Network woes - Laptop won't get web pages, Blackberry wifi is a no-go. - by SubJeff
SubJeff on 11/4/2009 at 12:15
I'm using an Orange Livebox and the net connection on my desktop (that I'm typing this on) is fine.
I have 2 issues, one new, one old.
1. This is new. My laptop will no longer allow web page access. Well it does intermittently but not for 95% of the time. Its a very odd phenomena that started happening about a month ago. At first repairing the connection with XP would restore things, but then even this stopped working.
I cannot see what has changed and this morning I got online fine. All network settings say that the connection is fine but Firefox, Opea, IE and Chrome won't load any pages up. They don't come up with an error - they just hand on "connecting".
Even odder is that Skype seems to connect to the net and Symantec Firewall update works.
I've got rid of some stuff with Spybot but AVG finds nothing, and I haven't downloaded anything or changed any settings. XP reports that the network adapter is fine and I'm sure the laptop is connecting to the network.
2. This is old, and was an issue long before the laptop started playing up.
My Blackberry Pearl finds my Orange Livebox with the wifi scan and I enter the WEP key into the phone and it tries then tells me:
Unable to Connect
Reason: Failed to associate with the network.
Well that's not enough info for me. Can anyonetell me why?
Bah!
Anyone able to help?
TBE on 12/4/2009 at 17:10
One thing I've noticed about wireless networks is that your neighbors frequently use the same broadcast channel as you, and it causes failures in your network.
Try out this little program called (
http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/) Netstumbler. It will scan all the frequencies being used that are picked up by 802.11 (wireless networking) hardware. Run it on your laptop, and you'll see the different channels.
Here's a page that tells you how to use Netstumbler effectively.
(
http://wirelessdefence.org/Contents/NetstumblerMain.htm) http://wirelessdefence.org/Contents/NetstumblerMain.htm
I had a neighbor who continually changed the broadcast channel of his network to the same channel as mine. I don't know why, but he did. Everytime I changed my channel to avoid his crosstalk, he changed to mine. Maybe he could pick up a neighbor on the other side that had used his channel? This might be a simple solution to your laptop problem. It's worth a try.
SubJeff on 13/4/2009 at 19:31
Thanks.
I can see that my network is listed as running on channel 1. The settings on the laptop say its on channel 11 but switching on the laptop a. switches the connection to a supposedly unsecured one and b. now gives the usual "address not found" error you get when there is no net connection.
There are 4 other networks on channel 1 so I suppose changing would be the thing, but how come THIS machine is fine??? And how do I change the channel anyway? And why the heck should it matter as the laptop only wants to connect to my network. How does Skype connect? And why does the Firefox add-ons panel connect to the "suggested add-ons" bit but nothing else work?
Aaaaarggh! This is the stupidest thing I have come across in networking.
bikerdude on 13/4/2009 at 19:44
Quote Posted by Subjective Effect
Aaaaarggh! This is the stupidest thing I have come across in networking.
if you still cant get it sorted drop me a PM
SubJeff on 13/4/2009 at 22:19
Well I changed the channel on the laptop to 2, 6 or 11 (as I've read is the way on other sites). Nothing. I tried other numbers too. Nothing.
How come it works on this machine? Thing is, this is running Vista, the laptop has XP, and I don't know how to see what channel I'm on in Vista as the networking icons and menus have all changed.
Grrrrrr.
bikerdude on 13/4/2009 at 23:34
Hi S.E.
Ok, take a step back and try the following:
1. does the laptop connect via wifi to the wifi router, there should be a connected icon in the tray - yes/no.
2. click on start, then run and type 'cmd' then type 'ipconfig' - do you get an ip address - yes/no.
3. if yes to both of the above then download the latest driver for the wifi card in the effected laptop and try steps.
4. if 1 to 3 do not work drop me a pm.
:cool:
SubJeff on 14/4/2009 at 18:15
1. Yes the laptop connects to the wifi network. It says the signal strength is Excellent, which is no suprise as the wireless router is a few meters away.
2. Yes I have an IP address.
3. The new driver is the same as the old one for the device I think. I installed it but still no help.
PM me with the details anyway please.
TBE on 14/4/2009 at 23:33
Let's take a further step back. You need to connect to your wifi router with a wired connection.
1. Get into its menu and that's where you change the channel of your network.
2. Give your router a very unique name. You know how many "Linksys" and "D-Link" network names are in my neighborhood? Like 10 right around me. I've got my network called something specific so I know I'm trying to connect to my network, and not my neighbor's.
bikerdude on 15/4/2009 at 00:43
Quote Posted by Taffer_Boy_Elvis
Let's take a further step back. You need to connect to your wifi router with a wired connection.
ah yes, its possible you got mac address filtering enabled and that your 'other' laptop is being blocked.
SubJeff on 15/4/2009 at 18:01
It was Symantec Firewall. I didn't think to check as its been no problem til now. Must have got some stupid update.
