Can't find network on Windows 7 computer

I am having issues attaching computers to my network with different operating systems. I have spent the last 4 hours doing nothing but reading stuff off the internet and am just not getting this fixed. I have read through many threads and I apologize up front, I am just not getting this. The threads
that I have read had their router attached to Windows 7 computer and then trying to attach an XP
computer to their network, mine is the opposite and am I not sure what difference this would make.

I have a desktop that is running XP and my wireless router is hooked to this. I have a laptop
that is running XP and that hooks up to the internet just fine. I added another laptop that is
running Windows 7 and when I click on the list of available wireless connections mine does not
show. I did internet searches and the only thing that I could find is that on the computer that is
hooked to the router you have to turn on file and printer sharing. Nothing happens.

I just don't understand why the XP computers attach fine but the Windows 7 ones don't. There has to be a setting that I have not turned on properly. That Windows Network Diagnostic tool is really useless, it alway says no issues found but to check online for solution which has led me here. There is a long list of available networks but mine never shows.

Have you tried to update the firmware on your router?

Thanks for the answers so far. To show my ignorance in all of this stuff I didn't even know that the routers had firmware.

I will look over the link given above.

I'm having issues too with Win 7 finding ConneCtions...

not sure if it's the router, motherboard or the OS at this point , however, we have a wireless USB port, and that seems to be working

Rattler said:

Thanks for the answers so far. To show my ignorance in all of this stuff I didn't even know that the routers had firmware.

I will look over the link given above.

Yes all routers have firmware that can be updated. To update the firmware you need to go into the routers set up page then find the section for updating the firmware. You normally would do this when ever you upgrade to a newer Op system.

If you can post your routers make model and version number I can probably find the firmware for you. :)

RedsennaCy said:

I'm having issues too with Win 7 finding ConneCtions...

not sure if it's the router, motherboard or the OS at this point , however, we have a wireless USB port, and that seems to be working

Assuming the drivers are made for Windows 7 they should be working for you. If you are upgrading from XP or Vista then finding the right drivers can be a bit of a chore, sometimes they install automatically, other times you need to track them down.

The problem is not and cannot be with the OP system itself. Updating your routers firmware should be standard procedure in these cases. Windows 7 likes to use WPA2 security and AES encryption and it's best to designate these settings rather than using the mixed settings which do not work as well for some reason.

If you give me more info I can look up drivers and firmware for you but I would need the exact make model and version of your router plus all the info in your system specs needs to be filled out. :)

Type Device Manager in your Start Search box, click result and look at Network Adapters. Is the Wireless driver listed there? Is it in error, signified by an exclamation mark? If you don't see it listed there then is it elsewhere in the list, or are there Unknown Devices listed in error that need a driver? One of those is likely your wireless driver.

If so, you'll need to go to the manufacturer's Support Downloads webpage for your computer model to download and install the correct driver.

Once you install the correct driver, your wireless signal should be detected by clicking the network connection icon in the bottom righthand System Tray. You can rightclick on it now to Troubleshoot Problems to find out exactly what is wrong.