Can't get Windows 7 to connect to Repeater Bridge

I might be able to help if I knew the exact model numbers of both lap tops "the one that connects and the one that doesn't connect".

It might also be useful to know if you have any type of A/V software or third party firewalls installed on those two machines.

Thanks chev65,

I have been able to connect with every XP machine that I have tried (3) but I only have 1 with Windows 7.

The XP machines are:
1) An HP TC1100 running MSE as A/V protection.
2) A Dell running MSE and
3) A Motion LE1700 running McAfee.

The problem child is an HP G60 running Windows 7 with MSE. None of the machines have 3rd party firewalls.

This problem with the HP G60 was talked about at the HP forum. Apparently the Antheros driver needs to be updated in order to work with Windows 7. The paragraph below explains how he did that.

08-26-2010 06:49 PM - last edited on 08-26-2010 07:15 PM
Had trouble with Atheros AR 5009 wireless adapter connecting to my router for weeks after up-dating my G60 447 CL from Vista to Win 7. Suspected driver problem but could not find up-date anywhere on any HP sites or internet. Downloaded HP support assistant, ran network troubleshoot & it found updated driver for Atheros AR 5009 adapter. Downloaded up-dated driver. Now seems to work fine.HP Forums indicate many HP users with this same problem & no one correctly addressed this fix.

HP G60 WiFi looses connection and wont reconnect after Windo... - HP Support Forum

Thanks again chev65,

Unfortunately the network drivers for the Atheros (AR9285) are up to date. I have run the HP Support Assistant and the Network Troubleshooter and no problems are detected. Any connection to an AP is perfect. It just wont connect to the Repeater Bridge via wireless. While I certainly don't know the answer I believe that the network is set up properly and the G60's drivers are up to date . I assume my problem revolves around the way that 7 handles networking.

About all I can think of is to try another firmware version for your WRT54GS.

Windows 7 handles wireless networks just fine but the network stack has had considerable changes which require that the firmware on many routers be updated specifically for Windows 7.

There is the updated Linksys firmware, there is tomato firmware and also the ddwrt firmware for your particular router so quite a few options to try.

Well this is embarrassing...apparently the Mac address filter was enabled and guess what wasn't in the mac address list. I apologize to anyone who wasted 1 minute of their time reading this and especially to chev65. My BAD.

Believe it or not the mac address filter problem has come up quite a few times but it's not easy to figure that one out from my end because I can't see your routers set up page. The mac address filter can also be used as a secondary line of defense. Glad you figured it out rkuhn.