computer connects to network but no internet

[dryfly]

AT&T 2 Wire modem/router. My laptop running Vista, using a wireless connection, will connect to the router (home network) but will not make an internet connection using any form of authentication. If authentication is removed laptop will access internet.

I get to the point where it asks for the default encryption key. I enter it and it states that is not the correct key. I have reset the modem to factory settings and not assigned a custom password/key.

I have another laptop running Win 7 that connects fine using WPA2-PSK. Also a desktop that is hardwired to the router that works fine. Both connected using the factory encryption key.

Any ideas????

 

[shadowman724]

I think there's something messed up with the encryption schemes you are using.
Can you apply the same settings as used on Win 7 laptop?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Perhaps you need to update your Vista PC's wifi driver.

 

[JackMDS]

Both connected using the factory encryption key.

Any ideas????

If this means that you are using the WPS button.

Do Not.

Spend some time and learn how to create your own Wireless Password using WPA2 (WPA - AES) on the Router and all of your Wireless devices.

 

[dryfly]

A little more info. When in Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center the computer shows being connected to the network but shows it as "unidentified network". At this point it also shows it NOT connected to the internet.

I'm am using the same authentication type on this computer as the Win 7 laptop that connects just fine.

I have not installed any newer drivers at this time, but it was working fine 2 weeks ago under the same network configuration.

 

[Ketchup]

Remove your previous entry for that router connection on the laptop. Since you have reset the router since you started trying, it could be trying to connect using credentials that are no longer valid.

 

[dryfly]

Remove your previous entry for that router connection on the laptop. Since you have reset the router since you started trying, it could be trying to connect using credentials that are no longer valid.

Have done this several times. When reconnecting will show connection "unsucessful" but on the network and sharing center network map will show connected to an unidentified network and no internet connection. Really frustrating and starting to think it may be a network adapter issue in the laptop.

 

[dryfly]

If this means that you are using the WPS button.

Do Not.

Spend some time and learn how to create your own Wireless Password using WPA2 (WPA - AES) on the Router and all of your Wireless devices.

See OP. Normally use WPA2-PSK key. I know how to create custom password but am using factory (key code on router) password for testing purposes.

When I remove all authentication meaning NO password needed, I can connect. Again...... this is for testing purposes only. I'm well aware not to configure this in normal operation, otherwise I'd be running an open network and my problem would have already been solved.

 

[Ketchup]

When you have it showing unidentified network, does the laptop show up on the router, and does it have an IP adress? Have you ever given the wifi adapter on the laptop a static ip address? Wouldn't hurt to check, just to be sure.

 

[dryfly]

When you have it showing unidentified network, does the laptop show up on the router, and does it have an IP adress? Have you ever given the wifi adapter on the laptop a static ip address? Wouldn't hurt to check, just to be sure.

Yes, shows up on router:

Connection Type: Wireless (802.11)

IP Address: 192.168.1.69

IP Address Allocation: DHCP

IP Address Type: Private (NAT)

Hardware Address: 00:22:69:61:53:5c

All these are similar (except last octet in IP address) to the Win 7 laptop that is working fine.

Have never given the laptop a static address. Why would this be necessary? What is the procedure to do it and I'll try it. I'm still leaning toward a network card issue unless a solution pops up.

thanks..............

 

[Ketchup]

If you set up a static address incorrectly, it will give you issues like this. Since you haven't, don't need to worry about it.

The only other thing I can think of is the keyboard. I was having trouble like this with a laptop, and noticed that a key was stuck. I told Windows to display the letters and was able to find the stuck key and work around the issue.

 

[dryfly]

Ketchup.........thanks for your interest. I have displayed the characters from beginning so that's ruled out. I am going to reinstall some new drivers I found but doubt that will help.

If it is the network card can't I just disable the onboard card and use one of the USB wireless adapters like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...e=usb_wireless_adapter-_-33-704-141-_-Product

for 10 bucks might be worth taking a chance before I buy a new laptop. Unfortunately the computer is used in a part of the house I can't get CAT5 to or I would just run hardwired.

 

[Ketchup]

Yeah, may be just time to buy an external. Just know that your laptop does have an antenna going up the side of the screen, the newegg link doesn't seem to have much of anything. Probably fine for close, might suffer on the other side if the house.

One more thing about your laptop: have you tried a lower grade encryption on the router to see if there is any change?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Perhaps you need to update your Vista PC's wifi driver.

This, or just upgrade to Win7.

Vista and XP had occasionally-spotty (or missing) WPA2 support.

Quick way to determine if this would help, without buying Win7, would be to boot from a Linux LiveCD and see if you can connect.

 

[JackMDS]

Find out what is the Wireless card chipset download pure vanilla Drivers.

Remove wah ever on the laptop pertain to Wireless card drivers.

Especially make usre that there is No Wireless App (like bonjour or any other Wireless related App) loaded at Startup.

After clean up ReBoot and install the pure Vanilla Divers.

 

[dryfly]

Yeah, may be just time to buy an external. Just know that your laptop does have an antenna going up the side of the screen, the newegg link doesn't seem to have much of anything. Probably fine for close, might suffer on the other side if the house.

One more thing about your laptop: have you tried a lower grade encryption on the router to see if there is any change?

Laptop is line of sight and about 40' away from router/modem. should be no problem.

Yes I've tried WEP. The only way is to remove all athentication, then it will connect.

 

[dryfly]

Find out what is the Wireless card chipset download pure vanilla Drivers.

Remove wah ever on the laptop pertain to Wireless card drivers.

Especially make usre that there is No Wireless App (like bonjour or any other Wireless related App) loaded at Startup.

After clean up ReBoot and install the pure Vanilla Divers.

Drivers are 1) Atheros AR5007 WiFi Adapter and 2) Realteck RTL8102E Eternet NIC.

I have found newer drivers and will try. It's just a puzzle as to why all of a sudden the old drivers would cause an issue when no other components in the system have changed.

 

[dryfly]

This, or just upgrade to Win7.

Vista and XP had occasionally-spotty (or missing) WPA2 support.

Quick way to determine if this would help, without buying Win7, would be to boot from a Linux LiveCD and see if you can connect.

I don't want to spend the money for Win 7 upgrade on a computer this old. Would be about a third of the price for a new comparable machine.

 

[Ketchup]

Just a thought. Make sure you don't have a 3rd party firewall (or even try turning of windows firewall) blocking the connection.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Seriously, try newer drivers from atheros.cz . I ran into the same issues with a Compaq laptop that came with Vista Home Basic. After VZ pushed a firmware update to their Rev I router, the laptop would connect, but it would always show "local only".

 

[dryfly]

Seriously, try newer drivers from atheros.cz . I ran into the same issues with a Compaq laptop that came with Vista Home Basic. After VZ pushed a firmware update to their Rev I router, the laptop would connect, but it would always show "local only".

Well.........this just get more crazy. Took my laptop to a friend's house with same dsl service and same modem/router, and it connects immediately! Come back home and still no go. Spent another hour on phone with AT&T support and they still say it's my network card.

I cannot get the atheros driver files to download. I go to their website and it shows a newer file but will not give me the opportunity to download anything. Most of the links on their site are to 3rd party driver programs, which I prefer not to download and use.

There is something specific to my network card an the router???

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Did you try rebooting your home router? Are any other devices able to connect? It could be your router's got DHCP turned off or something.

 

[Ketchup]

Well, at least we know it's the router. As dave_the_nerd suggested, reboot the router. If that doesn't work, reset it.

If that doesn't work, are you sure your neighbor has the exact same model?

 

[dryfly]

Did you try rebooting your home router? Are any other devices able to connect? It could be your router's got DHCP turned off or something.

Right now I have 2 desktops, 2 laptops, an iPhone and an IPad successfully connecting to the network and internet. I have rebooted and reset the AT&T 2Wire modem/router so many times I've nearly wore it out.

I've been on the phone with 3 competent AT&T reps now, and today, they took remote control of the computer and went all over the modem's firmware...........finding nothing wrong.

Each one of them ended up blaming it on the computer's inability to interface with the router. Couldn't answer why it would connect to the same router at another location!!!

I've spent way too much time on this but I just really need an answer for my own benefit.

 

[dryfly]

Well, at least we know it's the router. As dave_the_nerd suggested, reboot the router. If that doesn't work, reset it.

If that doesn't work, are you sure your neighbor has the exact same model?

Same model but different version firmware. You could look at the settings on the firmware and not know it was a different version.