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Your wireless network may have been working
fine for a long while before it suddenly
stopped working. Your
Wi-Fi network may have never worked at all. HP strips away the technical
jargon to give you the solutions to your
Wi-Fi problems. |
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Network troubleshooting always starts with
the hardware devices you are using and the
cables that connect them. The process is the
same with Wi-Fi networks. |
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Use
the following steps to verify that your modems,
adapters, routers and access points (AP) are
turned on and connected properly. |
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Look at your cable or DSL modem for
disconnected cables or wires. Make
sure the power cable is connected
and the lights are on.
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Verify that the wireless router is
connected to the power adapter and
modem. Make sure the lights are on.
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Reseat all cables and turn the power
off then back on again to "Power
Cycle" both the modem and access
point or router. It may take
30-60 seconds to re-establish a
wireless connection.
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Note: Most HP Notebook PCs
have wireless devices built-in.
To turn on the built-in device,
simply press the wireless power
button on your PC which will
have the universal symbol for
Wi-Fi (shown here on the left)
and illuminate with a blue
light. |
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Step 2 -
Check your HP Notebook
PC Software
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HP
System Check for Notebook PCs compares known issues
against current system software settings and
hardware performance to detect and assist you with a
solution.
| Begin using
HP System Check for Notebook PCs |
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Step 3 -
Check Your Network Settings
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You may also use the HP Network
Assistant to validate your wired
and wireless network settings.
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Start
using the HP Network Assistant |
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In addition to the
automated tools you
may find the
following manual
options for
troubleshooting your
network to be of
some help.
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| Install Service Pack 2 for Microsoft
Windows XP |
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Microsoft has released the Windows XP
Service Pack 2 (SP2) update that
enhances your wireless network
configurations tools. HP recommends
updating to SP2 if you have a wireless
network.
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Check the wireless network adapter |
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If your wireless network adapter is
built-in to your notebook PC, verify
that the adapter is turned on. Some
notebook PCs have an on/off button on
the front or side that corresponds
to a blue or red light. Press the
button to turn the wireless adapter
on.
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In Microsoft Windows XP, let Windows
re-detect the wireless adapter.
Remove the adapter from the PCMCIA
slot or USB port and re-insert it
while Windows is running.
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Look for lights on the wireless
network adapter. The light should be
on or blinking. If the light is off,
the adapter may need to be
re-inserted.
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Update the wireless adapter software
and drivers. Locate the updated
software and drivers at the
adapter's manufacturer Web site.
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Check the wireless router or Access Point |
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The Power light should always be
solid indicating that it is on. If the power light is
not on, check the power adapter or
try a new power outlet.
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The Test light should be on only
when the router is first turned on
or if it is reset. If the Test light
is always on, your router may have a
mechanical problem.
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The Internet Link light should be
solidly on if the router is
connected to a LAN, DSL, or Cable
modem. The DSL or Cable modem must
be on for the Link light to be
solid.
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The WLAN or Wireless light should be
solidly on at all times. Even when
there are not any wireless devices
connected to the router. The WLAN
activity light should flash when
there are packets being sent or
received from any computer connected
through the router.
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| Repair
the wireless connection |
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In Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2),
the Repair capability has been
enhanced for wireless connections.
When you repair a wireless
connection, it is disabled and
re-enabled, which clears many error
conditions on wireless network
adapters.
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You can access the Repair capability
by double-clicking the wireless
connection icon in your system tray
and clicking the Support tab.
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| Re-enter your WEP or WPA keys |
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Incorrect configuration of your
encryption settings is the most common
cause of wireless network problems.
Depending upon the type of wireless
network you are connecting to, wireless
encryption (WEP) can vary in complexity
and security. In general, follow these
steps to resolve encryption problems: |
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Click Start and then
Connect To and then select Show
all connections. |
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Double-click the Wireless Network
Connection icon (see picture below.) |
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Click the Properties button
and then the Wireless Networks
tab. |
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Double-click the network name you
are connecting to in the Preferred
networks box. |
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Enter your encryption key into the
Network Key box and re-enter the key in
the box below that (see picture below. |
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Note: If
you have forgotten your wireless
encryption keys or password then you
will need to reset the encryption keys
in your wireless router configuration
settings. |
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Need more help? |
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Find the professional and detailed answers
you are looking for by visiting our
partner's support and knowledge web sites.
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HP Wireless partners |
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