Why isn my wireless laptop able to access my desktop home network?”
This sounds like an authentication problem. That is, your laptop and router can see each other but your router is not allowing your laptop to complete the connection. Your router most probably has some security settings that prohibit just anyone from connecting (as opposed to, say, Starbucks, who allow anyone within range to connect). The solution is usually just a matter of entering the router’s security settings into your laptop. You can see all of these settings on your desktop computer but I’m afraid that if you are using an encryption key, you’ll have to log in to your router to find it. On your desktop, go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel (or simply Start -> Control Panel if using the default XP start menu) and open Network Connection. From there, right click on Wireless Connection and go to Properties. Now, click on Authentication. This is where you’ll find the security settings your router requires. Try to match up the settings on your laptop. If your router requires on en
