Unable to connect Touchsmart IQ506 built-in wireless to Netgear's WNHDE111 Wireless-N Access Point

[Mthree]

I have a new HP Touchsmart IQ506 and the experience has been very positive with one exception: Wireless-N networking.

I purchased a Netgear Wireless-N upgrade kit.  I am able to see (in the Vista Network and Sharing Center and list of available networks) the Netgear WNHDE111 Wireless-N access point using the provided Netgear USB Wireless-N adapter with the Touchsmart IQ506, and connect to it without a problem.  But I am unable to connect directly to WNHDE111 with the IQ506's built-in Wireless-N adapter (on either the HP Touchsmart IQ506 or another PC with Wireless-N support, a Sony Vaio NS150 computer).

The Ralink 802.11n adapter shows as "working properly" in the Device Manager.

Am I missing something?  Are there instructions on connecting the IQ506 to a wireless-N access point with the built-in wireless adapter?

[Mthree · Accepted solution]

As a follow up, I rec'd a separate ressponse from an HP agent via email who informed me that the Touchsmart computer can only broadcast at 2.4 ghz... 

I would like to inform you that the wireless card in the Touchsmart computer can only broadcast at 2.4 ghz. It is possible that your router is broadcasting at 5.0 ghz. if this is the case the Touchsmart computer will not support the 5.0 ghz broadcast. This may be the reason why you are unable to connect to the wireless network.    

[BillK]

I have an 816T and a linksys N router - Every time I re-boot it will connect to my network just fine.

I can ping the internal ip for the router and the EXTERNAL ip for the router - but it will not surf.

It tells me that it cannot get a response from the DNS server.

The only way to get it to give me more than LOCAL connection (get an internet connection) is to disconnect and re-connect several times - THEN it will connect to the internet.

I would really like to not have to do this dance all the time after a re-boot - anyone with any ideas?

Bill

[Natalie]

I had that problem for almost a year, both with a Linksys router and with a Netgear router.  Finally purchased a Belkin router (the N1 Vision, which we absolutely love!) and have not had the problem one single time since - in over 3 months.  I did a lot of reading on the Linksys and Netgear forums and found that a lot of people were having the same problem.  I have a new problem though, about 2 months ago my TouchSmart began to tell me I don't have a wireless network adapter installed - I typically have to reboot it anywhere from 7-13 times before it will recognize it.  Any ideas or similar problems with that situation?

[BillK]

Thanks Natalie - sounds like a tech support call to me <grin>.

I would get on it while it is under warranty.

I am still having issues with the crazy wireless on this - I like the computer but network connectivity is less than optimal.

Bill

[PC_Tester]

Anybody check Windows Update for the latest WLAN driver?

windowsupdate.microsoft.com (opt in on recommended / optional driver updates, Check for updates)