Resources

Laptop Internet Connections

Setting up a laptop to connect to the Internet relies on a variety of factors. What type of Internet connection are you attempting? Is your laptop wireless? Are you trying to connect via your router and an existing broadband account? Are you trying to connect to a free hotspot? Are you trying to connect via a direct connection? Let’s look at a few different scenarios.

Has the Laptop been Configured for Internet Access?

I assume you’ve already used the Internet Connection Wizard to configure the laptop to access an ISP. If not, let’s do that now. Go to Control Panel > Internet Options. Click the Connections tab and click on Setup. Choose the type of connection you will be using such as wireless, broadband, or dial-up and then follow the prompts.

Wireless Laptop Internet Access

If you have a wireless laptop and are trying to connect to the Internet via your home network, we have several considerations. First, let’s make sure that the wireless card is turned on. My two-year-old son is always switching the wireless switch to the “off” position, so this is one of the first things I check.

Next, does the laptop connect to the home network properly? If so, then we can look at its TCP/IP settings and make sure that the laptop is properly configured to access the Internet. Use this technique if your laptop looks like it is connected yet will not display Web pages. You will need to check with your ISP for the specific DNS server addresses. Go to Control Panel > Network Connections and right-click your network adapter. Choose Properties and then scroll down to TCP/IP. Click Properties. Click the “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter the appropriate addresses given by your ISP.

Troubleshooting Dial-up Errors

If you are using a dial-up connection, it’s possible that the ISP has changed the phone number or the phone number is busy. In addition, if the area code has changed recently, this could be the problem. Likewise, if the connection is set to “never dial a connection,” you will need to change that. Once again, go into Internet Options and click the Connections tab. In this case, you’ll select the dial-up connection followed by settings. Change the phone number to a current, local number provided by your ISP. If the setting is set to “never dial a connection,” change it to your desired option.

These are just a few general troubleshooting tips to help you get started. Feel free to provide us with the specifics of your situation and we will be better able to help you troubleshoot your Internet connection error.

The quick answer is maybe, depending on the brand and type of routers you have. We actually have a wireless router in our home office and have our XBOX hooked up via Ethernet cable that is strung under the house, so I can’t give you advice first hand on this.

I’m not sure if you’re saying that the routers are wired or wireless - this setup will only work with certain wireless routers. Basically, if it can be done with your routers, you are going to set up one of the routers as a wireless “bridge” to the other router with it operating in client mode and forwarding the packets to the main router. This setup can be used for devices that can only use an Ethernet connection, like XBOX.

Wireless Bridge

There may be a way to get the routers to work wirelessly, but you have to have the right wireless router and you have to be able to get the right firmware for it that will allow the configuration. You can buy a wireless bridge that is made specifically for XBOX if that is all you are interested in doing, and you can also build a wireless bridge for other uses. In this instance, the primary router can be any brand, and then you will need DD-WRT firmware with a wireless bridge mode install on the second router that is acting as a client adaptor. Good step by step directions can be found on the website wi-fi planet.com There is a good article here on doing this with a very specific Linksys router - it’s pretty technical and specific so I’m not going to go into the details here.

Ethernet Cabled

If you wanted to connect them with an Ethernet cable, it’s pretty easy to do. Follow these steps and they should link together:

1. We’re assuming that you have one router hooked up to the modem - this is router #1. Router #2 is the router that you want to have in the living room. Unplug everything from router #2.
2. Now, hook up a PC to router #2 so that you can configure it. Go to http://192.168.1.1/.
3. Change the LAN IP address of this router to a free LAN address such as 192.168.1.2. This address must not be used by anything else that is using a static IP address.
4. Turn off the DHCP server on the 2^nd router and save your settings, then unplug the computer that is attached to it.
5. Connect the Ethernet cable from the LAN portal of the 1^st router to the LAN port of the 2^nd router. Don’t use the Internet/WAN port.
6. Try it! Hopefully you should now be connected.

I hope this information helps to get you working from all areas of your home!

It would be helpful to know what type of Ethernet error you’re getting, and where the error is originating. Also, knowing your configuration would be helpful in trying to troubleshoot your problem. In any case, I can give you some suggestions about where to start.

Check Connections

You say that you think it might be an Ethernet problem - I don’t know how your system is configured, but have you checked all cable connections and hardware? Ethernet is basically a high-speed cable that may be plugged directly into a modem or go through a router. Sometimes a loose cable can cause this sort of problem. Also, are you sure that your Ethernet cable is good? You may need to test it with a new cable - that would be an easy and inexpensive fix.

New Card or Driver

Depending on how your system is set up, you may need a new Ethernet card or driver if you are connecting via a network. The Ethernet card is also called the Network Interface Card (NIC) and many of them today are put in the computer by the manufacturer, but you can also have USB devices. You may need to replace the card, or you may need to get a new driver for the device. You can find the driver in Control Panel, System, Hardware Tab and Device Manager. Get the manufacturer’s name and look online for the proper driver for that device.

Router

If your system uses a router, you can try to reset your router by using a pen or paperclip to press a tiny button that is usually found on the back of the machine. You can also try resetting the modem if you are using one. You could also be experiencing a firewall problem. You don’t want to be running two firewalls at the same time - if you have Microsoft firewall running, make sure you are also not running a third-party firewall.

Reconfigure IP Address

If you think your problem might be with your IP address, you can try resetting it and see if you can log on. Go to Run, type in cmd and then type in ipconfig /release and then Enter. When that is done, go back to the prompt and type in ipconfig /renew. See if you have Internet access now. You can also set a static IP address if you have one from your provider or the address that shows when you are plugged directly into a modem. Go to My Network Places and choose View Network Connection. Look for your connection and right click on it. Now choose Properties and find the General tab. You will see Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties. It will probably be set to find the IP address automatically. Choose the option Use the Following IP Address and type in the address you want to use. Close the window and see if you have access.

If this works, you can either choose to keep it static as long as you are only accessing from this location, or try to go back in and reset it to configure the address automatically - often this will “trick” the system back into working again. If you are using a static address you won’t be able to access wireless networking in another location with this computer.

If none of these suggestions is helping you, please give us more information about your computer, operating system and your connection and we can try to help you further.

Verizon.net is an Internet access service provider that also offers webmail to its subscribers. From your question, I can’t tell if you are having trouble getting online or accessing your e-mail, so I’ll cover both.

Troubleshooting Verizon.net Access Errors

If you cannot access the Internet at all, then there are several possibilities. The first possibility is that there’s a service outage in your area. This does happen and doesn’t generally last for more than a few hours. The only option in cases like this is to wait it out.

However, it’s hard to know if the problem is a service outage or if something’s going on with your system. When your Internet access suddenly goes out, it could be a service problem or your modem could need to be rebooted. Before assuming anything, it’s smart to reboot. In fact, the modem is one of the most common reasons for outages. Turn off the modem, router, and computer and let them remain off for about ten to fifteen minutes. Turn everything back on, modem first (let it fully load), router next, and computer last.

If resetting the modem doesn’t work, double check all connections and check to be sure that your network card is active. Usually, a light next to the connector indicates connectivity. If you’re using a wireless network card, make sure that the wireless “on” switch is turned on.

Troubleshooting Verizon.net E-mail Access Errors

E-mail errors are common with users from just about all ISPs, not just Verizon. Is your password no longer working? Verizon passwords are case sensitive, so make sure that the CAPS Lock key isn’t enabled. You can call Verizon Tech Support if you have forgotten your user name at 800-567-6789.

If you have recently reset your password and you use Outlook Express or have a Westell 6100, 2200, or VersaLink327W modem, you will need to update the software settings with your new information in order to send and receive e-mail or access the Internet.

In Outlook Express, changing the password is a simple matter of going to Tools> Accounts and selecting your Verizon mail account in the list. From there, select Properties and click the Servers tab. Enter your new password in the appropriate field and click on OK.

How to reset the password in the Verizon Westell 2200 modem

How to reset the password in the Verizon Westell 6100 modem

How to reset the password in the Verizon Westell VersaLink 327 W modem

Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Card

Check the Wireless Card in Device Manager

Before you start troubleshooting your wireless card and drivers let’s check the card in Device Manager to make sure that it is enabled and not showing errors.

1. Open the Start Menu and choose Device Manager.
2. Right click the WLAN card and choose Properties
3. Look for the box that allows Windows to turn off devices to save power and make sure that it is not checked
4. Make sure the device is set to Enable
5. If there are any question marks or exclamation marks, run the steps below to reload the application and drivers

Reinstall your Wi-Fi Drivers

If you press the Wi-Fi button on the computer and it doesn’t change color to indicate that the Wi-Fi is enabled, you should start by reinstalling your wireless driver adapters. If your Compaq computer is equipped with a DVD drive, then your model most likely came with a Recovery DVD. If so, follow these directions to reinstall the software and drivers.

1. Turn your computer on and insert the disk.
2. If the DVD doesn’t open, click Start, then Run, then type in D:\SWSETUP\APPINSTL\SETUP.EXE
3. When the Setup screen opens, click Install
4. Allow the installation to complete and then follow the instructions to reboot your computer

Use your Compaq Driver and Application Recovery Disks

If your computer isn’t equipped with a DVD drive, then you can use your Driver Recovery CD and Application Recovery CD that came with your system by following these instructions:

1. Turn on your computer and insert the Driver Recovery CD
2. To install all the available drivers, click Install

1. Turn your computer on and insert the Application Recovery CD
2. When it opens check the boxes for the programs that you want to install or choose Recommended Software applications then click Install

Contact HP for Motherboard Issues

If all else fails, you should contact HP. Some Compaq notebooks have known issues with wireless cards that are built in to the motherboard. In some cases the motherboard needs to be replaced in order to restore the Wi-Fi connectivity. Especially if your computer is still under warranty, you should contact HP for repair or replacement.

Firewall systems are designed to block unauthorized access to computer resources. You should be sure that you aren’t running more than one firewall on your system - you may have one on your outside security system and then have another one when you download Windows Service Pack and turn on the Windows firewall. Running more than one firewall can cause a lot of problems.

LimeWire Listing Port

That said, if you are trying to put LimeWire on a home network, you will need to configure a port in your firewall. You can find the listing port for LimeWire by going to Options and then go to Tools. Click on Options and then Advanced and find Firewall Configurations. Once you’ve gotten that listing port, you can open a port in Windows Firewall by following these steps:

1. Go to Start and then Control Panel.
2. Find Network and Internet Connections. Open Windows Firewall and click on the Exceptions tab.
3. Choose Add Port.
4. In the dialog box there is a Name box. Type in SQL Server <user name>. In the port number box you will put the listing port for LimeWire.

Add as an Exception

You can also try to add LimeWire as an exception to your security settings. Find the security icon on your system tray at the bottom of your screen. Right click on it. Find the section that will allow you to add exceptions. Add LimeWire, probably as C:\Program Files\LimeWire\LimeWire.exe.

If you’re still having problems with LimeWire, you can do a complete uninstall and then reinstall.

1. Close LimeWire.
2. Go to Start and then Settings, or straight to Control Panel.
3. Go to Add/Remove Programs. Delete everything from your computer that is related to LimeWire.
4. If your computer is set not to display hidden files, you will need to change this setting before going to the next step. Do this by right-clicking Start, choosing Explore, going to Tools and clicking Folder Options. Now, choose Advanced followed by Show Hidden Files. Next, delete these:

• C:\Program Files\LimeWire
• C:\Documents and Settings\[your name]\Application Data\LimeWire (substitute your username for “[your name]”)
• C:\Documents and Settings\[your name]\.limewire

Once you have LimeWire completely removed from your system, you can do a new install from LimeWire.

Getting the right port listing for LimeWire should allow you to open a port in your firewall and get you up and running. If you have trouble, try the other options until you succeed.