wireless networking

[Seasidepeter]

Here's the problem: Main computer is running W7; laptop is running
Vista. Main is on internet via a Plusnet Wireless router, which
broadcasts as PlusnetWireless.

The laptop is already configured on a friend's network, also wireless,
also Plusnet, also called PlusnetWireless.

See where this is going?

I want the laptop to be able to connect to either PlusnetWireless
networks. The only way I can find at the moment is to change the WPA key
every time - I can't find a way to set up alternative configurations as
I could in XP (I never used Vista).

I should add - if I try to add a wireless network to the Vista machine
it won't allow two networks of the same name.....and I'm loath to change
my network name as I have other (XP) machines using it.

Can anybody help please?

 

[SC Tom]

Here's the problem: Main computer is running W7; laptop is running Vista.
Main is on internet via a Plusnet Wireless router, which broadcasts as
PlusnetWireless.

The laptop is already configured on a friend's network, also wireless,
also Plusnet, also called PlusnetWireless.

See where this is going?

I want the laptop to be able to connect to either PlusnetWireless
networks. The only way I can find at the moment is to change the WPA key
every time - I can't find a way to set up alternative configurations as I
could in XP (I never used Vista).

I should add - if I try to add a wireless network to the Vista machine it
won't allow two networks of the same name.....and I'm loath to change my
network name as I have other (XP) machines using it.

Can anybody help please?

If your friend is willing to set his router to use the same passphrase as
your router (or yours as his), you won't have a problem. It will switch
seamlessly between your network and his when you're at his place since they
both have the same SSID.

SC Tom

 

[Trev]

Here's the problem: Main computer is running W7; laptop is running Vista.
Main is on internet via a Plusnet Wireless router, which broadcasts as
PlusnetWireless.

The laptop is already configured on a friend's network, also wireless,
also Plusnet, also called PlusnetWireless.

See where this is going?

I want the laptop to be able to connect to either PlusnetWireless
networks. The only way I can find at the moment is to change the WPA key
every time - I can't find a way to set up alternative configurations as I
could in XP (I never used Vista).

I should add - if I try to add a wireless network to the Vista machine it
won't allow two networks of the same name.....and I'm loath to change my
network name as I have other (XP) machines using it.

Can anybody help please?

I assume you are using Workgroup and not homegroup. Under workgroup you can
add an existing network

 

[Gordon]

.and I'm loath to change my network name as I have other (XP) machines
using it.

How many machines? If you change the name, all that happens is that the XP
machines will try to connect to the new LAN, and all you do is provide the
passkey.
10 seconds per machine?

 

[Seasidepeter]

How many machines? If you change the name, all that happens is that the
XP machines will try to connect to the new LAN, and all you do is
provide the passkey.
10 seconds per machine?

Took the group advice and changed the wireless network ssid on the main
pc. Now my friend's laptop connects to the network(hooray!), but with
"local access only", ie it can't access the internet.
I'm obviously missing something - how to allow internet access?

 

[Gordon]

Took the group advice and changed the wireless network ssid on the main
pc. Now my friend's laptop connects to the network(hooray!), but with
"local access only", ie it can't access the internet.
I'm obviously missing something - how to allow internet access?

Have you tried re-setting the network card?

 

[Seasidepeter]

Have you tried re-setting the network card?

Thanks Gordon, yes I did. For the record, the problem is now solved. It
seems to have been a known Vista problem (various 'unidentified network'
threads). Fixed with an update...

FWIW the windows 7 machine behaved impeccably during the (many) hours of
network tinkering. So did an elderly XP thinkpad. Only the Vista
machines gave trouble. Glad I upgraded straight from XP to Win7...

 

[felmon]

Thanks Gordon, yes I did. For the record, the problem is now solved. It
seems to have been a known Vista problem (various 'unidentified network'
threads). Fixed with an update...

I am curious, what did you update?

I was trying to get a friend's laptop beyond the 'local access' barrier -
problem arose after she took it home after I had set things up on my
network - and I read many of those threads you probably read. some of
those folks were advising rather drastic measures. couldn't be right.

all that was required - and it was tricky for me finding the right
settings panel mostly because I don't know the Windows neighborhood - was
to go to the network adaptor (I recall this being in 'device manager')
and make sure it is properly configured, for instance, for the correct
dns numbers and the correct default gateway.

I doubt this tinkering must be done every time my friend (well, her
daughter) hooks into a new network but the laptop is mostly used at home
anyway.

what was that update? did you update the network adaptor?

Felmon