Strange Wireless issues

[Helpmeh]

I've been encountering some strange issues regarding my computer's wireless internet. I didn't post this in the networking section because I believe the problem is in my computer, as my ipod touch can access the internet with no problems. These are the problems I've encountered:

1. My wireless network (dlink) is sometimes shown as a secure network, when it is not (I will have to put some security on it at some point, but that's beside the fact).
2. My connections program (the one that comes with the computer) freezes, but by a weird coincidence (or maybe not), the wireless switch light turns off. Pressing the wireless switch button Fn+F2 does nothing but turn off the switch when the computer turns off.

To temporarily fix problem 1, I have to to attempt to connect once without entering a password (which gives a message saying the password needs to be over X in length), then refresh the connection list a few times. Usually that does it.

To temporarily fix problem 2, I have to shutdown, then turn back on (not restart) and then try again.

Oh, and my computer is a Dell Latitude D520 running Windows XP SP3.

[patio]

What connections program ?

[Helpmeh]

What connections program ?

(the one that comes with the computer)

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[Helpmeh]

My wireless connection continues to conk out, but I haven't encountered the "secure" wireless point recently. When my laptop's Internet starts working, I will attach a picture of what happens when I try to repair my connection after it conks out.

[Helpmeh]

...attached is the image...*sigh*

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[Treval]

If you don't answer a password and your network has a password then you will have limited or no connectivity..

[Helpmeh]

If you don't answer a password and your network has a password then you will have limited or no connectivity..

1. My wireless network (dlink) is sometimes shown as a secure network, when it is not (I will have to put some security on it at some point, but that's beside the fact).

[Treval]

I  read your point 1, I just wanted to give you some knowledge for the future.

[soybean]

1. My wireless network (dlink) is sometimes shown as a secure network, when it is not (I will have to put some security on it at some point, but that's beside the fact).

Are you sure you're not seeing someone else's secure network?  If you have neighbors nearby who have wireless networks, you computer might be picking up their signal.

[Helpmeh]

I  read your point 1, I just wanted to give you some knowledge for the future.

Which pretty much anyone with half a brain and a laptop would already know...

Are you sure you're not seeing someone else's secure network?  If you have neighbors nearby who have wireless networks, you computer might be picking up their signal.

Nope. The signal strength was 5 bars. The highest signal I've gotten that wasn't mine was 3 bars, and that was for about 2 seconds.

Edit: And they don't use dlink (or at least, they signal name wasn't dlink).

[Treval]

I'm a tech (meaning with a brain and a laptop) and for me to find out that 'limited or no connectivity' is one of the messages you get due to a missed password was not obvious. I had to do some serious Googling for that.
It's not all that obvious.

[Helpmeh]

I'm a tech (meaning with a brain and a laptop) and for me to find out that 'limited or no connectivity' is one of the messages you get due to a missed password was not obvious. I had to do some serious Googling for that.
It's not all that obvious.

Treval, that is beside the point. I'm not getting "limited or no connectivity" errors because I didn't enter a password on a password protected signal. My computer is confusing my insecure router with one that is secure, and my wireless switch is screwing up.

[patio]

1. My wireless network (dlink) is sometimes shown as a secure network, when it is not (I will have to put some security on it at some point, but that's beside the fact).

Actually this statement sent up a red flag a week ago when i read it....
You either set this network up properly or you did not...
For it to show up "sometimes" as secure and sometimes not then it's not setup properly.

You should start from square 1 and stop chasing red herrings...

[Helpmeh]

Actually this statement sent up a red flag a week ago when i read it....
You either set this network up properly or you did not...
For it to show up "sometimes" as secure and sometimes not then it's not setup properly.

You should start from square 1 and stop chasing red herrings...

But only one computer has ever shown the network as "secure". The first time I saw it was "secure" I immediately checked my iTouch and it said it was insecure. I refreshed both signal lists and the computer continued to show it as "secure" whereas my iTouch shows it as it truly is.

[patio]

Check your Router manual...
Set it up properly as a secure connection...
Then set up the network connection properly on all machines...

[Helpmeh]

Check your Router manual...
Set it up properly as a secure connection...
Then set up the network connection properly on all machines...

And how does that solve my problem with the actual wireless switch on my laptop (the one that sometimes sees my router as a secure point)?

On a side note, the router hasn't been shown as "secure" since Monday, when I restarted my router.

[patio]

It doesn't neccessarily solve the issue...
However it keeps us from running around in circles with too many variables.

[Helpmeh]

It doesn't neccessarily solve the issue...
However it keeps us from running around in circles with too many variables.

OK...I'll have to get on that soon...tuesday probably.