Laptop finds WiFi router but cannot get address

Factual Questions
1

I recently got a new WiFi router (Belkin N150). My desktop works with it fine (wired), as does my iPad. My old (circa 2004) laptop finds the router OK, and gets to the “Connected” part, but never gets its IP address. If I do “ipconfig”, it has the “autoconfigure IP address” but thats it. (it also gets the Connection specific DNS suffix of “Belkin”)

On the laptop, I tried manually setting the IP/gateway address (that is, telling it not to use DHCP), and it gets those numbers, but it isn’t really connected (I can’t ping the router for example)

I currently am using WPA, haven’t tried WEP/none yet. Also haven’t tried turning off DHCP on the router.

Any ideas?

Thanks
Brian

2

Perhaps the wireless adapter in the 2004-era notebook computer doesn’t support WPA? I’d try turning off wireless security entirely and seeing if you can make the connection.

3

Have you tried unplugging the router for a second and plugging it back in? Mine needs to be rebooted in such a fashion every 2 or 3 days before my laptop and iPod can connect and get an address. They can always connect but the address part is iffy until I reboot.

4

Switching to WEP fixed my issue (for future reference).
I know it is less secure, but I only need my laptop to be on the net this weekend.

Brian

5

I had this problem with a new router and it turned out to be an optional Windows update that I’d neglected to instal. Not saying that’s the problem here but it’s worth checking if there are any Windows or router updates.

6

I’ve found that some problems with routers can be solved by changing the channel. Most routers seem to be set on channel 3 I had to reset mine to channel 11 to get it to function properly.