[SOLVED] XP Laptop unable to connect

[Rocco]

So I have an old XP laptop trying to pawn off on a friend for her kids to use so they stop infecting her computer. The wireless card connects fine with 5 wireless routers I have, including my phone wi-fi hotspot. The problem is, it absolutely will not connect to her router provided by the internet company. I have even go so far as to remove all security protocols from the router just to see if it was a wpa2 issue. Still refuses to connect.

I have verified the driver for the card is good, updated windows xp completely. Disabled, re-enabled wifi. For a $50 sell, I have really spent a whole hell of a lot of time on this for a throwaway, LOL. Other than replacing the router, any ideas? Thanks!

Edit: The router is a centurylink1483, model #c1000A. 2 other laptops connect to it just fine, her phone, my phone, her oldest daughter's phone.

 

[Rocco]

And for clarification, somehow the kids keep getting zero day infections. How an 11 year old and 7 year old manage to get infected so many times (3 cleanings in last 8 months) is beyond me. But figured if they take this junker from me, I can clean their computer and have the kids do odd jobs, such as door hangers, etc for payment.

 

[FremontPC]

Sounds like an Atheros card? Get the latest driver from the laptop manufacture's website and give it another go. Otherwise, pull the card, use a usb adapter and call it good.

 

[Xander]

If that's your plan for the laptop, image it when it's fixed and have it on file for the next time.

 

[Arhineus]

If they don't need to save data, or changes, you might take a look at a product called 'Deep Freeze'. I've implemented it at a number of schools, and it has worked great.

 

[AndyM]

How an 11 year old and 7 year old manage to get infected so many times (3 cleanings in last 8 months) is beyond me.

I'd suggest that they use a search engine, don't spell correctly, and are sent to bad sites with drive by downloads.

How about changing the DNS on the router to a safe DNS provider? OpenDNS, Norton, DNSAdvantage? OpenDNS has a child setting that is free to set up.

Andy

 

[cypress]

If they don't need to save data, or changes, you might take a look at a product called 'Deep Freeze'. I've implemented it at a number of schools, and it has worked great.

Restore RX or even use Sandbox

 

[Rocco]

OK, I am going to kick myself in the rear for a while for this one, and am kind of embarrassed about it actually. Uninstalled the driver, reinstalled the same driver freshly downloaded. Connected just fine. *facepalm* 3 hours down the drain... Edit: Still not sure why it would connect just fine to all the routers I have sitting around the shop, including my phone which is brand new, and not their router, but that is just one of those things that will have to go in the "it doesn't matter, deal with it" bin. Thank you all!

As for the kids, I went ahead and imaged the drive. Whatever music, pictures, documents they use I figure I can throw on a thumb drive every time I go over and put it back to snuff. Also went and added a non-admin account for everyone to use on a daily basis on the main computer. I suggested last time, this time she let me do it.

Hopefully though, after many hours of them doing odd jobs for me, they will ask and learn better computer security procedures.

 

[kpk1]

If its XP, Steady State does a good job of maintaining the status quo on a machine when it's set up right.

Shame Microsoft canned it.... old story.

 

[brandonkick]

This is why I always eliminate the lan/wan connection devices right off the bat.

In the case of hard wire, I use a USB to Ethernet adapter. In the case of wifi I always disable their adapter and use my Rosewill RNX-n180Ub which is an amazing little adapter for $10

This way I can eliminate hardware right off the bat. If the hardware "fails" then I look at drivers before I suspect other software issues.