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HP 6735s wireless Internet only works at home. If I go somewhere else it will say computer connected but ‘page cannot be displayed’! It’s very annoying and would appreciate some help.

Wireless Internet Access

Wireless Internet access allows you to browse the Web, send emails, and use the Internet without having to bother with yards and yards of cables or phone cords. Instead, you access the Internet via radio waves. Personally, I love it because it makes cleaning easier. Seriously though, it’s important to understand that wireless Internet access does not give anyone carte blanche to Internet across the world.

Using Wireless Internet Access

While you might have a wireless LAN card, you still need other facets in order to access the Internet outside of your home depending on the location. Even though I also have Wireless Internet Access on my laptop, I need to obtain the password if permitted from certain locations where I travel.

For example, some of the hotels that I stay in feature wireless Internet access, but I need to go to the front desk in order to get the password so I can log on. Even when given access, you sometimes have to visit a specific URL in order for the browser to display properly. This URL is usually given to you at the time you receive your password.

When I visit my daughter at RIT, I cannot access the Internet even though wireless Internet is available and I have a wireless card. This is because I cannot get a password since I do not attend school there. This is known as password protected Internet and most wireless LANs have it. So you see, it rather depends on where you are trying to access the Internet. However, if you are trying to access wireless Internet at a free Wi-Fi hot spot such as at your local coffee house, that is a different story.  

Connecting to Wireless Internet Access

My laptop prompts me when I am within range of wireless Internet. You should also receive a small prompt in the lower right-hand corner of the screen if you’ve set up your laptop to notify you of available wireless networks.

If the service is free and open to the public, you still need to select and connect to it in order to gain access to it. It isn’t like listening to the radio and if you are in ear range, you can hear it. You still need to take the action here that will allow you to use the wireless Internet.

Here’s the simple and easy way to connect to Wireless Internet Service outside the home:

1)      Navigate to Start in the lower left-hand side of the screen.

2)      Select “Connect to” on the right-hand side of the pop up menu.

3)      Select the option you want from among the choices that you are given.

Firewall Profiles

In addition to connecting and entering a valid password (if required), your computer’s firewall profile should be changed. After all, you don’t want the guy sitting next to you to be able to connect to your computer and look around.

IP Protocols

Finally, if your computer still cannot connect, it is possible that you need to adjust the IP protocols of your network adapter. For instance, if your home ISP requires a specific DNS setting, this setting could be interfering with public networks. Go into Control Panel > Manage Wireless Networks and right-click your wireless adapter. Choose Properties. Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 > Properties and write down your DNS server addresses for future use. Now, select “Obtain DNS server addresses automatically.” Do the same for Internet Protocol Version 6. When you return home, you will need to change your settings back.

Why do I keep on seeing two computers with a cross in the middle on my task bar? Is this the reason why I am having problems connecting to the Internet sometimes?

Windows Networking Icons

Yes, the two computers with a cross through them icon could mean that there is a network problem, and would also indicate problems with your Internet connection. This icon generally means that you are not connected to a network. Depending on your operating system, either hovering your mouse over the icon, or right clicking it will reveal more information. The band across the bottom of the screen is called the taskbar, and the small section of icons on the right side is known as the system tray. In Windows Vista, the system tray shows an Internet connection with the same two computers and a globe in front of them, to signify a global connection. Only the two computers, in which case you can connect to other computers but not to the Internet, indicate a local network connection. 

Check Network Card Conflicts

In some cases, and more often on computers running Windows Vista, there can be more than one network card installed and conflicting, or there might be a network card installed and you are connecting to the Internet another way, causing a problem.

1. Press and hold the Windows key on your keyboard and press R
2. When a command box opens, type devmgmt.msc
3. Now, scroll to Network Adapters and click the + to expand the listing
4. Look for any red Xs or yellow question or exclamation marks. Right click on these symbols or device listings for more information
5. Follow any prompts offered to resolve a conflict or update a driver

Check Network Connections

Another way to manage a connection conflict is:

1. Click Start, then Control Panel
2. Choose Network and Sharing Center, then Manage Network Connections
3. Check out the connections, find the one that you want to use as the primary default connection and right click it to make sure that it is enabled
4. Right click the other listings and make sure that they are disabled

Check your Connection with your ISP

While this is not an uncommon issue in Vista, your unstable Internet connection might imply other problems. You should start by contacting your Internet Service Provider and troubleshooting the connection and your ISP address information. I hope this helps!

If I have two wireless routers, is it possible to connect one to a modem and wirelessly connect the other to the internet?

You can use two wireless routers in your configuration, but you are going to set them up with the second router basically working as a switch, or hub - a lot like an extension cord so that you can use more devices than you could by using the one router on its own. You would plug the first router into the modem and then the second router into the first router and the other devices you are using. This is a good idea if you have two routers sitting around and want to configure them this way rather than buying an additional switch. If you are buying all of the components anyway, you might be better off buying one router and one switch - it will be easier and probably cheaper.

Get IP Address

Most routers come with a default standard IP address. For example Linksys uses 192.168.1.1 and D-Link and Netgear use 192.168.0.1 as their defaults. In order to configure the routers, you will need to know the LAN address of each one. You may be able to find it in the paperwork that came with the router or find it on your computer. Go to Start and then choose All Programs. Choose Accessories and then at the Command Prompt, type in ipconfig. Press Enter and look for the Default Gateway and you should see the correct address.

DHCP

The server automatically assigns an IP address using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). You need to disable the DHCP in the second router (the one that isn’t hooked directly to the modem) for it to work properly. I’m using an example for a Linksys router, but it should work the same for other routers.

To do this, connect an Ethernet cable from one of the Ethernet ports on the router to a computer. Power the router up and then power up the computer. Go to Internet Explorer and type in the IP address in the browser. For our example, this would be 192.168.1.1. Now click Go. You will see a user name and prompt for password. In our example, you leave the name blank and type in admin for the password (check your router’s documentation for the appropriate user name and password). From here, you will see a setup page, and you can disable the DHCP server.

Change the IP Address

Now, you need to go back to setup and change the LAN IP address to one that will work with the other router’s subnet. If the other router’s LAN address is 192.168.15.1, then you can use one like 192.168.15.254. When you are done, power off both routers and use the cable to connect to one of the ports in the first router. Now, power back up again and you should be in business.

Following this process should allow you to use both of the routers in the house. If you need any more help, just let us know.

My son has a Toshiba Satellite Pro L300-1FJ. It has netintelligence, panda security preinstalled and uses O2 dongle for Internet access. It has started to come up with a message ‘Internet connection failed to initialize’. I have uninstalled and re-installed the O2 dongle software three times. While the machine is on, the connection is fine; when you turn it off it seems to wipe the O2 software off. The only way I can sort it is to constantly uninstall and re-install the dongle. Please help its driving me mad!!!!

Uninstall and Reinstall the O2 Dongle Software

This is a known error for your Internet connection device, and the manufacturer suggests that users uninstall and reinstall the software for the O2 dongle to resolve the error message. Since just uninstalling the device itself isn’t working, I hope removing and reinstalling the software will. The manufacturer says that removing the software will remove the corrupt registry entry that is responsible for the problem. Here’s how to remove the software using Windows Add/Remove

1. Click Start, then Control Panel
2. Choose Programs or Programs and Features
3. Find and choose the program for the O2 dongle and click Remove
4. Reboot the computer to allow the changes to take effect
5. Reinstall the O2 software disk following the instructions

Editing the Registry

If the same error continues, then the registry entry wasn’t successfully removed. Editing registries is tricky work and you should be sure to back up the settings in case things go wrong. If you want to go this route and remove the registry entry manually, perhaps you want to try remote technical assistance to guide you through the process. At Filetonic we recommend the services offered here.

Windows Account Changes

Users theorize that changes to your Windows account might be responsible for the communication error in the first place - for example if you have recently reset your account password or made other similar changes these could have messed up the dongle’s ability to communicate with your computer.

Roll Back with System Restore

If you think that these sorts of changes could be responsible, you can try Windows System Restore to roll back your computer to a date before these problems started. By rolling the computer back you remove any recent changes that might be responsible for the error. However, you remove positive changes as well, so be sure to reload any updates afterwards.

1. Click Start, then All Programs
2. Choose Accessories, then System Tools
3. Click System Restore
4. A wizard will open, follow the directions to choose a roll back date
5. Once you finish, make sure to re-install your antivirus updates and use Windows Updates to re-update your system
6. Now try to re-install your O2 dongle software

I hope these suggestions solve your problem, good luck!

If I don’t have a wireless broadband connection and I was to buy a wireless router, would I be able to have wireless Internet for my Nintendo Wii?

The Wii and Internet Connections

It will take a bit of doing, but the Nintendo Wii is configurable for wireless Internet. In fact, it has built-in Wi-Fi! If you do not currently have a broadband Internet connection, you will need one. Your Internet access itself doesn’t have to be wireless, though. For example, I have cable broadband but the cable is connected directly to a wireless router which makes it possible for my wireless devices, including my Wii, to connect to the Internet wirelessly.

Wii Internet Features

The Wii offers several Internet features once it’s connected including channels (such as local weather and news and Wii shopping) as well as the ability to connect with other Wii users (such as by playing Internet-enabled games or sharing Miis). For an additional fee, you can browse the Internet using the Wii, though if you have a computer, I’m not sure why anyone would want to do this.

Connecting the Wii to the Wireless Router

The first order of business is to establish a home network with Internet access using a wireless router. Whichever router you buy will have instructions for connecting to your cable or DSL modem as well as setting up your computers. Setting up a home network is fairly easy these days. Just make sure to enable security so that your system is adequately protected from strangers.

Once you have a wireless home network, then it’s time to turn on your Wii and go to the Wii Options > Wii Settings screen. Page through the options until you find Internet > Connection Settings. Choose Connection 1 > Wireless Connection > Search for an Access Point. Your Wii will now search for your wireless router and Internet connection. The Wii will then list any found routers in your area, including the wireless routers of your neighbors. Look for your router in the list, select it and test the connection. You may be prompted to update your Wii which is fine to do. Once updated, you should be able to access the basic Internet features offered. Again, if you want full Internet browsing via your Wii, you’ll need to purchase that through Nintendo.

Wired Wii Internet Access

For those who don’t want to set up a wireless network, note that the Wii also supports Internet connectivity via a USB-to-Ethernet adapter.

My computer is so slow and I have dial up access. Is there anything to speed it up? My connection speed sometimes is only 28800. I have AOL and sometimes it says “not responding.” Why?

Dialup Access

Despite huge expansions of technology, not all communities have access to high speed Internet access. For example, DSL connections require physical proximity to the phone company’s “central office” and cable Internet access isn’t available in all areas. In addition, broadband Internet access is quite a bit more expensive than dialup which means that many people opt to stick with their current service, especially in today’s economy.

While dialup access was fine back in the days before broadband, now that high speed connections are so popular, Web sites have become more graphically rich. Flash videos, huge graphics, and large downloads are more prevalent than they were just a few years ago. This is fine for high speed users, but it makes it tough for dialup users to navigate the Web. “Not responding” errors are common as is sluggish Web surfing in general.

Web Accelerators

But all hope is not lost thanks to the introduction of Web accelerators. If you’re stuck with dialup for whatever reason, consider using a Web accelerator. These tools are often offered in conjunction with an Internet access provider. For example, Netzero offers “Netzero HiSpeed.” This service accelerates your standard dialup access by up to five times!

Now, this isn’t lightning fast by any means, but it’s definitely faster than the standard dialup speed you’re currently experiencing. Web accelerators use several technologies to speed up your surfing experience including data compression, caching, and communication optimization. Web accelerators make pages, text, and graphics load faster but are ineffective as far as streaming video and downloads are concerned.

AOL Dialup Advantage with TopSpeed

Since you have AOL, you might consider switching to its Dialup Advantage plan. Using your standard modem and “TopSpeed” technology, you should notice an increase in Web page loading. Again, this won’t affect downloads and streaming video, but pages and graphics should load much faster for you.

Slow Computer

A Web accelerator will help with your Web page loading speeds, but will not help your slow computer in general. The AOL “not responding” error also may be related to other issues that are affecting your computer’s performance. If you’ve noticed that your Internet connection has gotten significantly slower, your computer may have spyware on it that is hogging your Internet connection to send messages back to a third party. Because spyware and viruses are notoriously responsible for slow computer performance and disrupted Internet communications, we strongly urge you to run a complete system scan using both an antivirus and an antispyware product. Read our Antivirus Mini Reviews to help you select the best application for your computer and your budget. In addition, visit our PC Performance category for more tips on speeding up your computer.