Vista computer can't find internet

willi49aw · 08-23-2009, 09:04 AM

Hi, Hope someone can help. I have bought a laptop for a family member (e machines - bought in Spain) running Vista Home Basic and a celeron chip together with a Broadcom 802.11g wireless adapter.

I have a Belkin N wireless router modem ( brand new) and although the computer finds the router it refuses to connect to the internet - when clicking on the "connect" button, the green bar just goes on and on. It connects quite happily to the internet via cable LAN.with the Belkin.

It also connects to a Spanish telefonica router and Linksys router. Other computers quite happily connect to the Belkin, so I'm quite sure the router is OK and that the settings are correct.

I have altered just about everything that all the forums suggest - taking off tcp/ipv6, setting back to default , checking windows autoconfig. for the wifi, taking off passwords, firewalls etc.- the list seems endless - but with no joy.

A friend has an Acer laptop running vista home basic also and it connects to the Belkin wifi with no problems- however, it does not have a Broadcom adapter.

I can only assume there is something that the Broadcom doesn't like with the Belkin, but I'm out of ideas.

If anyone can help, I'd be very grateful

Thanks

Suncoast · 08-26-2009, 05:11 PM

Usually Vista will come back with a reason why it does not connect. But Vista just keeps showing the green connecting bar? Have you tried just letting it sit there for a while? I guess if that's as far as it gets, you never get a chance to click on "diagnose this connection?" Is the E-Machine still under warranty? If so, you should be able to get phone support if you want to go that route.

willi49aw · 08-27-2009, 03:09 AM

Many thanks for your reply. Yes it did give me the opportunity to "Diagnose Problem" but it just told me it appears there was a problem with the network adapter, which I had pretty much guessed.

However, I have found the problem. I disabled WPA (wifi protected access) and it works fine. Although the other vista computer worked fine with it enabled, I can only assume that the Broadcom wifi adapter did not like it.

One headache over, but thankyou for your time and help.

Toemaster · 08-27-2009, 06:46 AM

I recommend you switch to WEP instead of WPA, if you disable WPA you are leaving your wireless network open for intruders. Try using a 64 bit WEP code instead. I've had some conflicts with N routers and G-network cards before.

John

Suncoast · 08-27-2009, 04:01 PM

Are you happy with that? Or do you need to get WEP or some security going?

The easiest way to do this is to write down, letter for letter, all in upper case the WEP security KEY as it appears in your Router config, which usually looks similar to AE54DEF1A and so on. Some routers have a line 1, line 2, etc. See which WEP key line is selected with the check mark and use that one. On your Vista PC, you would enable WEP security and enter that same key. I have a Broadcom a/b/g/n Vista laptop, and I use WEP just fine on one of my access points because it's the only protocol my Tivo's will support.

Suncoast · 08-27-2009, 04:04 PM

Oh, I see WEP was Toemasters suggestion, you're using WPA. Well, it's pretty much the same setup. If you want any help getting security going, give us a shout back.

willi49aw · 08-28-2009, 02:45 AM

Hi Toemaster and Suncoaster. Thanks for your ideas.

After some more jiggling from your suggestions, it has at long last accepted a 64WEP key. WPA obviously a non starter. I know that some older equipment may not support WPA, but I thought a new laptop would be OK. I assume it is a Broadcom problem - but I am learning not to assume anything with computers!

Anyway, all OK now and would like to thank you both for your time and ideas.

Suncoast · 08-28-2009, 09:52 AM

Yes, that is certainly one of the Cardinal Rules of computing!

Glad you're up and running.

08-23-2009, 09:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
willi49aw Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 3 OS: windows vista sp1	Vista computer can't find internet Hi, Hope someone can help. I have bought a laptop for a family member (e machines - bought in Spain) running Vista Home Basic and a celeron chip together with a Broadcom 802.11g wireless adapter. I have a Belkin N wireless router modem ( brand new) and although the computer finds the router it refuses to connect to the internet - when clicking on the "connect" button, the green bar just goes on and on. It connects quite happily to the internet via cable LAN.with the Belkin. It also connects to a Spanish telefonica router and Linksys router. Other computers quite happily connect to the Belkin, so I'm quite sure the router is OK and that the settings are correct. I have altered just about everything that all the forums suggest - taking off tcp/ipv6, setting back to default , checking windows autoconfig. for the wifi, taking off passwords, firewalls etc.- the list seems endless - but with no joy. A friend has an Acer laptop running vista home basic also and it connects to the Belkin wifi with no problems- however, it does not have a Broadcom adapter. I can only assume there is something that the Broadcom doesn't like with the Belkin, but I'm out of ideas. If anyone can help, I'd be very grateful Thanks

08-26-2009, 05:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Suncoast Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Largo, FL, USA Posts: 389 OS: XPP, Linux, 2003, Cisco	Re: Vista computer can't find internet Usually Vista will come back with a reason why it does not connect. But Vista just keeps showing the green connecting bar? Have you tried just letting it sit there for a while? I guess if that's as far as it gets, you never get a chance to click on "diagnose this connection?" Is the E-Machine still under warranty? If so, you should be able to get phone support if you want to go that route.

08-27-2009, 03:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
willi49aw Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 3 OS: windows vista sp1	Re: Vista computer can't find internet Many thanks for your reply. Yes it did give me the opportunity to "Diagnose Problem" but it just told me it appears there was a problem with the network adapter, which I had pretty much guessed. However, I have found the problem. I disabled WPA (wifi protected access) and it works fine. Although the other vista computer worked fine with it enabled, I can only assume that the Broadcom wifi adapter did not like it. One headache over, but thankyou for your time and help.

08-27-2009, 06:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
Toemaster Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 5 OS: Mac OS Lep	Re: Vista computer can't find internet I recommend you switch to WEP instead of WPA, if you disable WPA you are leaving your wireless network open for intruders. Try using a 64 bit WEP code instead. I've had some conflicts with N routers and G-network cards before. John Last edited by simpswr; 08-27-2009 at 07:52 AM. Reason: Removed Link in Signature

08-27-2009, 04:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Suncoast Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Largo, FL, USA Posts: 389 OS: XPP, Linux, 2003, Cisco	Re: Vista computer can't find internet Are you happy with that? Or do you need to get WEP or some security going? The easiest way to do this is to write down, letter for letter, all in upper case the WEP security KEY as it appears in your Router config, which usually looks similar to AE54DEF1A and so on. Some routers have a line 1, line 2, etc. See which WEP key line is selected with the check mark and use that one. On your Vista PC, you would enable WEP security and enter that same key. I have a Broadcom a/b/g/n Vista laptop, and I use WEP just fine on one of my access points because it's the only protocol my Tivo's will support.

08-27-2009, 04:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
Suncoast Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Largo, FL, USA Posts: 389 OS: XPP, Linux, 2003, Cisco	Re: Vista computer can't find internet Oh, I see WEP was Toemasters suggestion, you're using WPA. Well, it's pretty much the same setup. If you want any help getting security going, give us a shout back.

08-28-2009, 02:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
willi49aw Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 3 OS: windows vista sp1	Re: Vista computer can't find internet Hi Toemaster and Suncoaster. Thanks for your ideas. After some more jiggling from your suggestions, it has at long last accepted a 64WEP key. WPA obviously a non starter. I know that some older equipment may not support WPA, but I thought a new laptop would be OK. I assume it is a Broadcom problem - but I am learning not to assume anything with computers! Anyway, all OK now and would like to thank you both for your time and ideas.

08-28-2009, 09:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
Suncoast Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Largo, FL, USA Posts: 389 OS: XPP, Linux, 2003, Cisco	Re: Vista computer can't find internet Yes, that is certainly one of the Cardinal Rules of computing! Glad you're up and running.