[jgriese]

My son tried to hook up his laptop to my internet (I have a PC and my two laptops on a router). He has done something and now mine will no longer work. The other laptop works so it is not a problem with the Internet provider. My son may have changed my IP address?

I have done everything under the Connectivity doctor such and appkying the reset to the IP address. Still will not connect. I took my laptop to another wireless location and it works there, just not in my home.

I set up the router a long time ago and believe I set a password to make it secure but cannot recall the password.

Any suggestions?

[biggsie]

If your laptop connects to another network -- router must be problem

reset router - Google Search

Hope this helps -- Please rate my answer

[smokyblue]

There are so many different reasons your laptop no longer connects that it would be impossible to cover them all in a post. The answer from biggsie is correct as to the most quick way to resolve the problem, though.

You can break down the problem like this: There is no hardware problem causing your issue here, since your laptop can connect elsewhere and your second laptop will connect as before. You've already determined that it is not a problem with your ISP. This leads to the conclusion that you have a communication (protocol) issue between your laptop and the wireless router. You have already tried to resolve this on the laptop side of the connection via the connectivity doctor, but without success. This means that the problem most likely originates at the router. Unfortunately, you can't look at the router settings because you set it up so long ago you don't remember the password. This means your only solution is to reset the router and then reconfigure it.

Most home routers can be reset by inserting a paper clip or pen into a small hole in the back to push a recessed contact. Typically you hold the contact in until the lights on the front of the router flash or blink and then you release the contact (usually, you have to hold the contact in for 20-30 seconds). You will probably need the router manual to reconfigure your wireless, so DON'T reset the router UNTIL you have the manual on hand. If you don't have the original, you can go online to the manufacturers website and download a copy

Before going to the effort of reconfiguring your router, you may want to check and see if your laptop can connect via a wired connection, or if you can connect wirelessly when your son's laptop is turned off. This would help identify where the problem lies, so that it isn't repeated after the reset (for example, you may have originally set the router up to allow only three simultaneous connections). After everything is working again, write down the router password (and login, IP address, or anything else that's relevant) and tape it to the back or bottom of the router, or some other secure place where it can be found if needed. Be sure to enable some type of security on your wireless network (WEP, disabling the SSID broadcast, enabling only specific MAC addresses, and so forth).

[donf]

I'd start by making sure that the Network definition shows all of the equipment that it is supposed to.

His simple act of joining the router, is it a wireless router or are you using Ethernet wires from the desktop to the router? Does not necessarily join him to your network. For example his laptop has to be in the look-up table as an authorized unit. Unless that is done, he can sign onto the Internet by passing through your ISP access point, but still not see anything else to the router.

For example, if you define your local network as Home, and that Desk, Lap1 and Lab2 are users of this network, Then depending on 2hat and how items are shared by other devices, that's what he will be authorized to see and use.