Export thread

So I've tried tinkering with this over the past couple weeks, and finally just need to ask you guys.

My computer: Compaq Presario CQ60, http://www.amazon.com/Presario-CQ60-210US-15-6-Inch-Dual-Core-Processor/dp/B001NPDKVM
My router: Linksys WRT54G

A couple weeks ago, my connection spazzed out while I was surfing online. It hiccups sometimes, it reconnected, and was fine...but then spazzed out more over the next hour or so before dying completely (i.e. I can't connect to it at all). It doesn't even show the connection in my laptop's connections, but I know it's not the laptop because it's picking up the other five wireless signals in my neighborhood.

The odd part is, it doesn't appear to be the router since my iPod Touch can see it just fine (although, strangely enough, it keeps saying it can't connect to the network). I've mucked around with the preferences on my laptop/the router, tried uninstalling/reinstalling, tried troubleshooting, switched from WEP to WPA and back, aaaaaaand...nothing.

I wouldn't mind so much if I didn't use my laptop to bridge the connection to my Xbox. I haven't been able to play Street Fighter IV online in the past couple weeks, which makes me sad :-/. Any help is appreciated!

Dead router? They don't last forever. Even though the Ipod can see it it doesn't mean it's working.

Does it work connected via ethernet?

I have had a lot of fun troubleshooting several wireless routers in recent years, and here's what I've found to work the best (from easiest to most difficult/time/money consuming fix). If one step doesn't fix it, go down the list.

1) Check your wireless antenna transmitter. Check it for damage, and see if it's loose. If something appears wrong, attempt to fix it.

2) Un-plug your router and the ethernet cord going into it. Plug the power cord back in, then plug the ethernet cord back in.

3) Try disabling your wireless connection on your laptop, then re-enabling it. Make sure your laptop has a clear path to receive the router's signal without interference.

4) Perform a hard reset on your router (by pushing in a small button on the router... depending on the model). Before this, make sure you have the latest firmware for it stored on your computer so you can reinstall it if necessary. After resetting, reconfigure the router's wireless setting to your own specifications.

If you get to this point, and it's still not working, run through the list one more time. If it's still not working after that, then it's probably time to buy a new router.

Yup. First step would be to try and reflash the firmware on the router (via wired connection, not wireless). See if the current firmware is more recent while you're at it. Start here.

--Patrick