Uncooperative Wireless Adapter

My wireless adapter is not working on my desktop PC.

My OS is Windows XP HE SP3.

My wireless adapter is a compact Wireless-G USB Adapter (manufacturer: Linksys, model: WUSB54GC-EU, hardware version: 1)

I plugged it into a USB port. It finds a number of wireless connections. I selected mine (my router is Linksys too). It asked me for the password which I entered correctly. The adapter says its status is “Acquiring network address”. It just keeps saying that but never actually connects.

I believe it must be the adapter because my laptop connects to the net through the same router and there are no problems connecting to the net from my laptop.

To try to resolve the problem I have connected up my modem in order to connect to the net via that method and then searched for an update for the wireless adapter’s driver but it is up to date. I checked the adapter in Device Manager and there’s no yellow question mark or red exclamation mark, which would indicate a problem with the device.

This adapter has worked before on this PC so I don’t know why it is not working now. I recently had a problem with the PC (see this thread: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=211352) but everything else on my PC seems to working fine.

I just don’t know what to do now to resolve this particular problem.

 

Can you try the adapter in another PC? maybe a friend or colleagues?

Thats all the the help i can offer for now, im afraid you will have to wait for someone more experiences in this type of thing.

 

If you are using the Linksys software to manage the connection try letting Windows manage it instead and see if that helps. If you are using Windows wireless management, then try the Linksys software.

I had a few occasions where switching from one to the other clears up connection problems.

Sam

 

Thanks Sam, how do I get Windows to manage it?

 

When I go into the wireless adapter's properties which tab is it under: General, Advanced, Driver or Details? And, where under that particular tab will it be?

 

I have tried to install it using the Linksys Installation Wizard. This did not work. So I started from scratch and tried installing it via Windows XP's Found New Hardware Wizard. That did not work either. I am really stuck now and do hope people will help out.

I do not understand your advice. Would you please explain further.

 

Is the driver with linksys information on a disk or in a zipped file you downloaded off the net? If its in a folder, make sure the folder is unzipped to a place you can easily find it. Then use add bew hardware wizzard, choose advanced, then choose the one that says something like I'll find the drivers, navigate to where you stored the unzipped folder and try that.

One more thing keep in mind passwords are case sensitve. So you have to have it exactly right.

 

I downloaded the driver from the Linksys website as a zipped folder. I extracted all files to Desktop. I have already tried the steps that you recommend. I understand passwords are case sensitive but I am positive I've entered it correctly. I really am stumped by this problem. I've tried I don't know how many work rounds. What I don't understand is that it used to work and when I originally set it up the blasted thing worked no problem. I just wish throwing it away and purchasing a new one was an option.

 

when you use hardware wizzard to install the card using the drivers, what happens?

 

After I have selected the wireless network I want to connect to the wireless adapter says it is acquiring a new IP address. It does not progress beyond that point and it does not connect to the Internet.

 

I meant, installing. Are you able to install with Windows, instead of the linksys software?

Are you able to connect to a neighbors wireless? Any open networks? Are there any other computers you can connect this to to test?

 

It's also installing it with Windows that I meant. I haven't seen any open networks on the list of available networks, they're all secure (looks like people are learning). I could try installing it on my laptop but won't it conflict with my laptop's inbuilt adapter?

 

No all you would need to do is disable the onboard card, to be sure thats the one you are using and re-enable it if the other card doesn't work. do it right in network settings.

 

You're not butting in. This problem is becoming so frustrating any help is very welcome.

I haven't. Two reasons: 1. Never thought of doing that because when I first bought the adapter, and it worked, that wasn't necessary. 2. My desktop PC does not have a port into which an ethernet cable could be plugged.

 

The wireless adapter is now working on my desktop PC. I was convinced that I had entered the password correctly. I have tried the adapter on my laptop. This solved the problem. The version of Windows on my desktop is Windows XP. When I tried to set up the adapter using Windows it accepted my password and pretended that it was trying to connect to the Internet. My laptop has Windows Vista, which is obviously more helpful because it was upfront with me and told me my password was wrong. So I tried several minor variations and one worked. So I had been getting the password wrong and Windows XP wasn't telling me that. So I tried the adapter again on my desktop with the now correct password and it connected to the net straightaway.

My deepest apologies to all those who have given their time and effort to help me with this problem, especially to those who asked me if I had got my password wrong. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. I shall wear my hair shirt today.

 

No problem, I think we were all leading you that way because thats what windows xp does with a bad password.

Glad its working now.

 

We live and learn and learn best by our mistakes.

I wish I had known that sooner. It gave the appearance of accepting my password and seemed to be attempting to connect to the net. That just strengthened my belief that I was entering the password correctly. It is one I use regularly (I know we should have different passwords for different things, but that assumes one can remember them all) but I had made one minor change to it.:confused