What's wrong with my connection ?

Question

Hi. I have some problems with my Internet Connection. When I use the computer of my house, everything is fine. But when I use my Laptop at home (when I want to use it to work, etc), sometimes, the connection fails. My anti-virus already cleared everything. For my home computer, I use a modem for the connection. It happens quite often (it happens to both computers too). Does anybody know what is wrong ? Any answer will be highly appreciated. Thank you !

P.S. The laptop is Microsoft's Windows Vista and the home computer is a Windows XP, thank you again !

Answer 1

More information is needed, but I do appreciate you stating which OS you use, and the types of computers involved. You might be surprised how many don't even include that much information! lol

OK, are you using a wireless access point built-in to your home network router for these connections? If so, then it would be great to know what router is in use, and what protocols is is capable of running, b-g-n, all, or just b-g? 802.11n is still a rather new protocol and is not yet ratified. In my experience many people have connectivity issues when using an 802.11n router and an 802.11n adapter.

Continual repairs and reboots of the modem/router is required. The only hopeful fix is a firmware upgrade for the router, and an updated driver for the adapter, but that isn't a for sure fix. It is worthwhile to try though, and to do so do this:

Log onto your router browser configuration pages. At the bottom of the list of options click Settings, or Firmware. On the firmware page, click anything which allows you to check for updated firmware is available. If it is, great, follow the instructions for download and installation. If not, close the pages and browse to your router manufacturers website, click on Support, then Drivers and Downloads.

Put your model number in, and click whatever keys or buttons it states to bring up the downloads available for your particular router. On the Downloads page double check what OS it is for, and what bit it is for (32 or 64). Download the appropriate firmware for your router to your desktop.

Log back into your router configuration pages, go back to the firmware page, click on Update Firmware. A browse box will appear. Or, if you have to browse for your firmware you just downloaded click that option. Just follow whatever instructions your router provides or the steps. In the browse box browse to your desktop, click on the firmware you just downloaded, and click Update or Load, or whatever yours says. Do not shut anything off while performing these steps. Once the new firmware is loaded, your router will automatically reboot itself. Everything may go dark for a moment, or not, just be prepared and do not panic. Once the rebooting is over, go back to the website, or to the manufacturer of your adapter(s), and do the same thing, click through to Support, then Downloads, etc, etc.

Set a manual restore point. Open System Restore on the XP machine by All Programs--Accessories--System Tools--System Restore. Follow the instructions on each page, it is quick and simple.

For Vista, type System Restore in the Start Search box, click on it at the top of the programs list. Click on the blue link in the System Restore box which opens up the dialog box for setting a manual restore point. At the bottom of the dialog box, click Create, follow the steps and click Finish.

Next, just follow the installation instructions to install the new driver for your adapter, and then reboot your system. Please be aware there are always risks when updating drivers. Updated drivers are the #1 reason for blue screens. That is why I gave instructions for the manual restore point, but even with that there is a slim, but real chance when performing driver updates. You can always go into Device Manager and after clicking on your adapter (double click) to bring up Properties, click the Driver tab, then click Rollback Driver, too.

If nothing here works, please feel free to contact your router manufacturer for a technician to walk you through other troubleshooting methods. Be sure to inform the technician of all steps you have already taken up to the point of the call.

In the meanwhile, you can continue to do repairs of your connection. In XP, right click your connection icon in the notification area, then select Repair. In Vista do the same only select Diagnose and Repair. If that doesn't work, unplug your router for 30 seconds and plug back in, this reboots the router and will often reestablish your connectivity. Another option in Internet Explorer is to click Tools and then select Diagnose Connection Problems. A dialog box will open, just follow each page and then follow any instructions.

Good luck and have a nice day.

Answer 2

It looks the wifi card is giving you issues on the laptop. Try to uninstall and reinstall the drivers for the wifi card. If the problem still happens, take you laptop a place that has wifi (other then your home) and see what happens. If same problem connect the tech support for the laptop (rare possibility that the wifi card has gone defective).

Answer 3

If you have it hardwired you should try going to Control Panel and click on Network Connections.  Right click on the network you are trying to connect to and click Repair.

If you have it wireless you need a wireless router off of your modem for uor laptop to be able to connect to the internet.

I hope that helps!

Answer 4

Never disable your firewall. This will lead to endless problems that can be difficult to solve. The best thing you can do is install the latest Windows updates, ensure that your PC is running the latest anti-virus software (including updates), visit the website of your router manufacturer to see if there are updates available for the software that runs your router.

To solve the annoying issue of not being able to connect, you can often select the option of disconnecting from the network and reconnecting. You may need to switch off your router/modem for approximately 30 seconds.

Repost if you need any other assistance. I'm always happy to help.

Answer 5

Maybe you should try turning off your windows firewall.