Please Help! 8 Hours and No Internet!!!

[cyberdumbo]

Hi. First thank you for looking. I am trying to setup my wireless internet for my laptop. I just switched isp from cable to dsl. I have spent 8 hours on the phone between the 3 providers (computer, dsl, router) and they keep pointing fingers. The internet worked fine previously setup the way it is currently except using the cable modem instead of att modem. I have a netgear router and it gives me 3 options when i connect to the internet, mine (netgear) and i guess the neighbors? i can connect to the neighbors (illegally?) but it is extremely slow and kicks me off occasionally. but i cannot connect to my own netgear internet connection. the desktop does connect to the internet and works. the laptop can connect to the internet when i plug it directly into the att modem, but it cannot read the wireless (netgear) connection but it can read the neighbors. sorry so long, hope this makes since.

forgot to add. the laptop has two computers in the right hand corner. the first for the wireless connection say's it's connected. the second one (two small computers together) has a red X through it. it says network cable unplugged. however, there are no cables unplugged. the dell computer person said it has nothing to do with connecting to the internet? but in the past when there's an X through the two computers i couldn't connect. i think there's a configuration problem but i don't know how to fix it???


What doesn't work - the laptop internet
What does works - the desktop internet
What you've tried - calling 3 providers, resetting all (computer, modem, router), reading the website directions, played with settings with all 3 companies, pinging myself?
A description of your network - at&t speedstream modem connected to netgear wireless router, netgear wireless router into desktop computer
Whether its dialup, cable, dsl,... - dsl
Whether you have a router, and if you do then what model it is - Netgear MR814V2
Do you have multiple PCs networked - desktop and laptop
Is it wireless or not - desktop wired, laptop wireless
Are you using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) - no, not that i'm aware of :dizzy:
The OS(s) you are using - desktop Windows 98, laptop Windows Xp



What do you have for an IP address? 198.168.0.1
Run "cmd /k ipconfig" (either in a DOS command window or using Run... from the Start menu - what??? the 3 above had me try this, it is pinging ok, but still no internetA bad IP address is 0.0.0.0 or 169.254.?.? :confused:
If you have a router, a good IP is usually 192.168.0.? or 192.168.1.? yes, i think it's 192.168.1
What is your default gateway? :confused:
Run "cmd /k ipconfig" :confused:
Can you ping your default gateway? yes
Run "cmd /k ping IP_ADDRESS_OF_DEFAULT_GATEWAY" :confused: :sad:

[G_Dem]

Does your router have encription. When you right click on the little wireless symbol on the bottom right and view wireless networks. After you click on yours and try to connect does it ask for an encription key?

If not when you connect to yours can you run ipconfig and post your results?

[bAdWaYz]

Hi there cyberdumbo and welcome to CTH. I understand this has been apain for you so lets see if we can get you up and running. After reading the above it sure sounds like the problem is ether the wireless settings in the router or the wireless settings in the laptop. Did you log into the router and set it up or just plug it in and use the default settings? The other thing to look at is the wireless adapter settings on the laptop. Before we go there however do you happen to know the kind of wireless network adapter is in the laptop? If its a newish laptop I'm sure its a 802.11b or g meaning it will work with both b or g routers but I wanted to ask just to rule that out.

[cyberdumbo]

Does your router have encription. When you right click on the little wireless symbol on the bottom right and view wireless networks. After you click on yours and try to connect does it ask for an encription key?

If not when you connect to yours can you run ipconfig and post your results?

hi. when i right click on the wireless symbol (little computer?) it gives me the options to disable, status, repair, view available wireless connections, change window firewall settings, open network connections. it doesn't ask for an encription key. sorry i don't know how to run ipconfig by myself. the technical people helped me through it. i think i ran it through, start, run, comman, iping, and it pinged ok. sorry i'm not too technical :hmm: i've pinged about 7-8 times already and it pinged back each time. i pinged from the laptop and the desktop and they both pinged ok. sorry i don't know what that means though

i also forgot to add that i have mcafee virus/firewall. that couldn't be preventing me from connecting could it? i tried to disable it.

[cyberdumbo]

Hi there cyberdumbo and welcome to CTH. I understand this has been apain for you so lets see if we can get you up and running. After reading the above it sure sounds like the problem is ether the wireless settings in the router or the wireless settings in the laptop. Did you log into the router and set it up or just plug it in and use the default settings? The other thing to look at is the wireless adapter settings on the laptop. Before we go there however do you happen to know the kind of wireless network adapter is in the laptop? If its a newish laptop I'm sure its a 802.11b or g meaning it will work with both b or g routers but I wanted to ask just to rule that out.

hi. thank you for the welcome. the router has been setup already for a couple of years. i think initially i set it up with a starter disc and followed the instructions. i tried to use it yesterday but i wouldn't work. the netgear guy said not to reinstall it, that it was working fine. he had me ping it, but i'm not sure what that means. he said it needs to be reconfigured but wouldn't tell me how to do it :cool:

the laptop is less than a year old so there should be a decent router in there (i hope)

i also forgot to add that i have mcafee virus/firewall. that couldn't be preventing me from connecting could it? i tried to disable it.

[G_Dem]

Yes mcafee can stop your pc from fully connecting to the router. Try disabling it untill you connect to your router. What exactly happens when you try to connect to your network from the wireless symbol? If it connects (but not to the internet) run ipconfig. To do this go to start and then click on run. Type cmd and press ok. Then type:

ipconfig

press enter and post your results. Also as Badways mentioned what is the exact model of your laptop? This will help us to see what type of wireless card it has. Also what is the model of your netgear router?

Netgear uses 192.168.0.1 as the default IP address. What happens when you type 192.168.0.1 into your web browser? Does it get to the router config page?

[cyberdumbo]

Yes mcafee can stop your pc from fully connecting to the router. Try disabling it untill you connect to your router. What exactly happens when you try to connect to your network from the wireless symbol? If it connects (but not to the internet) run ipconfig. To do this go to start and then click on run. Type cmd and press ok. Then type:

ipconfig

press enter and post your results. Also as Badways mentioned what is the exact model of your laptop? This will help us to see what type of wireless card it has. Also what is the model of your netgear router?

Netgear uses 192.168.0.1 as the default IP address. What happens when you type 192.168.0.1 into your web browser? Does it get to the router config page?

Local area (two small computers) say network cable unplugged.
Wireless connection says:
speed: 11.0 Mbps
signal strength: excellent
status: connected

i then go to choose a wireless network and "netgear" says disconnected. i try to connect and nothing happens. the neighbors are given as options too.

i ping myself and it says


Ethernet adapter wireless Network Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Sufix:
IP Address: 192.168.0.2
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.0.1

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection
Media State: Media disconnected

Also, i went to McAffee to disable. I selected options, security settings, open

model year of netgear: it doesn't have it listed. the disc is dated 2003

i typed 192.168.0.1 into the web browser and it asks for user name and password, i enter it and it takes me to the netgear wireless router mr814v2 settings page

[G_Dem]

That all looks normal so far. You are connected wirelessly to the router and you can access the config page.

A couple of questions. Does your cable modem have green lights on or is it in standby (usually turn to yellow lights)? Also if you get back into your config page of your router, find something called status or gateway status. Is an external IP address shown there or is it just 0.0.0.0.

Look at the back of the router for the model. Its on a label

Edit:

OK for your router go to the router status page. Are there IP addresses in the "Internet Port" section or are they just zeros?

[cyberdumbo]

That all looks normal so far. You are connected wirelessly to the router and you can access the config page.

A couple of questions. Does your cable modem have green lights on or is it in standby (usually turn to yellow lights)? Also if you get back into your config page of your router, find something called status or gateway status. Is an external IP address shown there or is it just 0.0.0.0.

Look at the back of the router for the model. Its on a label

cable modem: green lights
model: mr814v2
status: i found a selection for router status. i click on it and i have three choices (1. internet port 2. LAN port 3. Wirless Port) then there's a box for connection status. i click on it and it says:

ip address
subnet mask
default gateway
dhcp server
dns server
lease obtained
lease expires

i have and ip address for the internet port and lan port. when i click on connection status there's a box with another ip address in it.

then options to release and renew

more info. the's a wireless settings page. i added USA as the region. there's also an optin for security encryption (WEP). it says authentication type-automatic, encryption strenght, disable. should this be enabled???

there's also a place for security encryption (WEP) key and a box to generate it. should i generate it?

[G_Dem]

Right, if they are blank as you have shown your modem isnt giving your router the information it needs, so there is your problem.

try the release and renew option. If the internet port page is still blank turn of your modem (Not the router) for a few mins and disconnect the ethernet cable. Turn it back on and re connect the ethernet cable. Then try the release renew in the router config. If it still doesnt work reset your modem. There is usualy a standby button on the modem. Power down the modem and hold the standby button. Then Power it up while still depressing the button. After a few secs release the button. There should be some flashing lights. Wait a few mins and try the release renew in the router again. Let us know how it goes.

[G_Dem]

Sorry a quick question before you try them. Under internet port what does it say. Are there any values next to IP Address, DHCP, IP Subnet mask and Domain name server?

[cyberdumbo]

Sorry a quick question before you try them. Under internet port what does it say. Are there any values next to IP Address, DHCP, IP Subnet mask and Domain name server?

yes.
ip address 70.250.54.158
dhcp: dhcp clent
ip subnet mask 255.255.255.0
domain name server 192.168.0.1

[G_Dem]

Right ok I don't think its a prob with the modem or router now. Can you run some tests.

Close down your firewall completely by right clicking on it and disable or exit. Open up a command prompt window (Start - run - cmd)
Type:
ping google.com

and post the results. I'm thinking now it could be either a firewall issue or something up with the DNS server your modem is using.

Edit: actually it is a problem with the DNS server you are getting.

You posted domain name server: 192.168.0.1. It shouldnt be this, it should be an external IP address. Your modem should give this info to the router but its not. Try the steps I suggested in post number 10

[cyberdumbo]

Right ok I don't think its a prob with the modem or router now. Can you run some tests.

Close down your firewall completely by right clicking on it and disable or exit. Open up a command prompt window (Start - run - cmd)
Type:
ping google.com

and post the results. I'm thinking now it could be either a firewall issue or something up with the DNS server your modem is using.

Edit: actually it is a problem with the DNS server you are getting.

You posted domain name server: 192.168.0.1. It shouldnt be this, it should be an external IP address. Your modem should give this info to the router but its not. Try the steps I suggested in post number 10

ok. THANK YOU i'll try it. i did ping twice and it said "ping request could not find host google.com. please check the name and try again. i'll try post 10

[G_Dem]

Ok good luck. Also check in the basic settings page in your router config. Under domain name server "get automatically from ISP" should be ticked. If it isn't tick it. If yoiu still have no luck call up your ISP and get the DNS address from them. Then you can go back to this page and tick "use these dns servers" and input their DNS server address.