My laptop will not connect to my recently set up wireless network. However, my desktop PC using a wireless USB adapter can. I set the encryption for the router to WPA2; the laptop is from 2005/2006. When I try to connect it just says "Waiting for network...". I do not get a prompt to enter the passphrase. Is the laptop too old to recognize WPA2? Also, my desktop signal reads as "Very Low". Should I reposition the router in the same room as the PC? Thanks. Also, any advantage to letting Windows manage the connection vs. the adapters program?

Are we to guess the make/model of the laptop? Have you read the manual to see what it has to say about the laptop wireless nic specs? I'm sure you can find the answer to your security encryption question there. As for the signal strength, Yes if you can position the router in the same room as the client systems why wouldn't you? Goin' Fishin' (Some day)

I'd try manually defining a connection - if, you see WEP and WPA, but not WPA2 as a "Network Authentication" option, then: - Use Windows Update to search for hardware driver updates applicable to your wireless adapter, Or, - Determine the specific adapter you have, and search the manufacturer's web-site for info and newer drivers [for your OS.] It's possible that your OS will need a "minimum" service-pack to support a newer driver. If you find your laptop's wireless adapter is simply incapable of supporting WPA2 (is it internal, MiniPCI?), it may be possible to replace adapter with a newer adapter which does support WPA2. When going through this procedure (for a circa 2003 notebook,) I spent about $60US on a MiniPCI wireless adapter, though, it looks like they're much cheaper these days!

Looks like I have some homework to do! Don't you love the computer industry?