What is the problem with my internet?

Question

Since about last Thursday, I have not been able to connect to my apartments wireless internet. I get a message that says, "limited or no connectivity" and when I hit "repair" it continuously says the same thing. My computer can connect to the internet elsewhere, so I know that it is the network, not my computer. However, somehow my roommate can now connect to the internet and I still can't. She hasn't done anything with her computer, it just started working again a few days ago.

I have a laptop with wireless and she has a desktop with a wireless router.

Answer 1

Unless you have permission from the router owner, you're not supposed to connect to it.

I get the feeling your 'borrowing' somebody elses wireless internet and they cut you off.



If thats the case, pay for your own internet service and get your own wireless router.

Answer 2

Check and see if you are accidentally connecting to a different wireless network nearby. Go to your wireless connection software and rescan to see what networks are available. Some adapters tend to lock onto the one with the strongest signal, which could be a different wireless network that is locked down, and not the one you want to connect to.



Make sure your not using an unsupported encryption method or passphrase to log onto the network. It's possible the specific wireless connection lost its settings, and these may need to be reconfigured.



Make sure your laptop is not near a microwave oven or on top of a metal cabinet of some kind. Microwaves operate at the same 2.4 GHz that is supported by several wireless protocols. Metal cabinets tend to cause signal irregularities.



You can also consider connecting with a specific protocol, such as 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, or 802.11n. Success will depend on what protocols the router supports. You can always use your friend's wireless configuration as a comparison to make sure yours matches.

Answer 3

How far are you from the WiFi point. A desktop wireless router can be more powerful than the WiFi in you lap top.



I'm not sure if you used the correct term, but if you roommate has a wireless router, you should be able to connect to that.



If you meant she has a wireless Adapter in her PC, then my first statement holds.



If you know where the wireless point is, try to get closer and see if that works.



Hope this helps.

Answer 4

the message you receive is because your computer sees the network you are trying to connect too but cannot get an ip address. I have MAC filters set up at home and this is the message i get when i try and connect a laptop that i have not added to the MAC filter list.



Make sure you are connecing to the correct accespoint.

Make sure you are added to the MAC filter list of the apartment router if they are using mac filtering.

Make sure DHCP is enabled in your wireless network card configuration. (instructions in link below)

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa998136(EXCHG.80).aspx

Answer 5

The only person that can really answer this is your network administrator. If you receive wireless access when paying for your rent, you may have to tell him/her your issues so he/she can re-enable you on the network. It's also possible the data encryption has changed, example a new WPA key was entered.

Answer 6

A DHCP capable wireless router can be used as a wireless media 'server'. Each PC can see each other's sharable folders. Music, video and pictures can be streamed from the main PC via the router to any authorized PC/laptop etc in the house.



Steps:



For a full-blown file sharing network with easy access straight from boot up, the following five steps are required:



1. Workgroups

2. Sharing Folders

3. Configuring Firewalls

4. Mapping Network Drives

5. Customized O/S's





1. Workgroups



Configure all PC's to belong to the same workgroup. This streamlines access issues.



* Under {Control Panel / System / Computer Name / Change} set the workgroup to a useful name like HOME_NETWORK.





2. Share Folders



To share folders you need to access the folder properties and do two things.



* Under the Sharing tab click {SHARE THIS FOLDER}

* Under the Sharing tab also click {PERMISSIONS} and choose the permissions level. This is only necessary if you want remote admin privileges.



You do not need to edit the properties of sub-folders, the root-folder is sufficient. For security, only share a limited number of folders and definitely no system ones.





3. Configure Firewalls



Each respective firewall must allow the other PC access to the shared folders. There are two ways:



* Ensure that the Router DHCP setting is {AUTO}. Configure each firewall {TRUSTED NETWORKS}, or equivalent, to the private range issue eg 192.168.1.2 - 192.168.1.254

* Ensure that the Router DHCP setting is {MANUAL}. AT each PC, under properties for {Wireless Network Connections}, click the properties for {INTERNET PROTOCOL TCP/IP}. Enter a unique IP eg 192.168.1.X where X= 2 to 254



Configure each firewall {TRUSTED NETWORKS}, or equivalent, to allow access inbound/outbound to the other PC unique IP address. This is slightly more secure from casual poking especially if X is midrange.



Important: For security reasons, ensure that you are using maximum WPA encryption on your router.





4. Mapping Network Drives



It is always handy to map a drive letter to the shared folder on another PC.



* Open Windows Explorer

* Under {MY NETWORK PLACES / ENTIRE NETWORK / MICROSOFT WINDOWS NETWORK} click the workgroup eg HOME_NETWORK and select the PC of interest and click the shared folder required.

* Map that folder to a drive letter via TOOLS / MAP NETWORK DRIVE

* If you wish you may tick the choice for {Reconnect on Logon}





5. Customized O/S's



If you have {FILE & PRINTER SERVICES} and {CLIENT FOR MICROSOFT NETWORKS} installed, then ignore the following:



Rarely, the advanced user may have deliberately installed a custom streamlined version of windows, without some services that would have merely bloated the OS.



* Under {MY NETWORK PLACES} click the properties for {Wireless Network Connections}.

* Select {FILE AND PRINTER SHARING FOR MICROSOFT NETWORKS} and click {INSTALL}.

* Under {MY NETWORK PLACES} click the properties for {Wireless Network Connections}.

* Tick the box for {FILE AND PRINTER SHARING FOR MICROSOFT NETWORKS} and click {INSTALL}.



Do similarly with {CLIENT FOR MICROSOFT NETWORKS}



Lastly, if all else fails, you can try a free download of Network Magic, located here: http://www.networkmagic.com/product/repair-wireless-network.php



Once downloaded, follow the wizard for adding a new computer or device. Start by clicking "Add a New Device" from the Network Tasks page. From here you Network security features are temporarily unlocked to let your new computer or device on the network, and the helpful wizard guides you through installation. At the end of the wizard, network security is restored and your new device is ready to go!



For full disclosure -- I do work for Pure Networks, the creator of Network Magic, so if you have any further questions, please feel free to ask away! I'm always glad to help.

Answer 7

Down load and install the latest driver for your wireless connector. Additionally, your wireless connector may be getting ready to go out. Consider having it looked at by a tech.

Answer 8

connect your wirless and talk to them about it!!!