Connected to wireless, but no internet

Question

Inspiron 1521 Laptop, connects to wireless/internet fine when I'm at home. However, when in a public place, friend's house, university (i.e. anywhere else but my home) I cannot get onto the internet. It connects to the wireless network fine, with excellent signal strength, but I cannot get out to the internet. Had this problem with a previous laptop. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

volcano11 · Answer

Which version of Windows are you running?  Which wireless network adapter is installed?  Are you using Windows to connect or the utility that goes with your wireless adapter.   Are your TCP/IP properties for the wireless card set to obtain an IP address automatically or are you using a static IP address at home where you can connect?   Steve

mgraham828 · Answer

Windows Vista using a Windows to connect Dell 1390 WLAN Mini-Card. Obtaining IP address automatically.

mgraham828 · Answer

no settings were transferred from the old laptop. tried it earlier in safe mode and it did not work, but I will give it another shot.

volcano11 · Answer

You say that you had this same problem with your previous laptop.  In setting up your new laptop, did you do something similar to what you did when setting up your previous laptop?  Did you copy settings form the old one to make things the same on the new one.  Did you load similar software?  For example, if your home network requires encryption, did you set up the same encryption settings for other networks?  This would not be necessary, since your network may require it, but the others probably won't.   On the new laptop, as a troubleshooting step, if you boot to Safe Mode with Network Support, does the same problem occur?   Steve

volcano11 · Answer

Most universities have some kind of access restrictions (MAC address filtering) and you have to register the MAC address of your network adapter with the IT people before you can connect.  Does the university whose network you are trying to connect to have such security in place?   Are you sure the other networks you are attempting to connect to don't have some kind of security?  Are they all open non-secured networks?   Steve

mgraham828 · Answer

My wireless network has worked on these wireless networks before. In fact, just 2 weeks earlier I was able to connect to the wireless networks and go on the internet just fine, without any problems. It was not until two days ago did I have a problem getting out to the internet. I have not changed anything in regards to security or internet settings, it is the same as when I received the laptop a few weeks ago.

volcano11 · Answer

When you are within range of one of these other wireless networks, boot into Safe Mode with Network Support and see if you have a connection.   Report back what you find.  This will help eliminate the possibility that you have a program running in the background that is blocking the internet connection.   Steve

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Connected to wireless, but no internet

Was this post helpful?