Ask A Geek

Q: I purchased and installed a Linksys Wireless-G range extender to boost my wireless signal so that I can get wireless access in other areas of the building. When I am in range of the wireless range extender I can see the wireless signal but it is not encrypted. So my problem appears to be that the range extender is boosting the signal but is not passing along the security that is needed. What can I do to resolve this problem?

A: Wireless range extenders are super easy to setup if your wireless network is not secure. Obviously it is a bad idea to have an unsecured wireless network though so most people have some kind of security. This just means you cannot use the “auto configuration” button on the wireless range extender to setup the range extender. You will have to either insert the CD into your computer and connect to the device or you will have to use your web browser to change the settings on the device. Read the rest of this entry »

Q: I share wireless with my landlord, yes this is trouble. Anyway, the router they use does not have great range and I have been unable to use the wireless from my desk.

To solve this problem , they just bought a wireless booster. The side of the booster simply say Linksys Wireless-G range expander.

My problem is now I can see the signal, but I cannot see that the signal is encrypted. This means I cannot connect to the wireless with my desktop.

I moved my computer to the room where we can actually pick up the un-boosted signal and now I can see that the signal is secured, and my comp will provide the key.

In short: My problem is the booster is boosting the signal, but is not passing along that a key is needed. Meaning, when I use the boosted signal I’m still locked out since the router will not connect me to the Internet.

Anyone familiar with this issue or how to solve it? I didn’t see anything on a quick Google or Ask A Geek search.

Q: My daughter has a new ASUS compact desktop computer using Windows Vista. It has a built-in wireless modem that is used to access a free wireless system that her community offers.

Unfortunately the wireless signal at her home is very poor where she has to locate her computer.

What can be done to improve the signal to her computer?

The wireless card is inside the computer and there is no external antennae connector such that an external antennae could be connected and placed in a better location.

Can some kind of a wireless device that would receive the signal from the towns wireless transmitter and then retransmit it to her computers small internal antennae?

Q: I bought a new laptop and am trying to connect to our home wireless but I keep getting limited connectivity. How can I get full access?

Q: I have borrowed my fathers 3 month old Samsung NC10 Netbook with built in Atheros AR5007EG wireless Network adaptor to take on a business trip to London tomorrow. Yesterday I had the netbook connected to the internet successfully via my home wireless network however Last night and this morning, the netbook refuses to find any wireless network except my neighbors despite my home network running fine. When I try to repair the Netbook network or run the setup wizard I receive an error prompt indicating the hardware is “disconnected” and “requires plugging in”. Please can anyone advise me how I may rectify this or does it need to go in to the shop to be dismantled to access the network card?

Q: I am wondering if laptop parts can be used in desktop computers? I have a laptop that just broke but it is an issue with the power supply not with any of the components in the laptop itself. I want to know if I can take a lot of parts and use them in this old desktop that I have.

A: Most laptops today have the majority of their parts integrated into the motherboard with the exception of the DVD drive and the hard drive. The hard drive is smaller than a desktop hard drive so you would need to use something like this Startech BRACKET25 2.5″ to 3.5″ Hard Drive Adapter kit so that it could fit in your desktop computer. You would probably need a similar adaptor to get the DVD drive to work as well. Read the rest of this entry »

Q: I have an HP laptop model dv6700 with Windows Vista. I was always able to access wirelessly through verizon modem and a netgear router. Now my connection tells me local only. I show a connection between the computer and an unidentified network but no connection between it and the Internet. This is on the network and sharing center, can you help?

Q: I have an HP computer running Microsoft Windows XP. I have dial up Internet. I was wondering if it is possible to use the USB wireless cards in my computer for Internet access without a phone line? Is there any other equipment I would need to this? What type of equipment?

A: Your access to the Internet needs to come from an Internet Service Provider (ISP). If you want something faster than dial-up you’ll need to pay an ISP for a connection to their Internet service just like you would for cable or satellite TV. Read the rest of this entry »

Q: I originally had a Intel wireless card in my Dell D610 but it stopped working and the computer didn’t recognize it. So I pulled a Askey ar5bmb5 wireless card out of a Toshiba L25-S1194 and put it in my Dell . The computer doesn’t recognize the new card and it doesn’t show up in the device manager.

Before I installed the drivers the device manager had “Unknown Device: Ethernet Controller”. When I installed the drivers that message disappeared but cannot find the card anywhere. The wifi light comes on but it doesn’t work.

Can there be a problem with the drivers? if so can you help me find them? I’ve looked but all I found was on the Toshiba site. Could it be the connector because it had a problem with the old wireless card?

Q: I have recently purchased an HP G70 laptop with Windows Vista. When it is plugged in by Ethernet cable it runs fine but while using the wireless option to connect to the Internet it constantly looses connection. If I turn off the wireless card and then turn it back on then it will work again for a while.

I do not have this problem with any of the other laptops in the house so I am certain it is specific to this laptop. What can I do to solve this problem once and for all?

A: You should go to HP’s website to check to see if there are any updated drivers for your wireless card.  If there are then you should install them and chances are that will resolve your problem.

If there aren’t any new drivers for your wireless card or that doesn’t work then you should contact HP support. Given that it’s a brand new system you shouldn’t be having that kind of problem. Especially when your other laptops work just fine with the wireless access point.