wireless settings

[Jim]

I've just bought a toshiba laptop with windows 7 and wifi capability. I'm
also working through "dummy's guide to windows 7". According to the book,
when setting up a wireless router I must enter the security encryption
method (WEP, WAP, WAP2) supported by my computer. Unfortunately, it omits
to tell me where on my PC to find this information. Could someone help me on
this?

Jim

 

[Mortimer]

I've just bought a toshiba laptop with windows 7 and wifi capability. I'm
also working through "dummy's guide to windows 7". According to the book,
when setting up a wireless router I must enter the security encryption
method (WEP, WAP, WAP2) supported by my computer. Unfortunately, it omits
to tell me where on my PC to find this information. Could someone help me
on this?

If the PC is running Windows 7, it's virtually a certainty that its wireless
adaptor will support WPA - and probably WPA2.

I would suggest you connect the PC to the router by Ethernet (for the
initial setup) and configure WPA2 with a key, then remove the Ethernet cable
and try to connect to the router. If this fails, reconnect the Ethernet,
configure the router for WPA with a key and try to connect.

Don't leave the PC connected both by Ethernet and wireless because you'll
confuse it by giving it two ways of sending traffic to the router.

 

[Jeff Layman]

If the PC is running Windows 7, it's virtually a certainty that its
wireless adaptor will support WPA - and probably WPA2.

I would suggest you connect the PC to the router by Ethernet (for the
initial setup) and configure WPA2 with a key, then remove the Ethernet
cable and try to connect to the router. If this fails, reconnect the
Ethernet, configure the router for WPA with a key and try to connect.

Don't leave the PC connected both by Ethernet and wireless because you'll
confuse it by giving it two ways of sending traffic to the router.

I'll second that with one or two minor amendments.

Turn off laptop wireless and connect by cable (RJ45/ethernet) to the router.
Check router manufacturer's website for any firmware upgrade. If there is
one, download and upgrade the router software. (Why? I spent hours trying to
get my laptop/router set up securely. No problem with unencrypted
connection, but just would not work with WPA/WEP. Only a firmware upgrade
allowed it to work with Windows7 security.)

Disconnect cable and switch on wireless connection (keep laptop close to
router for the initial setup). The laptop should find the router. If it
doesn't for some reason, go to control Panel | Network and sharing center |
Set up a new connection or network, and follow the instructions.

When the laptop has found the router, click on "Manage network settings" at
the top left of "Network and sharing center". Double click the router
entry, and go to the "Security" tab. Now go to IE8 (or whatever browser you
use) and go to your router's address. Set that up for WPA or WPA2, (or WEP
if you have to!).

When that security info has been saved in the router, you should find that
your laptop can no longer talk to the router. Go back to the Network and
sharing center "Security" tab and enter the same setup information you did
for the router.

You should now find that the laptop is talking to the router again.

If there is a problem, remember that you can always turn off the wireless
connection and reconnect the ethernet cable to try to sort things out.

 

[Conor]

I've just bought a toshiba laptop with windows 7 and wifi capability.
I'm also working through "dummy's guide to windows 7". According to the
book, when setting up a wireless router I must enter the security
encryption method (WEP, WAP, WAP2) supported by my computer.
Unfortunately, it omits to tell me where on my PC to find this
information. Could someone help me on this?

It'll be WPA2 or any of the others as well if its anything built in the
last 3 years. WPA2 is most secure.

 

[Jim]

I'll second that with one or two minor amendments.

Turn off laptop wireless and connect by cable (RJ45/ethernet) to the
router. Check router manufacturer's website for any firmware upgrade. If
there is one, download and upgrade the router software. (Why? I spent
hours trying to get my laptop/router set up securely. No problem with
unencrypted connection, but just would not work with WPA/WEP. Only a
firmware upgrade allowed it to work with Windows7 security.)

Disconnect cable and switch on wireless connection (keep laptop close to
router for the initial setup). The laptop should find the router. If it
doesn't for some reason, go to control Panel | Network and sharing center
| Set up a new connection or network, and follow the instructions.

When the laptop has found the router, click on "Manage network settings"
at the top left of "Network and sharing center". Double click the router
entry, and go to the "Security" tab. Now go to IE8 (or whatever browser
you use) and go to your router's address. Set that up for WPA or WPA2,
(or WEP if you have to!).

When that security info has been saved in the router, you should find that
your laptop can no longer talk to the router. Go back to the Network and
sharing center "Security" tab and enter the same setup information you did
for the router.

You should now find that the laptop is talking to the router again.

If there is a problem, remember that you can always turn off the wireless
connection and reconnect the ethernet cable to try to sort things out.

Thanks, I've copied all three replies to a folder.
Jim