weirder things have happened than functions turning themselves off overnight). I'm not sure how to check the wireless card (or whatever I have in the innards of my computer) to make sure it's functioning properly. I guess I'll just be wired again, for awhile. Sucks.

Comments

[shirebound]

I double checked that I had wireless enabled

Augh, that's all I would be able to think of to check. How frustrating! All I can think of is to flip the wireless switch on your computer off, then on again, then refresh your wireless list... or unplug everything (including the router), wait five minutes, and plug it all back in again and see if that jolt helped to re-start everything.

*is useless*

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

The problem is, it isn't just my wireless connection that has disappeared. I can usually see about six or eight different secured networks when I click on the connection button. Today, there's nothing. So weird. Makes me wonder what I've done to my laptop. I suppose if it doesn't resolve itself by tomorrow, I'll call Dell and deal with tech support, ugh.

[eve11]

Did you try the "refresh wireless connections" button? Is this the 1st time your laptop left your place (you took it with you this morning, right?) since you set up the network?

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this is the first time I've had it out of the house since the weekend. I failed to see the refresh button, for some reason, even though I was looking for one. And so I wired up my laptop in order to go online and gripe and once I did that, then I had to refresh the router when I retried the wireless, which meant I needed to re-establish a network. And I did something funky, and now it says that the network I've established isn't allowed by the security on my computer or some such, and it won't allow me to connect, again. And it won't allow me to refresh the router and start over. So at some point I'm going to unplug everything, plug everything back in, and see if that helps. But not tonight, because I'm entirely sick to death of my complete and utter failure to understand this mess. Blah!

[eve11]

D says that it sounds like (for some reason) your laptop is trying to act as a wireless router. :( It's hard to diagnose from up here, I suppose :(

I would not wish your bad luck with computers on anyone :( Sorry it's still giving you trouble.

[westwindschild.livejournal.com]

I get disconnected from Comcast pretty frequently, and when that happens all the wireless networks disappear. Usually it is a matter of just rebooting the modem and router (unplug each, wait 30 seconds and then plug back in). This sometimes happens if a spambot has got hold of your IP address and is using it as a drone (is that the correct terminology?). If your IP address gets reported as the source of spam, your ability to connect to the internet may be disrupted for about 30 minutes. It almost certainly has nothing to do with your hardware or software.

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Problem is, when I reboot the router, it wants me to start all over establishing the wireless network, and I did something wonky this time, I don't know what, and it won't let me undo the wonkiness, it won't let me open a connection with the wireless network, it won't let me refresh and start over. So for the moment I'm just tied to the ethernet cable until I feel like dealing with it all again. Which may be half past never, the way I'm feeling right now.

[westwindschild.livejournal.com]

In that case, it certainly sounds like a call to Dell's tech support is in order. Ain't computers fun?!

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

I'll give it another go tomorrow, when I'm (hopefully) less tired, and see if I can't shake something lose. Otherwise, I'll give Dell a call over the weekend.

[ani-no-mouse.livejournal.com]

Gosh. HOpe you have that figured out by now - or get it figured out soon!

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

I gave up on it for tonight. My patience for such things is pretty limited. I can manage about half an hour of fiddling about with things that aren't working before I'm just done.

[westwindschild.livejournal.com]

Have you been able to get your networks restored? Just curious... :)

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

eve11 pointed out the refresh button, so the networks show up again, I just haven't played around with it to make my connection work, yet. Some time this weekend, I suppose.