I can connect to internet and browse, but my windows vista 32-bit pc says I am connected to "local only"?

Question

Before it usually says "local and internet" now it says "local only". I know its only a cosmetic problem but it irritates me. 10 points for best answer!!!!

Answer 1

As long as you are on the internet and you can surf the net, don't worry about it. Vista is like that. In my case the computer tell me I'm on Internet, but i can't surf the net. It's just a miss understanding of the vista software.

I'm sorry i didn't present this answer in technic terms :oD

Answer 2

The correct answer has already been given. You have connection from your PC to a router (Local) but not from the router to the Internet.  Cant troubleshoot your router for you, but chances are a reboot / turn the power off and on to the router will solve it

Answer 3

local only... as in local area connection as in ur internet.

Answer 4

if you internet is connected to a router then unplug router and plug back in might help  also if not then turn everything off and turn it back on works for mine  

Answer 5

If you were connected to the internet through a modem, your PC would be doing the connecting and validating the connection and you would have a direct connection. If you had a connection like this, your PC would be the only one connected and the connection would stop when you switched off your PC. This is a WAN or Wide Area Network connection.

My bet is that you are connected to a router, either by wireless or by a cable. The router makes the connection with the internet and any computers on the network can connect to the internet through the router. Your PC is connected to the router rather than direct to the internet. If you switched your PC off, the internet connection to the router would still remain. In this case, your PC has a LAN or Local Area Network connection. The router has the WAN connection.

Hope this makes it clear.