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#1
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wireless networking
Here's the problem: Main computer is running W7; laptop is running
Vista. Main is on internet via a Plusnet Wireless router, which broadcasts as PlusnetWireless. The laptop is already configured on a friend's network, also wireless, also Plusnet, also called PlusnetWireless. See where this is going? I want the laptop to be able to connect to either PlusnetWireless networks. The only way I can find at the moment is to change the WPA key every time - I can't find a way to set up alternative configurations as I could in XP (I never used Vista). I should add - if I try to add a wireless network to the Vista machine it won't allow two networks of the same name.....and I'm loath to change my network name as I have other (XP) machines using it. Can anybody help please? |
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#2
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wireless networking
"Seasidepeter" wrote in message ... Here's the problem: Main computer is running W7; laptop is running Vista. Main is on internet via a Plusnet Wireless router, which broadcasts as PlusnetWireless. The laptop is already configured on a friend's network, also wireless, also Plusnet, also called PlusnetWireless. See where this is going? I want the laptop to be able to connect to either PlusnetWireless networks. The only way I can find at the moment is to change the WPA key every time - I can't find a way to set up alternative configurations as I could in XP (I never used Vista). I should add - if I try to add a wireless network to the Vista machine it won't allow two networks of the same name.....and I'm loath to change my network name as I have other (XP) machines using it. Can anybody help please? If your friend is willing to set his router to use the same passphrase as your router (or yours as his), you won't have a problem. It will switch seamlessly between your network and his when you're at his place since they both have the same SSID. SC Tom |
#3
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wireless networking
"Seasidepeter" wrote in message ... Here's the problem: Main computer is running W7; laptop is running Vista. Main is on internet via a Plusnet Wireless router, which broadcasts as PlusnetWireless. The laptop is already configured on a friend's network, also wireless, also Plusnet, also called PlusnetWireless. See where this is going? I want the laptop to be able to connect to either PlusnetWireless networks. The only way I can find at the moment is to change the WPA key every time - I can't find a way to set up alternative configurations as I could in XP (I never used Vista). I should add - if I try to add a wireless network to the Vista machine it won't allow two networks of the same name.....and I'm loath to change my network name as I have other (XP) machines using it. Can anybody help please? I assume you are using Workgroup and not homegroup. Under workgroup you can add an existing network |
#4
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wireless networking
"Seasidepeter" wrote in message ... .and I'm loath to change my network name as I have other (XP) machines using it. How many machines? If you change the name, all that happens is that the XP machines will try to connect to the new LAN, and all you do is provide the passkey. 10 seconds per machine? |
#5
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wireless networking
Gordon wrote:
"Seasidepeter" wrote in message ... .and I'm loath to change my network name as I have other (XP) machines using it. How many machines? If you change the name, all that happens is that the XP machines will try to connect to the new LAN, and all you do is provide the passkey. 10 seconds per machine? Took the group advice and changed the wireless network ssid on the main pc. Now my friend's laptop connects to the network(hooray!), but with "local access only", ie it can't access the internet. I'm obviously missing something - how to allow internet access? |
#6
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wireless networking
"Seasidepeter" wrote in message o.uk... Gordon wrote: "Seasidepeter" wrote in message ... .and I'm loath to change my network name as I have other (XP) machines using it. How many machines? If you change the name, all that happens is that the XP machines will try to connect to the new LAN, and all you do is provide the passkey. 10 seconds per machine? Took the group advice and changed the wireless network ssid on the main pc. Now my friend's laptop connects to the network(hooray!), but with "local access only", ie it can't access the internet. I'm obviously missing something - how to allow internet access? Have you tried re-setting the network card? |
#7
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wireless networking
Gordon wrote:
"Seasidepeter" wrote in message o.uk... Gordon wrote: "Seasidepeter" wrote in message ... .and I'm loath to change my network name as I have other (XP) machines using it. How many machines? If you change the name, all that happens is that the XP machines will try to connect to the new LAN, and all you do is provide the passkey. 10 seconds per machine? Took the group advice and changed the wireless network ssid on the main pc. Now my friend's laptop connects to the network(hooray!), but with "local access only", ie it can't access the internet. I'm obviously missing something - how to allow internet access? Have you tried re-setting the network card? Thanks Gordon, yes I did. For the record, the problem is now solved. It seems to have been a known Vista problem (various 'unidentified network' threads). Fixed with an update... FWIW the windows 7 machine behaved impeccably during the (many) hours of network tinkering. So did an elderly XP thinkpad. Only the Vista machines gave trouble. Glad I upgraded straight from XP to Win7... |
#8
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wireless networking
On Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:52:58 +0000, Seasidepeter wrote:
Thanks Gordon, yes I did. For the record, the problem is now solved. It seems to have been a known Vista problem (various 'unidentified network' threads). Fixed with an update... I am curious, what did you update? I was trying to get a friend's laptop beyond the 'local access' barrier - problem arose after she took it home after I had set things up on my network - and I read many of those threads you probably read. some of those folks were advising rather drastic measures. couldn't be right. all that was required - and it was tricky for me finding the right settings panel mostly because I don't know the Windows neighborhood - was to go to the network adaptor (I recall this being in 'device manager') and make sure it is properly configured, for instance, for the correct dns numbers and the correct default gateway. I doubt this tinkering must be done every time my friend (well, her daughter) hooks into a new network but the laptop is mostly used at home anyway. what was that update? did you update the network adaptor? Felmon |
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