I really hope I'm not asking something that I could find with the search feature but it keeps coming up with an error message. Searching online has been asolutely no help.

I have 3 computers SET up on my wireless network and a few weeks ago I got a new Dell laptop that connected to the internet just fine until LAST week. I suddenly started being randomly disconnected from the network. To get back on I have to go into "Connect to a Network" and hit connect. Usually it will say I'm connected then when I put my mouse over the icon in the toolbar it will say "Identifying..." and it never connects, so then I will have to disconnect and repeat the process until I'm really connected. The network I'm using always has full signal strength.

When I view my wireless networks theres a list of at most 5 networks that is constanly changing, some will be on the list for a little while and other times it will be there for a couple of seconds. I've noticed that whenever one of them enters or leaves the network is when I get disconnected.

I tried system restore the first day this happened thinking I might have accidentially changed something but it didn't help so I reinstalled Vista and that didn't do anything either.

Could they may be hackers or neighbors, because the network is unsecured, but wouldn't I see them on every computer's network list? Mine is the only one having problems. I know its not the signal because I've used the exact same laptop model in the exact spot with no problems.

Any ideas what could be wrong?

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My second question is about how to secure my network. I've read everything I can find online about how to secure it but I followed the directions and couldn't connect to the internet. I've disabled broadcasting of my ssid and changed it from the default name but when I tried to set a WPA pre-shared key (the only option for my router) none of the computers could get online. I reset the router and was connected again. I set the password for the router first then went on to each computer and configured it, is that the right order?

Heres my system information:
2 computers use Vista (including my new laptop) and 2 are running XP
I have Windows firewall, Windows Defender, and McAfee Security Suite enabled on all systems.

Please help me! I'm completely lost:(
Thanks for your time.

The first THING I would try is to set your router to another channel. Read the router manul on how to do this or manufacturers web site. With all the wireless networks in you area they could be interfering. I would definitely set up WPA encryption to keep others from using you wireless. It may take some reading to do all this but well worth the time.

Good luck and let us know how your doing.

Ed
Have you actually checked the machine for viruses, malware and spyware ?
Personally I have not used Vista and from what I've heard I wouldn't rely on ITS security systems.

I use Dr Cureit and SuperAnti Spyware to check my system on XP for viruses and malware.

As for the WPA you will most likely NEED to change the settings for connecting on each machine through the router. If the router is set to WPA encryption then you also have to tell the computers that the router uses WPA. It should be somewhere in your internet connection settings on Vista. Can't tell you where as I've said I don't use Vista.

Hope this helps.Quote from: notanotherxerox on May 26, 2009, 05:56:18 PM

I tried to set a WPA pre-shared key (the only option for my router) none of the computers could get online. I reset the router and was connected again.

If the router is set to WPA encryption then you also have to tell the computers that the router uses WPA.