Topic: PC Laptop help needed (wifi)...(non-taping content)

[mikesalvo]

So, our primary home computer is my MacBook Pro. I will be leaving town for work for a month, and will be taking it on the road with me. My girlfriend has a perfectly (for the most part) functioning compaq presario v2000 that Im trying to get up and running for her to use while Im gone. It hasnt been used in awhile, but powers up and works fine. The issue Im having is with the internet connectivity. The computer is telling me that it is picking up a "very good" signal from our wireless router, and that it is connected. However, when I open the internet browser, it says it cant connect to the website. Same situation occurs when I plug in a hard line ethernet cable.

Ive restarted it several times, and also took of the cover for the wifi card to make sure it was seated fully, and it was. Does anyone know what else I may be able to try? Im not much of a PC person, but after tying around with this thing today, Im feeling quite defeated

[vanark]

What version of Windows?  What are the properties of the Network Connection?  Is the IP address hard coded or set to DHCP? 

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

If it occurs on both Wi-fi and CAT5 your almost certainly looking at a settings issue in Windows or your router vs. hardware.

Could be quite a few things, though.

I would assume this is a computer running XP.

Worse comes to worse you could always re-install XP to reset any bad settings, but I'd try to resolve them first. Also could be settings in the router. Maybe MAC Address filtering.

If you can find your Network Connection settings (don't remember where they would be in XP), right click the connection you are using and then click Properties. Select the IPv4 settings, and click Properties. Make sure that is set to Obtain your IP address and DNS settings automatically.

To make sure it's not a DNS issue you can just type an IP address into the browser. Try Googles IP:

http://74.125.224.72/

IF that works, you've got a DNS issue somewhere.

Another troubleshooting option (as well as a temporary fix) would be to boot the computer to a LIVE CD of Linux. Ubuntu is pretty easy. Download and burn a CDR of the install disc and have the computer boot from the CD. You won't be able to save any settings from there, but if you can get on the internet that way you've eliminated the router as the problem. For Ubuntu your going to want the 32 bit version from here:

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

That's all I can think of for now.

[mikesalvo]

What version of Windows?  What are the properties of the Network Connection?  Is the IP address hard coded or set to DHCP?

Windows XP. Which Properties specifically? I'm not sure what hard coded and/or DHCP is, and how to find which one Im set to. Which should I be set to?

If it occurs on both Wi-fi and CAT5 your almost certainly looking at a settings issue in Windows or your router vs. hardware.

Could be quite a few things, though.

I would assume this is a computer running XP.

Worse comes to worse you could always re-install XP to reset any bad settings, but I'd try to resolve them first. Also could be settings in the router. Maybe MAC Address filtering.

If you can find your Network Connection settings (don't remember where they would be in XP), right click the connection you are using and then click Properties. Select the IPv4 settings, and click Properties. Make sure that is set to Obtain your IP address and DNS settings automatically.

To make sure it's not a DNS issue you can just type an IP address into the browser. Try Googles IP:

http://74.125.224.72/

IF that works, you've got a DNS issue somewhere.

Another troubleshooting option (as well as a temporary fix) would be to boot the computer to a LIVE CD of Linux. Ubuntu is pretty easy. Download and burn a CDR of the install disc and have the computer boot from the CD. You won't be able to save any settings from there, but if you can get on the internet that way you've eliminated the router as the problem. For Ubuntu your going to want the 32 bit version from here:

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

That's all I can think of for now.

"To make sure it's not a DNS issue you can just type an IP address into the browser. Try Googles IP:

http://74.125.224.72/"

tried this, still got nothing, is that a god thing?

Also, I am using  DD-WRT v24-sp2 (10/10/09) std   firmware on my wrt-54g linksys router. I am currently using the ruter as I type this on my macbook. The router def. works.

[Brian Skalinder]

Windows XP. Which Properties specifically? I'm not sure what hard coded and/or DHCP is, and how to find which one Im set to. Which should I be set to?

There are two main ways the PC connects to the network / router using IP:  DHCP (automatic) or static.  Your router is probably configured for DHCP, and you should make sure the PC is set for DHCP, also.

PC:  Start | Settings | Network Connections | Right-click Local Area Connection and select Properties.  Then select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and press the Properties button.  You'll see the option to specify static IP data, or automatically get the IP data from a DHCP server.  Make sure this configuration matches your router configuration (i.e. probably DHCP / Automatic).

Router:  Setup | Basic Setup | Network Address Server Settings (DHCP) and check the DHCP Type and DHCP Server settings.  The former is probably set to DHCP Server, the latter probably Enabled.

If you're not using DHCP on the router, there's more to do, but let's start here.

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

THe router can still work, but be setup to not allow computers that aren't on a list. Doubtful this is the case though, as you'd have to have set that up, and there really isn't any reason to do so.

Try booting into Ubuntu with the LIVE CD. If you still can't get on with that you've eliminated your settings in XP which leaves either a setting in the router or possibly a hardware issue with the XP laptop.

Don't think it would be an encryption issue. I seem to recall having an issue with an old laptop that didn't support WPA. Try turning that off in the router. Make sure you turn it back on though. Don't think that would cause your problem since I don't think you could even get connected to the router though. Can't hurt to try.

You also could export your settings from the router and do a hard reset on it. That might eliminate a settings issue. Since you saved your settings you can always reload them if that doesn't work.

Just throwing ideas out there now.

[rastasean]

paste the contents of ipconfig /all in the command prompt.

[mikesalvo]

Windows XP. Which Properties specifically? I'm not sure what hard coded and/or DHCP is, and how to find which one Im set to. Which should I be set to?

There are two main ways the PC connects to the network / router using IP:  DHCP (automatic) or static.  Your router is probably configured for DHCP, and you should make sure the PC is set for DHCP, also.

PC:  Start | Settings | Network Connections | Right-click Local Area Connection and select Properties.  Then select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and press the Properties button.  You'll see the option to specify static IP data, or automatically get the IP data from a DHCP server.  Make sure this configuration matches your router configuration (i.e. probably DHCP / Automatic).

Router:  Setup | Basic Setup | Network Address Server Settings (DHCP) and check the DHCP Type and DHCP Server settings.  The former is probably set to DHCP Server, the latter probably Enabled.

If you're not using DHCP on the router, there's more to do, but let's start here.

all of the above mentioned settings are good. Still no dice

[flipp]

paste the contents of ipconfig /all in the command prompt.

Start > Run
type in: cmd
hit enter
when the DOS window opens
type in: ipconfig /all 
at the flashing cursor, then
hit enter
copy the results and paste them into a post here


Alternatively, boot with a live Linux disc (or USB stick with some version of Linux on it - the Ubuntu link above should be all you need) and see if you can get online that way. All modern distros of Linux should recognize the hardware in her comp and supply the necessary libraries/drivers for that hardware. If you can't get online after booting into Linux then I think you have a hardware problem.

[Brian Skalinder]

What flipp and rastasean said.  Also...

all of the above mentioned settings are good. Still no dice

Meaning what...the router is running DHCP server and the PC is set to get IP automatically via DHCP server?

Are you able to access the router via wifi from the Compaq?

Alternately, and somewhat related, have you tried a wired connection to the network, to see if you're able to connect to <a> the router, and <b> the internet?

[mikesalvo]

couldnt cut and paste because I am on a separate computer (MacBook) for internet, but Ive typed it all out.....



Windows IP configuration

       Host name.....................:Megan
       Primary Dns Suffix..........:
       Node Type......................: Unknown
       IP Routing Enabled.........: No
       Wins Proxy Enabled........: No

Ethernet adapter Loca Area Connection:

       Media State.....................: Media Disconnected
       Description......................: Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC
       Physical Address..............: 00-C0-9F-B9-11-99

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:

       Connection specific DNS Suffix.:
       Description..............................: Broadcom 802.11 b/g WLAN
       Physical Address......................: 00-90-4B-F9-DC-4B
       Dhcp Enabled..........................: Yes
       Autoconfiguration Enabled.......: Yes
       IP Address...............................: 192.168.1.120
       Subnet Mask...........................: 255.255.255.0
       Default Gateway.....................: 192.168.1.1
       DHCP Server...........................: 192.168.1.1
       DNS Servers...........................: 192.168.1.1
      Lease Obtained........................: Friday June 15, 2012  1:13:05 PM
      Lease Expires...........................: Friday, June 15, 2012  1:15:05 PM

[mikesalvo]

What flipp and rastasean said.  Also...

all of the above mentioned settings are good. Still no dice

Meaning what...the router is running DHCP server and the PC is set to get IP automatically via DHCP server?

Are you able to access the router via wifi from the Compaq?

Alternately, and somewhat related, have you tried a wired connection to the network, to see if you're able to connect to <a> the router, and <b> the internet?

yes, the compaq (which is the computer I am trying to get connected) IS receiving a signal from my wifi router with VERY GOOD signal. However, when the browser is opened, it cant display the webpage. Same results with an ethernet cable. Connection registers fine, but will not actually work.

I am currently using the network I am trying to connect the compaq to. I am able to access the internet both wirelessly and via ethernet cable on my mac. When both of these are used in conjunction with the Compaq, I cant get to any websites, even though the computer tells me Im connected to the internet.

[flipp]

DNS Servers...........................: 192.168.1.1

Looks like your DNS server is your router, which it shouldn't be.

From your MAC, open a browser, and enter 192.168.1.1 in the address bar. Type in your user & password where prompted. You should be in the SETUP>Basic Setup window for your router. Scroll down and copy note the Static DNS 1 and Static DNS 2 numbers.  These numerical dotted addresses should be somewhere in the PC:  Start | Settings | Network Connections | options on the laptop. Replace the 192.168.1.1 with the dotted addresses you noted from the MAC. Select OK/Apply or however it's worded. Try connecting to a website again.

(not on an XP box so not sure exactly where they will go)

[Brian Skalinder]

These numerical dotted addresses should be somewhere in the PC:  Start | Settings | Network Connections | options.

Yep, flipp's spot on.  Manually entering the DNS servers is done here:

Start | Settings | Network Connections | Right-click Local Area Connection and select Properties.  Then select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and press the Properties button.  Enter the DNS IP addresses in the bottom half of the main tab.

[mikesalvo]

These numerical dotted addresses should be somewhere in the PC:  Start | Settings | Network Connections | options.

Yep, flipp's spot on.  Manually entering the DNS servers is done here:

Start | Settings | Network Connections | Right-click Local Area Connection and select Properties.  Then select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and press the Properties button.  Enter the DNS IP addresses in the bottom half of the main tab.

ok, Bri, Flipp, I found my DNS #'s, but theyre all 0's (see screen shot below...) When I try to chance the DNS IP addresses to 0's it wont let me. Says "0 is not a valid entry". Should these not be zero's?

[flipp]

One more thing:

Lease Obtained........................: Friday June 15, 2012  1:13:05 PM
      Lease Expires...........................: Friday, June 15, 2012  1:15:05 PM

If you can connect after entering the DNS numbers as Brian instructed above but then lose the connection after a couple of minutes, go back to the router setup page and change your Client Lease Time setting to 0 (zero) which will be good for a day. The Client Lease Time setting should be just above the Static DNS table.

[mikesalvo]

ya, it is already set to zero. thanks. Still wondering about my DNS numbers being zero's.....

[Brian Skalinder]

ya, it is already set to zero. thanks. Still wondering about my DNS numbers being zero's.....

On your router, go to Status | WAN and you'll see the DNS server IP addresses.

[mikesalvo]

OK, cool. Got it. So should I change the Static DNC addresses on the basic setup page (currently zero) or just on the compaq side?

[flipp]

I "think" both but am not sure. Try changing on the Compaq first, then if you still can't get online change them on the basic setup page of your router.

[Brian Skalinder]

I use the same router / firmware as you, and I don't need to specify the DNS server address on the client or in the router's Setup | Basic Setup | Network Setup.  At any rate...

Try adding the DNS Servers to the router first, and see if that works.  If it does, then it's likely all future clients will pick up the DNS servers from the router (potentially no more hassle with new client computers).  If that doesn't work, then manually add them to the Compaq (and any future machines that connect to the network, but not the internet).

[mikesalvo]

STILL nothing. This is so frustrating....Ive changed the DNS server address on both the compaq side and the router settings side. Just to confirm, on the compaq side I should be entering it in the lower half of the screen where it says "Use the following DNS server addresses" right?

[Brian Skalinder]

Edit to add:  Yep, sounds like you entered the DNS server address values in the correct place on the Compaq.

It might still be using the old DNS server value.  Try to refresh the network connection in XP:  Start | Settings | Network Connections | Right-click Local Area Connection and select Disable. Then repeat, but select Enable.  Finally, run the ipconfig /all command again and let us know what the result is for the DNS server.

[mikesalvo]

Still nothing

Windows IP configuration

       Host name.....................:Megan
       Primary Dns Suffix..........:
       Node Type......................: Unknown
       IP Routing Enabled.........: No
       Wins Proxy Enabled........: No

Ethernet adapter Loca Area Connection:

       Media State.....................: Media Disconnected
       Description......................: Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC
       Physical Address..............: 00-C0-9F-B9-11-99

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:

       Connection specific DNS Suffix.:
       Description..............................: Broadcom 802.11 b/g WLAN
       Physical Address......................: 00-90-4B-F9-DC-4B
       Dhcp Enabled..........................: Yes
       Autoconfiguration Enabled.......: Yes
       IP Address...............................: 192.168.1.120
       Subnet Mask...........................: 255.255.255.0
       Default Gateway.....................: 192.168.1.1
       DHCP Server...........................: 192.168.1.1
       DNS Servers...........................: 75.75.75.75
                                                       75.75.76.76
      Lease Obtained........................: Friday June 15, 2012  3:04:52 PM
      Lease Expires...........................: Friday, June 15, 2012  3:06:52 PM

[Brian Skalinder]

Hmmm...ipconfig looks fine.  Your lease time is too short (only 2 min), but theoretically that shouldn't prevent you from connecting to the internet.  Nonetheless, on the off chance it's related to the problem, change the lease time on your router to a more appropriate value:  Setup | Basic Setup | Network Setup | Client Lease Time | set it to 1440 minutes (24 hrs).

Finally, to rule out any XP wierdness, try rebooting the Compaq.  It looks like the network settings are correct, but I've seen screwiness on XP before even though the settings look correct, and rebooting sometimes resolves the issue.  Worth a try, then report back.

[flipp]

If after rebooting the Compaq you still can't connect, reboot the router.

Assuming you are doing this wirelessly, try connecting wired also.

[flipp]

Does the dd-wrt software have an "access restrictions" tab like the stock Linksys software has? If so make sure it is set to allow the Compaq.

[fleish]

DNS Servers...........................: 192.168.1.1

Looks like your DNS server is your router, which it shouldn't be.

Is this a specific dd-wrt thing? Because residential routers do run a simple, caching dns server.

Regardless, unless I'm mis-reading this, I don't think it's a dns issue he's having:

"To make sure it's not a DNS issue you can just type an IP address into the browser. Try Googles IP:

http://74.125.224.72/"

tried this, still got nothing, is that a god thing?

Also, I am using  DD-WRT v24-sp2 (10/10/09) std   firmware on my wrt-54g linksys router. I am currently using the ruter as I type this on my macbook. The router def. works.

So he couldn't reach google from the Compaq by IP. Also, if his macbook has working DNS settings being obtained from the router (unless he's setting them manually)...

Since he's able to get an IP from the router - and presumably can talk to the LAN ... I'd recommend pasting the outputs of these commands:
ping 192.168.1.1
ping 209.244.0.3
tracert -d 209.244.0.3

[mikesalvo]

So, I needed to step away from this for the night. I tried all the newest suggestions, and have come up empty handed.

Since he's able to get an IP from the router - and presumably can talk to the LAN ... I'd recommend pasting the outputs of these commands:
ping 192.168.1.1
ping 209.244.0.3
tracert -d 209.244.0.3

results:

192.168.1.1

Pinging 192.168.1.1 with 32 bytes of data

Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=64

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.1:
      Packets: sent  = 4, received  = 4,  Lost  = 0  (0% LOSS),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum  = 1ms, Maximum = 2ms, Average = 1 ms


209.244.0.3

Pinging 209.244.0.3 with 32 bytes of data

Reply from 209.244.0.3: bytes=32 time=346ms TTL=56
Reply from 209.244.0.3: bytes=32 time=369ms TTL=56
Reply from 209.244.0.3: bytes=32 time=370ms TTL=56
Reply from 209.244.0.3: bytes=32 time=368ms TTL=56

Ping statistics for 209.244.0.3:
      Packets: sent  = 4, received  = 4,  Lost  = 0  (0% LOSS),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum  = 346ms, Maximum = 370ms, Average = 368 ms


tracert -d 209.244.0.3

Tracing route to 209.244.0.3 over a maximum of 30 hops

1     1ms        1ms         1ms          192.168.1.1
2     *             *             *              Request timed out
3     9ms        10ms       8 ms         68.87.183.229
4     19 ms     19 ms      19 ms       68.85.162.45
5     27ms      22ms       21ms        4.68.110.89
6     *             22ms       19ms        4.69.140.90
7     23ms       25ms      23 ms       4.69.140.98
8     27ms       24ms      24ms         4.69.134.70
9     130ms     64ms      84ms        4.69.155.67
10    29 ms     28ms      23ms         209.244.0.3

Trace complete

[flipp]

If I read those outputs correctly you are connecting to sites on the internet.

The first ping verifies the Compaq and the router can "talk" to each other.
The second ping confirms the Compaq & router are able to "talk" to Level3 Communications (the dotted IP resolves to Level3 as confirmed by a WhoIs request as well as a LookUp).
The trace shows the route your request takes from your router to Level3. The only anomaly is the second hop times out but since all subsequent hops resolve there isn't much to worry about wrt to connectivity.

Now the question becomes why can't the Compaq display the google page when requested?
Try accessing google by typing in google.com into a browser. If that isn't successful, type http://74.125.224.72/ into the address field. If that isn't successful run the tracert -d on 74.125.224.72 and copy the results here.

[mikesalvo]

google.com and the IP address, still yield "cannot display webpage results.


tracert -d 74.125.224.72 result

tracing route to 74.125.224.72 over a maximum of 30 hops

1     69ms     1ms       1ms       192.168.1.1
2      *            *           *            request timed out
3     8ms        9ms       20ms    68.87.183.229
4     33ms      19ms     23ms     68.85.162.45
5     45ms       44ms    47ms     68.86.90.65
6     43ms       46ms    42ms     68.86.86.194
7     42ms      41ms    44ms     66.208.228.206
8     42ms      43ms    44ms      72.14.232.250
9     43ms       41ms    46ms     209.85.241.22
10   51ms       51ms    51ms     216.239.46.217
11   65ms       61s       61ms     209.85.241.22
12   71ms       73ms    70ms     216.239.46.52
13    107ms     108ms   107ms  216.239.46.213
14   110ms     109ms   109ms   209.85.250.61
15    108ms    108ms    108ms  64.223.174.19
16    109ms    109ms    108ms   74.125.224.72

Trace complete.

[flipp]

What browser/version are you using and is there a different browser installed on the Compaq you can try?

Who is your ISP? From hop 2 timing out I think the problem lies there but then the rest of the hops resolving show the request actually makes it to google so other than the hop from your router to your ISP there are no problems.

[mikesalvo]

I WAS using Internet Explorer, and right before your last response It actually occured to me that I should try another browser. I DL'd firefox (windows) onto my mac, and thumb drive'd it over to the PC. Installed, and STILL couldnt load webpages....

[flipp]

See my edit above as I'm leaning to whatever ISP the Compaq was originally setup for has something proprietary that isn't playing nice with whatever ISP you are using now. If it is the same ISP now as when the Compaq was first setup to go online then I'm at a total loss.

[flipp]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/956196  not that I think anything there is really pertinent to your situation but worth a look

< advanced troubleshooting > methods 1, 2, 3 & 6 are where I would look first >

[rastasean]

you say other machines are connected to this router, paste the results from them.

ifconfig on the mac as well as netstat -r

example:

Code: [Select]

$ ifconfig

eth0      Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 90:e6:ba:f3:b3:56
          inet addr:192.168.8.20  Bcast:192.168.15.255  Mask:255.255.248.0
          inet6 addr: fe80::92e6:baff:fef3:b356/64 Scope:Link
          UP BROADCAST RUNNING PROMISC MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
          RX packets:13118916 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:7618202 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
          RX bytes:16382349091 (16.3 GB)  TX bytes:618502277 (618.5 MB)
          Interrupt:42 Base address:0xa000


Code: [Select]

$ netstat -r
Kernel IP routing table
Destination     Gateway         Genmask         Flags   MSS Window  irtt Iface
default         human           0.0.0.0         UG        0 0          0 eth0
link-local      *               255.255.0.0     U         0 0          0 eth0
192.168.8.0     *               255.255.248.0   U         0 0          0 eth0


[flipp]

couple of stray thoughts: remove the router and hook the Compaq directly to your modem, then see if you can view webpages; temporarily disable/disconnect any firewall or security software (Norton etc), then try connecting

[fleish]

From hop 2 timing out I think the problem lies there but then the rest of the hops resolving show the request actually makes it to google so other than the hop from your router to your ISP there are no problems.

His ISP is comcast & it's actually normal for their CMTS to not accept the UDP packets used by traceroute.

I WAS using Internet Explorer, and right before your last response It actually occured to me that I should try another browser. I DL'd firefox (windows) onto my mac, and thumb drive'd it over to the PC. Installed, and STILL couldnt load webpages....

OK, so this sounds like a problem on the Windows box itself - I'm guessing it's got a bad proxy configuration. What is the exact error you get when you try to load a page in Firefox (or IE for that matter)? Regardless in Firefox try going to Tools -> Options -> Network -> Settings & make sure "No proxy" is selected (it defaults to use system proxy settings - which really means use IE proxy settings). OK the changes and get back to Firefox and hit the Try Again button. If it works, then go into IE and do the same thing: Tools -> Internet Options -> Connections -> LAN Settings & make sure "Use a proxy server for your LAN" is unchecked.

[mikesalvo]

-My ISP is Comcast (Burlington, VT). Not sure what ISP was used on it previously. I can ask her when she gets home....

-when I post IPconfig/all in terminal I just get this:  "ipconfig/all: No such file or directory"

-same thing when I type in "tracert -d 74.125.224.72" shuld I not be using terminal for this? is the process different on a mac??? I consider myself to be very computer LITERATE. However, this stuff is beyond me though. Sorry for all of the dumb questions here....

- exact error message I get in IE is "Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage"

-exact error message I get in Firefox is:

    Server Not Found
    Firefox can't find the server www.mozilla.com

     .check the address for typing errors such as.....
     .If you are unabe to load any pages check your computers network connection
     . If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sue that firefox is permitted to access the web.

-"no proxy" was and still is checked off on the Firefox options....Still doesnt work.

[fleish]

-when I post IPconfig/all in terminal I just get this:  "ipconfig/all: No such file or directory"

The OSX equivalent command is ifconfig

-same thing when I type in "tracert -d 74.125.224.72" shuld I not be using terminal for this? is the process different on a mac??? I consider myself to be very computer LITERATE. However, this stuff is beyond me though. Sorry for all of the dumb questions here....

The OSX equivalent command is traceroute -n 74.125.224.72

- exact error message I get in IE is "Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage"

-exact error message I get in Firefox is:

    Server Not Found
    Firefox can't find the server www.mozilla.com

     .check the address for typing errors such as.....
     .If you are unabe to load any pages check your computers network connection
     . If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sue that firefox is permitted to access the web.

-"no proxy" was and still is checked off on the Firefox options....Still doesnt work.

OK, let's keep going through the stack so to speak. On the XP box, do this:
nslookup <enter>
www.mozilla.com <enter>

and also this:
ping www.mozilla.com <enter>
telnet www.mozilla.com 80<enter>
^if after hitting enter here you get a blank screen, then type:
GET / <enter>

[mikesalvo]

FLEISH! With his help, and an hour of Instant Messages, I was able to get the PC on-line! Thanks so much for everyone who took time to chime in. PLEASE PM me your home addresses, I have some extra TS.com patches here Id like to send to everyone.....

[fleish]

Moral of the story: Norton Internet Security blows. It was blocking crucial traffic from leaving the box - rendering dns & http totally busted. Too bad we started at the bottom of the stack we would have figured it out much faster from the top. Glad you're back back in business man

[flipp]

Moral of the story: Norton Internet Security blows. It was blocking crucial traffic from leaving the box - rendering dns & http totally busted. Too bad we started at the bottom of the stack we would have figured it out much faster from the top. Glad you're back back in business man

Norton does blow. Though it is on a family member's comp I would rather it be there than that comp be unprotected. Me having to do long distance tech support is the cross I get to bear.

Glad the gf's comp can now go online; just be prepared for all the emails and skype sessions that will ensue while you're on the road for work.

[mikesalvo]

ya, seriously, thanks again guys! Flipp, whats your snail mail addy?

[rastasean]

i bet its nice to have the machine now working!