Problem connecting laptop to internet

[paluca1982]

Hello everyone and thank you for your help.

My father's computer was infected by a virus so we restored everything to the original form (and later running windows updates for hours). After all this we tried to reconnect to the home network, but the computer wont access the internet. I have excellent reception and we have no problem being connected to the network, but that is as far as it goes. I have tried to fix it with the auto repair feature in the computer and it tells me to reboot my router. I do and still the same problem. All my other laptops work fine. This one had no problem connecting to the internet before. Any ideas how to fix this? Thanks!

[ggift_1029]

So you mean, it connects to the network but no internet access??...What is the Operating System of your computer (like XP, vista, windows7 or mac)??...Try to check if you're getting a valid IP address.

[fordem]

First question - how did you apply windows updates without connecting to the internet? The only way to apply Windows updates without connecting to the internet is if you have a Windows WSUS server on your network, which most of us don't.

[paluca1982]

To ggift_1029: The computer is running on Windows Vista Home Premium. How would I check if im getting a valid IP address?

To Fordem: I updated the computer by connecting it directly to the router. If I do this, I have no problem reaching the internet. I have only problems if I am connected wirelessly

[jmizoguchi]

if you have no issues wired to the router then chances are you have IP issues or DNS issues.

go to start (windows circle , left bottom) >search box , type CMD

You will see "command prompt". click that.

On popup windows, type ipconfig /all
you will see wireless adapter with

IP
subnet mask
gateway

DNS primary/secondary


** also disable any third party firewall as well


If IP is 192.x IP then

try from the command prompt,

ping yahoo.com
ping 4.2.2.2



If you are getting 169.x IP then you did not get the IP from router or 0.0.0.0

[fordem]

Originally Posted by paluca1982

I updated the computer by connecting it directly to the router. If I do this, I have no problem reaching the internet. I have only problems if I am connected wirelessly

Somehow that little detail didn't make it into your original post - and it leads me to my next question - how do you know you're connected to the network (you said you have no problem being connected to the network).

I'm not trying to trick you here - the details make the difference.

As June has suggested, go to a command pormpt and do an ipconfig /all and find the section for your wireless connection - the ip address will most likely start with 192.168, and it should show Default gateway, DHCP & DNS server entries - at the command prompt, ping the router (ping 192.168.1.1 - but use the address shown for the default gateway), does the router reply, or does it time out?

If it times out, then you're not actually connected to the network - it happens sometimes with wireless - check your encryption key, and make sure you're connecting to your network.