Computer help needed...

[Scott & Lai 12]

I'm trying to set up a wireless network for our computers, a desktop and a laptop. The desktop wireless connection is fine, but I cannot get the laptop connected. The laptop's wireless IP address 169.254.148.124, instead of the expected close variant of 192.168.0.253 on my desktop. The desktop is running Windows XP, and the laptop is running Vista. No matter what I try, I can't get the laptop to set the correct IP address. It will connect to the internet using a direct ethernet connection to the router.

Any one have any ideas?

[Marilyn. 340]

I think it might be because one is using XP and the other Vista .. some kind of conflict maybe but I wouldn't know how to fix it and I could be totally wrong too ...

[thepizzadude 26]

Try restarting the laptop...it looks like it is still using the ip of your cable connection, somewhere in marina del ray. You could also try to repair the connection.

[Scott & Lai 12]

Try restarting the laptop...it looks like it is still using the ip of your cable connection, somewhere in marina del ray. You could also try to repair the connection.

The cable connection IP isn't even close to the wireless IP the laptop is trying to use. I've tried rebooting, as well as repairing the connection.

[Otto 83]

The issue (or could be) either the router or the laptops wireless network card - 169.254.blah blah blah is not a typical address assigned by a DHCP server (your router most likely).

You could manually assign your laptop's wireless connection.

It would be nice to know what your IP range is, but very likely you could assign the laptop 192.168.0.253 with subnet mask probalby 255.255.255.0

Default gateway would be your routher's address.

If you could open a console screen on your desktop and tyoe "ipconfig /all" you would see most of these figures.

Edited to add:

An easy check would be to review the setting for the wireless network connection (laptop)

Obtain IP address Automatically

Obtain DNS Server Automatically

Should both be selected

Edited September 14, 2009 by Otto und Karin

[Scott & Lai 12]

The issue (or could be) either the router or the laptops wireless network card - 169.254.blah blah blah is not a typical address assigned by a DHCP server (your router most likely).

You could manually assign your laptop's wireless connection.

It would be nice to know what your IP range is, but very likely you could assign the laptop 192.168.0.253 with subnet mask probalby 255.255.255.0

Default gateway would be your routher's address.

If you could open a console screen on your desktop and tyoe "ipconfig /all" you would see most of these figures.

How do I manually assign them?

[Dan J 277]

169.* address are usually assigned when it cant get an IP address from the router.

Just have some questions about what you are trying to do, are you trying to connect both computers together using an adhoc network, or do you have an access point that both computers will be connecting to.

If you have an AP, make sure the laptop is connected to it, and the signal strength is ok. If it does not automatically obtain an IP, you can manually set one within the subnet of 192.168.0.x

[Otto 83]

How do I manually assign them?

Here's a microsoft link to help - not that I'm lazy, but they help get through some of the menus to get to the settings.

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/e...8b11e21033.mspx

[Scott & Lai 12]

169.* address are usually assigned when it cant get an IP address from the router.

Just have some questions about what you are trying to do, are you trying to connect both computers together using an adhoc network, or do you have an access point that both computers will be connecting to.

If you have an AP, make sure the laptop is connected to it, and the signal strength is ok. If it does not automatically obtain an IP, you can manually set one within the subnet of 192.168.0.x

Both computers will connect wirelessly to a router. The laptop is able to detect the network, it just won't set the correct IP address to connect to it.

[Otto 83]

Both computers will connect wirelessly to a router. The laptop is able to detect the network, it just won't set the correct IP address to connect to it.

Right - it (the wireless card) is either not getting, or not asking for, an IP address from the router. (Once you can get it to get on the same IP/Subnet Mask bandwagon, there wil be the matter of security, but that will be easy - hopefully.)

[Nikita2Charles 33]

Are you using a wireless card, or the internal Wireless

At time when you install an external card, the OS sometimes doesn't open that wireless options, as such you have to use the software that comes with the wireless card to connect.

Also make sure you have a password set up on your wireless connection, when you try to connect once you find your wireless network, use that password.

[Scott & Lai 12]

Are you using a wireless card, or the internal Wireless

At time when you install an external card, the OS sometimes doesn't open that wireless options, as such you have to use the software that comes with the wireless card to connect.

Also make sure you have a password set up on your wireless connection, when you try to connect once you find your wireless network, use that password.

I'm using the laptop's internal wireless.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Check out this forum and sign up and ask if necessary. It is very good site for computer info. There is forum section for wireless. I had a problem similar to yours, only my desktop was hard wired. I couldn't get the laptop to be recognized. I needed to change some firewall settings.

http://www.notebookreview.com

[NickD 203]

Nothing was said about installing a compatible wireless board in your desktop with your wireless router, and the appropriate drivers that may either work out of the box or have to chase all over the damn internet to find working drivers. Then one of your two computers is needed to set up the router, if your laptop doesn't work, may have to try your desktop, latter makes more sense as your desktop kind of stays where it is at. Then MS may offer compatible programs for Vista to work with XP, that requires a further search. More complications arise if you are using a hardware firewall like I am using as the first box my modem feeds into.

Bottom line is, you have to play with it and play and play and play.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

What security software is running on the two machines?