Laptop can no longer connect - Hub doesn't seem to see it any more

Question

Hi Please bear with me - this is probably going to be long! I have been tearing my hair out for the last 36 hours trying all sorts of things to get my laptop to connect to the hub, but to no avail. Also, I am no tech expert - everything I know I find out by googling/reading forums like these. It used to connect, no problem.Laptop (an old Dell, running XP Pro) still 'sees' the Skyhub.But it seems the Skyhub no longer sees the laptop (not in list of wireless devices).My Samsung tablet and my son's Chromebook both connect successfully to Skyhub.Laptop connects successfully with nearby unsecured BT-FON networks.Laptop connects successfully with Skyhub via ethernet cable.  Things I've tried (not sure i can remember them all, haha):Disabled firewallTurned off encryptionRan windows update to laptop while connected via ethernetPinged what I think is the hub's IP address (192.168.0.1)  Nothing. 4 packets sent, 0 received, 4 packets lost.Used cmd prompt to try various suggestions I've read on forums - renewing IP, flushing winsock, etc. Don't understand half of what I did but I typed commands carefully, but didn't solve connection problem.I have tried changing the channel at both the hub end and the laptop end.I have tried entering IP address manually (and subnet mask and gateway and DNS servers). Didn't work so set it all back to 'obtain automatically'.I have pressed button on hub until light flashed 4 times, thereby putting it back to factory settings.A windows diagnostic test shows IP address failure after trying to connect to Skyhub.I have uninstalled/reinstalled/tried updating the wireless network card on my laptop. It says it is working properly.I have opened inSSIDer, and laptop quite clearly sees the Skyhub, and is receiving a strong signal. I'm a bit confused why it says the security is "WPA2-Enterprise". The Skyhub itself says security is WPA2-PSK (AES)Mindst, even with security turned off, laptop still cannot connect. So:Skyhub is still working on wired PC, and wirelessly for tablet and chromebook.Laptop is still working because it can connect okay to neighbouring networks. As a non-techie, it seems to me that something is stopping the hub from 'seeing' the laptop, and assigning it an IP address. But what?!Thanks in advance for any help.Louise I have taken a few photos:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/35233074@N04/       

Answer 1

Hi. I have to say that your problem Louise seems very close to mine. My work laptop (Lenovo Thinkpad T430, reasonably up-to-date) has secure direct access connection capability to my employer's network. However, while the laptop connects easily by wireless connection to my Sky router no internet access from the router outwards. This is a recent (last 1 – 2 months) issue and started as intermittent – the internet connection would come and go without any apparent rhyme or reason. It is now apparently a permanent issue. It is also only a wireless problem - it seems to connect to the internet OK by cable to the router. This is while at the same time other devices connected to the router get internet access fine. There are only about 7 or 8 devices max connecting wirelessly to the router at any given session. My workplace IT Service staff have investigated but washed their hands of the issue as the laptop connects fine both wirelessly and by cable to the workplace corporate network. My Sky router is a Sagem model (no model no. is evident – it’s an older model then the current Hubs) of probably 5 or 6 years vintage (I’m note sure of that). Does anyone have any suggestions? I should also say that at present I can’t access or alter any of the laptop connection settings because the work’s IT Services won’t give me the necessary device admin rights yet equally won’t attempt to resolve it because it’s my home network issue! Don’t let that put you off suggesting connection setup fixes though (I’ll happily put these to workplace IT Services! Specifically though – is there way to restore the router’s firmware to the last time it worked? Mark