W7 Network map tree with "?" between laptop and wireless router

W7 Network map tree with "?" between laptop and wireless router

While flying through my computer. I found this instance that has me confused. I was looking at my network. Decided to go to the map and saw the basic map. (image 1).

When I clicked on "see full map" link it showed the network map, only between my computer and my wireless router there is a connection to a "?". (image 2)

I am wondering why this is so. I tried right clicking on it, no option available. And when I put my mouse over the pictures of computer and router, a link option is available to click. When I put mouse over "?" there is no link hand. I was wondering should I be concerned. Any explanation would be helpful. I am using a belkin wireless router.

I've been watching this thread in the hopes that someone would answer your question. Since that has not happened yet, I'll repeat some of what I've read about this. Some people have speculated that the mapping process is seeing two separate networking devices (a wireless access point and a router/switch), but it does not want to assign the same name to both devices... so one of the two devices just gets a question mark.

I have no idea if the info above is correct. I would be interested in hearing the thoughts of others on this topic.

Thank you for your interest. Knowing that I am not the only one who is stumped makes me feel a little better. So, knowing what you have heard, here's a kicker. While looking through some network security suggestions. It led me to router setup page. I decided to change the SSID name of my router, per suggestion of the article, from the default to a unique name. When I applied this change, my laptop's automatic connection disconnected from router since the default name connection no longer existed. A couple seconds later automatic connection recognized renamed ssid and connected, asking for password. I entered password and connection was successful. I then decided to check network map. In the full map, where the mysterious "?" was located, I now saw a map showing my computer connected directly with dashed green lines to newly named router and router connected to internet with solid green lines. So, I assumed that just renaming of the SSID fixed this little bug. However, when I read your post, I decided to check network map again. I now see, a map with my computer connected to "?" connected to router (designated only by model, no new SSID name) then a connection to internet. All connections are designated by solid green lines, no dashed green. This is weird. I have not restarted my computer or renamed the SSID again. I wonder why it reverted back to map with a "?".

I'm following this thread as well, having seen the question mark myself. I've also seen whereupon selecting the "see full map" link opens the network map page, does its search, and results in no map, just a message stating something like "cannot discover any device or computer". Even while being connected via routers/modem to internet, and the "simple" map appearing on the "Network and Sharing Center" page shows as I would expect...

Flaky? Simply not to be relied upon?

I find it amazing and strangely comforting that you have come across the "cannot discover any device or computer" problem as well. Curious as to what my network map would say today, I checked, and much to my frustration I came across the "cannot discover any device or computer" message as well, this is the first time I have noticed this. My internet connection is active and the basic map shows connections. This seems to be a rather weird issue. I am definitely stumped. Even though I am not having any "problems" with my laptop's performance. I don't like not knowing what is going on.

Hit F5 or click the refresh button. Results may be different each time (device response timing issues?). I looked into this when I first saw it a couple or so years ago. I think I ended up thinking "okay, this mapping thing appears not to be fully reliable" and in the meantime used other tools to verify, and keep it in the back of my mind for future reference (which I guess is why I subscribed to this thread a couple days ago). Like you, I don't like not knowing why something does or doesn't happen like it should, or as I would expect it to...

Do a search for something like "windows 7 network map page shows question mark". Tons of hits, going back for some years. Had never found a definitive answer. At least one hit sends you to this very forum:

http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/135748-windows-network-map.html

So I wonder if this is just gonna be another dead-end thread about the "?" in network map. Perhaps, Windows 8 won't have the same issue. It's not a big deal. But big enough to irk me. Hmph. I'm going to leave this thread open hopefully an answer can be found. A definitive, "this is how come", answer. And perhaps even a fix.

Is your router/WAP on this list?

I have a problem with the "?" also. I live in a building of 100+Apts. Usually the "?" is not present when I am actively on-line. If I put the machine into "Hibernate" and come back to it after a couple of hours or most often in the morning, the "?" will be there.

My thought is there is someone using my 'net connection when it is at idle, with no apparent activity on my part.
I say this as there is always the same user name on the list of other SSID names in the area of wireless users in the same building.
The only way for me to kick them off and remove the "?" is to restart the machine. Then the apparent "users" name disappears from the list within a few minutes of doing this.
My biggest worry is someone is up to no good on my 'net line and myself getting into some deep poop and not knowing how to get out of it with the authorities.

So, if someone has a solution to this, I am very interested in listening to it.
My router is a Cisco E-3000.

Windows 7 Device Compatability

UsernameIssues said:

Is your router/WAP on this list?

Click to expand...

I checked the compatibility site you linked to. And, yes, my router model, Belkin Connect N150 Wireless Router, was located. It was listed as "Windows 7 64-bit" compatible.
Thank you for the link. Still not solving my question, but it did inform me of a very useful site that I will be able to use for other purposes.

COMPUTIAC, Browse to your router's status pages to see who's connected that should not be. Also, I wouldn't expect rebooting the PC would have any effect on rougue users connecting directly to your router.

sibbil said:

COMPUTIAC, Browse to your router's status pages to see who's connected that should not be. Also, I wouldn't expect rebooting the PC would have any effect on rougue users connecting directly to your router.

Click to expand...

OK, where exactly can I find the status pages ?
I have looked into this before but think I'm in the wrong place to find the info. This is a new router to me so I am still getting used to finding things. Any help would be appreciated.

Also what is your theory behind your statement about "Rogue Users" ?

The same scenario played out this morning again.

COMPUTIAC said:

sibbil said:

COMPUTIAC, Browse to your router's status pages to see who's connected that should not be. Also, I wouldn't expect rebooting the PC would have any effect on rougue users connecting directly to your router.

Click to expand...

OK, where exactly can I find the status pages ?
I have looked into this before but think I'm in the wrong place to find the info. This is a new router to me so I am still getting used to finding things. Any help would be appreciated.

Also what is your theory behind your statement about "Rogue Users" ?

The same scenario played out this morning again.

Click to expand...

Rogue:

1: vagrant, tramp
2: a dishonest or worthless person : scoundrel
3: a mischievous person : scamp
4: a horse inclined to shirk or misbehave

From Rogue - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

I'm not referring to definition #4 :roflmao:

I don't know how your router's security is set up, but if you've secured it, it's either #1, #2, or #3: somebody that breached your security and is leeching off of your network. You would have to browse through the router's configuration pages to find the status page that shows what devices are connected.

All that said, I don't think the "?" necessarily indicates a problem (ie, an unwanted user). At least from what I've observed. I've seen it on too many systems that I know are not compromised. I think Win 7 just has a problem resolving the network map properly 100% of the time.

Try this: next time you have the network map opened up and displaying as you would expect (eg, without the "?"), hit F5 to refresh the page a few times and see if the "?" appears. Or try it the other way around, when it does appear on your map, see if refreshing the window causes it to go away...

sibbil, after reading your post, I checked the map again and this time there was a icon identified only as a Trendnet access point. All info was unavailable of course except for the mac address which is xxxxx

Now, how do I trace this ?

The f5 thing did work, but made no difference in what was listed on the map.

COMPUTIAC, you might want to edit your post to get rid of that MAC address.

As far as the F5 thing is concerned, try it the next time you see the "?" on the map. See if it goes away after refreshing.

For your Trendnet AP, open your browser (eg, Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.) and type each of these into the address bar one at a time to see if you can access the config pages for your AP:

192.168.1.1
192.168.10.1
192.168.10.1
192.168.0.1

One of these should work. Once you get it to open, you'll have type in your user name and/or password that you've previously assigned to it.

sibbil, The mac address is not mine and neither is the
Trendnet AP.

I have no idea where they came from, obviously someone in the building where I live. As I was trying to chase it down the info. on it disappeared a little at a time until it was off the screen.

Oh, okay. Well, sounds as if that's your access point. I didn't realize it wasn't yours. You have a Wifi service for your building that you use for internet access?

sibbil said:

Oh, okay. Well, sounds as if that's your access point. I didn't realize it wasn't yours. You have a Wifi service for your building that you use for internet access?

Click to expand...

No, no Wifi service in the building. Each cable system is installed separately in each Apt.

Each tenant is responsible for their own, unless they see fit to "borrow" it.

Thank's for your thoughts in trying to figure this out.

ps: I did look at the page # you listed and found the log I set up when first installed the router and there was not anything strange on it, nor was the previously mentioned MAC address.

Okay, good. But I will say if you saw a MAC address on the network map, your machine was connected in some way to it. There are multiple MACs involved: the card in your machine, your access point/router, etc.

No Update. Network Mapping is as unreliable as ever. This is just to refresh thread. I am resigning to the fact I probably will never know why I have the problem I have with "?" in network map. But I will try to keep this thread active in the hope that some all-knowing entity will deign to enlighten us with the almighty question of the question mark.