WiFi Not Connecting

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  1. Posts : 6
    windows 7 ultimate x 64
       #1

    WiFi Not Connecting


    Not only am I a WiFi newbie, I'm also a Windows 7 newbie as well. I learned to use computers on Mac/Apple computers. This just adds to my dilemma and confusion.

    OK, here's where I'm at right now.

    I have an HP laptop (windows 7 x 64 bit) that I've been trying to get to connect to several local WiFi hotspots. I've only been successful at connecting one time. This was at a local BestBuy store and the internet speed was next to non-existent. The sales person stated it was most likely because alot of their in-store demo-products were also connected to the same WiFi and it created a drag on the internet speed.

    In an effort to connect to other free WiFi hotspots in my vicinity I built a "Long Range WiFi Antenna." It works like gangbusters regardless of which direction I aim it. And many of the hotspots I'm able to pick up are nationally known Free-WiFi-Hotspots.

    The problem is that no matter how strong of a signal I'm receiving, I can't connect to the internet via any of these hotspots. I'll get a message on my laptop telling me that it can't connect to the chosen hotspot.

    There has to be something that I'm missing here. My Mac computers will work but, I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong with my windows based laptop.

    My "Long Range WiFi" antenna set up is a combination of a C. Crane Super-USB-WiFi-Antenna and an old Dish-Network parabolic dish plugged directly into the USB port on my laptop.

    The combined number of both the Private and Free WiFi hotspots in every direction is almost mind boggling; and I can't connect to any one of them.

    There would be absolutely no need to even consider entry into any private WiFi networks. To the North of me are hotspots that include the public library, city utilities and various restaurants. To the South of me is a MacDonalds, a starbucks and other restaurants offering free WiFi.

    To the East and West are basically the same plethora of Free WiFi hotspots.

    Can one of you WiFi savvy guys tell me what I'm doing wrong or if I'm missing anything in the way of hardware ?

    My knowledge of WiFi and Windows 7 is so limited that I'm not sure if I've even given you enough pertinent information to be able to help me out.

    If you need more info please let me know. I'll do the best I can to get that information if it will help me access the Free WiFi I'm surrounded by.

    This is driving me insane. I alway imagined that connecting to a WiFi Hotspot would be easy as clicking on the WiFi icon in the lower right hand corner of my screen.

    Thanks for your help.

    HollowPoint
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,618
    Win7 Home Premium x64 W10Pro&Home
       #2

    Info in your profile in the system specs would help greatly...PC/Laptop maker, model, ditto on the network adapters from your Device Manager. A screenshot of your adapter page from network and sharing...what anti-virus are you using, error messages you may have gotten while trying to connect, search for and install Xirrus WiFi desktop gadget, will show you signal strengths and channel info of surrounding connections. I can guess you have an HP with Atheros wifi adapter, have you tried updating the driver for the adapter at HP?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 6
    windows 7 ultimate x 64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Greetings DMHolt57:

    And thanks for the quick reply. I posted this same inquiry on one of the more popular Wireless/WiFi forums and gotten nearly a hundred views but no replies. I appreciate you taking the time.

    I have no clue where to even begin to retrieve the info you inquired about but, I'm not adverse to looking for it.

    As I eluded to in my original post, windows 7 is foreign to me. Can you tell me where on my laptop I would find the information you've asked for?

    I can tell you that I have an HP Pavilion g6 1660us Notebook PC. It has whatever wifi adapter it came with in addition to the Ralink driver required to run my Long Range USB WiFi antenna.

    The laptop itself is just a few months old. Including last night it's only been connected to the internet twice since I've had it.

    The first time was for a very short while at the BestBuy store I mentioned in my original post. The second time was last night.

    I plugged in the Long Range antenna and did a 360 degree scan of my local area searching for a hotspot that I could connect my laptop to. I found one but, it had a very weak signal so I disconnected and kept searching.

    I mention this because without a stable internet connection it's difficult for me to update the driver for the wifi adapter that came built into this laptop.

    If such an update exist, I suppose I could try to download it onto my Mac computer and then transfer that file to my window 7 based laptop. Do you think that would work?

    My main concern is getting this laptop to connect to the Free WiFi hotspots that I'm getting full signal strength from.

    HollowPoint
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,618
    Win7 Home Premium x64 W10Pro&Home
       #4

    First, open a command prompt, type ipconfig /all, enter, right click in the body, select all, go up to the title bar on left and right click on the little icon, go to edit, select copy. Open Notepad on the desktop, right click in the body and paste, go to file and save as, put it on the desktop as ipconfig.txt. Attach that to your next post.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6
    windows 7 ultimate x 64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I've tried following the instructions you've laid out. They seems pretty straight forward but, I can only get as far as, "Right Click In The Body" then I run into problems.

    By, "Right Click In The Body" I'm assuming that I place my pointer in the window containing the files that appear. If so, right clicking brings up several options. "Select All" isn't one of them.

    I think I know what we're trying to get at by following your instructions. I tried accessing this information myself before posting my inquiry here. And in fact this information will open up but, it closes back down a fraction of a second after opening so I can neither copy it or view it.

    All I did was type "ipconfig" and it brings up a window with this file/icon in it. However, when I attempt to open this file it will open up and and then immediately close. Perhaps you can tell me of some other way to access this file for copying or viewing.

    Many thanks. I appreciate your help.

    HollowPoint
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,618
    Win7 Home Premium x64 W10Pro&Home
       #6

    go to Start, all programs, Accessories, right click on command prompt, run as admin, then go for it...
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 6
    windows 7 ultimate x 64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    "Run As Administrator." I hear what you're saying. I tried that very thing before I ever posted my inquiry. I'm still unable to open that particular file.

    I take that back; I can open that "IEConfig" file but, only for a millisecond, then it closes all by itself. I thought maybe I was going about it the wrong way. (and maybe I am) But, for some reason I cant seem to be able to copy or even view its content.

    All the more frustrating when you consider that connecting to WiFi shouldn't be this complicated.

    The last couple of nights I've been trying to figure all this out on my own; with very little success. This time around I was actually able to connect to three different WiFi HotSpots. The connections were painfully slow and kind of unstable. All three had very weak signals.

    I compared the information pertaining to these HotSpots to those HotSpots with better signal strength that I couldn't connect to. The common denominator was the 802.11G; as apposed the the 802.11N radio signal.

    My WiFi antenna is said to be compatible with all of the 802.11 radio signal designations so I'm at a loss to explain it all. I'm still holding out hope that you can help me out.

    If I can't view the file in question with all of its content. Is it possible to access enough bits of that information by other avenues within my laptop to eventually accumulate enough info to maybe decipher the cause of my WiFi problems?

    Thanks again.

    HollowPoint
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,618
    Win7 Home Premium x64 W10Pro&Home
       #8

    Try this once more... Go to All Programs, open the Accessories folder, right click on Command Prompt, run as admin, when box opens, type ipconfig /all, it should not go away...
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6
    windows 7 ultimate x 64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    DMHolt57 said:
    Try this once more... Go to All Programs, open the Accessories folder, right click on Command Prompt, run as admin, when box opens, type ipconfig /all, it should not go away...


    OK, that's more like it. This time it worked quite well. Thank you for that.

    Now, what do we hope to derive from this information? I ask only because for me, it's like trying to read Egyptian hieroglyphs. I can't make heads or tails out of it; let alone use this info to fix what need fixing.

    I am starting to see a little light at the end of the tunnel though.

    HollowPoint
    WiFi Not Connecting Attached Files
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,618
    Win7 Home Premium x64 W10Pro&Home
       #10

    Nothing shows up as being a problem. What are you using to show you the info on local access points. There are several free programs, Xirrus Wifi gadget for the desktop is what I use most often, Inssider is another. These show you the signal strength and channels used, plus the security manner. Any access point that shows Open under security, should let you connect, as long as the signal strength isn't too low. Hotspots are notorious for dropping signals when there are many users. Some hotspot providers also turn down the transmit power so that only users within their business or parking lot can connect reliably. You might check windows update under optional updates to see if there is an update for your adapter. I see no apparent reason for you not being able to connect.
      My Computer


 
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