Damn computer

[veronica_rich]

My laptop will connect to the wireless router, but it will no longer access the Internet or sign up for chat. Any suggestions from those who know more than me? (Which is almost anyone - really, if you're 12, you can help ...)

ETA: Opening the connection window and clicking "Repair" does no good. The connection is strong; I actually have two networks to which I can connect equally well. I simply cannot get online.

Comments

[gryphons-lair.livejournal.com]

You're using Windows, right?

Hover your pointer over the little computer with the "radio waves" coming out of it. (The wireless connection icon.) It should be on your taskbar, by your other little mini-icons for AIM, WinAmp, your antivirus software, all that stuff.

A window should pop up telling you what router you're linked to. I suspect it'll also say "limited or no connectivity". If it does, that means your laptop didn't get a valid IP address when it connected to the router. It happens to me at the coffeeshop where I spend my lunch hour all the time.

Click on the wireless connection icon. It'll pop up a window that's titled something like "Wireless Network Connection 2".

Click on the "Support" tab.

Click the "Repair" button. You may have to do this a couple of times, but eventually the router will stop stonewalling and cough up a valid IP address for you.

Alternately, you can reboot your computer or reboot the router; either one gives you a second chance at a valid IP address. But the "Repair" button usually does it for my laptop.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

No dice. I've already tried that several times with no success. It's a good, strong connection; in fact, I have access to two connections, both of which connect up - and on neither will a webpage open for me.

But thanks for the advice ...

[gryphons-lair.livejournal.com]

Hmm... Weird.

I assume you've already checked your ISP to see if it's having trouble? 'Cause if you have, I'm fresh out of suggestions.

Sorry I couldn't be more help!