Wireless internet help please

Here's the scenario...

We've had Sky Broadband for a few months on our home PC but it's been connected up with wires, though it is also a wireless router.

I bought a laptop last night and tried to connect it to the wireless internet. It asked me to enter the Network Key, so I checked the router and there was an eight letter code - so I entered that but it advised it is either a 5 or 13 digit code.

I then tried, without much hope, the serial number which happened to be 13 digits - of course that didn't work either.

So I'm wondering what I need to do - do I need the original CD that Sky sent? Or is the wireless network controlled by the original PC that the broadband was originally installed on? Do I set the Network Key on there now and then use that as the code on the laptop?

One possible problem is that it seems that it might not be letting me enter another code as when I search the wireless networks on the computer now it's got a red 'x' next to it and says the settings of the network do not match those entered on the laptop...

Any advice much appreciated.

Cheers.

 

i have sky broadband too journo,under the wireless router there should be sticker with ssid,network key and channel codes on it,thats all you should need to get it going,i take it your laptop is wifi enabled otherwise you need one of those dongles or a wireless card.

 

Yeah it's wireless enabled mate but...

Like I say the Network Key on the router is eight letters, but it was asking me for a 5 or 13 digit code (doh)

 

I'm also with sky. You should have got a small credit sized card with your stuff. it has both your SSID code and your network code.

firstly make sure that your wireless adaptor on the laptop is switched on

Go to your taskbar, rigth click on the single monitor and select view available wireless networks. your router should be there identified by your SSID

selct this to connect. it will then need your code.

That should be it

 

So it's not the codes on the router then mate?

That would explain it if so...

Will have to find all the stuff this evening as we've had it for months but just not used the wireless.

 

RE: So it's not the codes on the router then mate?

the codes on the router should be identical to the card that came with your stuff,unless you router has missed out on getting a sticker.

 

RE: So it's not the codes on the router then mate?

Is your Network Key 13 digits then?

Mine's 8 letters but as I say it's asking me for 5 or 13 S)

 

RE: So it's not the codes on the router then mate?

no,its a 8 letter code,do you have xp or vista?not sure if they are different but i have xp on both desktop and laptop,if your laptop is brand new, i am guessing its vista,does it try and connect automatically?my laptop does regardless of if i want to go on the internet or not,when it does though you can click on the icon in the bottom right and then find out the properties of each available connection,never had a problem like yours so i dont know much other than what i have already said.

 

Yeah it's Windows Vista mate

And yes it tries to connect automatically...

 

I have Vista and Sky Broadband. Just typed the 8 letter Network Key in and it worked fine.

 

Hmmm

Is it possibly because the Broadband's already registered on our PC? S)

 

RE: Hmmm

have you rang sky support up about it?they arent that bad compared to others i have experienced,for a start its in the UK which helps when trying to explain your problem,go here for the freephone number so it wont cost you http://www.saynoto0870.com/search.php

 

RE: Hmmm

Shouldn't make a difference as long as the network key is correct to access it elsewhere. (chinny)

 

RE: Hmmm

I rang the broadband number on the website and ended up with someone in the Philippines... I found that out as I asked for her landline number so I could call back when I'm at home off my mobile... I'm not ringing any 08 numbers off my mobile, don't have a landline.

It'll get sorted in the end I guess, got one or two things to try out.

 

RE: Hmmm

freephone number you need is 0800 0512595,wont cost you a penny.

 

You need to get a wireless connection between your router and your laptop mate.

 

I've got a spare one I can sell him, still in the box.

 

I'll buy it if it matches our carpet, I don't want a wireless connection that clashes, but I also don't want people tripping over it. Do you have imaginary cable clips so I can 'tuck' it away? If so, how much?

I meant tuck obviously, sorry Brush, I'll resign today.

I meant Brush, arse. I sweep my carpet with a moose, so I'm easily confused.

I'm going to stop editing now.

 

I can supply wireless connections to match most carpets, of course it's more expensive if you have a patterned carpet rather than just a solid colour. Clips are available if required in boxes of 6.

 

Thanks for that bit of inspiration Don!

The laptop finds the wireless connection but it's the codes that's the problem!