Quirky laptop wireless connection

[Buxtreme]

I'm hoping that I might gain some assistance in reconnecting my laptop to our home network. I originally had the Wireless G network adapter set up so that it would automatically connect to my home network. I began bringing my laptop to a friend's house. He had a wireless network, so I began using a CAT-5 to hook into his network.

My laptop repeatedly made attempts to connect with the weak wireless connection from the neighbor's house, so I disabled the network adapter. Since then, even after attempting to make the connection from scratch, I have been unsuccessful in my attempts to reconnect to my home wireless connection.

When I attempt to reconnect, I receive an error message indicating that a network cable is disconnected. The rest of the network, including other computers on it, is fully functioning.

Is there anything that I can try? Could someone point me in the direction of a start-from-scratch guide for connecting to an existing network? Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your time!

[TT4Titans]

Go to control panel then network connections.right click on your wireless connection click - View available wireless networks.click on yours then and click connect.if you are not gonna be using the the wired connection right click and disable it.

[Buxtreme]

I apologize for being a bit slow at this, but I think I'm still somewhat lost. When I bring up my Network Connections, I have two options available:

1394 Connection
Connected, Firewalled
1394 Net Adapter

-OR-

Local Area Connection
Network cable unplugged, Fire...
Marvell Yukon 88E8036 PCI-E ...

The first sounds like it refers to my wireless network adapter. It claims to be connected, but I can't find any evidence that it is connecting to anything. The second seems like it works with a direct CAT-5 wired connection.

I hope I'm not completely losing it here... I'm still lost! Thanks again for your help!

EDIT: Adding to the post in hopes that it might help clarify relevant info.

I went on my instinct that the 1394 connection was the correct one. I right-clicked on it, and attempted to Repair the connection. I immediately received this error message:

Repair 1394 Connection

Windows could not finish repairing the problem because the following action cannot be completed:
TCP/IP is not enabled for this connection. Cannot proceed.

For assistance, contact the person who manages your network.

--So, is there a simple fix to that?

[TT4Titans]

1394 is a firewire connection like a USB but faster.

all you really need to do is create a new network connection.go back into network connections and set up a home or small office network.also make sure your wireless is enabled.also rune these.

http://burnupload.com/?d=307A3E6A1

[Buxtreme]

I couldn't seem to find an option for this, initially. I became slightly irritated, because originally there was a seperate connection for the wireless.

With that in mind, I dug out my set of electronic screwdrivers, opened up my laptop, removed the wireless card, cleaned off the contacts, and put it back in. Not surprising to me, when I booted it back up, the wireless connection was exactly where it was supposed to be. My assumption is that it was never fully installed.

On a side note, whereas I used to get a great connection, I now vary from 'low' to 'very low'. More computers have been added to the same network since I last worked on it... is it possible that this has lessened my signal since it is being divided between multiple computers?

If not, are cards like the one I have in my computer something that you can upgrade? What are my options?

Thanks for all of your continued help!

[TT4Titans]

Get a Belkin or linksys PCMCIA card.mine connects at 54mbps everytime.

but also distance and what's between you and the router can also lower the signal.

more computers will lower the bandwidth.

[Buxtreme]

When I'm close to the router, I get 54 mbps, but as you said, when I'm farther away, I lose it. Thanks again for your help!

You rock, Titans!

[TT4Titans]

Thanks I just try and help.these things can definetely drive you nutty sometimes can't they.I run a repair shop out of my house i walk around here with a glazed and confused look on my face sometimes.LOL

Sometimes i wonder if knowing is a curse or a blessing.LOL