Windows 7 wireless router connection problem

[nick4501]

Hi all.

I work as a software developer and have had a lot of experience with wireless networking, but this problem has me stumped...

I have an old wireless router (unsecured at the moment) that I have connected to a modem, provided by Virgin media. When I use a cable to directly connect to the router, all seems fine, but when I attempt to connect wirelessly I am almost immediately presented with "Windows was unable to connect to [router name]".

Other people in my house (on both XP and Vista) can connect to the router without any problems, implying that it is a setting within Windows 7. HOWEVER, I am able to connect to another (unsecured) wireless router. I guess this can only mean that there is a setting on the router that is preventing me from connecting...any ideas?

Thanks.

Nick

 

[nick4501]

I've also tried disabling IPv6, but there is still no change.

Can anyone provide any suggestions / information? Surely this must be a known windows 7 issue...?

 

[TGSoldier]

Is there a firmware update for your router?

What about your wireless drivers?

What version of Win 7 are you on?

Can you fill in your system specs please.

 

[zigzag3143]

I've also tried disabling IPv6, but there is still no change.

Can anyone provide any suggestions / information? Surely this must be a known windows 7 issue...?

nick

I have zero experience with that router so im winging it. If I were you i would reset the router to default. since its in the clear it might clear up the problem. If that doesnt help try going to the router's web page and look thru the settings. I hope someone who has seen one of these will jump in

Ken

 

[SquonkSC]

I've also tried disabling IPv6, but there is still no change.

Can anyone provide any suggestions / information? Surely this must be a known windows 7 issue...?

In your router, is the advanced wireless section set to only allow certain mac addresses? If so, add your computer's mac address to the list.


Another thing I've seen a few times is that the wireless card under win7 doesn't have a mac address at all in the settings.

You can check this by entering ipconfig /all in the command prompt.

If it shows all zeros for mac address you can add it manualy in the wireless card's settings in the device manager.

good luck

 

[nick4501]

Hi all.

Thanks for the replies, but I am still stuck...

I'm running 64 bit Windows 7 RC, using a Belkin f5d7050 wireless reciever with the latest drivers from the Belkin website.

I have previously set the router to it's factory defaults, so no custom settings are in effect.

The router is capable of restricting access by a MAC address, but this is not in use (and all other housemates can connect).

I can try updating the router's firmware, but I'm a bit reluctant to do so, whilst it is working fine for everyone else!

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.
Nick

 

[bobgay]

If you go to network and sharing in CP do you see a wireless network? If so click on it and see what routers are available to you . You may be hooked up to ur neighbors and not yours. Also some laptops have a slider switch make sure ur wireless is turned on. Some stupid things that came to mind but im sure you have checked them out. I would pursue the wireless connection route in the sharing center. Good Luck

 

[inQontrol]

I'm running 64 bit Windows 7 RC, using a Belkin f5d7050 wireless reciever with the latest drivers from the Belkin website.

Nick,

You say you've installed all the newest drivers, right? Well, and I don't know if this is the case but, don't you need Windows 7 specific drivers for that device to work properly?

I'm having a similar issue with a Linksys Wireless Router, and I suspect that's the case... but, I haven't received any word yet from the forum community.

(http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/22439-linksys-wusb54gs-ver-2-1-driver.html)

 

[inQontrol]

If you go to network and sharing in CP do you see a wireless network? If so click on it and see what routers are available to you . You may be hooked up to ur neighbors and not yours.

I'd be surprised if an experienced wireless networking, software developer didn't make sure he was on the appropriate network.

 

[iseeuu]

Hi all.

I work as a software developer and have had a lot of experience with wireless networking, but this problem has me stumped...

I have an old wireless router (unsecured at the moment) that I have connected to a modem, provided by Virgin media. When I use a cable to directly connect to the router, all seems fine, but when I attempt to connect wirelessly I am almost immediately presented with "Windows was unable to connect to [router name]".

Other people in my house (on both XP and Vista) can connect to the router without any problems, implying that it is a setting within Windows 7. HOWEVER, I am able to connect to another (unsecured) wireless router. I guess this can only mean that there is a setting on the router that is preventing me from connecting...any ideas?

Thanks.

Nick

HI Nick, and Welcome to Windows Seven Forums!

It might help to know the brand and model of your "Old Wireless Router", but if it is so "old" it probably does not support WAP-PSK or WAP2-PSK (also refered to as WAP2 Personal). Windows 7 does not support WEP, which could be why XP and Vista can connect wirelessly whereas 7 can not. In order to use 7 wirelessly, you will need a WAP2 Personal compatible router. Just a guess, unless the brand and model does support WAP?

Robert

 

[SquonkSC]

Hi all.

Thanks for the replies, but I am still stuck...

I'm running 64 bit Windows 7 RC, using a Belkin f5d7050 wireless reciever with the latest drivers from the Belkin website.

I have previously set the router to it's factory defaults, so no custom settings are in effect.

The router is capable of restricting access by a MAC address, but this is not in use (and all other housemates can connect).

I can try updating the router's firmware, but I'm a bit reluctant to do so, whilst it is working fine for everyone else!

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.
Nick

I don't see you mentioning putting a mac address in the network card properties manually, like I suggested.

Have you tried that?

Edit: Can you post a screenshot of the command prompt after entering IPCONFIG /ALL for us?

Greetz

 

[nick4501]

No - I havn't tried entering the MAC address manually...will this really help (since I can connect to other routers and to this router using the same wireless device on XP)? And yes, I am aware of the list of wireless routers in the area! The router I wish to connect to is listed (with good signal), but when I attempt to connect it (immediately) says "Windows was unable to connect to ...". The router is completely unsecured at the moment - will the previously mentioned WEP problems in Windows 7 still apply? The belkin drivers were a pain in the ass, but seemed to install perfectly fine under compatability mode (as recommended on another forum). Below is a link to a screen shot of ipconfig /all (with the belkin wireless device in view) when connected to a DIFFERENT router (since it cant connect to my problematic router, hence not even recieving an IP address!). http://i32.tinypic.com/54yhsl.png

 

[iseeuu]

The router is completely unsecured at the moment - will the previously mentioned WEP problems in Windows 7 still apply?

No. WEP and WAP are used to secure the wireless network from unauthorized access. They are turned off in an unsecured or open mode.

Entering the device's MAC address and assigning a 'static' address bypasses the DHCP and creates a unchanging connection. Might help.

Others have eliminated their connection problems by doing a clean install of 7. Not a way to figure out what has happened but does get them going. Here is one example:

http://www.sevenforums.com/network-internet/22176-unable-access-internet.html

Robert

 

[nick4501]

That link appears to be a different issue - that guy can at least connect to his router!

I've tried assigning a static IP address to the belkin adapter (on the same subnet as the router), but this hasn't changed anything.

I completely refuse to reinstall Windows because of this. It MUST be an adapter - router configuration confliction...just can't figure out what!

 

[iseeuu]

I completely refuse to reinstall Windows because of this. It MUST be an adapter - router configuration confliction...just can't figure out what!

I agree, and I admire your determination. Might help to know what the "Old Router" is?

I am curious: you posted the router/signal was detected by 7 here:

What info can you learn by looking at "Manage wireless networks" here:

What happens when you try to setup a new wireless connection or reconnect:

Is your Anti Virus or firewall blocking the connection? Here is a long thread, but go to the end because it is dated August, 2009. One suggestion was to turn off the Windows Firewall and the UAC (and any anti virus installed), then from an elevated command prompt do ** ipconfig -renew ** and see if the router will connect.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Robert

 

[nick4501]

Well I've had a development...

I got another computer (running Windows 7) to connect to my router. It connects FINE when using the laptop's built in wireless adapter, but fails in exactly the same way when I connect using the same Belkin wireless dongle!

After a LOT of googling, I found this page showing my "old router"! : Wlan 802 11b And G Access Point Router Manufacturer exporting direct from Taiwan

Still no closer to solving the problem though!

 

[nick4501]

SORTED!

Turned out to be a bug in the router's firmware. I updated it this morning and it now connects perfectly (and securely!).

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Nick

 

[Tews]

Glad to see you got it working

 

[iseeuu]

SORTED!

Turned out to be a bug in the router's firmware. I updated it this morning and it now connects perfectly (and securely!).

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Nick

And thank you for posting back with your solution!

Happy surfing!

Robert

 

[zigzag3143]

so its solved right?