Public vs Private network location w/new wireless adaptor

Long story short, I am trying to install a new usb wireless router on my laptop, I have tried using three different adapters all of which once the drivers are installed show either a "unidentified", or "public" network. They all connect to the network, and I am able to browse through the other computer on the network but there is no internet. The old adapter works on both pc's, but none of the other three work on either pc (other pc is running Vista, would rather work with 7). So how do I get a different adapter to work? The internal adapter got to where it just would not get a signal and when it did it was slow, but I tried it again just because, and had the same problem with it, it would not change to a home network, what is going on?

ps. The old usb adapter works for about 2-3 hours then it gets hot and quits until it cools off, then it works again.

Robby14 said:

Long story short, I am trying to install a new usb wireless router on my laptop, I have tried using three different adapters all of which once the drivers are installed show either a "unidentified", or "public" network. They all connect to the network, and I am able to browse through the other computer on the network but there is no internet. The old adapter works on both pc's, but none of the other three work on either pc (other pc is running Vista, would rather work with 7). So how do I get a different adapter to work? The internal adapter got to where it just would not get a signal and when it did it was slow, but I tried it again just because, and had the same problem with it, it would not change to a home network, what is going on?

ps. The old usb adapter works for about 2-3 hours then it gets hot and quits until it cools off, then it works again.

Have you tried going into the Network and Sharing center then to the left side choose "Manage Wireless Connections" using the manual wireless set up there to make sure that all settings are correct to access your new USB router.

It might also be required that you go into the routers wireless set up page to choose the settings you want to use.

As for the Unidentified network problem, you sometimes need to make manual adjustments to fix that problem. The link below shows you how.
Windows 7 Unidentified Network, Limited Access, No Internet Connection Problem Resolved

It's not a new router, it's just a new usb wireless adapter. I tried the link you gave and even kthough it was interesting it did not help. The old adapter works on both pc's, the new one has the same problem on both. I have also tried two other adapters all with the same problem.

Robby14 said:

It's not a new router, it's just a new usb wireless adapter. I tried the link you gave and even kthough it was interesting it did not help. The old adapter works on both pc's, the new one has the same problem on both. I have also tried two other adapters all with the same problem.

I didn't ask if the router was new.

I mentioned that sometimes it's required that you go into the routers set up page to make sure your wireless settings are correct and often times it's best to set up a wireless router manually rather than expecting the automatic settings to be correct.

For instance, if your router does not support wireless N and you have a new wireless N adaptor then it's not going to work for you. Getting the correct driver for your new adaptor might also be required.

I'm not sure which wireless adaptor or router you are using so it's difficult to give you exact directions.

I'm running a Belkin Wireless G router, with two generic "B/N/G" usb adapters. One adapter works on both computers, one doesn't work at all on either pc. As I said I have two other usb adapters that worked at one time, but no longer work all with same problem, "unidentified network". So I know the problem is in either the pc's or the router. Seeing as how the router has been working for years with several different pc's, and the problem just showed up on this pc (W7), and the other pc is a new rebuild (Vista), it seems it would be in the pc. I just don't know what else to do.

I have tried all the different properties settings, the diagnose functions, adapter settings, change to home network, uninstall/reinstall, update driver settings and a few other things.
I don't understand why one works and one doesn't unless it's drivers and I have updated to the latest drivers available.

Robby14 said:

I'm running a Belkin Wireless G router, with two generic "B/N/G" usb adapters. One adapter works on both computers, one doesn't work at all on either pc. As I said I have two other usb adapters that worked at one time, but no longer work all with same problem, "unidentified network". So I know the problem is in either the pc's or the router. Seeing as how the router has been working for years with several different pc's, and the problem just showed up on this pc (W7), and the other pc is a new rebuild (Vista), it seems it would be in the pc. I just don't know what else to do.

I have tried all the different properties settings, the diagnose functions, adapter settings, change to home network, uninstall/reinstall, update driver settings and a few other things.
I don't understand why one works and one doesn't unless it's drivers and I have updated to the latest drivers available.

That sounds like an older wireless G router. Often times Windows 7 won't work correctly with older routers unless you update the firmware of the router.

I'm not sure what your exact model and version number of Belkin router you have but it may help to update the routers firmware. You can find that info on the router's case usually then you should be able to obtain the firmware from the Belkin site.

After updating the firmware go into the routers set up page and make sure the SSID and security are all set up correctly. You should then go into Manage Wireless Connection in the Network and Security Center, use the manual set up and input the router's specific's there.

Thanks for all your help, but after walking away from the pc for a few hours I come back to find that everything is working correctly. I don't understand it, I've never had a pc problem fix itself, but this one did.

Robby14 said:

Thanks for all your help, but after walking away from the pc for a few hours I come back to find that everything is working correctly. I don't understand it, I've never had a pc problem fix itself, but this one did.

It's possible a Windows update fixed it I would imagine.

You might want to check your installed updates in the control panel under Programs to see if anything was installed while you were away from your computer.

Robby14 said:

Thanks for all your help, but after walking away from the pc for a few hours I come back to find that everything is working correctly. I don't understand it, I've never had a pc problem fix itself, but this one did.

I understand that its working now, but did you ever try unplugging and then plugging back in the router? I get that all the time and found out the quickest way to resolve that problem with having it connect to a public network is to cycle the router off and then back on. It sounded like the a problem with dhcp, where the router was refusing to give out an IP address.