Internet Laptop Puzzler need help please!

meady100

meady100

meady100

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Joined
16 Dec 2006
Posts
116
Hi!

I wonder if anyone could help share their knowledge. I dont quite know where to go from here. I've been given this laptop to mend from a family member. Here is the nitty gritty:

* Windows Vista - internet connection suddenly stopped working with no apparent user changes.
* Tested with known working LAN - neither Firefox nor IE connect
* Finds and connects to known working WLAN - neither Firefox nor IE connect
* Same in safe mode with networking
* All network drivers appear normal
* Multiple windows rollbacks do nothing
* Windows reinstall not an option at this stage

Anyone got any advice on where I might go from here?! Thanks!
 
Thanks

Thanks very much for your help. I'm a bit of a network noob, so I'm not 100% sure how to access the info you mention, but when I go into the connection status its certainly connected to my wireless network, with an 'excellent' connection. I can also see that it's receiving a steady stream of bytes, presumably to maintain the connection, but that after being connected for an hour has not sent a single one. Both installed browsers act as if there is no available internet. The weird thing is it was all working a week before... A child was allowed to play on it for a brief period, but nothing seems to be obviously damaged or out of place...
 
Control Panel > Network and Sharing Centre > Change Adapter Settings

Right click on the adapter you are connecting the laptop with [Wireless or Local Area Network], then click Status from the menu. Click the Details button on the status window that opens.

Screenshot time :)

For your run of the mill home network common values will be:

IPv4 Address: 192.168.0.xxx [xxx = any number between 0 and 254]
IPv4 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.255
IPv4 Default Gateway: 192.168.0.xxx
IPv4 DNS Server: 192.168.0.xxx [this is generally the same as your gateway but not always]

Another value to look at is DHCP Enabled. If it is not enabled you may be using incorrect [or no] static IP address settings. To tell your adapter to use DHCP [automagically get network settings] close that details window.

Click Properties in the window thats still open. Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 in the list then Properties.

Choose the "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically" options and click OK. Then close. The adapter should disconnect momentarily and then reconnect. Click details again and see if it has any IP settings [and if they are different to previously]. However you will know if it worked as you will have Internet access :)
 
Holy crap - you know your stuff! Thanks so much for the detailed instructions, will get back to you with this info before lunchtime, all being quiet at work!

Ok, update time. I should have flagged this as suspicious - it keeps redirecting the browsers to slirsdirect.aol.com. It's malware! I previously assumed this one some kind of normal homepage for my contacts ISP. Obviously not - it must have mangled who knows what settings? I've had previous life sapping experiences trying to eradicate these and come to the conclusion it's easier just to reinstall Windows. Sorry for wasting your time - your help is much appreciated!
 
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Definitely the right decision to reinstall. Trying to get rid of it would not only take longer, but leave you unsure as to whether the malware was actually gone or not!
 
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