Solved Windows 7 - Connected but no internet access - help needed.

[Beagle]

I'll try to connect by cable tomorrow...

I've just updated adapter driver... still no connection, diagnostic come up with "The DNS server isn't responding".

Good job it responds to the Macbook I'm typing this on, otherwise I'd be really screwed!

Thanks to you both for your help so far!

 

[BJB]

Can you just confirm that when connected by cable the connection is OK? Also, how did you manage a driver update without a cable connection?

 

[Kaktussoft]

I would connect it by cable and try to update the wireless adapter driver.

Wired instead of wireless works fine? Check a few times so it can't be luck.

 

[Beagle]

I haven't tried cable yet. It's tricky as the PC is in upstairs bedroom and router is in hallway. I shall try tonight after work.

I was able to update the driver as I downloaded it on my laptop (which connects fine) and transferred it on a USB stick.

 

[BJB]

I haven't tried cable yet. It's tricky as the PC is in upstairs bedroom and router is in hallway. I shall try tonight after work.

I reckon you have just explained your problem. Upstairs/downstairs wifi connections do tend to be weak. I have a similar situation and got fed up with the unreliability of my connection and switched to powerline adapters. They work very well indeed.

 

[Beagle]

The thing is, my wifi connection was absolutely fine with my old Netgear b/g router. I've now got a new Asus n router sitting in the same place, and my PC hasn't moved. So I would expect a better connection. Annoyingly though, according to Xirrrus I'm getting exactly the same strength signal - about -50 - -65 dbm from both routers.

Regarding Powerline adapters....if my PC can connect over a cable then I guess these would be a work-around. Which ones do you have? there are a few to choose from...

 

[BJB]

I think a test with your old router is called for, but before that you could try changing the wireless channel. I guess you would have to do that from a different machine and reboot everything afterwards. Have to say though I have never known a channel change to provide a satisfactory solution.

As to powerline adapters I've had my Devolos about 5 years and are the original 85mbps sort. Work well though, even for watching TV. Maybe someone else can advise on later models.

 

[Beagle]

OK! It's wired in and working perfectly. Just done a speedtest and got full power. Everything seems to be glitch free. So what do we reckon? An incompatibility between network card and router? Or something software?

 

[BJB]

At this point, now the PC is much nearer the router, I would first disable the Ethernet adapter and re-enable the wireless adapter and see what happens.

 

[Beagle]

The PC wasn't much nearer the router - I had to run a cable up the stairs to the landing!
But, the PC is now back under the desk and the wifi now works! Something must have happened while it was wired in - I'd love to know what.

Wired I was getting full 73mbps download speed and over wifi I have 20mbps (which isn't bad). But I'm going to try powerline for sure. Should I expect to see much improvement over the wifi speeds?

Thanks to you both for your help with this - it's greatly appreciated!

 

[BJB]

I'm not too surprised. The reason I asked you to try safe mode was because someone else with a similar problem did so and it fixed the problem! Don't ask!

Speeds with powerline adapters vary depending on line length and 'noise', which varies with the condition of your wiring and all the stuff plugged into it but I see speeds varying from about 50mbps up to 80 sometimes, so you should see a decent improvement.

 

[Beagle]

haha! Oh well, after a reboot I'm back to square one: yellow triangle and 'DNS server not responding'.

I give up!

Powerline adapters next week.

 

[BJB]

I was hoping someone else could give you better advice on powerline adapters but as they haven't at least I can tell you that there are two types - one that uses Ethernet at both ends and one that uses Ethernet at the router end but can do wireless at the receiving end. Choice is yours. Good luck