Problem connecting to Internet

[Richard in AZ]

I have a shop computer with Vista Premium that frequently has a problem connecting to the Internet
while it is connecting to the local workgroup.

Background. This computer has a Three-way hard drive switch that connects one of three hard drives
at a time. Other than that all hardware is shared. One hard drive has Windows XP Pro, one has
Vista and the third drive has a Linux OS. The computer is marginal for Vista (1.2 MHz CPU, 1 GB
RAM, 128 Mb Video) but works okay for what I need. The network connection is via a wireless PCI
card to a wireless DSL modem/router in my office. The Vista and XP are protected with AVG, Windows
Defender and Windows firewall for protection. The Linux hard drive uses an antivirus, and
antispyware software that came with it (XandRos distribution). I only use these machines when I
need support for computers I am working on in the shop and trying to master the OS. I don't keep
any personal records on these hard drives.

The XP operation always connects to the workgroup and to the internet very quickly with a strong
signal strength on the wireless. The Linux operation always connects to the workgroup and the
internet very quickly with a medium signal strength (I suspect a driver issue). The Vista operation
connects to the workgroup with a strong signal strength, but frequently connects only to the "local"
workgroup and not to the Internet. I can access shared folders on my office computer, but I can't
connect to the Internet. When I do a system restore to the last used date, I can then connect to
the Internet at boot-up. (I have learned to make a restore point at the end of each successful use
of the OS.) When choose the "diagnose the problem" option, it points to the Windows Firewall. But
even turning off the firewall will not let the connection complete. While using the restore point
fixes the problem, I would like to not have to got that route.

I don't think it would be a hardware issue, since all hardware is shared (except the hard drives)
and works on the other two OS's.
I do get an IP address from the workgroup router when the Internet is not connecting.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I am not that skilled yet in fixing the Vista OS.

 

[NotMe]

I would guess it is a driver issue or a permissions/group policy issue
depending on how the workgroup is setup.

 

[Synapse Syndrome]

I have a shop computer with Vista Premium that frequently has a problem
connecting to the Internet while it is connecting to the local workgroup.

Background. This computer has a Three-way hard drive switch that connects
one of three hard drives at a time. Other than that all hardware is
shared. One hard drive has Windows XP Pro, one has Vista and the third
drive has a Linux OS. The computer is marginal for Vista (1.2 MHz CPU, 1
GB RAM, 128 Mb Video) but works okay for what I need. The network
connection is via a wireless PCI card to a wireless DSL modem/router in my
office. The Vista and XP are protected with AVG, Windows Defender and
Windows firewall for protection. The Linux hard drive uses an antivirus,
and antispyware software that came with it (XandRos distribution). I only
use these machines when I need support for computers I am working on in
the shop and trying to master the OS. I don't keep any personal records
on these hard drives.

The XP operation always connects to the workgroup and to the internet very
quickly with a strong signal strength on the wireless. The Linux
operation always connects to the workgroup and the internet very quickly
with a medium signal strength (I suspect a driver issue). The Vista
operation connects to the workgroup with a strong signal strength, but
frequently connects only to the "local" workgroup and not to the Internet.
I can access shared folders on my office computer, but I can't connect to
the Internet. When I do a system restore to the last used date, I can
then connect to the Internet at boot-up. (I have learned to make a
restore point at the end of each successful use of the OS.) When choose
the "diagnose the problem" option, it points to the Windows Firewall. But
even turning off the firewall will not let the connection complete.
While using the restore point fixes the problem, I would like to not have
to got that route.

I don't think it would be a hardware issue, since all hardware is shared
(except the hard drives) and works on the other two OS's.
I do get an IP address from the workgroup router when the Internet is not
connecting.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I am not that skilled yet in fixing
the Vista OS.

Are you using DHCP?

Can you access the internet in other ways other than through www? Like,
does Windows Live Messenger, IRC or something else still work?

Can you access websites using IP addresses, which would mean you have a DNS
issue?

Can you ping host addresses or IP addresses on the internet?

ss.

 

[Guest]

Hi Richard,

I notice that you are using a wireless setup. If possible, try connecting
your machine to your router via Ethernet cable to see if that makes a
difference. If it does, then you might need to install a cable network in
your shop.
Dwarf