unrelated question, but please help

01-08-05, 09:15 PM

I am having some issues with my wifi connection to my laptop. I know this site is for axim users, but this is the only computer related forum to which I am a member.

My laptop has a signal from the router, but is unable to connect using either internet explorer or firefox. Even when the computer is hardwired to the router it still will not connect, and all other computers in the home connect fine, including my x50v. I suspect a virus, but not sure.

I was wondering if anyone here knew of a website where I could find some information on this subject, or a forum where I could ask this question. I have already tried a couple of forums, but with no success as no one replied.

Howard2k · 01-08-05, 10:12 PM

Does it get an IP Address from the router?

01-08-05, 10:51 PM

Have you tried reseting the router to factory settings and starting from scratch?

In regards to an IP adress, try setting your computer to automaticaly obtain an IP address.

Questions unrelated to PPCs are just fine. That is one reason for the Water Fountain :)

grapeape · 01-08-05, 10:59 PM

Most WiFi connectivity problems seem to normally be the result of security settings. My advice would be to start from scratch on the router with nothing but the defauly ssid and no encryption...then slowly make the changes on the router while working with the laptop. If your laptop is running a firewall such as zone alarm, or even the default one from XP service pack 2 that can also be an issue. Disabling those, connecting to wifi then restablishing the firewall usually allows it to "discover" the new network enabling to work properly.

01-09-05, 12:02 AM

Thanks for the advice. I have reset the router to its default settings, deactivated all firewalls on the laptop (xp sp2 and mcafee), and the laptop is recieving an ip address.

By the way, this is a relatively new Dell laptop, and thus far the service people have been very unhelpful. All I got were the things I have already tried and the ideas that were given to me here and a lot of sighs. I am afraid that a full re install is all that can be done. I did have a friend that had similar symptoms and called a computer person and they said it was a virus and ran a short program that cleared it right up. ever heard of anything like that?

01-09-05, 12:08 AM

if you can get on another computer and have a jump drive or something download avg 7.0 free edition from www.grisoft.com and give that a try

DStutz · 01-09-05, 12:33 AM

Are the DNS settings on your laptop the same as the other PC's on your network?
EDIT: Considering that this is a 'relatively new' laptop that has never been connected to the internet and has been running McAffee antivirus, I see the probability of this problem being virus or spyware related as pretty low.

plutoniumshore · 01-09-05, 12:37 AM

i have had experience with spyware wreaking havoc with networking stuff. i'd run the winsock fix that you can get here...

http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html

then be sure to update all of your antivirus and spyware apps and boot into safemode and run all of the scans.

let me know if this helps.

Keith

01-09-05, 08:55 AM

The computer had been working properly on the wifi network. Then went out of town for a couple weeks with the laptop, came back and had this problem. I probably should have put that in the original post.

Thanks, for the advice, I will try the winsock fix, and then let you know. I will also try the AVG anti-virus, I have heard of it, but never tried it.

01-09-05, 04:14 PM

Thanks plutoniumshore, the winsock fix worked like a charm, the laptop is back to working beautifully!!