Wireless connection problems...

I've set up an old Dell Inspiron laptop for my grandson. I had some trouble getting it to connect to my wireless network, but finally got it to work with my network by restoring defaults. My network (which is not password protected... yes, I know) it works fine, but when he takes the laptop to his house, the network is password protected. I find it using the card utility and connect. It says it has a good connection, but gets caught up trying to acquire a network address. The little icon in the tray has a yellow ball that bounces back and forth. When I right click on the multi-bar thing I get everything is right except the address shows as 0.0.0.0

Not a clue what to do with this. I connect it to the router with a cable. It wouldn't connect to the internet. I reset everything from static to automatic and I can connect. I tried the same thing with the wireless connection, but it just sits there and keeps trying to connect. I'm not too good at this networking thing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

You have to remove password From router to do so you have to login modem
first open internet explorer then type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.2.1 or 192.168.123.254(any1)
then it will open your modem page then goto interface setup then click wireless then find pre-shared key which will be your router password change it or remove it and your grandson can use it

 

The router is not mine. Are you saying if I just remove the key it will work? I've used my laptop to connect to secure networks and have had no problem. Why is this the only solution? Just showing my ignorance I guess.

 

i guess the owner of router would have used your laptop (with remember me option) so you are able to use his internet
ok he has password protected router so if you can access his router settings then you can see his password without removing it.
first open internet explorer then type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.2.1 or 192.168.123.254(any1 that works)
i am not sure the info but give it a try
user:admin
pass:admin
then it will open your modem page then goto interface setup then click wireless then find pre-shared key in that form

YOU CAN VIEW PASSWORD Next To Pre-shared key
it will be visible so you can tell your grandson that password
see image below in example
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/2146/newbitmapimagehm.jpg

 

When your grandson tries to connect to his network at home does it ask him for a passphrase? Does he not remember what it is? Just logon to the router and enter a new wireless passphrase and all should e well.

 

Not exactly... it keeps trying to find an IP address... I can't remember the whole mess. I got it connected with the hardwired LAN cable. When I do, it prompts for the passphrase. I enter it and am connected immediately. I guess I need to steal it back and do the MalWare thing just to make sure. There was a bunch of stuff on there... the previous owner was in construction and used the 3G connection or WiFi... whatever the location called for. I uninstalled all the 3G stuff because they don't have that plan. They have high speed at their house and have a wireless router. Not sure what is wrong. As I said, it works fine here at my house; I don't have any sort of passphrase, even though I should

 

I don't understand how you are getting the "passphrase" question with a hard wired cable.

I think the best approach is to troubleshoot the problem at your grandsons house OR get the pc to your house and put security on your network so it closely matches your grandsons network at home. Then troubleshoot the problem at your house. It would also be a good opportunity to get security on your own network

I don't think there is a virus issue.

 

Agreed. With Christmas, being unemployed, and having the cold from hell... it may be later in the month. As for getting the passphrase with the cable... I could be imagining that. I didn't take notes. I do remember having to set things to default to have the cable connection be recognized.

 

We'll be here.