I am trying to connect my sons laptop to the wireless internet that I have .I have refreshed the wireless network connection and it says make sure the wireless switch on your computer is on. where is the wireless switch?

Can you connect to the Internet using the LAN cable?
Have you configured the wireless card in your laptop with the router's wireless settings?

Network Key (WEP, WPA, WPA2 Encryption key)To connectyour computer to a wireless router, you click the Refresh networklist, then Choose your wireless network and then click Connectto your secured Wireless Network, it will asks for a Network Keybefore allowing you to connect into your wireless network. This NetworkKey is either the WEP, or WPA or WPA2 Encryption key that is used toconfigure the Wireless Router. The Passphrase is an alternate way tosetup the Encryption key.
When you are requested for a Network Key, you can just enter the Passphrasethat was used to configure the Encryption key in the wireless router.http://www.fixya.com/support/r5270415-network_password_network_addressFor information on securing your wireless network,configuring the wireless router and configuring the wireless card in thelaptop/computer, please click on this link and follow my instructions :-http://www.fixya.com/support/r3559128-wireless_router_security

When you clickRefresh network list, then Choose your wirelessnetwork and then click Connect to your secured Wireless Network, itwill asks for a Network Key before allowing you to connectinto your wireless network. This Network Key is either the WEP, orWPA or WPA2 Encryption key that is used to configure the Wireless Router. The Passphraseis an alternate way to setup the Encryption key.
When you are requested for a Network Key, you can just enter the Passphrasethat was used to configure the Encryption key in the wireless router.http://www.fixya.com/support/r5270415-network_password_network_addressFor information on securing your wireless network,configuring the wireless router and configuring the wireless card in thelaptop/computer, please click on this link and follow my instructions :-http://www.fixya.com/support/r3559128-wireless_router_security

Please follow the steps provided below:

Q: Basic Wireless Troubleshooting
A:
Wireless Troubleshooting
The following steps will help determine if the wireless card in the system is functioning properly.
IMPORTANT:
Please go through all the troubleshooting steps. If the wireless card is functioning properly, please check the network configuration. Acer America can not assist with configuring the network.
Before you start:

• Make sure there is a wireless router or wireless access point.
• The wireless router/access point is plugged in.
• Refer to the owners manual to ensure the wireless adapter is on (you can turn the wireless card on and off by pressing a clear button)
• Contact the internet service provider to make sure ther account is active and the network is connected in a way that supports their configuration.

If the computer was working properly at an earlier time:
If the laptop was working fine, do a System Restore which rolls the system back to the last known working configuration. System Restore is located in System Tools under Accessories. Here is a link to explain the use of this feature:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306084
To find the wireless network:
1. Click on Start then click on "Control Panel."
2. In the Control Panel window, click on "Network and Internet Connections."

3. In the "Network and Internet Connections" window, click on "Network Connections."

4. Once in Network Connections, right-click on the wireless connection then select "View available wireless networks"
5. If the wireless network is a secured network, please refer to the manual of the wireless router to make it unsecured for the purpose of testing the wireless network.
NOTE: Acer does not recommend leaving a wireless network unsecured and is not responsible for data accessed due to unsecured wireless networks.
6. If the wireless network is listed, the wireless adapter is functioning properly. If unable to connect to the wireless router, go through "Before you start" at the beginning of this article.

First, do you have a wireless router button that enables or disables wireless internet? If so than it might have got accidently turned off. push it and see what pops up on screen. If it says enabled than it was turned of try connecting to internet again. If it says disabled than push again until it says enabled clearly that wasn't the problem. Next try going down to the two computers (right hand bottom corner) then double click them. This will bring up a wireless networks available, try refreshing this page. After refreshed if no networks are available than it may have to do with your internet provider. Try calling them to get a better detailed explanation.

be sure wireless is ON you must know password if secured. pls. refresh until detects wireless network and connect.

Have you got your own wireless router and you are trying to connect to it?
Are you trying to connect to a wireless network that your wireless card on your laptop can see which is not your own?
To connect to the Internet, you need to have your own wireless router cable or DSL modem that is connected to an Internet Service Provider of your choice.

First off make sure that the wireless card is turned on if you dont have a switch then try FN + F2 then go down to the right hand corner of the task bar and right click on the program for your wireless click refresh and click on your howe network and click connect

hopefully you have'nt give the pc the same ip address as the other as it won't connect.

You will need to make sure that DHCP is enabled within the routers settings as this will tell the router to assign ip addresses automatically, then go to network connections, right click on your wireless network card>properties>TCP/IP line>properties and tick 'obtain an ip address automatically', click ok, close window and restart pc.

Open up internet explorer>tools>internet options>connections tab and ensure that never dial a connection is ticked or the option greyed out, close I.E. then open up again, click refresh and it should connect.

assuming you have set up the router to enable DHCP which automatically detects pc's and assigns an automatic ip address, and assuming you are using XP and not Vista, although the workthrough is similair; go to open internet explorer>tools>internet options>connections tab and ensure that never dial a connection is ticked, then apply and exit IE

Next go to control panel>network connections, double click your wireless connection icon, select the TCP/IP line and click properties, then make sure obtain an ip address automatically is ticked, apply it ok, then open IE again and click the refresh button a few times.

there might be a wireless setting that is not yet set properly on your son's laptop. If there is a wireless security enabled on your dell router, you have to enter that so that the laptop will connect. Also, if you are using Windows xp or vista, you can try to remove the preferred networks first before reconnecting.

If the same problem occurs, you can try changing the channel on your router and make sure that the SSID set is personalized. If this still does not help, you can try bringing your son's laptop to a hotspot to check if it can connect. If it doesn't then the problem is on the wireless adapter of the laptop, you can try to update the drivers for that one.

If you encounter any problems, just click on the ask me button and I'll help you with your concern as soon as I can.