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I have a USB internet connection which I plugged into my laptop. I converted my laptop's Wifi into a Wifi router so that I can attach my PC and cell to this network and enjoy internet, but it doesn't work.

I have a Dell Inspiron N5110 i7 Windows 7 64-bit laptop, Dell D865 PC and Nokia C5.

My PC and cell are showing that there is a new Wifi connection available, but when I connect to it, it won't load any web page. Reason is my laptop's Wifi is not emitting any internet signals or may be some other issue which i dont know.. laptop's adapter is 802.11b/g/n

I don't know why. How can I enjoy Wifi internet on laptop, PC and cell at the same time?

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There isn't an appropriate beyond purchasing a router that has a more powerful transmitter. – Ramhound Dec 5 '12 at 13:02
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How did you make the laptop a wireless router? Can you provide some details please? – Dave M Dec 5 '12 at 13:13
is is 802.11b/g/n .. – umer sanny Dec 5 '12 at 14:07
@umersanny - Do all the devices have the ability to suport 802.11a standard. This must be true, and please update the question, with that information. As for what it is you need to answer that question yourself. – Ramhound Dec 5 '12 at 14:07
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I've cleaned up a few comments here. Umer Sanny, please edit your question if you have anything new to add. Comments are not a replacement for chat, so please keep them somewhat substantial. Thanks. – slhck♦ Dec 5 '12 at 14:10
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closed as not a real question by Informaficker, Oliver Salzburg♦ Dec 5 '12 at 21:10

It's difficult to tell what is being asked here. This question is ambiguous, vague, incomplete, overly broad, or rhetorical and cannot be reasonably answered in its current form. For help clarifying this question so that it can be reopened, see the FAQ.

1 Answer

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There might be some considerations:

Possible 802.11Compatiblity Issues

Your Dell Inspiron N5110 is a 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz and 5GHz) capable notebook.

You Nokia-C5 (specifications) is a Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g (2.4GHz). For them to work together make sure the that the Dell Inspiron is not using the 5GHz-only band mode. If you set it to be 802.11b/g compatible (combo) it will be enough (I think the "b/g combo" mode might be the default value on any 802.11n).

Your Dell D865 PC, you specify on the comments you use a Wi-Fi USB-dongle in 802.11a mode (5Ghz). That's an issue. With your 802.11n card you can set it to 5GHz ONLY mode. So 802.11n it will be 802.11a compatible, and you will have connection between them. BUT if you do so your Nokia cellphone (2.4GHz) won't work.

First check if your USB dongle has 802.11b/g/n capabilities, if so, go to that mode (2.4 GHz).

Otherwise, if the USB dongle is 802.11a-only, The only solution (cheaper) for using the cellphone and the other notebook together will be buying a new USB Wi-Fi dongle with at least 802.11b compatibility.

With your current devices you will never be able to use your 802.11a computer and your 802.11b/g cellphone on the same Wi-Fi Network as those technologies are not compatible.

Possible problems in ad hoc network mode on Win7

Can you please explain which method did you use to convert your laptop into a "router"?

The fast solution to share your laptop's internet connection through Wi-Fi will be creating an Wi-Fi ad hoc network, on windows 7 you can follow this tutorial for doing so.

IF an ad hoc network is the the solution you are using to convert your laptop into a "router", and you cannot find the network on the other notebook even if you are close to the network (try to be close!) -and make sure about the compatibility issue I mention later-, then, the problem most probably is a scanning (802.11 MAC) issue and not a physical ("not enough signal" or compatibility issue) one. So to find a solution in this scenario try to:

  • Manually define the Wi-Fi network ("add network") on the other notebook and define the same Wi-Fi network name you set for the ad hoc network.

This way the scanning of the environment will specifically "ask" for your network name, and the windows 7 notebook on ad hoc mode will "hopefully" respond to that specific scan question (you will make it "visible").

In a more generic way (I'm not familiarized with the windows7 automatic ad hoc), normally you can find standard wireless networks because the wireless access points actively announce themselves (they broadcast beacons). An ad hoc network does not require this. So to be sure you "find" it you have to actively scan for the ad hoc specific network name you set.

IF you are effectively associated/connected to the Wi-Fi ad hoc network, but Internet does not work, then:

  • Check what IPs you have assigned on both sides.
  • On the windows side, make sure you have "shared" (by tunnelling) your (USB) internet connection to the Wi-Fi interface.

I think both issues should be handled automatically if you are using the default Windows 7 ad hoc network solution.

Please add more information about the way you are trying to share your internet through Wi-Fi, so we will be able to help.

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Windows 7 has this capability. The problem clearly is the radio on the laptop isn't powerful enough for his use. The author very clearly indicates he is using a 64-bit installation of Windows 7. – Ramhound Dec 5 '12 at 13:12
If you put the cellphone close to the notebook the signal should be strong enough. I think the problem IS FINDING the wireless netwok. I am not sure if a notebook in ad-hoc mode emits beacons for anouncig the network as a router does... So for finding an ad hog , to be dure he should manually configure the nework name on the android device. On the IP issue to be sure both ips should be set manually – renzoe Dec 5 '12 at 13:24
Thanks for the comment. I eddited my answer with the Widnows 7 information. The radio of the laptop should be strong enough for, at leas, a single room. I think the issue is not a signal strenght problem. but a scanning issue (MAC sub-layer), the ad-hoc network might not respond to scan request to broadcast (any) ssid, so to be sure the scan should be done specificaly "asking" for the ad-hod netowk ssid. – renzoe Dec 5 '12 at 13:56
I am pretty sure the problem is the laptop the problem is caused by the fact the laptop is broadcasting on a 5Ghz 802.11 standard and he is trying to connect at 2.4ghz 802.11 standard. – Ramhound Dec 5 '12 at 14:34
That could be an inssue yes if the n card is set to 5GHZ only mode. Most notably I reseadched the Nokia C5 does not have a WLAN interface.. so that is the biggest issue! lol... The Dell D865 PC has 802.11b/g only capable wlan. I will edit my answer. – renzoe Dec 5 '12 at 16:43
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