Win 7 Won't Connect To My Wireless Network, Mac OS Does

Blewyn · 16 Mar 2010

Neither my Win7 desktop nor my Macbook (running Win7) can connect to my wireless network. They see it - 5 bars - and try to connect, then say they can't and offer to start a troubleshooter, which is then unable to find the cause of the problem.

When the Macbook is booted into Mac OS (10.6) is connects fine, as does my Mac Mini - so it must be a Win 7 configuration issue. I have had "Connectify" running on both desktop and laptop but have uninstalled it from the desktop.

Any ideas ?

nekkidtruth · 16 Mar 2010

I'm sure you've already tried this but it doesn't hurt to clarify.

1.) Ensure you have Windows set to connect to the router the way the router is expecting to be connected to. (Example: If you have a G router, make sure your wireless adapter is set that way)
2.) Ensure Windows has the correct WEP key (if you have WEP enabled on the router) and or a password to connect to your router.
3.) Ensure your router isn't set to allow specific MAC ID's access, if it is set this way, add the MAC address of each of the Windows wireless cards. (This may not be an issue as the Macbook can connect through OSX. Technically, the MAC address is set at the hardware level so it wouldn't change regardless of OS.).
4.) What kind of router is it? Should be able to research any issues regarding Windows 7 and that router.

Just a few steps to think about while you wait for other responses :)

osholt · 16 Mar 2010

I've had similar problems with my MacBook running Windows 7; I resolved this problem by resetting the router (using the restart button on the side but the same can be achieved by removing the power cable for 5 seconds on other routers), and disabling the wireless card in Windows, restarting the PC then reenabling the wireless card and then trying to connect. This for some reason seams to work very well; I've only ever needed to do it once on my MacBook. I've had this on other PCs aswell and they all connect (most of the time anyway).

Carrying on from the previous post, if this doesn't work try changing your security type from WEP to WPA or vice versa.

Oli

Blewyn · 18 Mar 2010

Thanks For your replies. I used the config utility on the install CD that came with the router (with Windows laptop plugged in to Ethernet) and it worked. I used the same settings as before though, so I don't know what made the difference...

osholt · 18 Mar 2010

* * *
Hi @blewyn, just to let you know how you mark threads as solved on this forum as well as the uses of the other buttons.

To the top right of this post you will see 3 icons. An orange (+), a set of scales and a red and white warning triangle.

The orange (+) or blue (-) denotes whether a user is on or offline (orange = on, blue = off)

The scales are used to give rep points; click this button if someone has helped you significantly or solved your queries.

The red and white warning triangle are used to denote either an abusive post OR to mark a thread ad solved (just put solved in the box that comes up and the admins or moderators will mark it solved).

I'll mark it solved for you this time.

Oli

Blewyn · 19 Mar 2010

I'm still having the same problem....it worked for a while and now won't work again ! My laptop works OK in OSX, as does my mac mini, as does my iphone (from anywhere in the house). When I boot into Win 7 it sees the network and takes a long time to connect ("identifying....connecting") then says it has only limited access, then starts connecting again. At no point does the internet work. My desktop (also Win7) does the same thing.

What are the wireless config differences between Win7 and OSX 10.6 that would cause the difference ?

Any ideas ?

Why can't Microsoft get basic stuff like this right ?

Blewyn · 19 Mar 2010

OK here's me stuffing a large slice of tasty humble pie in my gob...

The router was set to G only....and the Win 7 machines were inexplicably set to B only.......

manhunter2826 · 19 Mar 2010

Blewyn said:

OK here's me stuffing a large slice of tasty humble pie in my gob...

The router was set to G only....and the Win 7 machines were inexplicably set to B only.......

Glad u got it sorted. Excellent advice from nekkidtruth then :

1.) Ensure you have Windows set to connect to the router the way the router is expecting to be connected to. (Example: If you have a G router, make sure your wireless adapter is set that way)

nekkidtruth · 19 Mar 2010

Glad you got it worked out.

Blewyn · 20 Mar 2010

...but then they stopped working again. Thanks Nekkidtruth for solving half the problem !

The other half was that the router and computers have trouble communicating across my house's main dividing/supporting wall. If I move the router into the hallway, everything works. Oddly, this issue only manifests in Windows - not in OSX.