Open the control pane and double click network connections.

You should see the wireless connection icon there. Right click and choose properties. On the General tab, make sure the two check boxes at the bottom are checked (show icon in task bar when connected and notify me when this connection has limited or no connectivity).

Go to the wireless networks tab. Click the View wireless networs button. You should see the new wireless network listed. Double click it or select it and click Connect.

Enter the security information needed to connect to the wireless router (you did use security when you set up the router, didn't you?).

Good morning and thanks so much for the reply. Actually, your second sentence refers to my whole problem. "You should see the wireless connection icon there." After installing the router, when going to my Network Connections folder, there is NO icon there for the wireless connectio...just the local. What I'm trying to do is get that icon back. Once I have it, I should be able to get online and then do as you suggested and set it up so that it is displayed in the task bar. It's just that I can't even get to that step because it is nowhere to be seen in the Network Connections folder.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that we did do a system restore, but it did not bring back the wireless icon.

Thanks again for your help. I'm at work today but will check again when I get home this evening.

I don't understand how installing a router could affect the wireless adapter. Even if you install a program from the manufacturer to manage the wireless adapter, it should still show up in the network connections.

What did you do when you installed the router. Installing a router doesn't usually involve making any changes to the PC that connects to it other than changing where the wireless adapter points. Did you run a wizard that came with the router to configure the adapter? Maybe it installed some driveres that aren't compatible.

I would download drivers for the wireless adapter from the manufacturer (either the maker of the adapter if it's external or the laptop maker if it came with the laptop) and reinstall the latest drivers.

Think I'd open Services and make sure 'Windows Zero Configurations' WZC, is set to auto and started.

Then after a reboot if it doesnt automatically ask for a passphrase open network connections and press F1, type in add network connection. You'll find it.

Did you use the Linksys CD to install the software now you have changed from the Belkin router?

Have just a minute here at work and will try to answer above questions...no access to the offending computer, though.

Yes, we used the software for the Linksys and here is another thing I neglected to mention. My sister was not sure whether she had an internal Ethernet adapter so she installed a USB adapter. When I checked her computer, it showed both items in her Device Manager. I removed the external one, which is an ASIX USB. Maybe this caused the problem and resulted in the icon disappearing?

We are trying to contact the manufacturer of the adapter to try to get an updated drive....out of state, but will keep trying.

I did check the WZC yesterday and it was showing "Automatic". Would it help to change it and then change it back and reboot? I will try just about anything.

And Linksys couldn't imagine that their software caused the problem...just as you said ;-) More likely we did it.

Thank you all for your help.

"I removed the external one, which is an ASIX USB. Maybe this caused the problem and resulted in the icon disappearing? "

My guess is that the internal one is an ethernet adapter that connects via a wire and the external one is the wireless adapter. I'd plug that one back in and use it.

You are right...the internal is an Ethernet. I tried using the external ASIX after we lost the icon. It shows up when I check the Device Manager so I know it sees it, but there is still no icon in the Network Connections folder. Do you think that having both of them might have caused a conflict of some kind in the Registry?

My sister spoke with the computer shop this afternoon and apparently the driver for the internal adapter is on a CD that she should have. I can check on that.

It's very common to have both an internal wired ethernet and a USB wireless adapter. I've got two PCs in my house with that setup.

Did you try deleting the external one in the device manager and rebooting?

Good morning,

I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to work on my sister's computer last night and I will probably have to wait until Friday.

To answer your last question, yes, I did try uninstalling the USB adapter in the Device Manager and rebooting, but it didn't return my missing wireless icon. :-( I will try it again, though, and let you know. Thanks again for your help.

Hello again...Hope everyone had a happy Easter.

I worked on this problem again during the weekend, but still have no wireless icon in the Network Connections folder. I've included the link to the Microsoft KB article that I've found so far that deals with this problem. I printed KB article 870702 and went through all the suggestions. Unfortunately, a lot of it had suggestions for what to do if you actualy HAD the wireless icon, which we do not.

I have reinstalled the external adapter and both internal and external devices show in the Device Manager and indicate they are working properly. WZC has been stopped and restarted and I have run the System File checker.

I'm going to go through article 825826 at the end of the week when I'm off work and try those suggestions. I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks again,

Bugsy

Here is a link that might be useful: Microsoft KB 870702

At this point, I think I'd be tempted to buy a new external wireless adapter. You can often get pretty good deals on them and sometimes it's worth it to relieve the aggravation.

You're right about the aggravation factor ;-)

Actually, the ASIX adapter is brand new. My sister wasn't sure if she needed one when she was buying the Linksys, so got it just in case. We know the router is working just fine because I was able to get online with my laptop with no problem.

I'll add my 2 cents here. If the ASIX adapter is still not showing up in Network Connections, it may just be faulty. Have your sister return it for another one.

i dunno, but asix doesnt list any product with wifi that I see on their website. Just ethernet.

http://www.asix.com.tw/

OK...obviously I'm too dumb to be allowed to post on this forum. My sister just called the people who put her computer together. She does NOT have an internal wireless adapter. Not only that, the item we purchased, the ASIX adapter, is just an adapter...not what we thought it was. I am totally confused about the difference between "Ethernet" and the external adapter...and the whole thing. I see now that we need to purchase an external wireless card. Is that right? And could someone explain to me what it is that the Device Manager is seeing if it's not the item that allows for wireless connectivity?

So sorry to be so incorrect about the information I thought I was providing all of you. I know nothing about hardware, as you can see.

Thank you again for all of your help.

Bugsy

Can you tell us the exact wording that shows up in hte device manager for the items you're asking about? That would help us to figure out what you're seeing. My guess is that you've got two wired ethernet adapters and no wireless adapters.

Yes...the first line in Device Mgr says:

VIA compatible fast Ethernet adapter

The second line:

ASIXax88772 USB2.o to fast Ethernet adapter

They're not what we needed, are they? :-(

Both of those are wired ethernet adapters. They won't connect wirelessly.

At least we know why the wireless icon wouldn't show up.

Yes, indeed we do. I'm so sorry to take so much of your time. I'm leaving right now to purchase the item I THOUGHT I was buying in the first place.

I'll keep you posted. I guess the old saying isn't always true..."Ignorance is bliss."

heh.

Now you can go buy a usb wifi adapter or
and internal wifi card that plugs into an available card slot (if you have a apare one).

Might be simplest to match the brand and basic spec (G or N) of the routers wifi and just buy thier USB WiFi adapter. Maybe a usb cord also, if you dont have a spare one you can steal from an old webcam or something, so you can hang that wifi adapter up high, around the corner, or something in case it doesnt get a good radio signal where it will be plugged into.

Hey!

I am sending this to all of you WONDERFUL people from my sister's computer with its new Netgear Wireless USB adapter. Took me about 3 minutes to set it up.

I just want to thank you all again for your time and your patience. I learned a lot along the way. I only hope I can return the favor some day.

Have a GREAT evening...we are!

Bugsy

Woohoo!

Glad you got it working! And thanks for letting us know.

It was easy once you had the right part, wasn't it?

And I'm sure you'll be able to return the favor, if not on this forum, then on another.