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Windows Vista Can't stop connecting

Discussion in 'Legacy Windows' started by Johanna, 2008/07/07.

  1. 2008/07/07
    Johanna

    Johanna Inactive Alumni Thread Starter

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    I just migrated my parents to Vista. Mom got a laptop with integrated wireless. I set up the router and the two computers are communicating properly on a secured network. But mom's laptop keeps connecting to the internet on other connections. I've looked everywhere in Vista for a way to make a default connection to her own, and disable the laptop from hopping on the unprotected networks in her neighborhood, but I can't find the setting. I want her to be able to boot the computer at home and use only her connection, and only search for a connection only when she asks it to when she's not home, but the laptop keeps jumping on whatever network has the best signal. Please explain what I need to do and keep in simple. There has to be a simple way to do this, right? I know how to do it in XP, but I can't find it in Vista.
    Johanna

    And a huge thank you to Noahdfear for lending me the magic cable that transferred their XP-everything quickly, flawlessly and painlessly to the new computers. Their user accounts were preserved intact with their favorites, email, settings, pics, docs, music, wow- the whole transfer was a no-brainer, and everything is right where it should be.
     
    Johanna,
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  2. 2008/07/08
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Open Network and Sharing Center, click Manage wireless networks, click on your "home" network & make sure that Connect automatically when this network is in range is checked. Now do the same for any other connection that is listed but uncheck the Connect automatically when this network is in range.

    When you first connect to any network you are asked if you want to connect automatically in the future, Vista won't connect automatically if you haven't told it to do so.
     
    Arie,
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  4. 2008/07/08
    Johanna

    Johanna Inactive Alumni Thread Starter

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    I unchecked about 10 networks, but new ones keep popping up, and the laptop connects wherever it finds a better signal. I haven't seen a prompt asking if I want to connect to any of the available networks. A box pops up and tells me when it has switched. Is there a setting to disable the laptop from looking for other connections? She doesn't need to do that unless she's traveling. Thanks.
    Johanna

     
    Johanna,
    #3
  5. 2008/07/09
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Are you using 3rd party software for your wireless, or Vista's build-in? I've never heard of Vista connecting without it being told to.
     
    Arie,
    #4
  6. 2008/07/09
    Johanna

    Johanna Inactive Alumni Thread Starter

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    It's an Acer that came w/ Vista Premium already installed. I just got this email from mom- "dengen" is her connection, Wagner is an unsecured network in the neighborhood.

    Any ideas? I'm headed over there this afternoon. Thanks!
    Johanna
     
    Johanna,
    #5
  7. 2008/07/09
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Oh... I forgot. make use your network has a unique name. What's more than likely happening is that you have a generic name (like Linksys) and it is connecting to the strongest 'Linksys' (or whatever the default is) it can find.

    I never think of this, because I always change the default name of the SSID.
     
    Arie,
    #6
  8. 2008/07/15
    Johanna

    Johanna Inactive Alumni Thread Starter

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    Bingo, Arie- third party software provided as a "feature" from Acer. Shut it off (mom doesn't need anything it does anyway!) and now the laptop connection is staying where it is supposed to. Thanks for the help!
    Johanna
     
    Johanna,
    #7
  9. 2008/07/15
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Great :) another one solved.
     
    Arie,
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