New Laptop-Vista-Connecting to Internet?

First off, I would try to set up my Linksys wireless router with a specific SSID with wireless encryption. Try to set up WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) with at least personal. If you try to set up WPA2 - Enterprise, you will need something called a RADIUS server as an AAA server; but let me not go in a tangent here.

Reason being, you really don't want other people utilizing your Internet connection. Believe it or not, in several states, without the proper consent of an individual who owns the Internet connection and wi-fi connection, is unlawful. Plus, it is a security issue.

When setting up WPA2, select AES encryption and setup a strong passphrase. Write that all down and put on a piece of paper - secure it and a safe area.

Now, back on your Vista laptop, refresh the listing of Wireless access points (or routers). Highlight the SSID that you named your wifi router. Provide the WPA2 Personal passphrase that you have set on your WiFi router. And you should be set to go.

You may want to give a few more details about ur network. Did you put wireless security on it? If so which protocol did you use? WEP? WPA?

Did you change the networks name to something unique? (instead of "linksys").

You can figure alot of this out by going to your Windows XP computer and opening up a web browser. From there try putting in the address "http://192.168.1.1"/ - (or if that doesn't work, try http://192.168.0.1)./ If a log in screen comes up leave the username blank and put the password "admin".

Browse through your routers settings and and check out the wireless setting n crap. It is a good idea to use security on your network. I'd suggest WEP to newbies since its a little more simple and people really don't try and hack them that often... if ever.

If you discover all your settings are good and your comptuer just isn't locating your access point, it would be a good idea to first try restarting your laptop and seeing if it finds it then, and if that still fails you can go back to your browser with your router's setting and try doing a settings reset on it. This has ultimately fixed all my problems I've ever had with my router.

And to the other guy, Windows Vista does not "suck." You are just ignorant.

Hope this helps!

Tim

1. This could be caused by a Virus/trojan or un-wanted program. even w/ your cheap AVG spybot.. that is crap.. AVG is just another company scamming users to think it's good.. like Mcaffe and other.. Norton! anyway.. that is one possibility.... a fix would be to re-install Vista.. it's not Vista's fault.. probably your fault. *what do you do on the internet..* (don't want to know) 2. Get Firefox if your running internet explorer. But because you can't log online.. maybe reinstalling Vista will help.. ---- Tips: What was the last website(s) that you were on when this happened? Maybe don't go on it again.. --- Try to adding an Ethernet cable instead of using a network adapater.. if the same problems occur.. maybe contact your ISP( Comcast.. or Netzero.. whatever you use) ---

Problem may not be your problem. What are the settings on your router? Is it a secured or unsecured network, is there MAC address filtering. I would start there.

vista is always the problem