Have wireless connection but no Internet

Question

My Inspiron laptop suddenly stopped connecting to the Internet even though it tells me I have a wireless connection.  I know nothing about these things, but 2 computer savvy friends are guessing it's an IP or ISP problem that they cannot fix.  Help, please.  And please reply in lay terms.  Thx.

BBraxton · Answer

Inspiron model?
Service Tag?
network adapter brand and model?
Do you have your own wireless router (infrastructure) or are you running off of someone else's (who controls the infrastructure / the wireless access point)?

9536hpln · Answer

It's a 600m, service tagFW8V891

dont understand the 3rd question (I am a total technopeasant)

have been using my neighbors unsecured wireless, but i do actually have my own. used neighbor's because when mine got set up it would let the desktop in but not the laptop and I just took the path of least resistance.

have to go do some other work for a few hours. thanks

9536hpln · Answer

Well it's been saying that I'm connected to the wireless network.

I dont understand the DHCP comment. Tell me how to find it and I'll check.

When I did the IP config thing, here's what I got:

Windows IP Configuration: Host name: DFW8V891, Primary Dns Suffix: blank, IP routing enabled: No, WINS Proxy enabled No.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection: Media disconnected, Description: Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller, Physical address: 00-14-22-C6-F8-2E

Ethernet adapter Wireless connection: Media disconnected, Description: Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection, Physical Address: 00-16-6F2D-2C-E3.

BBraxton · Answer

Thank you for the IPCONFIG /ALL
It appears to be for your wired (disconnected) Ethernet and not the wireless.
When you go to 'Show available wireless networks' what SSID (network/access point NAME) shows up?
There are two ways to control the wireless connection:
* proprietary (software provided by the wireless card mfg.)
* Windows ('allow Windows to control the wireless')
What software do you see (showing the numbers of bars in signal strength) when trying to connect now?
[ Yes, I understand it was connecting until now. However, WEP or other encryption would be put on 'in the twinkling of an eye' ]

BBraxton · Answer

You may be seeing the consequence of a neighbor who got wise to your 'free ride' on their wireless (access point).
If they upgraded to WEP or some similar (other) security then you would still get a strong signal. Unless they told you that they did this and also share with you their WEP key (ours is 26 characters long) then you are looking at the result.
It may be time to back a batch of cookies and go pay a visit to the neighbors to see whether they will share their software key with you.
IF you are certain they have not pulled a switch like this then it is essential (most likely) that you have the setting 'Use DHCP to obtain TCP/IP address automatically).
You might also check (and report)
IPCONFIG /ALL >My.Txt (then use Notepad to copy and paste)

9536hpln · Answer

I see 'default' which has 5 full bars and says it is connected.  have no idea what is set up as the default.    also Netgear, which is what I used to connect to, has 4 bars, and is described as an unsecured wireless network   both of the above have yellow stars in the upper right corner of their boxes.   then comes mulholland, 4 bars, security-enabled wireless network.   And fyi, this problem arose last Thursday night, but over the weekend I was at a hotel with Wi-Fi, and I still couldnt connect, even though, again, it said I was connected to the hotel network.

9536hpln · Answer

i'll be doggoned!  It just started working after, on a whim, I disabled Norton security.  Can anyone tell me how to have access and security at the same time?  thx

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Have wireless connection but no Internet

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