Server not found, but my computer says I'm connected

[nickelsun88]

Sorry if I'm not clear but I know very little about computers:

I have a laptop running windows XP that I can connect wirelessly to a "linksys" router with broadband. I've done it before when the laptop ran vista, but now i've formatted it and switched to xp. My wireless connection status assures me i am connected to the router, but neither firefox nor internet explorer will display any web pages.

Other forums I looked at said to check the firewall, but I'm pretty sure i don't have one installed, but it would help if i knew how to check/turn off that sort of thing.

anyway thanks a lot for your help

 

[mattjurado]

Open a command prompt (start>run, type cmd, and press enter). Type ipconfig. Does it show an IP address and gateway? If so, what are they?



Matt

Please always take the time to backup important data and verify that backup, before making any changes suggested.

 

[G0AOZ]

Yes, XP does have its own firewall, although I doubt this is causing your problem. It would be firewalls from Norton or McAfee for example, which might need configuring for a wireless connection.

Is your laptop using XP's own Wireless Zero Configuration service to setup the wireless connection, or are you using third party software associated with the laptop's particular wireless device?

You say the signal strength appears to be good. Does right clicking on the signal strength indicator in the systemtray give any options like "Connect to" or "show available networks" etc?

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[nickelsun88]

mattjurado
it says:
Windows IP Configuration

Ethernet adapter Network Bridge:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Autoconfiguration IP Address.....: (numbers here)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . .: (numbers here)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . .:


G0AOZ:
Yes, XP does have its own firewall, although I doubt this is causing your problem. It would be firewalls from Norton or McAfee for example, which might need configuring for a wireless connection.

Well the computer is pretty much void of other software besides the basics.

Is your laptop using XP's own Wireless Zero Configuration service to setup the wireless connection, or are you using third party software associated with the laptop's particular wireless device?

While I had to set up a network with the router's disc on this desktop, the laptop was able to connect without it with a small item in the system tray.

You say the signal strength appears to be good. Does right clicking on the signal strength indicator in the systemtray give any options like "Connect to" or "show available networks" etc?

right clicking says:
disable
status
repair
view available wireless networks
open network connections

now left clicking shows me the wireless network connection status.

status: connected
duration 00:17:14
speed: 36.0 Mbps
Signal Strength: full bars

 

[mattjurado]

Well, the numbers were kind of important (when you said "numbers here"), but no matter. The fact it is using an autoconfiguration address means it is not obtaining an IP.

I also see that Windows is treating the adapter as a bridge.

So, go into control panel. Open network connections.

What do you see there?

If your wireless adapter shows as part of a bridge, right click it, and disable the bridge.

Reboot and try again.

Matt

Please always take the time to backup important data and verify that backup, before making any changes suggested.

 

[nickelsun88]

thanks a lot! it works now