Computer Hope

Internet & Networking => Networking => Topic started by: polaris6 on October 10, 2009, 09:32:13 AM

Title: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 10, 2009, 09:32:13 AM
I have an unusual situation..

I have a PC, with XP(3), plenty of HD space, etc.

I also have a Linksys wireless router through which I connect two laptops and a desktop with wireless adapters; the desktop has a Linksys wireless adapter; the one laptop had a Netgear wireless adapter and the other laptop has a Linksys wireless adapter.

I have no trouble connecting to the internet with each of the laptops; the signals are strong and the connection process is straight forward.

Last week, all of a sudden, the desktop failed to connect to the internet through the router, although the two laptops connect flawlessly. I replaced the desktop adapter with one that I knew worked and I observed that the signal from the router was strong, but I could not make a connection (this connection is made through one of the slots on the motherboard). I replaced the wireless adapter on the desktop with a D-Link wireless adapter I use frequently on my laptops when I travel. This adapter connects through the USB port.

In each case (motherboard connection and USB connection), I get the signal that the desktop is connected to the router (and I can monitor that signal strength to confirm that), but I cannot get connected to my browser (IE7 or Firefox), or my mail (OE6).

I would appreciate any help and/or direction that is available.

Thanks you

polaris6

I called Linksys and they tell me that my warranty has expired, but for a fee, they might be able to 'fix' this situation.

I seem to have tried everything that I know worked in the past, to no avail. Is there something wrong with the desktop computer

Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: Broni on October 10, 2009, 11:30:02 AM
Will desktop connect while hard-wired?
Did you try to bypass router?
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 10, 2009, 05:21:25 PM
No, I have not tried to bypass the router.

The desktop is on one side of the house and the router/cable connection is on the other side...about 100' away.  I would have to disconnect everything from the clunky desktop and relocate it.

Let me think about that.

Is this a 'deal breaker'?

Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: Broni on October 10, 2009, 05:54:39 PM
Well, with such a distance, I'd give it a shot.
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 10, 2009, 07:32:05 PM
Thanks for the encouragement...I tried...I disconnected everything and took it to the room where the cable connected to the modem and router...

Guess what...?  there is no Ethernet port on my desktop.  I have looked everywhere on the motherboard and found nothing.  I have 4-USB ports, no telephone port or ethernet port.

What do I do now?  I reconnected all the cables;  at boot up, the computer recognized the wireless adapters;  the drivers are as up-to-date as they can be (for not being able to connect to the internet). 

I still get a strong signal from the router but no IP Address.  I have the settings so that Windows finds and configures as necessary.

Thanks for 'listening'.....


Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: Broni on October 10, 2009, 07:50:36 PM
Quote
there is no Ethernet port on my desktop
New network card can be get for 15 bucks.
Any errors id Device Manager?
Did you try to reinstall wireless adapter driver?
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 10, 2009, 08:00:16 PM
I have a Linksys Wireless-G PCI adapter card that plugs into the motherboard;  it has no ethernet receptacle.  I am not sure what I need a 'network card' other than what I already have.  This card has an antenna that picks up the wireless signal from the router, as I understand it.

No errors in the Device Manager...he/she tells me that all adapter devices are working properly;  no question marks or exclamation marks either.

I have uninstalled and installed the wireless adapter driver at least 7 times.

Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: Broni on October 10, 2009, 08:27:25 PM
I can only assume, that wireless card is bad, then.
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 10, 2009, 10:23:55 PM
Please read the initial post of mine.

I replaced the card with one that works.  That didn't work.

I also installed a USB wireless adapter that I removed from the laptop that I was/am using; it, the adapter worked fine on the laptop, but produces the same non-connectivity results as the PCI adapter.

Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: Broni on October 10, 2009, 11:16:42 PM
Bad PCI slot? Did you try different one?
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 11, 2009, 05:24:39 AM
There are only three slots into which the card can fit;  two are taken and the remaining one is located next to another card which has some 'stuff' mounting on it that makes it physically impossible to slide the card into.

Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 11, 2009, 05:47:26 AM
One more thought regards your last post:  the bad slot would be a possibility when the situation involved the PCI Adapter CArd....but ....I get the same results when I plug in an adapter card into the USB slot.  Are the two ports connected at some common location that would explain failure of two different wireless devices inserted at two different ports?

Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: Broni on October 11, 2009, 12:12:42 PM
If I were you, I'd spent 15 bucks to get ethernet card to see, if wired connection will work (eventually also trying to bypass the router).
It'd be good to see, if there is a problem outside of your computer.
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 14, 2009, 11:41:33 AM
I have and the desktop works perfectly by bypassing the router.

However, this does not help me understand why this router will deliver an IP address to both of my laptops and not to the desktop.

Any more suggestions?  I have all the firewalls disabled.

Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: Broni on October 14, 2009, 12:21:34 PM
There are only three options, then.
- bad wireless card
- bad PCI slot
- router going south (I've seen this happen, when 1 computer will connect fine, but the other won't)
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 14, 2009, 02:29:31 PM
Well...

1.  I have replaced the PCI Card

2.  I have substituted the PCI Adapter connection with a USB Wireless Adapter (attempting to eliminate the possibility of a bad slot)

3.  I have not installed a new router
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: Broni on October 14, 2009, 02:30:12 PM
Must be it...the router.
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 14, 2009, 02:31:51 PM
Any recommendation as to which I should AVOID?
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: Broni on October 14, 2009, 02:34:06 PM
What do you mean by "avoid"? Router brand?
If so, it really doesn't matter. All known brands are pretty equal...
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 14, 2009, 02:54:28 PM
I now have a 'G' router....several years old.

I see 'N' routers available...will that be better than a "G" router?  Is there one better?

Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 14, 2009, 03:04:43 PM
Do I need or should I get VPN capability?

Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: Broni on October 14, 2009, 04:01:03 PM
I'm not a router expert, but I'd assume, the newer, the better.
If you use VPN....
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 14, 2009, 04:04:44 PM
Thank you

I will let you know how it works out.
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 14, 2009, 05:04:04 PM
I have one more piece of information that might be helpful.

I looked at the 'Properties' of the Adapter card (I don't remember which one), and under 'Authentication' I found this message:

"IEEE 802.1x authentication cannot operate on peer to peer (ad hoc) networks or networks for which data encryption is disabled"

I don't remember seeing or even looking for that information.

Is this anymore helpful?

Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: Broni on October 14, 2009, 08:26:01 PM
It looks, like it may have something to do with your router security settings. Connect to your router setup page and try to juggle security settings.
I'd start with setting it up to WPA, if you have different setting.
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 15, 2009, 05:52:47 AM
Opps!!!

How do I do that?
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: Broni on October 15, 2009, 05:58:38 PM
What's your router brand?
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 15, 2009, 07:10:39 PM
Linksys Wireless-G WRT54G
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: Broni on October 15, 2009, 07:17:11 PM
You should be able to access setup page by going to:
http://192.168.1.1 (http://192.168.1.1)
Poke around security section.
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 16, 2009, 07:30:45 AM
This requires a username and password and I have no idea what that is.
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: Computer_Commando on October 16, 2009, 12:34:58 PM
Linksys routers
Username:
Password:  admin
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 16, 2009, 01:20:29 PM
I bought a new Linksys router today and installed it.  My laptops connect perfectly;  the desktop still has the same problem, 'Limited or no Connectivity'.

Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: polaris6 on October 16, 2009, 02:10:35 PM
I logged on to the Linksys website and found:

1.  Firewall was disabled

2.  All security seems to be 'in place'

3.  no restrictions seem to exclude one computer over another
Title: Re: Internet Connectivity
Post by: Broni on October 16, 2009, 07:06:02 PM
Quote
I'd start with setting it up to WPA, if you have different setting.