Can't connect to the internet

I'm not seeing any images. I'm on Safari, I tried with Firefox as well but still see nothing.
We just tried to connect again, it says 'Getting Information from NETGEAR' for a while with a little green loading bar, then comes up with 'Windows was unable to connect to this network.'

Skyrg said:

I'm not seeing any images. I'm on Safari, I tried with Firefox as well but still see nothing.
We just tried to connect again, it says 'Getting Information from NETGEAR' for a while with a little green loading bar, then comes up with 'Windows was unable to connect to this network.'

Do you know what Anti-virus, Firewall, and /or add blocking software has been installed on this Dell?

Don't know why FireFox on a MAC wouldn't display the images here at Seven Forums!?

Skyrg said:

To be honest what I've told you is pretty much what I know atm! Also, you will have to use simple English :)

Mixed machines? I've mentioned we use Macs as well, is that what you meant?

Not sure about this bit - 'Have you tried connecting in the clear (with no encryption)?'

Mixed machines does indeed mean win 7 and XP, and macs, etc. These mixed environments work better in workgroup.


By connecting in the clear I mean to eliminate the WPA as being the cause of the problem, try turning it off and connecting with no password/encryption.

Let us know what else we can do to help

Ken

Right, the Dell has McAfee Security Center in the Menu but it requires an internet connection to activate.
The Firewall is run by McAfee, which.. requires an internet connection to activate. So the whole thing is a bit useless atm.
According to the Overview:
The Windows Firewall is on.
Inbound connections that do not match a rule are blocked.
Outbound connections that do not match a rule are allowed

'By connecting in the clear I mean to eliminate the WPA as being the cause of the problem, try turning it off and connecting with no password/encryption.' I appreciate all suggestions (especially by people who know so much more than me!) but I'm not sure how to connect with no encryption. Obviously I don't want to disrupt the other computers, could you explain that one to me?

Skyrg said:

Right, I'm not sure if we're doing this right.
On the upper left we are clicking on 'manage wireless networks'. It then comes up with 'manage wireless networks that use (Wireless Network Connection). Windows tries to connect to these networks in the order listed below.'
But there is nothing listed below!

You should be using the Dell Wireless Utility to connect, the Windows Wireless should be disabled.

Skyrg said:

Right, the Dell has McAfee Security Center in the Menu but it requires an internet connection to activate.
The Firewall is run by McAfee, which.. requires an internet connection to activate. So the whole thing is a bit useless atm.
According to the Overview:
The Windows Firewall is on.
Inbound connections that do not match a rule are blocked.
Outbound connections that do not match a rule are allowed

What Ken said is true. But even mixing Macs and PC in a "Workgroup" I think you would still need some software help to share anything. All we want to do for now is share the Internet Access through the router.

BTW, an electrical storm may take out my electricity any moment now, so please don't be offended if I am forced off-line suddenly ...

Here is where we are now: The Dell can "see" the NETGEAR SSID, we have the correct WPA2-PSK password, but "Windows" will not allow the connection.

I can't guess how many times the cause has been the AV software. Do you think the Dell owner would be willing to try "Microsofts Security Essentials" Anti-Virus? It works with Windows 7 so much better than most of the other AV apps ...

You can try two different things to isolate the cause further. First I suggest (temporarily) shutting down the current AV completely (uninstall it if you are willing to try "MSE" as a replacement) and see if Windows will allow the connection.

Second, as Ken suggested, go back to the Mac, to the Netgear Utility and (temporarily) set the WPA2-PSK to "NONE", or no security and see if the Dell can connect.

A third option is the "Add a Client" wizard in the Netgear Utility. You click on the link in the wizard and you have two minutes to connect the Dell. Since we have already gone through the steps to connect with the Dell, that should be easy to do now.

Please let us know?

My boyfriend (computer owner) is horrified that you may drop offline 'don't go offline, we need you!'

Atm he would be willing to try most things, how would we use the "Microsofts Security Essentials" Anti-Virus? I'd like to try that before disabling the security. I will also have a look at the third option.

Skyrg said:

My boyfriend (computer owner) is horrified that you may drop offline 'don't go offline, we need you!'

Forewarned is forearmed ... right? Besides there are a couple dozen Seven Forums Gurus here that know more about Internet and Networking than I do.

Skyrg said:

Atm he would be willing to try most things, how would we use the "Microsofts Security Essentials" Anti-Virus? I'd like to try that before disabling the security. I will also have a look at the third option.

Microsoft Security Essentials is Microsoft's free Antivirus: http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

If disabling or removing the current AV allows the Internet connection, your first download through this router can be "MSE". Install and setup is easy.

Otherwise, you could download with one of the Macs, save to a USB and copy to the Dell. Or can you?!

couple of quickies to try
1) dissable the mini card youv got 2 competing wifis
2) on another comp download the latest belkin drivers to disk and ONLY load the updated drivers bet that disk been on the shelf a while
3) new computer is faulty change it for one that works
PS never saw picks either