When we got our laptop it was pretty easy to connect it to the wireless network. Through that network I got the laptop to be able to access our other computer and the internet through our DSL router.

Recently the laptop wasn't able to access the network at all. The desktop can still get to the internet through the router though it is wired in instead of being wireless. I plugged the cable from the modem directly into the laptop and was able to fairly easily access the internet by bypassing the router. The router works fine via the wired connection so the problem is either the wireless router isn't broadcasting or the wi-fi on the laptop isn't receiving. How can I tell where the problem lies? All I get from the laptop with Vista is that the computer can't locate a wireless connection (well, duh!) but it won't tell me why.

TIA

First thing I would try is rebooting the router.

My wireless router fuzzes out now and then. Power cycling the router more times than not corrects the problem. You might try that if you haven't.

The router is typically shut off over night so it was turned on just this morning (when the problems started). I shut it down again and that didn't fix the problem.

The router's lights indicate that the wireless function is operating and the wi-fit system on the computer is turned on (well, the little wi-fi light is on at least).

Does the laptop see any wi-fi signals? ...a neighbors?

No, it sees none at all. I don't think any nearby neighbors have wi-fi anyway, I've never seen it pick any other options up.

I just tried my PSP which is wireless too. It was able to log on through the wireless router so that seems to indicate that the router is okay which leaves me with a problem with the wi-fi on the laptop. How do I open up information on the wi-fi in the laptop to diagnose the problems? It might just be a setting that got jacked up. BTW, I really hate Vista, it is not very helpful!

I just went through the control panel and hardware/devices. It says both the network card and the wireless card are working fine. I'm going to try rebooting the laptop to see what that does.

What kind of router is it? If it's a Dlink, you might be able to find out what's going on by logging into the router. Mine keeps logs of everything.

I just rebooted the laptop and it now finds the network. Sorry, I should have tried that first!

Rebooting usually fixes most things Windows. Glad to hear you got it fixed.

Sounds like you may have accidentally hit the F2 button (on Dell's Anyhow) that will turn off the wireless card instantly.

Big D