New laptop will not connect to wireless network

[renplassurg]

My office recently purchased a new laptop with Windows 7, but I cannot connect to our wireless network, which does appear as the first among 6 available Wireless Network Connections available to connect to. Windows Network Diagnostics states that "there is a problem with the wireless adapter or access point". As of last week, the previous laptop running XP connected to this wireless network fine. I can connect to the internet by connecting the ethernet cable straight to the router. Please advise on what i may be doing wrong.

 

[chev65]

Welcome to the forum replassurg,
Which router are you using, model number and version would be helpful.

 

[renplassurg]

Router model: Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL VPN Router with 4-Port Switch. Model no.: BEFVP41

 

[chev65]

Ok I tried to look up compatiblity for your model but not much luck with that. That looks to be an older model router so it may or may not work correctly for Windows 7. About the only way it might work is if you get the latest firmware from Linksys. Doesn't show any wireless support though so I assume you are using something else for that?

There are some recent firmware updates that might help but it will depend on your hardware version which you need to look up on the router. It will say version 2, 1 or 2.1. Click on the appropiate link and update the firmware according to the directions at the Linksys site. No guarantee's on this but it's about the only chance your router has.

Linksys by Cisco - BEFVP41 Support

 

[mlevy]

Umm, isn't that NOT a wireless router? We also need the model number of the WAP you're using. It's most likely not a "compatibility issue" with Win 7, my 4-5 year-old WRT54GL works just fine with 7, when neighbor's devices aren't interfering with my wireless signal. Is it possible that on whatever device you use for your wireless you have a MAC filter set that is preventing the connection to the device?

 

[chev65]

Umm, isn't that NOT a wireless router? We also need the model number of the WAP you're using. It's most likely not a "compatibility issue" with Win 7, my 4-5 year-old WRT54GL works just fine with 7, when neighbor's devices aren't interfering with my wireless signal. Is it possible that on whatever device you use for your wireless you have a MAC filter set that is preventing the connection to the device?

I'm not sure how he is getting the wireless.

There is however a good chance that his router is not compatible. We have had so many compatiblity issues I have lost count. Here is an example from the other day. Read this entire post if you really want to be humbled.
http://www.sevenforums.com/network-...em-wireless-router-conflict-2.html#post480129

And I have many more just like it.

Your WRT54GL is right on the compatiblity list IMO so it's no surprize that it's working for you. Although it doesn't show any 64 bit support for your router as yet. Try using another channel if you are having signal problems with your router.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/Details.aspx?type=Hardware&p=Linksys%20Broadband%2054Mbps%20802.11g%204Port%20Wireless%20Router&v=Linksys&uid=WRT54GL&pf=10&pi=2&s=Linksys%20WRT54GS&os=32-bit

 

[renplassurg]

This is all foregin to me, but from previous comments I suppose the router model info I posted wasn't the wireless router (there are 3). What about this:

D-Link MultiMode Wireless Access Point
Model # DWL-6000AP

 

[chev65]

Niether your DWL-6000AP or your Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL VPN Router with 4-Port Switch. Model no.: BEFVP41 show any support at all for Windows 7. In fact your DWL-6000 was discontinued 4 years ago.

I can only recommend that you update your routers to versions that show some Windows 7 support if you want them to work correctly. There have been so many compatibility problems with older routers it's just unreal so there is a good chance you are having the same problem.

You can also try to connect to the modem directly just to confirm that the problems are with the router and not your Windows 7 machine.

 

[mlevy]

Consider this, the router is acting as a conduit, with no software required on the computer side. I just can't grasp how a network device, that only transmits network protocols, is incompatible with an OS.

I work in PC support, I have A+ and Net+ certifications (fine, they're just pieces of paper these days), I understand how computers and networks operate and the ONLY reason I can see an older router not "supporting" Win 7, is if you're talking IP v6, which is not in use to the point that it makes a difference in the home. If you're talking about wireless security protocols, Win 7 supports anything a home network would use so that shouldn't be an issue.

A router is a Layer 3 device, it operates independent of the OS on the PC. We're talking TCP/IP, TCP, UDP, all of which are supported by 7. If the PC can talk to the internet WITHOUT the router it should be able to talk to the internet THROUGH the router. IMO, and looking at the OSI model, you could take a 10 year-old switch, hub or router, plug in a PC with any OS and get online.

Show me something that PROVES something in Win. 7 will prevent it from working with an older Layer 3 device. Saying "it's not on the compatibility list" isn't enough, once a device is discontinued they will often neglect to update the compatibility list to show newer OS's.

 

[wisdom]

Wifi not connecting on laptop with window7 is common problem. If you are having windows7 32 bit, then try to get drivers for 32 bit, generally people load drivers for 64 bit. Some companies like acer donot have windows 7 drivers for 32 bit on their site.so, download drivers for windows vista 32 bit, then check. I had same problem. Now it should be perfect. Let me know?