Internet connection says local only.

Beckyy

New Member
Hi, my internet connection will say local only sometimes, at complete random times, sometimes it's working fine, and suddenly it will say 'local only' and not be able to connect to the internet for a few hours, even if I am connected to the router itself. I even tried using a different laptop to connect to my router, and that came up with the same message. I have tried restarting both laptops and resetting the router. Is there anything I could do on my laptop that may fix the problem? Or does it sound like the router itself has gone wrong? I cant find a solution anywhere so any help would be appreciated :),
Thanks,
Becky

P.s I have a Dell Inspiron 1750, and have Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit.
 

My Computer

maybe router or ISP problem
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    AMD Phenom ii 940 - 3.60GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M3A79-T Deluxe
    Memory
    Kingston HyperX 2x2GB 1066MHz 4096MB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4870 1GB
    Sound Card
    N/A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonix VX2240w
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 7200rpm
    PSU
    Corsair AX850
    Case
    Coolermaster HAF 932
    Cooling
    Scythe Mugen 2 rev.b
    Keyboard
    Das Keyboard Silent Professional
    Mouse
    Logitech G500
    Internet Speed
    iunno.
Thanks, but is there anything I can do from my computer to fix this if it happens again? Or would I have to ring up my internet provider? :)
 

My Computer

This happens to me from time-to-time (actually several times a week I'm unhappy to admit and I too have a Dell Inspiron - E1705), but the solution (at least for me) is relatively simple if annoying. It's rebooting the MODEM - not the router or the computer. If you're setup like me, you have a modem from the ISP connected to your router and your computers and such all connected to the router. Rebooting the computers and/or the router may not be working because they don't actually reset the connection with the ISP (unless the router is one that is directly connected - in which case ignore everything in this post about a modem and focus on the router instead).

Rebooting the modem will reset the connection with the ISP and generally works to get me back up and running (and rebooting here simply means turning off the modem power switch or unplugging it or disconnecting the cable to the wall jack, waiting 10-15 seconds (DO wait - don't rush it as it needs time to reset), and then restarting it again). If it is in another room or on another floor (as in my case), make sure all the lights come back on properly before you leave (mine takes about 30 seconds from turning on the power to being fully functional and connected so it's not that long a wait).

Depending on how you are setup, you will automatically be reconnected to the internet when the modem is functioning again or you may need to re-login to the broadband connection. In my case, it occurs automatically (but with the modem I had 3 months ago, I needed to re-login every time this happened - so at least that's easier now).

I don't guarantee this will work (it does for me most of the time, but sometimes I need to do it a couple of times before being successful and sometimes even that doesn't work - in which case it's almost always a problem with the line that I can do nothing about but wait for it to be resolved. If it goes on more than a hour or two, I usually call the ISP to report it (so they'll have someone test the line and remotely test the modem for problems and if they find none - and they usually don't - they create a trouble ticket and I merely need to wait for it to resolve itself).

They almost always try to blame my computer and want to delete my history and temp files and cookies and all sorts of other things until I point out that the problem is occurring on all my computers and started at the same time and so it isn't a computer-specific issue. That usually simplifies the process and since it seems to be the case with you as well, be sure to mention this early if you need to call them so they don't waste time trying to fix a computer problem when it obviously isn't if both are affected at the same time (and recover at the same time).

In short, try rebooting the modem a few times to see if that resolves the problem and, if not, contact the ISP for assistance. With it happening to both computers at the same time, it's either the router, the modem, or the ISP/line/network servers and not the computers.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

P.S. If you're using DSL and have filters attached to all your phones and are using a splitter on the jack to which the modem is connected so you can use it for both the internet connection and as a regular telephone line, the splitter can sometimes go bad (not very often, but it can happen). They are very cheap and I would replace it at your earliest convenience to see if that helps - it certainly won't hurt.

P.P.S. If it happens more often than you can tolerate, consider changing your ISP and/or replacing the modem and/or router. I honestly don't think you can do anything on the computers for this problem as I don't believe they are causing it or can be configured to avoid it.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
    CPU
    2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
    Motherboard
    Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
    Memory
    2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
    Sound Card
    SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
    Case
    Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]

    Dell AIO Printer A940

    Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem

    6TO4 Adapter
    Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
    Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
    Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
    Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

    Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
what router are you using? and who is your ISP?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    XFX nForce 750i SLI socket 775 FSB 1333M(standard ATX model)
    Memory
    CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (4 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia e-GeForce 8800 SSC edition (single)
    Sound Card
    intergraded Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic 21" Flat Screen DVI
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050 native or 720p 60Hz Refresh Rate (32-bit colors)
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 250gb Hard Disk Drive (7200 rpm)
    PSU
    Ultra X3 1000 Watt ATX Power Supply
    Case
    XION 2 (green w/ window)
    Cooling
    Air cooled 3 case fans, OCZ Vendetta cpu hs/fan gel, hs mobo
    Keyboard
    USB Zboard (pre-steel Series)
    Mouse
    Logitech G3 USB optical
    Internet Speed
    10/100/1000 gigabit eathernet
    Other Info
    5.1 logitech surround sound w/ subwolfer. Dell AIO 720 printer. Logitech webcam. External Beyond Micro 250gb USB HDD. LiteOn CD-RW & 16X DVD ROM w/ Smart-X and Smart Burn Combo Drive
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