I have 3 laptops in my home that have been connected to my wireless network for quite some time. Just 2 nights ago all 3 were connecting fine. The next morning when I powered up all 3 laptops, one of them just couldn't connect to the wireless network.
I right clicked on the wireless network and did a Disable/Enable but that didn't work.
When I go to View Available Wireless Networks I get the message 'No wireless networks were found in range' yet it is obviously available for my other 2 laptops.
I have an encryption key on my wireless network and I re-added my network to this laptop, typing in the encryption key, but it still does not find the network.
I did an IPCONFIG /RELEASE and then /RENEW, which I've used in the past on other laptops, but that didn't work either. I haven't unplugged and reset the wireless router and cable modem yet because I'm afraid it might affect the other 2 laptops which I can't afford to lose.
This laptop is a sort of 'hand me down' so I'm not too sure how it's configured for wireless. Under the Wireless Network Connection Properties it says Connect Using 'Dell TrueMobile 1150 Series Wireless'. Troubleshooting on this reports that this device is functioning properly.
As a last resort I created an 'Ad-hoc' connection which I guess was tapping into one of my other laptops. When I did this and viewed the status of the wireless connection, it said 'Status: Connected' but 'Signal Strength - None'.
I haven't been able to Uninstall and Reinstall the device, as the Help suggested, since I can't get a connection to the internet and don't have the CD. I guess I could try and get a direct cable connection for this laptop but I've never tried that before since I went wireless.
That's about the extent of my knowledge unfortunately. I am stumped why, all of a sudden overnight, this laptop cannot see the wireless network. Unless perhaps the wireless card, if that is what that Dell device is, has just given up.
Sorry for the long post. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you.