A friend installed vista the computer had...

1st connect with landline cable. Make sure all is working fine. Then enter a command prompt. (Start-Run->cmd {Enter}) Type "ipconfig". The gateway should be either 192.xx.xx.xx. or 10.xx.xx.xx. If you have a small network then your gateway is probably your wireless router. If your router is not your wireless device you will have to find it using ipscan.exe or scanner.

Let's say for arguments sake that your gateway is your wireless device. Open up a browser windows and input the gateway as "http:// gatewaynumbers ". At this point you need to check your wireless settings.

You need your SSID, Wireless Security (WEP, WPA, etc.) encryption, and passphrase" from your wireless router/access point.

(Note: unless you are the only one using the router try not to make any changes until you clear it with other users)

Check to see if your router has mac filtering on or off. Off is better while troubleshooting. Another term for MAC address filtering is Wireless Card list, there are others but it depends on the router you are using. If MAC or IP filtering is on then you will NOT be able to connect to the SSID unless you are on the list... hence disable for now is good idea.

Disconnect from wired landline (you should not have two connections wireless and wired at the same time). Assuming that your Wireless device driver is working properly (see Device Manager under network devices) you should be able to right-click your wireless device on the taskbar and select view available networks. You should see SSID here. Input your info and you should be good to go.

If not you will have to enter SSID manually in the Network Connections area. Right-click Wiress Connection from Network Connections and Select properties. 2nd tab should be wireless connections. Click the Add button and enter your information and click OK.

To test you should be able to go to a command prompt and type ipconfig and get numbers similar to when you had landline connected. To test your internet connnection type " Ping yahoo.com" and you should get 4 replys. Hope this help. Best Regards, -