Laptop Connects To My Network, But Not My Friend's

A friend of mine has a new (refurbished) HP laptop running Windows 7 Home Premium that connects to her wireless network using her Verizon modem/router. Her roommate has an old Compaq Vista laptop that also connects to their home network, but the connection is always Local only.

When I brought the Compaq to my house it connected perfectly to my network, the icon displaying Local and Internet. I have a different ISP than my friend.

To further complicate (or clarify) matters, my friend's neighbor has an unsecured network. The Compaq always gives us Local and Internet service when connected to that unsecured network.

Verizon tells us that their readings show a strong wireless signal from my friend's modem/router, and maintain that the ability of her HP laptop to successfully connect prove that the problems are solely with the Compaq, and not their equipment. Their offers of assistance begin and end with furnishing us with Compaq's phone number. That seems absurd to me. It seems obvious that some setting in their equipment needs to be changed, but I have no idea what it would be...

Well, I know that you guys are pretty good at dispensing quality advice, and lack patience with those who fail to follow that advice...


I still forgot to write down the model number of the Verizon unit, and the screens I navigated through looked different than your samples.

• The wireless security was already on set to WPA2 - the same as my non-Verizon modem/router
• The encryption was set to AES, but TKIP and AES were not available on the pulldown. Actually AES was the only encryption available.

Since I was unable to affect any changes that you'd suggested, I set the network security to None. It connects at my house, our modem/router units were set up within months of each other, so they should be working roughly the same. And I'm not getting paid anything other than a Coors Light (I shoulda just had water - or did I?). So next time I'm over there (and they've got some better beer) I'll check for updated drivers.

Thanks, and I apparently cannot give you any rep - you must've helped me before.

Was WPA a choice? WPA is notch better than "None".

I'm obviously ignorant about wireless security. I honestly don't see the dreaded downside to an open connection. Yeah, your neighbor can piggy-back onto your wireless, and somebody with a laptop can park their car in front of your house and connect. But so what? It's not like they can see (or steal) your files, or get your SSN, or transfer money from your bank account to theirs.

WPA was an option, but when I selected it, I got some incompatibility message regarding something with numbers 802.xx.xxx. At that point I just threw up my hands and punched 'none'.

There are lots of people interested in tinkering with long range Wi-Fi antennas. Several websites cater to those that don't want to build their own. Long Range WiFi Antennas USB Adapters Coaxial Cables and WiFi Tutorials

People from further away than you think can download/upload pirated material. That way, the violations do not go against their account. ISPs Finally Explain How 'Six Strikes' Anti-Piracy Program Will Work

Verizon is the only major ISP that will cap customers' data speeds under CAS. Before doing so, Verizon will issue a series of alerts and then force repeat-offender FiOS customers to watch instructional videos about copyright and legal methods of downloading content. If customers continue pirating content, their connection will be capped at near dial-up speeds for two to three days.

Do you know what swatting is?
VoIP 'Swatting' a Growing Problem
In that story, the fake 911 VoIP call originated from a compromised computer. People on your friend's open Wi-Fi could place a prank 911 call from their laptop. That way, those that they are swatting get pranked and any investigation points to your friend's open network. Two swats for the price of one.

This 13yr old could have connected to another network to do his swatting.

As far as getting to your friend's files: I'll let others speak to that.

WEP is a tiny amount of protection.
WPA is a bit better.
WPA2 is a bit better than that.
All three can be cracked, but that does not happen to most people. (See. I don't wear a tin foil hat.)