I have a Dell Inspiron 9100 with Windows XP and SP2. I've had no trouble with my wireless card until now.
My card is a Linksys WPC54G - Wireless-G Notebook Adapter and now it doesn't seem to be detect any wireless networks. I know that there are some around because my roommate's card detects them, but everytime I hit "refresh" or "look for sites" it comes up with "No sites detected" or something like that. I've uninstalled and reinstalled it before, and I've also downloaded the drivers from the Linksys website, but I haven't had a chance to use them yet. If they don't work, should I just go buy a new card, or is there anything else I can do?
I just recently moved into a new apartment and I don't have an internet connection yet. I'm not trying to steal anyone's connection. I noticed the card problem the first time at a friend's, when I suddenly couldn't detect his wireless router. When I got home, I tried searching for relatively near connections because I knew there are some. I'm getting a connection this Wednesday, and I'd like to be able to use it on Wednesday rather than get the connection and have a messed up card.
I apologize. It was just the way you wrote your question. One of the problems with forums, such as this, things aren't always made clear in the beginning.
Is the icon by the clock green? If it is then your card should be working. You may not be able to find an unsecure network where you are now. Does your roommate have an internect connection or is he leaching off of someone? If he has a router, you should be able to set your wifi card to access his wireless network and then you could share the cost. You certainly don't need two internet connections for the same apt.
When I first moved in, I could detect other networks. It would show two or three encrypted SSIDs. My roommate doesn't have his own connection, but he can view the same networks that I once could.
Remove the card. Uninstall the software. Reinstall the software. Then reinstall the card. If it still fails to detect any signals, I'd say it's the card.