I'm not sure if this is a hardware problem or not.  We have a home computer and a laptop networked through a Linksys wireless router.  All was working fine up until yesterday, when suddenly I couldn't get a network connection on my laptop - the home network (called linksys, original, huh?) was no longer SHOWING up, INSTEAD we have 'linksys_SES_1559' (or various other numbers - it changes when we disconnect the system).

I can connect to the network via this, but it takes a while (before this, it was virtually instant) - and after a few minutes, it disconnects.  When there is a connection, it is only to the network - not to the internet.  The home computer is still connected (through Linksys) to the internet, and if I plug in the laptop with a cable, I get an internet connection.

As if it wasn't obvious, I'm not really computer-savvy.  I read instructions and follow them, and if something goes wrong I'm lost.  It sounds as if your laptop is connecting to someone elses router. You should change the default settings. Rename your network in both the router and wireless card setup.  Change the default channel (both ends).  Get the laptops MAC address and enter it into the MAC address FILTERING on the router. This will allow your laptop to connect but others will be rejected. With the default settings, anyone with a wireless card that is within range of your router can connect to the internet and your computer. (Someone PROBABLY already is) You should never operate a wireless router with the factory default settings. If your laptop has the option, you can also have it to rescan for available connections.