Logging in problem

[#1]

Desktop computer is connected to the router using an Ethernet cable but laptop connects using wi-fi.
Desktop always connects ok but laptop is erratic and often comes up with unknown connection. Installed Plusnet assist on laptop and neither desktop or laptop would connect.
Easy enough to go in and reset everything using technicolour gateway but is there something I am missing here.
Is it that both computers are connecting in a different way the cause of the problem or do I need to change something on the laptop settings ?
desktop connects through 192.168.1.254  Laptop is showing 192.168.1.253
Windows 7 seems to be able to find and rectify the problem but whatever it rectifies it dosen't appear to  be retained at the next log on.
Anyone any ideas ?
Once logged on the line never drops and the laptop is no more than 7meters away so I don't think it's a signal problem

[#2]

I am not familiar with that router but something seems a bit adrift.
The router address is usually 192.168.1.254 on  a Thompson and the devices attached have different IP addresses which I would suspect are 192.168.1.253, 192.168.1.252, etc.
If you go to the routers interface via 192.168.1.254 and look for attached devices it should identify the IP address allocated to each one and neither of them should be the routers address

[#3]

This is the info the router is showing,
Local Network Devices
Detected Device(s)
The table below contains the list of devices the Technicolor Gateway detected on your local network. Click on a device name to get more information on a device.

Name IP Address Interface

Technicolor Gateway Technicolor TG582n
192.168.1.254

Active DesktopUnknown-00-24-8c-1f-8c-c8
192.168.1.64
Ethernet Interface ethport1

Inactive DesktopJean-PC
192.168.1.65
WLAN Interface WLAN

[#4]

Try changing the wireless type from n to g in the router as it may be that the laptop isn't happy with that setting

[#5]

Quote from: gleneagles

Laptop is showing 192.168.1.253

I thoroughly agree with Oldjim if it's a TG585v8 the wi-fi 'n' can be rather flaky but can I just ask where 192.168.1.253 came from?