So my new laptop can't see my home wireless network. It's not just that we can't log it on -- it literally does not detect the home network, though it finds several other (secured) networks in the area.

Any ideas on where to start? Is this a security setting or some kind of configuration thing? Useful troubleshooting websites?

You can try calling the tech support line for your wifi router. I know it's a bit of a cheat, but if there's one thing those guys know (and that's often literally true) it's how to hook a computer up to a wifi router.

Dana,

is your network broadcasting? are there any restrictions on who can connect to it (restrictions by computer)?

try restarting the computer if you already haven't. That's what I have to do when my laptop doesn't see a network.

You can also try turning off the wifi and then turning it back on to see if that resets it.

is your network broadcasting? are there any restrictions on who can connect to it (restrictions by computer)?

Yeah, the two desktops connect to the network just fine. And yeah, the network is fairly restricted, though I don't remember exactly what we did. I don't think the router management software allows us to specify what computers can connect, but I could be wrong.

You can also try turning off the wifi and then turning it back on to see if that resets it.

Yeah, I don't know if we've tried that yet.

You may have turned off the SSID as a security measure. If you know the name of your network you should be able to manually tell your computer to connect.

You may have turned off the SSID as a security measure. If you know the name of your network you should be able to manually tell your computer to connect.

I tried that, though it's entirely possible I got the name of the network wrong. I'll definitely check the SSID in the router configuration.

It's also very amusing to see what other people name their networks. One of the ones around me is called "peanut." I'm also kind of impressed that none of them are unsecured.

It's also very amusing to see what other people name their networks. One of the ones around me is called "peanut." I'm also kind of impressed that none of them are unsecured.

I've been tempted to call my network "theguyin406istotallyhotyoushouldgooutwithhim".

OK, this makes more sense: RIAA Not Suing Over CD Ripping, Still Calling Rips 'Unauthorized'

An Engadget article notes that the Washington Post RIAA article we discussed earlier today may have been poorly phrased. The original article implied that the Association's suit stemmed from the music ripping. As it actually stands the defendant isn't being sued over CD ripping, but for placing files in a shared directory. Engadget notes that the difference here is that the RIAA is deliberately describing ripped MP3 backups as 'unauthorized copies' ...

"something it's been doing quietly for a while, but now it looks like the gloves are off. While there's a pretty good argument for the legality of ripping under the market factor of fair use, it's never actually been ruled as such by a judge -- so paradoxically, the RIAA might be shooting itself in the foot here."

It's also very amusing to see what other people name their networks. One of the ones around me is called "peanut." I'm also kind of impressed that none of them are unsecured.

I've been tempted to call my network "theguyin406istotallyhotyoushouldgooutwithhim".

At my old apartment, one of the networks was called "Pimpsdomain." It was secured, which made me sad, because just once, I wanted to use it, and then when my co-workers asked me what I did the night before, I could tell them I went to Pimps Domain.

tommy, that does make more sense. I couldn't understand the previous position as stated in the Wash Post article.