Apologies if this has been addressed elsewhere, but I've been searching around for a solution to this for a few days and nobody seems to have quite the same problem.

The 'Local Only' network access issue seems quite common; lots of people whose internet access disappears within Vista within a certain amount of time of booting for no obvious reason. My problem is that my network access changes to 'Local Only' within 10-60 mins of booting, but I can still access the internet without problems. Not as big a problem, but it still affects some programs like EA's Origin that consider themselves offline unless Windows tells them they have internet access.

This only started when I had to replace my ADSL router with a separate ADSL modem and router (Huawei SmartAX MT882 and Tenda W330R respectively, if that's any use). I assume there's something about the way that the modem and router are communicating that Vista doesn't like, but it doesn't affect the Windows 7 & XP machines on the network.

It impacts Vista machines that are wired directly to the router or connected by WiFi (we've got one of each). Resetting the network adapter solves the problem, but it drops back to 'Local Only' again within 10-60 mins.



I'm totally nonplussed by this as the network is working perfectly as far as I can see. Does Vista have some special way of checking if it's connected to the 'Net? Any ideas greatly appreciated - I know this isn't as urgent as most issues on here, but it's driving me a little crazy all the same. Thanks!

i had the same problem just a few hours ago and i was considering removing my virus protection cause most people said that was the reason!!!but i contacted this computer guy i know and was able to solve the local only problem!!!I will type each step and i hope it helps you to fix your problem because it did fix mine =)
go to the network and sharing centre
there,you will see,under the pics of a computer,world globe and router a few options called "customize" , "view status" and "disconnect" ....select "view status"
in that select "properties"
then,click continue when they ask your permission
after that when the properties thing opens
u will see a list of items
there select, "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)"
when its highlighted,click properties (u will see that option under the list of items)
then when the box appears check "obtain an IP address automatically"
it is probably not checked if ur having the local access only problem!
so when u check it and press "ok"
your internet connection should get back to normal
it worked well for me =) i hope ir does for u as well!!!let me know if it did!