"No Internet Access" problem

MrCrumbs · 08-08-2011, 08:49 AM

Hello,

I have a problem that has been going on for a long time (so I can't say if this happened after some specific change). I'd be glad if someone could assist.

I have one computer that is connected to a modem and router, and another pc that is connected with a wireless connection (this is the problem pc, so Il'l only describe this one - Windows 7, Atheros AR5005G wireless adapter). The problem starts usually when I try to access the shared folder that is on the first (router-connected) pc through my own pc (the wirless one). Sometimes this works immediately, but many times I can't access the folder, and then the problem starts - the yellow exclamation mark on my network icon in the taskbar, followed with "no internet access". When this happens obviously I can't access sites, download, etc. This only happens on my wireless pc, not the router-connected one.

I read many forums that said that they can't access the internet at all because of this, but that doesn't happen to me. This usually starts specifically when I try to access the shared folder, though it does happen on occasion randomly.

I think it may also happen more when there are more devices connected to the network (like a third laptop). For instance when a friend connected with his laptop today (he also incidentally had Atheros as a network adapter) it happened for longer periods of time, and he also had the same problem ("no internet access").

Anyway, once the problem does happen, I simply wait some time (a few minutes), and it then starts working again (internet access), just like that. Then again if I try to access the shared folder it may work, but it may also start the "no internet access" problem again. When I do access the shared folder, it works fine, until the problem starts again.

I read about MTU (and changed it to fit what it's supposed to be). I also tried updating my Atheros driver (through device manager), but nothing helped.
I didn't try cancelling the security of our network (WEP), which I read is also a solution.. Should I?

Any ideas would be welcome..
Thanks,
Jonathan

**DBCooper** · 08-08-2011, 08:54 AM

Hi MrCrumbs,

Is your problem PC a desktop or a laptop? If the computer is a desktop, try going to the manufacturer's website of the motherboard and download the wireless network drivers there. If your computer is a laptop, try going to the manufacturer's website of the laptop and download the wifi network card drivers there.

Hope everything works out well for you.

MrCrumbs · 08-08-2011, 12:02 PM

Hi DBCooper,

My pc is desktop, though this problem also happens to my friend's laptop, which probably means it has to do with my network settings or Atheros network adapter.

Anyway, I tried looking for what you said (I have an Intel DH55PJ) on Intel's site, but didn't really find any wireless adapter driver..

**Troy_Jollimore** · 08-08-2011, 01:49 PM

What I would do as a test would be to disable your WEP security for a bit and see if the problem goes away. If it does, you'll know what to concentrate on. If it doesn't, you can look elsewhere. In any case, WEP security is NO security. Switch to WPA2 if you care about your privacy at all.

2xg · 08-08-2011, 01:52 PM

Hello,

Is this both wired and wireless connection issue? I see at least 2 computers are affected. Perhaps, all the computers in the network?

From the affected wireless computer please install and run Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector.
Click on the 'Show Networks' to display all wireless networks on the xirrus icon on your desktop of if you have one running in a corner. Tap the Printscreen key on your keyboard, open up Paint then choose Edit from the Menu and select Paste, then SAVE it. Upload and attached it here, click on Go Advanced and locate Manage Attachments Tab and attached the file.

Wand3r3r · 08-08-2011, 01:56 PM

wireless signal strength? Sounds like the signal is cutting out.

Things to try;
download and run xirrus wifi inspector and set your wireless router channel to one not being used in the neighborhood

see if there is a firmware update for the router

reset the router to factory defaults and reconfigure

MrCrumbs · 08-08-2011, 02:32 PM

Hi, here goes:

Thanks Troy_Jollimore, but I just tried changing it to WPA, and afterwards to no security at all, but in both cases the problem happened as usual. Right now I left it on WPA, and I'm online as you can see, but the problem still exists.

2xg, the connection issues happen on all devices on the network, except for the main pc that is connected to the modem and router. Only wireless pcs/laptops/ipods are affected. I added the screen pic.

Wand3r3r, the signal strength in the apartment is fine, usually between strong and very strong, and the problem occurs many times when the signal is perfect. Can I just change the channel to whatever I choose? How do I do that?
My router is an old Edimax, and there's not been an update for years.. anyway, this problem started occurring some months ago, and I've had the router for much longer than that.
I'll try resetting the router to default as a last option.. maybe someone will think of something else. Thanks.

2xg · 08-08-2011, 02:48 PM

You may try changing the wireless channel to 1 or 11, save the new setting and see if the signal has improved. If not proceed to the next tasks as suggested by Wand3r3r.

Quote:

see if there is a firmware update for the router

reset the router to factory defaults and reconfigure

Make sure to use a wired connection to update your router's firmware.

Another update of your progress will be nice.

MrCrumbs · 08-09-2011, 02:18 PM

Thanks everyone, but it seems it's been decided to replace the old computer (the router-connected one) tomorrow anyway, and it may be that the whole modem and router will also be replaced, so I think that may put the problem at rest anyway...

Thanks again for your help, and if something arises again I'll come and plead with you a second time :)

2xg · 08-09-2011, 03:57 PM

Thanks for the update.

Pls. keep us posted.