Wi-Fi and Windows Vista Upgrade problems

Most older desktop motherboards are not set up with Wi-Fi capability, the fastest, easiest and cheapest way to add Wi-Fi to your desktop is to purchase a USB Wi-Fi adapter.

I've used the Panda Wi-Fi adapters (Available online, such as Amazon.com) or pretty much any computer store).

Examples:
Amazon com Panda 300Mbps Wireless USB Adapter Windows Vista 7 8 8 1 10...

Amazon com Panda Ultra 150Mbps Wireless USB Adapter Windows XP Vista 7 8 8...


An alternative would be to purchase a wireless NIC card to install into your Desktop PC. You would have to examine your PC to determine what form factor and technology to purchase that would be compatible with your motherboard and available expansion card slots.

Vista has a well known flaw of not allowing you to easily change access rights after selecting "public network" in the initial network connection screens. The easiest fix is to change the name of your wifi access point, reconnect, and be absolutely certain to select "home network" when the prompt comes up.

The best solution however is to ditch that crummy excuse for an operating system and upgrade to Windows 7 or 8.

Connecting your Acer laptop to your home wireless network is fairly simple.
Before you begin you need to know the SSID broadcast name (Wi-Fi) network name and security passphrase (Wi-Fi network password).

Move the Wi-Fi switch to the "On" position.
Not all models have this switch.

Open the Windows Start menu and select "Connect To."
A list of available connections will appear.

Select "All" from the drop-down menu to view all available networks and connections within range.

Select the desired network and click "Connect."
Enter the security passphrase if prompted and click "Connect" again to join the network and gain wireless Internet access.
http://en.kioskea.net/faq/294-wi-fi-wireless-configuration-for-your-laptop - for-acer-users
Windows 7 Acer AspireLaptop wireless

Wireless Internet is a convenient way to hook up multiple computers to one router without the mess of cords.

The router or 2-in-one (router/modem combo), must be set up through your Internet Service Provider and connected with either a DSL line or Cable.

Since most Acer laptops have built-in wireless, no additional hardware is required. Turn on the laptop.

Move the switch located on the front of the laptop to the right, then let go.
The switch will go back to its original position.

Confirm that the wireless networking icon has appeared on the screen.

Right-click the wireless icon in the bottom right corner.

In Windows 7 this will resemble a small stair-step triangle; In Vista it looks like a tiny monitor.

Click "View available wireless networks."
It might also say "Open network and sharing center."

Wait while the adapter finds your wireless network.
Click to highlight the network and click the "Connect" button.

Enter the security password that you created when setting up the router (if applicable).
If you don't know or can't remember, log in to the gateway page specified in the user's guide.

Locate the "Wireless security" settings page to see if security is enabled.
If it is, type in a new key and enter the same number for the wireless network.


http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/notebook/0000/Acer/Aspire1300/Aspire1300faq27.shtml

The Dell Latitude E6400 laptop comes with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor for fast computing and an NVIDIA graphics card for video playback, gaming and Web browsing. The laptop has a built in Wi-Fi card, letting you connect to the Internet on-the-go. However, if you're unfamiliar with Dell or the laptop's factory installed Windows Vista operating system, you might not know how to enable to Wi-Fi.

Slide the switch on the side of the laptop toward the front of the laptop. This switch enables Wi-Fi connectivity on the Dell Latitude E6400. When switched into the back position, the Wi-Fi is turned off. Turn on your Dell Latitude E6400 laptop and log into Windows Vista. Click on the Windows "Start" button. Click on "Wireless," located in the Start menu's "Show" list. A list of currently broadcasting wireless networks appears on screen. With your Wi-Fi enabled, you can connect to any of these available networks. Secured networks ask you for a password when you click "Connect," while unsecured networks connect automatically.

Connecting to the Internet without a Wi-Fi data plan isn't a difficult process even for a novice at utilizing and joining wireless networks. Whether you are looking to join a public Wi-Fi hotspot network or a neighbor's private Wi-Fi network with their permission, get your computer online and browsing the Internet without the use of your own Wi-Fi data plan, saving money in the process. Note these steps to get you connected in just a few minutes.

Move to an area that offers free public Wi-Fi or to an area where you believe you are close enough to pick up a neighbor's Wi-Fi signal. In the latter case, check with your neighbor beforehand to ensure it is allowed that you utilize their Wi-Fi network. Using a private network without permission is illegal. Boot up your laptop. Allow Windows or the Mac operating system to load up fully on the laptop. Click on the wireless icon on your computer's desktop area. In Windows, you will find this icon on the right side of the bottom toolbar. It appears to be a computer monitor icon with small radio waves reaching out of it. Alternatively, on a Mac laptop click on the Wi-Fi icon on the top right toolbar in the desktop area. This icon will look like a set of radio waves extending upward. Look over the list that appears once you click on the wireless icon. This list will present all the wireless network options that are within the range of your laptop. Avoid any that present with a "lock" icon beside them, because these require passwords. If you are looking to join a password-protected network like one offered by a neighbor, request the password ahead of time. In the event of a public network at a local business, a password will not be required. Click on the network you intend to join. Input the appropriate password at this point, if joining a password-protected network. Also, choose the type of security encryption the private Wi-Fi network is using. Your computer will often have this auto-selected, but you may need to select either "WPA" or "WEP" security manually. Click "Enter" on your keyboard. If you do not have the necessary password or are unsure as to the security encryption type, either contact the network administer or click "Cancel" and join a public Wi-Fi network. Allow several moments for your computer to join the network. You will receive a notification on your Windows or Mac toolbar when it does. Launch your Internet browser of choice and begin utilizing the Internet without having to rely on your own Wi-Fi data plan

Hi Dear Being able to connect to a wireless network or wi-fi hotspot is fundamental for mobile work and play. The step by step directions in the wi-fi tutorial below will help you set up your laptop so you can connect to a network wirelessly for Internet access or to share files with other computers on the network. Examples are given for Windows XP, Vista/7, and Mac.

1. Find the wireless network icon on your computer (on Windows, you'll find an icon that looks like 2 computers in your taskbar on the bottom right; Macs will have a wireless symbol in the top right).
2. View available wi-fi networks by either right-clicking the icon and selecting "View Available Wireless Networks" (Windows XP) or left-clicking the icon and selecting to "Connect or disconnect..." (Windows Vista). On Mac OS X and Windows 7, all you have to do is click on the wi-fi icon to see the list of available networks.
3. Choose the network to connect to by clicking the "Connect" button (or just selecting it on Win7/Mac).
4. Enter the security key -- if the wireless network is encrypted (with WEP, WPA or WPA2), you'll be prompted to enter the network password or passphrase. This will be stored for you for next time, so you'll only have to enter it once.
5. On Windows 7, select the type of network this is -- Windows 7 automatically sets up security for different network location types (Home, Work, or Public).
6. Start browsing or sharing! You should now be connected to the wi-fi network; open your browser and visit a website to confirm.

Tips:

1. Make sure you have a firewall and updated antivirus software especially if you're accessing a public wi-fi hotspot. Open or unsecured wireless networks are not safe at all.
2. In Windows XP, make sure you have updated to SP3 so you have the latest WPA2 security drivers.
3. Some wireless networks are set up to hide their SSID (or network name); if you don't find the wi-fi network in your list, ask someone at the establishment for the SSID information.
4. If you are able to connect to the network but not the Internet, make sure your network adapter is set to automatically get its IP address from the router or try other wireless troubleshooting tips.
5. If you can't find the wireless network icon, try going to your control panel (or system settings) and the network connections section then right-clicking on the Wireless Network Connection to "View Available Wireless Networks". If the wireless network you're looking for isn't in the list, you can manually add it by going to the wireless network connection properties as above and clicking on the selection to add a network. On Macs, click on the wireless icon, then "Join Another Network...". You'll have to enter the network name (SSID) and the security information (e.g., WPA password).

I have had the same issues with Vista.. Even thou the wireless shows an excellent signal the only thing I could do was to disconnect and then reconnect and then I was able to get it to work. I finally had to upgrade to Windows 7 and now never had the problem again. I would have to say that Vista might be your problem.

Yes you can. Make sure that you disable DHCP in the lan settings section in the router. Use the computer without wireless card as the server, the router will be install in this computer. i have an air card with Sprint and I'm using Encore router and my Wii, and 3 more computer can connect without any problem.

I think it is saying that the wifi "card" is set so that it is not being configured by windows.

In XP

Control panel > Network connections

Under LAN or High-speed internet you will see an icon labelled wireless network connection. Right click on this and then click properties. You will see three tabs at the top
General - Wireless Networks - Advanced

Click on wireless networks
There should be a tick-box saying Use windows to configure my wireless network settings. I expect that, in your case, the box is unticked which means that the software supplied by the vendor of the wifi card is configuring the settings. I find that it is usually more reliable to let windows do it.

So tick the box and click OK. You may then have to reboot.

cheak for firmware update on roughter software for vista ect ok thx nick