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    Good Wireless Connection But Cannot Get To Website

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Chutsman, Mar 16, 2005.

  1. Chutsman

    Chutsman Notebook Evangelist

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    This is a little different to a "similar" post in this sub forum.
    I have a good onboard wireless connection to a hot spot, but cannot bring up web pages using either IE or Firefox: I get the "This page cannot be found" error.

    Brand new Averatec 3250 with XP SP2.

    I can connect an external Belkin USB adapter and get the web pages just finej with the same hot spot.

    A dialup connection also gets the web pages at home.

    What are the most likely causes?

    Thanks

     
    Chutsman, Mar 16, 2005
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  2. lapboy

    lapboy Notebook Deity

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    Use the connection properties to feed the WEP key.
     
    lapboy, Mar 17, 2005
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  3. Chutsman

    Chutsman Notebook Evangelist

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    Eeeerm ... this is a rank newbie to wireless here ... exactly how do you do that?

    Thanks.
     
    Chutsman, Mar 17, 2005
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  4. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

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    What hot spot is it? Yours or someone else's? You might not have access because you're not supposed to.

    Brian

    www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com
     
    Brian, Mar 17, 2005
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  5. Chutsman

    Chutsman Notebook Evangelist

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    It's an open public hotspot. Two other laptops and one Mac can access it and get on the web from the same room.

    I think I know where the problem is but don't know how to correct it.

    Maybe someone can point me in the right direction:
    When I r-click the wireless icon in the tray and choose STATUS then the SUPPORT tab, the address type is NOT showing as "Assigned By DHCP", instead it shows as "Assigned Private IP Address" or something like that.

    I spent an hour on the phone with Averatec and they couldn't pin down the problem.

    Now here's a couple of kickers:
    1. If I connected an external Belkin USB adapter I can get on the web fine.

    2. I went to the local library and the Averatec connected with the onboard wireless and I got on the web without a problem.

    Anyone like puzzles? This is one.[ :)]
     
    Chutsman, Mar 17, 2005
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  6. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

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    Did you ask the operator about any special settings? If they have manually assigned IPs, which doesn't make sense, that would be a problem.

    Brian

    www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com
     
    Brian, Mar 17, 2005
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  7. pr5owner

    pr5owner Notebook Consultant

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    connecting doesnt mean you are connected, its like plugging your dsl/cable modem into your laptop, it doesnt mean you have the internet. you need an ip address as well. when you associate with the AP make sure you get an ip address, so..

    right click your my network places/network connections
    right click on your wireless card
    check the box, show icon in notification area (its WAY easier to have the icon in your systray)
    click ok to all windows
    double click the icon then click on support
    see if you have an auto assigned IP


    -->Asus M6BNe | Pentium M 1.6GHz Dothan | 1024MB PC2700 Micron Ram | Radeon 9700 Pro 64MB | 80GB Samsung 5400 RPM 8MB Cache | Gigabit LAN | CDRW + DVD Combo |
    -->Compal CL56 | Pentium M 1.6GHz Dothan | 1024MB Ram | Radeon 9700 Pro 128MB | 60GB HDD | 10/100 LAN | DVDRW |

     
    pr5owner, Mar 18, 2005
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  8. Chutsman

    Chutsman Notebook Evangelist

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    I've come to the conclusion that the onboard wireless adapter is not sensitive enough in the area it needs to be, to get an "assigned by DHCP" address. It keeps giving an "Automatic Private Address".

    When I'm in the library I get the "assigned by DHCP" address with the onboard adapter.

    So I've resigned myself to using the Belkin external USB adapter when at home. In fact I've ordered another one so I can return this borrowed one.

    Thanks to all for your input. If you have any "late breaking news" that may help I'll be interested in hearing about it.
     
    Chutsman, Mar 18, 2005
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  9. Quikster

    Quikster Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    did you manually input an ip address at any point, you should make sure that your adapter is setup to get an automatic ip

    zx5000 :: 2.4M :: 512 DDR :: 40gb 4200 RPM HD :: 15.4" :: Radeon 9600 Mobilty M10 :: Aquamark3 22,856
     
    Quikster, Mar 18, 2005
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  10. Chutsman

    Chutsman Notebook Evangelist

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    It was setup to get an IP automatically. When that did not work I tried to input an IP manually - took the readings (IP, Subset, etc) from one of the other working systems I talked about above. But that did not work either. Of course I set it back to Auto.
     
    Chutsman, Mar 18, 2005
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  11. bstayton

    bstayton Notebook Enthusiast

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    The error messages you describe are almost exactly what I got with my IBM T42. (See the new topic I just started.)

    Here's the solution that I found out this morning: try uninstalling whatever antivirus program you are using. See if that fixes it. Then, install a different manufacturer's software, if it works.

    I can't explain the solution. But I can absolutely swear on a stack of Bibles that it fixed my connection problems.
     
    bstayton, Mar 25, 2005
    #11