WiFi on Inspiron laptop

**LAAustin** · August 29th, 2009, 04:10 PM

It worked for years, but now with a strong WiFi signal, the brower software says I'm not online. This seems to be a VERY common problem.

Any help?

**GroundZero3** · August 29th, 2009, 04:30 PM

What wireless device are you connecting to?

**LAAustin** · August 29th, 2009, 04:35 PM

The local free signal comes from a device, but I don't know which.

**GroundZero3** · August 29th, 2009, 05:20 PM

Do you have permission to be on this wireless network? If so, then contact the owner to see if they are having issues.

**LAAustin** · August 29th, 2009, 05:34 PM

Yes, I have permission. We have several free WiFis in this area. I have tried different ones on different days. Same result. I feel that there is a disconnect between my WiFi reception software and my browser. MANY people have had or are having this problem. It's a VERY common complaint on the Internet.

**GroundZero3** · August 29th, 2009, 05:38 PM

Have you checked for spyware?
Does the software say you are connected?
Can you ping websites?
What is your signal strength?
Have you contacted the company/person who is providing this free WIFI connection and ask for support?
Do you get an ip address?
What browser are you using?
What DNS server address is your computer using?

As for you claim that many are complaining about the issue on the internet are you talking about people having issues with the laptop connecting to wireless networks? Or something else? Did you update anything? Have you tried moving around the house? Maybe some kind of interference? There are a lot of variables to take into consideration when it comes to open hot spots

**jasonz0rz** · August 29th, 2009, 05:45 PM

It's also worth noting that while it may be "a VERY common complaint on the Internet," a definitive set of steps to fix the issue may not exist. Answering GZ's questions should help narrow down the cause.

**LAAustin** · August 29th, 2009, 05:47 PM

I have moved from the house to a coffee shop where many others are using the WiFi.

We can connect to wireless networks, but we can't get our browsers to recognize the connection. I've also asked 4 other techies, without success. It seems to be beyond them.

I don't have spyware, and I have a strong signal. I don't have a contact at the WiFi company. Like I say: there are many (I'm in Silicon Valley).

I didn't try to ping, because I forgot how.

**GroundZero3** · August 29th, 2009, 06:06 PM

So several different people with different laptops tried to connect to the same WIFI and they couldn't get anything to show up?

**LAAustin** · August 29th, 2009, 06:11 PM

No. Several requests on the Internet point to the same problem. Since the problem appears to be all over the place geographically, I conclude that it's problem the software--probabaly the only thing that is common: MSWindows, Explorer, Safari, Foxfire.

**GroundZero3** · August 29th, 2009, 06:16 PM

go to start, run, then cmd (a black box should pop up) type ipconfig /all paste the results here

Then in the black box type

ping Google and paste the results here