Reformatting/connection issues

The Muffin Man

My friend recently reformatted his computer, and I can't for the life of me figure out WHY it won't connect.

After connecting the Wireless router*, I can't seem to find any reason why the hard-lined connection DIRECTLY to the router isn't being recognized. I've tried unplugging it and plugging it back in, resetting the router itself, and opening a new connection in the Network Connections area.

So far, nothing has worked. Could it be the port itself is faulty? Or is there something else wrong?


It's a Dell Dimension E521, if that's any help.



*

It's incredibly slow and shitty, so as a secondary option, is there any way to speed it up and keep it from disconnecting? The router is, literally, RIGHT downstairs. If I TALK loud, anyone near it can hear me. So it shouldn't be a distance issue.

mausmalone

The shitty wireless connection could be almost anything, aside from sheer distance. Metal pipes or electrical conduit in the floor are the most likely culprit. Moving the computer to a different place in the room could make a difference. My roommate's Wii couldn't connect at all, ... we moved it 2 feet to the left and suddenly he was online.

Also, you need to look up about how wireless signals propagate off an antenna (i.e. in a "donut" shape). If your computer is directly above the router, you should have one of the router's antennae sticking out of the router, not sticking up. This will help the signal propagate upward. (ditto any antenna on the computer)

Wired is always preferable for a stationary computer, though. So first for that I'd recommend checking the connection light on the NIC. If that's not lit up then the problem is in the NIC, the router, or the cable. If it is lit up then it's a driver issue.

The Muffin Man

This has only happened since the reformat though. There has never been a problem before today, and it's just a wire that connects to the router.

I am going to inspect the wire myself and see what the router looks like personally.

Primesghost

The wired connection not being recognized could be caused by a couple of things.

1. Bad network card, try a different network card or a different port on the router and see if you get the same results.

2. Bad cable, try a different cable or try the cable with a different computer.

Your wireless problems could be caused by interference with the router. Try logging into the router and changing the wireless broadcast channel to either 1 or 11 instead of the default which is usually channel 6. Also there's always the chance that the wrong drivers are installed for the card.

One more thing: make sure you're not using the built-in Windows wireless utility for your wireless connection (it's spotty at best), use the connection utility that the card manufacturer provides.