Vista Disaster

Does anyone out there have the bad luck of having Vista on their computer and are trying to use a wireless network?
 
We have three computers linked.  The first two use Windows XP and the third unfortunately has Vista.  We are unable to hold an internet connection with this one.
 
It says we have a strong signal, etc., but it always comes up with page not found.  Obviously email will not connect either.
 
After a lot of searching, it seems we need a special router and a new adapter for this particular pc.  These are all IBM's.  Can anyone help me out here?

I'm sorry you are having trouble, Pwingsx....
I'm just here to offer support and lend an ear, as I have no idea how to even link more than one computer together...

I already have a desktop, and I just bought a Dell laptop on sale at Best Buy today....$499...
It's a Vista, (no choice, for the most part) so I'll keep my fingers crossed...

I can definitely relate to that hopeless feeling you have; we've all been THERE!!  Hope you can resolve it ASAP

I have no idea what I'm even supposed to do with this new laptop, as far as linking it up, whatever...
so I guess I'll just keep it in the box for awhile...
it just feels good that I bought it, got the good deal, etc..
felt like I was carrying in a new baby!
 
 

I have a wireless network of 7 laptops and two network printers. Two of them have Vista, one has Win 98, Two have XP Pro, one has XP, and one has Win 2000 Pro.

Can you get a connection at all with the Vista box? Or do you get a connection, but every time you try to reconnect you have to re-enter all the settings? Those are two different issues, after all.

Have you entered the WEP number (usually on the bottom of the router) into the ID box in the connection wizard?

This stuff can be so frustrating, it's usually just not knowing what numbers to enter where. Who is your access provider? With Verizon, at one point I had to plug in the network cable, and set up the network from that specific box, including the router. That was a Vista machine.

Try a software package calle "Network Magic" I use it and it really helped. I went from a wireless network using 2 XP laptops to 1 XP and 1 Vista and then to 2 Vista and 1 XP. It was no problem at all.

Also you need to know if your wireless router is protocol 802.11 A, B, G or N. B & G are the most common right now but N is gaining. The wireless card in your laptop MUST support the same protocol(s) as your router.

Most routers support B&G, newer ones support B,G & N. The laptop, if new, should support B&G and probably N. N is the fastest protocol so far.
 
It sounds like you are connecting but aren't staying connected. Try the Network Magic software, it is a free trial. If you are connecting at all then you don't need a new router.

DON'T FORGET to use a password (encryption, WEP or WAP) with your wireless network.

Thanks, Tom and Mike for some fine advice, and thanks for the sympathy, Ellen!
 
When this computer was first installed, it seemed to work fine.  Over time it has had more and more trouble keeping connectivity.  At first it was just the internet and over time has shifted to not even being able to find the wireless network.
 
We've done all the work with the WEP number, have plugged and unplugged the router, have tried a few DOS commands recommended by UncleVic, but no joy.
 
Finally, after much googling and searching online (not on THAT computer, I dare say), we have determined that the adapter is not compatible with Vista.  It is an external adapter and was simply moved from the old XP computer to the new Vista one by a family member who shall remain nameless but fancies himself a real 'puter geek.  Ha.
 
We even paid for some firmware which guaranteed it would help.  But it looks like the new adapter is the way to go, and supposedly (fingers crossed), it should remain an invisible change to both other computers and the router.  But I do suspect it is more than time to update the router.  But one thing at a time.  Who's got all this discretionary income?  Not us.
 
So thanks.  I'll let you know if we are successful in this step. 
 

One quick question; do you use wireless phones? If so, at some time since you added this computer, did you change or upgrade your wireless phone network?

Sometimes they interfere with each other.

Is cordless the same as wireless?
 
Either way, no, we've neither changed, nor upgraded. 

Katie
  I use both Verizon Cell phones- 2 of them, for Janet and myself and I also have one of the USB port Modem for the Verizon Hi-Speed Wireless Internet connection. The modem shows another cell number, but it is not for 'regular' phone use- data only.
My desktop Dell computer uses Vista. So far except for one technical issue, it has worked well with the wireless modem.  The technical problem may or may not be anything to do with Vista...but rather a Dell Problem. During our recent power outages we had repeated (10 or 15 on/offs) short power restoration and then out again. Those quick on and offs prevented me from shutting down my computer properly. The end results were power surges that caused  3 of my 6 USB ports on the computer to'die' I had to switch things around to get the wireless internet modem working again.  I am told by a 'Geek Squader' that I need a replacement Mother Board that will then allow the USB ports to work...but I haven't done that yet. I had two surge protectors in series to prevent that sort of dmage, but the constant repeated surges apparently cut thru the protection and fried the ports.

My Dell Laptop which was plugged into the same surge-protectors was not affected. It is loaded with XP...go figure??