Does anything else with wifi connect to and talk to your wifi/router now ? Anotherwords do you know the router works on wifi ?

To me it sounds like maybe some simple setting .

I might turn off DHCP on the router and assign fixed ip to my laptop to see if it would connect that way.

I have tried shutting off the router, pulled the plug, waited about 10 seconds plugged back in and still no connection.

I assume the wireless router works because my ipod touch finds the signal and works.

Not sure how to assign a fixed ip to my latop? Care to explain? THANKS.

Assigning the fixed IP is not likely to help, since you'd still need to connect to the wireless in order to use the IP you've got.

Does the wireless NIC use Windows to manage it or does it have a program from the vendor?

You might want to open your network connections in the control panel (or by right clicking the icon for the network card in the toolbar in the notification area (lower right corner) and choosing Open NEtwork Connections.

Right click the Wireless connection and choose properties. In the wireless netowrks tab, click View Wireless networks, tehn pick yours and connect. It should then connect automatically. If not, it should be in the list of preferred networks. You can click there and then click properties. Under Association, click on Connect even if SSID is not broadcasting. Under Conenction, click the box to Connect when this network is in range.

to bpgreen. I beleive Windows manages the sytem, although we have the install disc that came with the router.

I did what you said with the right click on wireless connection.etc. The wireless connection did not show up on my computer , so I connected to the internet through the ethernet cable and the wireless popped up and I ran it through what you said to do. All the boxes you wanted checked were already checked.

Still no connection, when I shut down the system and bring it back up. The computer just seems to forget about the connection, as in it does not show back up when I click on "network connections".

I set up my wireless network using the CD that came with the router. Found it to be very easy to use and wireless network showed up immediately on my laptop. You might give that a try instead of using the Windows Wizard.

If you were able to follow the steps I gave you, Windows is managing it. Otherwise, you wouldn't see some of the options I gave you to try.

It's possible that your wireless is not enabled after reboot, but I can't think of any reason plugging the wire in would enable the wireless.

Can you also check in the Device Manager and see if there is anything there that says the wireless card has any problems? Do this after a reboot while you're not seeing it.

Thanks for all your suggestions. When I get some time I am going to uninstall and reinstall the router starting from square one.

It doesn't sound like a router issue to me. It sounds more like something on the PC's wireless configuration.

It could be that the wireless software in your laptop is turned off (diabled). Go to "programs" and look for an application that appears to be your wireless software. Double click on it to start it. A panel should appear and there should be "disable/enable" button. Enable and click on "ok" or "apply" whichever shows. Thereafter, the wireless software will start when the computer boots.

To turn it off, use the same procedure and click on the disable button, then "ok" or "accept".

the function key combo of Fn+F5 brings up a very unique wireless options menu on at least some of ibm's R52's

maybe if you havent already, try making a profile for your home router there.