Home computer networking help, please!

**Eric Perry** · #1 06-30-2011, 06:34 AM

Hey guys,

Last night, I set up a computer in my garage. I could NOT get my wireless 'net working at all though, despite over several hours of attempts. I would either get authentication errors (I forget specifically what the error was), or just no connection at all.

The garage computer is running XP Pro, and I'm using a Netgear WG121 USB network adapter. It stated a few times that it was connected with the router, but I wasn't able to access the net in any way.

The router is a D-Link Extreme N DIR-655. I am using WEP encryption.

I am thinking the issue is on the router side, because the wireless adapter was able to connect to the router, and it was showing a fairly strong signal. The weird thing is I have a few other laptops in the house, and they all connect fine. Everyone that tries to connect to my network with their smartphones can do so with no problems at all. It's just this one damn computer.

I tried Googling it last night, and most suggestions revolved around turning off some network authentication on the garage computer. I tried this and it didn't help. I briefly poked around in the router settings, but it's really easy to get lost in there.

Does anyone have any suggestions? This drove me crazy last night! Thanks in advance!

Ziltoid · #2 06-30-2011, 06:47 AM

I can't really help you without being there, but once your problem is solved I'd advise you to switch your security protocol to WPA2, WEP is really weak and you might be giving free internet.

**Eric Perry** · #3 06-30-2011, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziltoid

I can't really help you without being there, but once your problem is solved I'd advise you to switch your security protocol to WPA2, WEP is really weak and you might be giving free internet.

Thanks. When I originally set up that router, I took what I could get. The menu is a mess, and (at least for me) it's really hard to navigate. I'll try and change the settings.

dbhokie · #4 06-30-2011, 07:11 AM

It would be easier, were I there, but I can give you a few things to try.

1.) Reboot the wireless router
2.) Reboot your computer
3.) Go to Control Panel on your computer, then Network and Sharing Center (Or network connections in an earlier version of windows)
4.) In Vista and later you should be able to click on change adapter settings in the left hand column, in xp and earlier, you should just see your local area connection and your wireless connection.
5.) Right click on your wireless network connection and click disable
6.) After it finishes disabling, right click on your wireless network connection and click enable.
7.) Close out of all of the windows and press the window button on your keyboard + r .
8.) type cmd
9.) type ipconfig /release
10) ipconfig /flushdns
11.) Ipconfig /renew
12.) Ipconfig /registerdns
13.) exit
14.) Also when your internet window is open click on tools->options->Connections->LAN Settings
15.) Make sure the proxy server box is not checked

**Eric Perry** · #5 06-30-2011, 08:01 AM

Thanks! I'm at work until 4, but I will look into this when I get home later.

john grey · #6 06-30-2011, 08:48 AM

Most of the advice I would have give was given by dbhokie. Configuring your setup and getting rid of any proxy setting would be the 1st thing.

However, if you have another wireless over-lapping your own feed, you have a problem. If another individual has a substantially strong signal it may be causing problems. The reason why other avenues suggestions revolved around turning off some network authentication was (possibly) to identify your signal if others were putting out a significant level of feed. And to eliminate any authentication barriers, but the above suggestions will accomplish that.

You said something interesting; that the computers in the home (close by) got a clean shot yet the one outside in a garage was the problem. It could be as simple as wiring (power) or metal shielding within the walls messed up the signal.

I would try working on this at an odd time of day with the hope that another signal (if existing) would be turned off / less powerful, whatever (but generally everyone just leaves them on......) If someone else has a seriously high-end unit you might be in trouble. Wireless range extenders & directional antennas from commercial "N" systems can cause a real headache.
If it's shielding or some issue within a wall; obviously attempt your connection in a significantly different place.
There are units that are made for a large office building and when used in a home setting can cause problems with neighbors quite some ways away.
But let's hope it's something simple like the "proxy" setting was left on. Good luck!

**Eric Perry** · #7 07-01-2011, 07:21 AM

Hey John, thanks much! I didn't get a chance to tinker yesterday, but I need to either today or this weekend.

Regarding the proximity issue, that's not it, as my laptops (and my iPhone) connect fine in the garage. And when the wireless adapter connects to the router, it does display a fairly strong signal. Problem is, even when connected, I get nuthin'. It's what's making me think the problem is on the router side.

Funky Ghost · #8 07-01-2011, 09:03 AM

This could be due to Virus and Spyware attacks.

If the wonderful advice already given doesn't work, you might try this.

1. First of all download the WinsockFix Utility from the following link:
Download WinSockFix 1.1.0.13 Free - WinSockFix - A free Winsock/Tcp repair utility - Softpedia

2. Run it and click fix.

3. restart the computer

4. go to Control Panel -> network connections -> right click the LAN connection and click properties

5. In the general tab double click on "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" from the list.

6. re-enter the details as necessary.

Hopefully this will solve your problem.

**Eric Perry** · #9 07-01-2011, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funky Ghost

This could be due to Virus and Spyware attacks.

If the wonderful advice already given doesn't work, you might try this.

1. First of all download the WinsockFix Utility from the following link:
Download WinSockFix 1.1.0.13 Free - WinSockFix - A free Winsock/Tcp repair utility - Softpedia

2. Run it and click fix.

3. restart the computer

4. go to Control Panel -> network connections -> right click the LAN connection and click properties

5. In the general tab double click on "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" from the list.

6. re-enter the details as necessary.

Hopefully this will solve your problem.

I did a full reformat at reinstall of windows that day. The computer was laying around where I work, and the Program Manager gave it to me. First thing I did was wipe it clean. So, that can't be it.

Funky Ghost · #10 07-01-2011, 09:17 AM

With computers, it's always the last thing you try

For me, this was the last thing I tried a few months ago . . . don't 'cha know ... it worked.

ChasBass · #11 07-01-2011, 09:29 AM

Make sure you have an unused node on your router. Mine has a limit of 4 or 5.

Auzzie-Phoenix · #12 07-01-2011, 11:52 AM

Turn off wireless-zero config in the xp admin tools under "services". Make sure you go into the actual settings and set it not to start when the computer boots up and stop it from running. Use the netgear connectivity tool exclusively. WZC tends to interfere with Linksys and Netgear wireless software.

**Eric Perry** · #13 07-01-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auzzie-Phoenix

Turn off wireless-zero config in the xp admin tools under "services". Make sure you go into the actual settings and set it not to start when the computer boots up and stop it from running. Use the netgear connectivity tool exclusively. WZC tends to interfere with Linksys and Netgear wireless software.

I'll try this when I get home. Thanks!

john grey · #14 07-01-2011, 01:07 PM

You said that you think the issue is on the router side....you may be completely correct!

This struck me is strange (quoting from a review):

"The DIR-655 doesn't have dual-band support. Its SharePort USB port can work with only one computer at a time"

Read more: D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router Review - Routers - CNET Reviews

Read over the review. Is it possible that it comes down to a simple thing like this????

**Eric Perry** · #15 07-01-2011, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john grey

You said that you think the issue is on the router side....you may be completely correct!

This struck me is strange (quoting from a review):

"The DIR-655 doesn't have dual-band support. Its SharePort USB port can work with only one computer at a time"

Read more: D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router Review - Routers - CNET Reviews

Read over the review. Is it possible that it comes down to a simple thing like this????

But like I said, my other laptops, as well as my girlfriend's (and several friends) can all access wifi easily on their smartphones. I think that refers to if you connect the wired aspect of the router to the wired computer via USB instead of ethernet. At least, that's my guess.

john grey · #16 07-01-2011, 02:01 PM

I had thought that perhaps multiple machines were not accessing at the same time or some explanation that coincided with that.
When you DO find the problem, I frankly would appreciate it if you posted what you found. It seems like you know what's shakin' with networking in general and if it happened once (to you) it would happen to someone else!

**Eric Perry** · #17 07-01-2011, 02:49 PM

I definitely will. Thanks for your help thus far, John!

I did just find out that my router is acknowledging a connection to that wireless adapter, but no IP address is showing up. When I unlock my iPhone, the wifi turns on. That connection shows up immediately on the router setup page. The phone displays an IP address.

**Eric Perry** · #18 07-01-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbhokie

It would be easier, were I there, but I can give you a few things to try.

1.) Reboot the wireless router
2.) Reboot your computer
3.) Go to Control Panel on your computer, then Network and Sharing Center (Or network connections in an earlier version of windows)
4.) In Vista and later you should be able to click on change adapter settings in the left hand column, in xp and earlier, you should just see your local area connection and your wireless connection.
5.) Right click on your wireless network connection and click disable
6.) After it finishes disabling, right click on your wireless network connection and click enable.
7.) Close out of all of the windows and press the window button on your keyboard + r .
8.) type cmd
9.) type ipconfig /release
10) ipconfig /flushdns
11.) Ipconfig /renew
12.) Ipconfig /registerdns
13.) exit
14.) Also when your internet window is open click on tools->options->Connections->LAN Settings
15.) Make sure the proxy server box is not checked

I get an "unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out" error when I try the "ipcomfig/renew on the wireless box.

**Eric Perry** · #19 07-01-2011, 03:39 PM

Wulp, I'm connected now, typing this from the garage.... BUT, I had to disable all security. I'm obviously not going to leave it like this, but I was curious if maybe there was a problem with the wireless adapter.

Turock · #20 07-01-2011, 05:33 PM

If it's working now, I doubt that you have a problem with the wireless adapter. Are you sure you installed the correct driver? If you ran the winsock fix that may have fixed the problem.
My first thought when you said that you brought it home from work was that there was a proxy set up.
When you say "disable all security", do you mean encryption or firewall, or both, or more? Add them back, one at a time, until problem returns.