Network wireless laptop?

My laptop can't find our wireless network?

• My OS is Windows 7... And for some reason, my computer can no longer connect to our wireless internet. We got a new Hard drive, and I think that something got screwed up in the install. The laptop can no longer connect via a hard wire connection, but it has been connecting to wireless just fine, until recently. Here is the set up so as is, and what has been working until recently: We have DSL. The DSL cord IS run from the filter into the DSL modem. The DSL modem is on, and all of the appropriate lights are on. From the back, the ethernet cord is connected to the Wireless Router. The router is on, and all of the appropriate lights are on. There is also another line, connected to the back of the desktop. (since it does not have wireless capabilities). The desktop connection is functioning fine. Now, when I try to open up the list of available networks on the laptop, my network does not appear. Trouble shooting so far is telling me that there is either something wrong with the router or with the access point, and as far as I can tell, all of that is fine. Or that it is too far away, which is not the case, as both devices are currently only about a foot away from each other, and it is still not working. Also, I have noticed that the "network" has different names on both computers. The desktop says "Currently connected to Network 2: Internet Access" while I usually connect the laptop to "Wireless Network Connection: PWireless" So, my current predicament is that "PWireless" is not showing up under my list of available connections, and so my laptop can not connect to the internet through my own connections. I am not network savvy. I would greatly, greatly appreciate step-by-step troubleshooting. "Click start, go to this menu, right click properties, etc, etc". Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! Please and thank you!

• Answer:

  There are two ways to connect to a home network router, wired (Ethernet) and wireless. Your desktop is connected to the router via Ethernet cable and it is working. When looking at network names on a wired system, you just see the name that the OS (Win 7 in your case) is calling the network interface. This will not be the same as a wireless SSID which used to be, and very well may still be "PWireless". I am guessing you changed the hard drive in the laptop. The reinstall most likely did not include the proper drivers for the network interface (Ethernet). You may be able to download these from the laptop manufacture's web site using your desktop and transfer them with a USB pen drive to you laptop. If you install the proper drivers then you should be able to connect the laptop using an Ethernet cable. Once you get this working then you can use the laptop to download and install the drivers for the laptop's wireless interface. Assuming that you don't have your wireless router's SSID "PWireless" broadcast turned off, then it should show up in the list of available wireless networks. Good Luck...