A wireless mystery: No connection despite visibility

[MrInept]

Can anyone help? I have a Belkin Wireless G USB Adapter (don't laugh!) connected to my desktop (running Windows 7). Until recently, it worked fine. However, it suddenly stopped working, apparently it can't see my router despite it being only 7 meters away. Strangely, it can see the neighbour's router. I'm not sure it's a problem with my router (standard netgear router), because my new laptop can happily connect. Does anyone have any ideas? I thought it might be the new laptop connection, but I'm pretty sure the two connected to the router for at least a day or two.
PS. Sorry if this is an easy problem (i.e. switch on your computer man!).

 

[fishnbanjo]

Check and see that both your cable modem and router are processing signals (you should see led's flashing in a random pattern). Easiest way to prove both are is to shut down the cable modem's power for 30 seconds and the router power as well. Power the cable modem and let it cycle at least 2 minutes then power the router and you should see a balloon showing it has found connectivity and getting an IP address.

 

[MrInept]

I have tried switching off / on the router, but that doesn't seem to change things. The laptop can still see the router and connect to it, but the desktop still can't see the router. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[strollin]

Did you try the Belkin wifi adapter in another computer? It could be that the adapter has failed. If it works in another computer then I would try uninstalling/re-installing the driver for the Belkin.

 

[MrInept]

Thanks for your suggestion. I confess not to have tried the adapter in another computer yet, but have tried the classic "uninstall / reinstall" trick. It didn't seem to work. I would normally have thought it's the adapter that's gone pop (possibly in the recent heat wave), but the odd thing is that it still seems to be able to see the neighbours router...bizarre.

 

[strollin]

Is your router a B/G/N router by any chance? A longshot may be that your router has somehow been set to N mode only instead of mixed mode.

 

[MrInept]

Ooo, good thinking... I've checked but that doesn't seem to be the issue. It only has B / G mode and both modes are on.

 

[MrInept]

I think it might have to come down to replacing the wireless adapter. Any recommendations?

 

[steve-pressman]

Yes hard reset your router, make sure you write down all your data info first, there is usually a lit pin hole to rest to factory setting on the back try that man.


Steve

 

[MrInept]

Thanks for the suggestion. I did a hard reset, but it didn't work. The wireless adapter can still only see the neighbour's router, not mine