Help with my laptop. Won't connect to a network.

[GeekGirl637]

OK, I need serious help. I downloaded Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit to my computer to completey make over my computer. What I ended up getting was not being able to connect to a network; my computer didn't even show that there were networks available.

So I went and downloaded the appropriate drivers for my computer; it's a Gateway, NV57H50u.

Yay! My computer starts to show all the wireless networks around me. I go to connect to my school's, type in my username and password AND ..... It says it can't connect to the network. So I troubleshoot it. AND ... Windows Troubleshooter couldn't identify the problem. I tried typing in my log in again ... Didn't work. Tried lowering my firewall protection ... didn't work.

PLEASE HELP
And I know next to nothing about computer, so detailed instructions would probably be best for me. THANK YOU!

 

[HarriePateman]

Hello please can you tell us what you WIFI card is??

 

[GeekGirl637]

Sorry. I'm not sure what you mean by WiFi card...

 

[whs]

Normally you need the password of the router and not your username and password. Ask the IT guys at the school what the router access password is.

Alternatively try it at an open WiFi, e.g. at McDonalds. There you need no password.

 

[GeekGirl637]

That would be weird, I didn't need the router thing before this happened. But I'll try that.

 

[whs]

After you say 'connect', are you actually connected. When you click on the WiFi icon in the tasktray (bottom right) it should look something like this.

 

[GeekGirl637]

On my tablet, I click connect. Then it asks for my username and password, and when I type those in and submit, it connects.

On my laptop, I click connect, type in the same info but then it says can't connect to network.

 

[whs]

Hmm, that is indeed strange. What is also strange is that you need a username to connect to a router. But that may be a special setup of the school.

Again, did you try to connect in a place with an open network - like McDonalds, Starbucks or the mall. If that would work, we would know at least that there is not a connectivity problem with your laptop.

 

[GeekGirl637]

I don't usually have much occasion to leave campus, but I will venture out tomorrow with my laptop and attempt to connect to the McDonald's near me.