Internet connected, but won't work?

Question

Hey, ever since I got some new computer gear a month back (Black Mamba, Logitech webcam, a Razer Naga, and a second monitor) my computer seems to drop my connection often, but particularly when I take the computer out of sleep. The internet also takes a much longer time to connect than it used to. It says I am connected to the internet all the time but when I click on the control panel when the internet isn't working there is an 'X' from the multiple networks to the internet. Here's the strange part; I can have a streaming video like justin.tv up the entire time, I can also see the chat of others constantly. It will continue to play even when my internet is 'down'. But this does not work for youtube videos or any videos of that sort. I have avast and malwarebytes and I have done multiple scans with nothing coming up. None of the lights on my computer or router are irregular and this problem doesn't seem to be happening with my laptop and iPod touch. When the internet isn't working I also check the utilization and it is 0%, but while i'm typing this question, my utilization is at 4.22%. I have Verizon and in my router settings (192.168.1.1) it shows that everything is fine and dandy. If you need anymore information feel free to ask and i'll be happy to oblige. Thanks :)

Answer 1

If you are using a wireless connection, and it says you are connected this only means you are connected to the router, not necessarily the internet. To confirm you are connected to the internet, go to start -> run -> type cmd -> ping www.google.com, see if you are able to successfully ping google.com, if so you are connected, I would then say check your browser. If you can't ping google.com, and the connection times out, this mean you are not connected to the internet, this could be a slew of problems causing the issue. I would start by resetting the host files, search google and you will find how to steps to do this. If this doesn't work, do a winsock reset, you can do this by going to start -> run -> cmd -> netsh winsock reset, if this doesn't fix your issues, I would then uninstall, and reinstall your TCP/IP stacks, finally if this doesn't work I would reinstall Windows.Another quick thing to check, make sure there are no proxy addresses configured, to do this, open internet explorer -> go to tools -> internet options -> click connections tab -> click LAN settings -> Down by Proxy server make sure there is no address in that field -> you may have to put a check box by "Use a proxy server for your LAN" -> click Advanced ->Make sure to delete all addresses and ports if any are there. If you see 127.0.0.1 this is what's causing your problem, this means that malware has added your loop back address as a proxy server. So all outgoing internet port 80 traffic is coming right back to your NIC card, it's never getting out to the internet. Hope this helps

Answer 2

Your network is wireless (802.11 wifi)?



When it says connected you mean the wifi say's its connected, right?



The key thing you need for the Internet to work is an IP address assigned to your PC. When you get this connected but can't get on the Internet check your PC to be sure it has a valid IP address. Since your routers IP is 192.168.1.1, your PC should have an IP address like 192.168.1. (any number between 2 and 254). If the IP address assigned is anything else, that means your PC just stuck in a random address on it's own. You won't get connected unless your on the same subnet as the router.



One thing that can potentially be happening, since your have multiple computers is the router's DHCP table could be screwed up because you put your computer to sleep. When you put it into sleep/hibernation the PC doesn't release it's IP address. Your router could reassign the IP address to another device on your network. Then when you wake up the PC it tries to use the IP address it had when you put it to sleep. Since the network can't have overlapping IP addresses, the router gets confused.



You can access your PC IP address through the command line prompt with the command IPconfig.



Go into the command line prompt now and type IPconfig (enter). You will see your PCs IP address information. Next type IPconfig /release. That will release your address (your connected but can't get on the Internet), then type IPconfig /renew you will get an IP address assigned again.



When you get the connected but can't get on the internet do the /release /renew trick. That should fix it. Or, don't but your PC in hibernation - shut if down or don't turn it off at all.



Follow all that?



edit ------



Is your wifi router located near a wireless telephone base station? 802.11 and wireless telephones use the same carrier frequency and they can step all over each other. If you have a wireless base station move it far away from your computing equipment.



Can you connect your PC with a wired Ethernet connection on the router? The reason to try this is to see if the problem follows the router or the wireless.



Could be your router is crapping out.

Answer 3

Could just be that your computer is too far away to permeate the walls separating your computer and your router. I had that problem before. Make sure you have a WEP or WPA password to prevent neighbors from siphoning and weakening your signal. If It has the yellow triangle with an exclamation mark inside, that means your signal is reaching your computer, it's just either your computer or router isn't configured right. I've also had the problem where I left a cell phone too close to where the computer receives its signal and it fried the receiver, had to get a new one.

Might want to invest in a new router.