Vista - internet connection problems

I am unable to connect to any wireless network. When diagnosing why i cant connect, i am simply told 'you are unable to connect'. additionally, when directly connecting through a cable, I still cannot use internet, however my AOL instant messenger will work fine. I have tried restarting my computer and router with no success. All settings have been set to match my home network. I am lost as to what the problem could be. any help appreciated greatly, thanks.

Have you tried using a different browser? could you tell us more about the problem?

ken

Ive tried both IE and firefox. It was what seemed to just be a random problem, as I used to be able to connect just fine home and away from home. It just seems that it can connect when directly plugged in, but cant load a browser, and wont connect at all wirelessly. Im stumped.

1. When was the last time it was working? a few months ago. I had taken it to friends and had no luck and became to frustrated to try to fix it (have been using home desktop since then)


2. Do you remember making any changes to the computer recently? I dont believe i had changed anything at the time, i was just going back and forth between my wireless network at school and at home.



3. Do you have any security software installed on the computer? AVG is the only thing, which i have already uninstalled and reinstalled with no changes.


removed avg - no change.
no system restore point old enough


I know the wireless network works perfectly because both my brother and father are able to connect perfectly. any other ideas?

have you looked in the device manager for any problems...yellow triangles indicate a problem? Then try your web based routers home page...you don't need to be connected to the net to do this, check your mac address setting. Make sure its enabled, if not enable it and then clone it and save settings. Then try resetting the router...there is a little tiny hole at the back of most routers....will indicate reset button, depending on make and model....push in an hold for 10 to 20 seconds then release. This will reset router to factory settings. Try this and see if this fixes your issue if not then we have determined it's with the PC/laptop itself and we can go from there.

device manager yielded no help. I have no idea how to try my routeres homepage however. I can get my mac address but no further than that. This does sound like a step in the right direction however.

Are there any errors that specify why you can't connect? Or does it sit at the Connecting to [Network Name] Screen?

to try your routers page open a browser and type in its address. Usually something like 192.168.1.1, or 192.168.0.1). when you hit the right numnber your routers web page will open

Ken

Or even sometimes the default router page is printed on the bottom of the router... I know it is on my D-Links. Try looking on the router for the default config page address.

Update your wireless and wired adapter drivers too. Intel has a utility on its website that can help identify the right one if you allow it to install an activex control and accept UAC's prompts.