What would stop the Internet working even though the laptop connects to the wireless router ok?

Question

Dell Inspiron 6400 and IMD Thinkpad T40 laptops both running Windows XP Pro. Lately the wireless for broadband has been playing up. Both laptops would say they are connected properly to the router but the Internet just wouldn’t work. This has occurred a number of times and each time the only fix is going back to a previous system restore point in Windows and then the Internet works.

What would be causing this problem? Would it be anything to do with AVG 8 which is on both laptops or Windows update or is this the first signs of a fault with the router itself? Could a virus of some sort be causing this problem?

Any ideas?

Answer 1

have you set a WEP or WPA secure key because unknown people might be trying to sneak in

Secondly, is your modem connected to a phone line (adsl modem) do you have adsl filters attached

Thirdly.does you house phone have a voice messaging service activated, this can cross the lines because the service scans for voice mails alternately, turn the service off.

Finally..is your router set on DHCP (automatic) because if its set on static ip you will loose the connection because your isp randomly changes their ip

Answer 2

you should check out this site where you can get a sony vaio laptop for free

Answer 3

Maybe there is something jamming in the signal, like a microwave, or a cordless phone. Or maybe it is in a too smal area. I always keep my wireless routers at least 1 foot away from any wall

Answer 4

mine did exactly this and was fixed exactly the same way. its windows service pack 3. it kills your wifi, if you can believe how dumb they've gotten. just turn off automatic updates and you'll be fine.

Answer 5

Do you have ZoneAlarm? do you allow Windows updates, if yes than this is that is the problem

MS updates has buggered Zonealarm causing difficulties like this. You can either unistall the updates or switch ZA's settings to Medium.

see solutions here http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/n...

Answer 6

If  system restore gets it working it can not be the router. You must have some incorrect configuration to affect 2 machines. I have AVG 8 installed on hundreds of machines, they all connect OK.

Answer 7

You need to go to ZoneAlarm's preferences tab and update. From there you can download a new, patched version that does not cause this problem.

Answer 8

check your LAN connection

Answer 9

Zone alarm

Answer 10

If both laptops stop working at the same time then clearly there is a problem with the router/modem or the internet connection. Less likely (but possible) is interference from a neighbouring wireless network.

I would check with your service provider. They may be able to remotely check your modem for faults and advise whether the internet connection is at fault. You do not need a firewall if you already have a router this has a better built in firewall by way for NAT (network address translation) . So turn all software firewalls off (including windows own firewall, AVG and zone alarm) as they can conflict.

If the problem occurs again, try these steps

1) try connecting via ethernet cable by plugging one of the laptops to the router and see if you get the internet, this will see if there is  wireless problem

2) Try pulling the power from the modem for 20s and then allow to reboot the modem, if you can now connect the problem is with the modem side

3) If you have  a separate router do the same as 2)

In this way you should be able to narrow down the fault.