Hi,I have a laptop operating with VISTA with all current updates. Until a few days ago, I was able to connect to unsecured wireless networks in the area (not mine). There was always one I could connect to. However, I am no longer able to do that. None of the available networks will connect even tho they have good signal strengths. Obviously I have done something that is preventing me from connecting? Any experts out there that can help me?Thanks.

Hi, Thank you for posting. Based on my research, I would like to suggest the following: 1. Upgrade the driver for the wireless NIC. Please remove the previous version before doing this. 2. Please check the network settings: Please go to Control Panel Network Connections, right click on your connection and choose Properties. (if you have multiple connections, please check the one you use and disable the unnecessary ones. ) 1) On the Network Tab of your Connection properties, please choose Internet Protocol Version 4 and click Properties. And then check if both of the IP Address and DNS are set to be delivered automatically. 2) If it is set to obtain the IP Address and DNS automatically, please try to manually assign IP address, subnet mask, default gateway and the DNS settings referring to your routers settings to see if this works. 3. If you are using some other Wireless Management Utilities, please switch to the Windows Management tool to see how it works. Please also try to reconfigure your routers wireless settings to see if it works then. If the issue persists, please run ipconfig /all when the issue occurs and post the report to this thread. Hope this helps. Thanks. Nicholas Li - MSFT

Thank you for your response, Nicholas. Just as a clarification, the wireless I wish to connect are public hotspots and do not belong to me per se. These are the networks I was able to connect without a problem, but somehow am no longer getting thro. Can you please help me? Thanks.

Hi, Thank you for your clarification. Please try my previous suggestions except the reconfigure your routers wireless settings and let us know the results. Thanks. Nicholas Li - MSFT

Thanks again. I had tried that before responding to you, and could not connect. I have tried again but nothing.

Hi, Thank you for your update. To address the issue more accurately, please gather the following information: 1. The exact model and brand of the wireless network adapter. 2. Run CMD and then ipconfig /all to export all the network settings and post the information to this thread. 3. Please let us know how you manage the wireless network connections, with the Windows built-in utility or other utilities? 4. If it is possible, please check if others can connect to the hotspots. Meanwhile, please try to access the hotspot which others can successfully connect. After obtaining the information, we will perform some further research. Thank you for your efforts and cooperation. Nicholas Li - MSFT