Can't access the net

[Bob Newman]

I have a laptop with a high speed wireless connection. XP says I have an
excellent signal and am logged on. When I start IE6, OE6 (for newsgroups),
or Outlook2000 that all tell me they can't connect. Any ideas?
PS I'm sure this has something to do with it (can't be a coincidence). I
just reformatted the HD & reinstalled XP & Office 2000. Haven't been able
to get on since. Outlook & IE6 are setup to use the LAN connection but they
can't find it even though XP says I am logged on (the desktop gets on fine
so I know the service is working fine).

Thanks in advance... Bob

 

[Bob Newman]

Forgot to mention when I reinstalled XP I also installed Service Pack 2 (I
know).

Bob

 

[Malke]

Forgot to mention when I reinstalled XP I also installed Service Pack
2 (I know).

Bob

Have you checked your wireless connection settings for your wireless
network? Is the SSID correct? WEP key? Reenter the correct information
to be sure. Is your wireless network card seen in Device Manager? No
yellow exclamation point? If there is a yellow exclamation point,
reinstall the wireless NIC drivers.

Malke

 

[Bob Newman]

Dang, you're getting technical on me. I don't know what any of that stuff
is. When I originally hooked it up I just plugged everything in & it worked
fine. I didn't set anything. Could you elaborate please.

Bob

 

[Malke]

Dang, you're getting technical on me. I don't know what any of that
stuff
is. When I originally hooked it up I just plugged everything in & it
worked
fine. I didn't set anything. Could you elaborate please.

OK - with a wireless connection, you have a wireless router. It is
broadcasting an SSID and probably (hopefully) using wireless encryption
so someone outside your network can't piggyback on your connection. You
need to know what your SSID is and your WEP key, if used. First, find
the manual for whatever wireless cable/dsl router you have. Then use
your browser to get to the configuration settings for the router. For
instance, if you have a Linksys you would open Internet Explorer (on
the desktop) and in the addressbar type:

http://192.168.1.1 [Enter]

This will bring you to the configuration settings. You'll need to enter
the username and password - which will be in your router manual. The
default settings will work unless you changed them. Let's assume you
didn't change them and you have a Linksys. The default username is
blank (IIRC) and the password is "admin". Now look at the wireless
configuration and see what the SSID is and whether WEP is being used.
If WEP is being used, you need to know the key or set a new one that
you will write down so as not to forget it.

Now take the laptop and start the Control Panel Wireless setup applet.
You need to enter the SSID and WEP to match the router. The reason you
are getting the strong connection bar is that your wireless card on the
laptop sees some wireless networks. You have to set it up to use *your*
wireless network.

HTH,

Malke

 

[Bob Newman]

When I typed in http://192.168.1.1 (I do have a Linksys router) and hit the
enter key I didn't go anywhere. IE6 still just said "the page cannot be
displayed"

Bob

Dang, you're getting technical on me. I don't know what any of that
stuff
is. When I originally hooked it up I just plugged everything in & it
worked
fine. I didn't set anything. Could you elaborate please.

OK - with a wireless connection, you have a wireless router. It is
broadcasting an SSID and probably (hopefully) using wireless encryption
so someone outside your network can't piggyback on your connection. You
need to know what your SSID is and your WEP key, if used. First, find
the manual for whatever wireless cable/dsl router you have. Then use
your browser to get to the configuration settings for the router. For
instance, if you have a Linksys you would open Internet Explorer (on
the desktop) and in the addressbar type:

http://192.168.1.1 [Enter]

This will bring you to the configuration settings. You'll need to enter
the username and password - which will be in your router manual. The
default settings will work unless you changed them. Let's assume you
didn't change them and you have a Linksys. The default username is
blank (IIRC) and the password is "admin". Now look at the wireless
configuration and see what the SSID is and whether WEP is being used.
If WEP is being used, you need to know the key or set a new one that
you will write down so as not to forget it.

Now take the laptop and start the Control Panel Wireless setup applet.
You need to enter the SSID and WEP to match the router. The reason you
are getting the strong connection bar is that your wireless card on the
laptop sees some wireless networks. You have to set it up to use *your*
wireless network.

HTH,

Malke
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"

 

[Malke]

When I typed in http://192.168.1.1 (I do have a Linksys router) and
hit the
enter key I didn't go anywhere. IE6 still just said "the page cannot
be displayed"

Did you do this in the browser on the desktop; i.e., on the computer
that has a working Internet connection? Since I can't see your setup
from here, you may want to have a local professional come over and make
sure your network is working correctly and set up your laptop. This is
normally a very quick and easy process and should not be very
expensive.

You may also want to go to Linksys's support site as they have some very
clear diagrams and explanations of how to set up your network with
their equipment.

Malke

 

[Bob Newman]

I will call Linksys to check the router but I think I eliminated that as the
problem. I went over to the local coffee shop with hotspot service, again
XP said I was logged on with a strong signal but again the programs (IE6,
Outlook 2000, OE6) couldn't find it. Then I did the ultimate, I also have
dialup service with AT&T WorldNet. It wouldn't even access over the hard
line although XP again said that I was connected via the dial up service.
Whatever it is I would think it was part of XP, but something that would
effect all the programs. I am not experienced in this but I would think
that there would be a very limited number of thing that could cause such a
problem

Bob

 

[Malke]

I will call Linksys to check the router but I think I eliminated that
as the
problem. I went over to the local coffee shop with hotspot service,
again XP said I was logged on with a strong signal but again the
programs (IE6,
Outlook 2000, OE6) couldn't find it. Then I did the ultimate, I also
have
dialup service with AT&T WorldNet. It wouldn't even access over the
hard line although XP again said that I was connected via the dial up
service.
Whatever it is I would think it was part of XP, but something that
would
effect all the programs. I am not experienced in this but I would
think that there would be a very limited number of thing that could
cause such a problem

You may have malware on the computer preventing Internet access. You may
not have the proper drivers installed. There's really no way for me to
tell from a newsgroup post. Have a professional look at your laptop for
a quick resolution of the problem.

Malke

 

[Bob Newman]

I confess. I wimped out, gave up and did a complete reinstall of XP (minus
SP2) and it works fine. I'm undecided whether I want to make another try at
SP2 again. Before I installed it last time I went through all the stuff
with both Microsoft & Compact and made all the changes they said I needed
for SP2. Your thoughts on trying SP2 again? I have the Norton Internet
Security program with it's firewall and anti-virus.

Bob