Problem with Wireless... any ideas?

[fba827]

Okay,here's the deal.

Cable Modem -> Wireless Router.

I know the setup itself works because my brother's laptop works just fine.

However, with my own laptop, it sees the wireless network but when you attempt to connect, it keeps failing (it shows it attempting to connect, takes about 60 seconds, and eventually gives up).

I keep comparing the settings of the wirless connection between the two laptops and everything seems the same.

Also, note that it _used_ to work just fine on my laptop. I'm not aware of any system changes that could have caused it to stop working (but I am not the only one that uses the laptop so someone else could have done something that they don't remember).

If it helps any, the university wireless, same thing --- the laptop used to work fine but, now, it can see the available connection, it WILL connect for all of thirty seconds (there can actually be traffic passing) before dumping (disconnecting) me though.

To add insult to injury, yes, I used to work in tech support and so i'm feeling very defeated right now -- but having said that, if you have any suggestions, feel free to assume that i know how to find basic things (i.e. i know how to go to the control panel or to the settings for the wireless connection.

I am at a loss. Any ideas?

I can spec out the wireless router's info if need be...

And thanks in advance for any suggestions

Edit2: Oh yeah, just to try and preemptively answer the question: I have turned off all firewalls on the laptop for the purposes of trying to figure this out.

 

[Magicchupacabra]

Honestly, check WEP if you havnt already.

I made the mistake once of not having the WEP settings on the laptop and router match. I found it out when I turned off WEP on both the system and the router and it worked.

Also when WEP is setup incorectly, it will let you grab an IP from the router briefly. That caught me off guard and I didnt go more indebt into looking into it for about 2-3 hours cause of it.

If all else fails, reset the router to its defaults.

 

[Heretic Apostate]

So what is involved in a wireless router? I've a DSL line here at one end of the house, and I want to buy a new computer to set up in the other end of the house. I'd like to be able to access the DSL from there, without having to have the phone line extended.

I've got a $50 or $60 wireless on order (Dell Wireless 1450 (802.11 b/g) WLAN USB 2.0 DT Adapter), and is it enough to directly connect to my DSL, without hooking up to my sucky old computer? (I want to phase out this computer over the next six months.)

And, as long as I'm asking, what's the difference between 1.0 GB of RAM, when one is listed as a 1 DIMM and another is listed as a 2 DIMM? I'm guessing one is a single strip, while the other is two strips?