Computer refuses to connect to any outside clients/applications?

[hypeforlife91]

    I live in a dorm and about 3-4 weeks ago, my computer suddenly stopped being able to connect to things like client/application computer mmo games, game hubs like bigfishgames and gamehouse, can't upload to photobucket and other photo sites, cannot use stamps.com's application, cannot connect to the last.fm client, and the works. Almost every internet-related thing aside from messenger and Firefox browser-based applications, I cannot do. The thing I've noticed is that the only thing that seems to work is the "alternative" method in Imageshack. That is the only way I've tried that I've been able to upload photos. If I find out why this is, then I will have some idea of what is going on.

   The only things that I have been able to do that is internet related is use Firefox + download from the Firefox browser, messenger, xfire, and I don't even think Internet Explorer nor Google Chrome works. ONLY Firefox out of the 3 browsers I have works. There must be a common denominator to this, but being hopeless at computers, I don't know what it is. I didn't change any settings intentionally at all.

I haven't asked the dorm director yet, as it didn't matter before, but now it does. I am planning to ask him, but I would rather ask around first since it isn't easy to reach him. So any idea what is going on? My boyfriend, who is pretty good at computers tried to fix it via remote assistance but he couldn't and it doesn't seem to be a firewall issue. Thanks, it didn't really bother me before, but now it is starting to hit me!

[dahlarbear]

1.  Operating System.  Which version and service pack level are you using?  (e.g. Windows XP Pro SP3)?

2.  Ipconfig.  From a Command Prompt window use "ipconfig /all" command (without quotes) to view the TCP/IP configuration parameters assigned, if any.  Now use "ipconfig /all > IpNoConnect.txt" to redirect  output to text file and "post" its contents in your next reply.  Text file will be in same directory command was executed from.

To access command prompt in Windows XP:  Start -> Run -> type "cmd" without quotes, then press <Enter>.

3.  Ping.  From a Command Prompt window use the following commands (without quotes):
     a.  "ping www.yosemite.com"          ; should resolve to "139.151.188.4" 
     b.  "ping www.computerhope.com"   ; may resolve to "69.72.169.241"

What IP address is in the "reply from" for each command?

[hypeforlife91]

Thanks for your reply, I am still trying to resolve my issue.

The second command that is supposed to copy the text to notepad or something doesn't work for me. >_< Is that exactly what I'm supposed to be typing?

But what I've noticed is that the command windows said a lot of "Media disconnected"...that doesn't sound good does it?

I use Windows Vista and on a wireless connection on my laptop, by the way.

And the Local Area Connection says that the cable is unplugged...errr..that wouldn't be my fault I don't think since my connection is wireless and not wired. But wouldn't the school have noticed by now?

Thanks.

[dahlarbear]

The second command that is supposed to copy the text to notepad or something doesn't work for me. >_< Is that exactly what I'm supposed to be typing?

1.  Not sure what you mean.  Is ">_<" supposed to be a "smiley face" of some kind?

The command without the quotes is "ipconfig /all > IpNoConnect.txt".

   The only things that I have been able to do that is internet related is use Firefox + download from the Firefox browser, messenger, xfire, and I don't even think Internet Explorer nor Google Chrome works. ONLY Firefox out of the 3 browsers I have works.

2.  Internet Access.  What sites can you access from Firefox browser?  Can you access:
     a.  http://www.computerhope.com
     b.  http://www.yosemite.com
     c.  ftp://ftp.hp.com
     d.  https://www.eff.org            - yes, I did mean "https"

3.  Proxy Setting.  Are you supposed to use a "proxy" to access Internet?  What is your Firefox "proxy" configuration?

To access (within Firefox version 3.6):  Tools -> Options... -> Advanced button -> Network tab -> Settings button within Connection subsection -> Configure Proxies to Access the Internet.

Which of the following "radio" buttons is selected:
     a.  No proxy
     b.  Auto-detect proxy settings for this network
     c.  Use system proxy settings
     d.  Manual proxy configuration:
     e.  Automatic proxy configuration URL:

[hypeforlife91]

Yes the ">_<" is a frustrated smiley. 
I really wish this could work. I've been trying to find info on it from other sites.

I am actually on my computer now, so of course I could connect to computerhope.com..I am on it right now. Actually, I can connect to all 4 sites you gave me.

My computer's connection just got wacky on its own..I didn't change any proxy.

Also like I said, when I go to Network connections, the "LAN" is unplugged. I don't know if that is the issue. I don't have access to the wired connection anyways...

Here is what the command window said when I typed in "ipconfig/all" The other command for copying the text you gave me didn't work for my computer for some reason. So I had to do it some other way..hope you can help me determine the issue by looking at this:


"Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Jennifer>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

   Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Jennifer-PC
   Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
   Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
   IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
   WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
   DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : academyart.edu

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : academyart.edu
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Atheros AR928X Wireless Network Adapter
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-24-2B-F1-66-51
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.7.63(Preferred)
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Thursday, March 04, 2010 4:26:24 PM
   Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Friday, March 05, 2010 3:46:30 AM
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.7.1
   DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.7.1
   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 70.239.199.9
                                       168.215.210.50
   NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Generic Marvell Yukon 88E8055 PCI-E Giga
it Ethernet Controller
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1D-BA-F0-A8-44
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 6:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.academyart.edu
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 7:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.{11CEBE68-0F2A-4D85-A572-A9F918F7
3EF}
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 11:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 13:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : academyart.edu
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #3
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 12:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.{16AC9EE8-6BFD-4FAD-9FB6-FB9F4992
CFB}
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 19:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #5
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 20:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft 6to4 Adapter
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

C:\Users\Jennifer>"


Thanks. It keeps saying Media disconnected and my LAN basically says unplugged..dunno if it said that before, never really checked before this crap happened.

[dahlarbear]

1.  Media disconnected.  If your "wired" Local Area Network (LAN) connection is not plugged in, you'll get this message.  This is normal and OK (along with the other "Media disconnected" messages).

2.  Internet Access.  Basically you have Internet access.  If you're unable to access certain sites, you're being blocked by:
     a.  Entries within your "hosts" file
     b.  School Proxy Server (filters within proxy server)
     c.  School Domain Name System (DNS) servers
     d.  School Firewall
     e.  Internet Service Provider (ISP) - probably not them.
     f.  Malware

If you haven't already, you should determine whether "others" in the dorm have similiar problem.  Is it possible the school is filtering the sites you visit in a "misguided" attempt to reduce malware introduced onto their network (or to keep you focused on schoolwork)?

3.  "C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts" file.  Use "notepad" (text editor) to view contents of your "hosts" file.  Aside from the "comments" (all lines with "#" at beginning), there's normally just one entry "127.0.0.1       localhost".  If there are other entries search to see whether the websites you can't access are listed there.  If your desired website name is mapped to "127.0.0.1", you won't be able to access it.

My computer's connection just got wacky on its own..I didn't change any proxy.

3.  Proxy Settings.  Never the less, what is the current Firefox setting - is the "radio" button set to "No Proxy"?

4.  DNS Server Addresses.  All websites are "actually" accessed by their numeric IP address.  When you enter a website name in your browser, it requests the IP address associated with that name from a DNS server.  If the name is not known to the DNS server or it filters out names someone doesn't want you to access, you won't get the necessary IP address - hence, no access.

Manually change the DNS server addresses used for your "wireless" network connection to some "independent" values.  For example:
     o  4.2.2.2            or  4.2.2.6               from Verizon
     o 208.67.222.222  or  208.67.220.220    from OpenDNS

See http://www.home-network-help.com/configuring-ip.html, the "Manual IP Assigning" subsection.  You just want to select "Use the following DNS server addresses" to specify your own values.

5.  Firewall.  If the school's firewall is blocking sites, then it would block them for everyone; unless people are tunneling through.

6.  Internet Service Provider.  Probably not the ISP, unless they specialize in serving the "censorship" needs of educational institutions.

7.  Malware.  If you think your system is infected with malware, you should post in the "Computer Hope - Computer Help Forums -> Software -> Computer viruses and spyware" subforum.  Start here.

[hypeforlife91]

Thanks for your reply again.

Yes, Firefox is set to "No proxy".

I haven't asked anyone here because I don't really have close ties with anyone in this dorm. So I don't talk to them. My friends are usually in other dorms so they wouldn't know. But I will randomly ask.

I have thought that the school might be blocking it, but it is so difficult to reach the person in charge.

In the meantime, what do you recommend is the next step that I take while I try to contact the person in charge?

Perhaps I should try going to an Internet cafe to confirm if it works there?

Thanks~

[dahlarbear]

    I live in a dorm and about 3-4 weeks ago, my computer suddenly stopped being able to connect to things like client/application computer mmo games, game hubs like bigfishgames and gamehouse, can't upload to photobucket and other photo sites, cannot use stamps.com's application, cannot connect to the last.fm client, and the works.

1.  What changed in the dorm?
     a.  So, three to four weeks ago you were able to access "www.bigfishgames.com" within the dorm?  From which browsers?
     b.  Where is the wireless access point your wireless adaptor connects to?

2.  From Command Prompt, enter the following commands without the quotes and post the results:
     a.  "ping www.bigfishgames.com > PingOut.txt"
     b.  "tracert www.bigfishgames.com > TracertOut.txt"

3.  "hosts" file.  Ensure the file does not contain entries for any of the sites you're unable to access (e.g. "bigfishgames").  If you find an entry, insert a "#" at the beginning of the line to "comment" it out.  Then retry website access.  Complete file name path is probably "C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts".  Use a text editor such as "notepad" to examine the file.

4.  Manually set DNS server addresses to "4.2.2.6" and "208.67.222.222" on the wireless connection.  Reboot and try to access "bigfishgames" from firefox browser using whatever address string you normally use (www.bigfishgames.com")?

Perhaps I should try going to an Internet cafe to confirm if it works there?

5.  That could be useful.  If it doesn't work there, the problem might lie with your computer and its configuration.

6.  Security Software.  What software do you have installed?
     a.  Third party security suite
     b.  Firewall
     c.  AntiVirus
     d.  AntiMalware or AntiSpyware
     e.  AntiAdware

7.  Safe Mode with Networking.  Try booting to Safe Mode with Networking.  See if firefox can access "bigfishgames" website from there.  If yes, get out immediately as most, if not all of your security software won't be running.