[Solved] New Laptop cannot connect

Hi.
I have a Netgear, Wireless N, ADSL2+ Modem/Router, Model DGN2000. My desktop (XP-SP3), is connected via Ethernet cable. My Son's Win 7 (32 bit) (Upgraded from Vista), Laptop (Compaq Presario) is connected wirelessly and works fine. It was connected before the Win 7 upgrade, if that matters.

My wife has just purchased an Acer Aspire 5741G Laptop, running Win 7, home premium (64 bit). This one will not connect wirelessly. It can see the Modem/ router and has an "Excellent" signal. It can see the SSID. I have put in the Security Key. The message just says unable to connect to (SSID). I have tried resetting the router.

I have tried manually adding the laptop to the trusted area, but am not sure about the MAC Address. If I connect via Ethernet cable it shows on the Router as beginning with 70:xx:xx etc. If I try using this MAC Address in the manual area, I'm told it is not a valid MAC Address. I tried changing it to begin with 00:xx:xx: etc. It will accept this, but I still cannot connect. IS there another way to get the correct MAC Address? I cannot find it in any of the Laptop's Adaptor stats. Or, is there a better way to fix this?

I have tried turning off the router's security, so I don't need to put in the address, but it doesn't help...still won't connect. The "Troubleshooter" cannot find the problem. I have "disabled" the home group.

I am a bit of a newbie with this stuff, so any help would be appreciated. Getting very frustrating.

Cheers

You are right to turn off wireless security temporarily.

Also disable this trusted group stuff -- what is usually called Access List in Netgear routers. a) it's not secure b) it causes unpredictable problems.


Is the router broadcasting an SSID -- make sure it's a new unique one rather than the factory default.

Don't try fixed IPs. Check TCP/IP Properties. Start, Connect To, Connection, Properties, Scroll Down TCP/IP and highlight, click Properties and check that Obtain DNS and IP address automatically are enabled.


Update the driver for the laptop's wireless adapter.

Best answer selected by PlodderInOz.