Vista won't connect to linksys wireless-g router

Hello,
My family and i just got a new dell laptop with vista on it, but it will not connect to our home internet connection. We use a Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router, Model WRT54G. I've tried various guides and searched high and low for an answer. When I try to connect to the network Linksys, It says
'Windows cannot connect to Linksys'.
Then, it says
"Make sure your computer is in range of "linksys" and that the network settings match the wireless router or access point settings"
All our other computers work fine with it, A laptop running XP, Our Home computer running XP, and even an iphone.
I'm not sure what that diagnostic is supposed to mean and I'm not familiar with vista at all.
Thank you for your help!

Check the bars on the network (anything less than "fair" is unacceptable)-you may need to bring notebook closer to router.
This can occur if encryption key is not the same (keys are usually changed once a day or so by router depending on setting), Or if there was a forced wireless browser election.
(Different computers on same network may think they are both master browsers and force an election- resulting in loss of internet connection)
Are you using a "secured" network? If your connection shows up as secured you need to enter your key. If "unsecured" network, or key already on Vista system, try following:

Power off ALL computers power down router and modem.
After a few minutes, power on modem, then power on router, then power up Vista computer, then XP systems

If you are set up for either a WEP or WPA secured network , and do not know your key this can be retrieved of the XP machines through the wireless config wizard, or you can reset your router to its default settings by pushing the reset button on the back with either a paperclip or push pin, and then connecting to the "unsecured" Linksys network.

If you are set up for MAC filtering through the router you must add the IP for the new computer/disable MAC filtering, or reset router to default.

The network is unprotected. I've tried resetting it multiple times, restarting computers ectect and It still doesn't work.
And I forgot to mention that I'm sitting right next to the router itself.

Abeautifulplace said:

The network is unprotected. I've tried resetting it multiple times, restarting computers ectect and It still doesn't work.
And I forgot to mention that I'm sitting right next to the router itself.

Click to expand...

unplug everything including the modem and computer then plug it all back in and turn on the computer and manually reconnect to the network- it will not connect automatically. check your internet access by plugging the cat cable directly into the router.

Abeautifulplace said:

Hello,
My family and i just got a new dell laptop with vista on it, but it will not connect to our home internet connection. We use a Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router, Model WRT54G. I've tried various guides and searched high and low for an answer. When I try to connect to the network Linksys, It says
'Windows cannot connect to Linksys'.
Then, it says
"Make sure your computer is in range of "linksys" and that the network settings match the wireless router or access point settings"
All our other computers work fine with it, A laptop running XP, Our Home computer running XP, and even an iphone.
I'm not sure what that diagnostic is supposed to mean and I'm not familiar with vista at all.
Thank you for your help!

Click to expand...

What us the name of the network you are attaching to ? Is it "Linksys" or something else ? (Sorry about this if it is a dumb question )

The other think I would check to see if the Windows firewall ( and any other firewall is disabled ).

Finally check the TCP/IP properties on the Vista machine and ensure it is set to obtain an IP address automatically.

I had the same thing with my new laptop too. I could see the router but it could not connect.

All I did was initially connect it via a cable updated the inbuilt wireless adapter drivers and now it connects perfectly.

The only other issue I had was seeing the xp computers on my home network, but that was easily sorted using the link layer topology (I think thats what its called) downloaded from microsoft.

You can also run the wireless connection wizard.
start>control Panel>network and Internet>Network and sharing center-connect to a network>(bottom left)click "setup a Connection or network">setup a wireless router or access point

I have the WRT54G v 3 router and recently bought a new HP HDX with windows vista x64 and had trouble staying connected to the internet. My Dell running XP and Mac computer both stay connect without any problems.

I can confirm that Linksys WRT54G lower editions do not work with Windows Vista. I changed numerous setting on computer and router, downloaded firmware, driver, and tried every trick I could find posted on forums to no avail. About 10 hours were spent with both Linksys technical support and HP HDX technical support and Vista technical support to fix the problem. Discovered this version is incompatable (although it says compatable on Linksys web site) with Windows Vista.

Linksys tried to charge me $30 to talk to their "special technical support" or $30 to get an extended warranty to try some "other things". I ended up just using their online tech guys and was much happier with their service/help - alas the "other things" did not work. Time was lost but didn't have to pay more money for nothing.

Decided to leave Linksys after the ordeal and looking for a new router. If you've tried everything including the help on this post - you are not alone.

PabloGlanville said:

I have the WRT54G v 3 router and recently bought a new HP HDX with windows vista x64 and had trouble staying connected to the internet. My Dell running XP and Mac computer both stay connect without any problems.

I can confirm that Linksys WRT54G lower editions do not work with Windows Vista. I changed numerous setting on computer and router, downloaded firmware, driver, and tried every trick I could find posted on forums to no avail. About 10 hours were spent with both Linksys technical support and HP HDX technical support and Vista technical support to fix the problem. Discovered this version is incompatable (although it says compatable on Linksys web site) with Windows Vista.

Linksys tried to charge me $30 to talk to their "special technical support" or $30 to get an extended warranty to try some "other things". I ended up just using their online tech guys and was much happier with their service/help - alas the "other things" did not work. Time was lost but didn't have to pay more money for nothing.

Decided to leave Linksys after the ordeal and looking for a new router. If you've tried everything including the help on this post - you are not alone.

Click to expand...

Access Linksys router settings: http://192.168.1.1/index.htm
I use a wrk54g and a wrt54G [setup for WPA TKP-PSK/MAC filtering] with a home network (both x86 and (2)x64 systems), and all work fine with Vista. Your problem is purely user error and/or a defective router.

Vista x64 does work with some versions of the wrt54g - just not v 3. Linksys never provided a correct firmware update for that version. Four tech support at Linksys tried numerous solutions to this problem. Also worked with 2 people at HP. Tried Tomato and download directly from Linksys. 10 hours spent with 'professionals' and probably about the same amount getting suggestions from forums.

Rive I appreciate the quick fix - but really? This was tried, failed, any more? How about try a new router and see if it is the router...

User error?? Not likely. I admit not being proficient but when there is no solution and I've done due diligence in trying every suggestion I have to say = router is not compatable with my setup. We can blame the router blame the OS blame the computer blame the user...

Just an update - I purchased an WNDR 3300 from NetGear and works EXCELLENT!!! Could not be happier. Dual band is great! This is best if you don't need a very large range. Perfect within 100 feet. Just pretty good 100-200 feet. Since I don't need to access my router from my neighbors house it works for me.

I am able to get 15 times the speed utilizing the Wireless N on my new HP HDX with windows Vista x64 on the 5ghz; and able to connect my dell running xp and mac on the 2.4ghz = max performance on all machines.