Right, while you were helping (I'm not fully comfortable yet) I tried with a boot with the Ethernet disconnected. The notebook came up with the wireless detected and a strong signal seen, but would not work and when looking at the "view all wireless networks" a note advised: Windows can not configure this wireless connection....something about if some other program in control, or look at article 871122 in MS Know ledge base. Before doing that I went back to the Broadband Wireless Utility, this comes active on boot and is the software associated with the built-in wireless adapter in the notebook, it appears. So, this must the reason MS couldn't configure. Looking at the various dialog boxes associated with the Broadcom I re-entered the Network Key. I figured I knew it, and noted the number of "*" in the boxes were one character short of the key I remember. So I re-entered the key, and the WiFi started working, I'm using it right now. Thus, I've removed while typing my discomfort noted at the start of this post, it is the Broadcom software that is in control and I made an error when I first tired to activate, wrong key just as you, mikie, suggest. Thanks.

Is the wireless signal protected by a password (WEP or WPA)? Or is the administration of the router protected? Those are different things. If you're not using security for the wireless signal, somebody could be piggybacking on your connection. If you didn't change the SSID, they could be connecting by accident. I remember a few years ago, one of my brothers called me because he was helping a friend connect. He told me that when he viewed wireless connections he saw 4 that said Linksys and wanted to know which one was the right one. I had him change it in the router and also set up security (I think at the time, WEP was the only option, but WPA is better and should be available on all systems now).

zep516 - Now that you mention it I have at times (but not at the same time my laptop stopped working on the porch) had modem failures and comcast told me I probably needed to have it replaced. But it works fine for about three weeks and then goes down. So i've been lazy and haven't taken it in to swap it out. Comcast isn't my fav company to deal with. pkponder - I have wracked my brain and the only other thing that I know of that has changed is my ADT system got a trouble light a few weeks ago, maybe around the same time, but ADT told me that checking their records, they haven't had a signal from my home in a year... ADT is also not my favorite company since they continued to bill me. But the security system is wired not wireless, if that makes a difference. It is connected to my Comcast phone service though. mikie - Well, I do have an older, refurbished laptop so that could be possible. There is no way to check the internal reception, is there? And windows update has messed me up on other minor settings before. I will work on the things I have control over like the modem and the ethernet cable and see what happens. You guys (and gal) are awesome.

yes if you have wireless in your home through a router which it sounds like you do then you have wifi that is all wifi is a wireless network connection no matter where it happens to be located. 4G is a term associated with cellular networks it is supposed to be the fastest protocol at the moment but it is not available every where so you may ask for 4G and pay for 4G but you may not get 4G you will get what ever band is available in the area you are in and in some areas if there is no coverage by that cellular network then you may not have any connection. you will have to have a cellular data plan to be able to use the 4G ability on the tablet, that will be a monthly fee with some cellular provider. I am not concerned with having that type of connection on my tablets I use mainly wifi connections. I do have a smartphone which does do all the tricks and does have a 4G plan including data so I can use my phone to access the internet where there are wifi networks available free or I can use the cellular data plan and access it through the cell towers if I am in a zone that has coverage. You will pay for that data on the cellular networks if you go over your allowed amount and it can really add up fast. So you just have to decide if you think you will use the 4G connection and if it is worth it to have to purchase a monthly plan to cover usage. I have no idea why it will cost $500 when the google nexus is so much cheaper and is a decent tablet. If it is going to be a 10 inch instead of the 7-8 inch that will be part of it. any cell company has a map you can look at that supposedly shows the coverage areas for the various bands like 4G 3 G etc.