Wireless connected, but Windows thinks it's not

[szthesquid]

Hi.
I'm currently connected to the internet through a wireless network to post this thread. If I open the wireless network connections, under the list of network names, it says I'm connected. However, the taskbar icon shows no connection, and Windows recognizes no connection if, for example, I go to the Network and Sharing Center. This image shows what I mean.

This problem applies to every wireless network, not just specific ones. This has been going on for almost a year, and hasn't really caused any problems, so I paid it no notice. However, I'm now discovering some problems. Since Windows thinks I'm not connected to a network, I can't do any of the following things:

• Create or join a homegroup
• Stream media to an XBox 360
• Change network security settings (home/private/public)
• Pass Ubisoft DRM checks for a network connection

Does anyone know what's going on? I've asked for help on the Steam forums, I've updated my wireless card driver, I've tried to change network security settings... no solutions yet.

System:
Gateway NV5909h
Windows 7 home premium x64 (OEM)
Atheros AR5B93 wireless network adapter
Intel core i3-330m
More specs can be provided on request

 

[2xg]

Hello szthesquid,

See if removing then re-add your wireless network profiles help. Make sure you type in the correct network encryption if your network is secured.
Easy Way to Delete Wireless Network Profile in Windows 7

Also, verify that 'Obtain DNS server address automatically' is enabled in your wireless connection.
How to enable DHCP in Windows 7? | Windows 7 Themes

An update will be nice.

 

[szthesquid]

Hello szthesquid,

See if removing then re-add your wireless network profiles help. Make sure you type in the correct network encryption if your network is secured.
Easy Way to Delete Wireless Network Profile in Windows 7

Also, verify that 'Obtain DNS server address automatically' is enabled in your wireless connection.
How to enable DHCP in Windows 7? | Windows 7 Themes

An update will be nice.

Have already tried both these things.
Removing a wireless profile doesn't change anything, because as I said above, this problem applies all the time to every wireless network, whether it's new or an existing profile.
Automatic DNS is and always has been enabled.

 

[2xg]

Please restart your computer, Tap F8 and select Safe Mode with Networking, see if issue persis here.


Also, the following requires an Admin permission, make sure that you have the permission.

• Create or join a homegroup
• Stream media to an XBox 360
• Change network security settings (home/private/public)
• Pass Ubisoft DRM checks for a network connection

Have you tried creating a New User Account with Admin permission and see if you can replicate the issue?

Verify that all your Network Services are Started from Control Panel=> Performance and Maintenance=> Admin Tools=> Services:
• COM+ Event System (for WZC issues)
• Computer Browser
• DHCP Client
• DNS Client
• Network Connections
• Network Location Awareness
• Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
• Server
• TCP/IP Netbios helper
• Wireless Zero Configuration ( XP wireless configurations only)
• WLAN AutoConfig ( Vista wireless configurations only)
• Workstation

 

[szthesquid]

Please restart your computer, Tap F8 and select Safe Mode with Networking, see if issue persis here.


Also, the following requires an Admin permission, make sure that you have the permission.

• Create or join a homegroup
• Stream media to an XBox 360
• Change network security settings (home/private/public)
• Pass Ubisoft DRM checks for a network connection

Have you tried creating a New User Account with Admin permission and see if you can replicate the issue?

Verify that all your Network Services are Started from Control Panel=> Performance and Maintenance=> Admin Tools=> Services:

My account is the only account, and thus has always had admin permission.

The problem is still present on a new account with admin permission.

The problem is still present when starting in safe mode with networking.

All of those services are started and set to automatic start.

I had been using TuneUp Utilities 2010 since I got this laptop, and had it optimize internet and network settings for a high speed connection, but still allowed Windows to manage networks and connections. I have since uninstalled the program. Could TuneUp have anything to do with this?

 

[2xg]

Let's uninstall all the remains of Tuneup Utilities by using Revo Uninstaller and see if it will help.

Restart your computer after and see if issue persist.

 

[szthesquid]

Let's uninstall all the remains of Tuneup Utilities by using Revo Uninstaller and see if it will help.

Restart your computer after and see if issue persist.

When I did uninstall it, it wasn't a clean uninstall. I got an error halfway through -- it had removed the entries in the Add/Remove Programs interface, but I still had some files left over. I manually searched for and deleted remaining files from the hard drive and registry, and I'm not sure how thorough that was.

Anyway, because it wasn't a clean uninstall, it's not showing up in Revo Uninstaller. Should I try reinstalling and then uninstalling?

 

[chev65]

Try running this batch file which will reset winsock, reset the TCP/IP stack and release renew your IP.

Download Renew IP + Reset Winsock Batch File

This will sometimes fix problems associated with an upgrade installation. ​

 

[szthesquid]

Try running this batch file which will reset winsock, reset the TCP/IP stack and release renew your IP.

Download Renew IP + Reset Winsock Batch File

This will sometimes fix problems associated with an upgrade installation. ​

Didn't work. It did acknowledge that I was connected to a network though.

 

[2xg]

Try to reinstall Tuneup Utilities, it actually might help. Do not uninstall yet.

If unsuccessful perhaps, it's time for sfc /scannow.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

If that didn't help, a Repair Install.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

 

[szthesquid]

Try to reinstall Tuneup Utilities, it actually might help. Do not uninstall yet.

If unsuccessful perhaps, it's time for sfc /scannow.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

If that didn't help, a Repair Install.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

When I started the reinstall, it told me that it was already installed, and that I'd need to remove the old version before installing the new version. That's a plus, since that gets rid of all the old files I couldn't find by searching manually.

Reinstall successful.

 

[2xg]

szthesquid - Are you able to do these things now?

• Create or join a homegroup
• Stream media to an XBox 360
• Change network security settings (home/private/public)
• Pass Ubisoft DRM checks for a network connection

 

[szthesquid]

szthesquid - Are you able to do these things now?

• Create or join a homegroup
• Stream media to an XBox 360
• Change network security settings (home/private/public)
• Pass Ubisoft DRM checks for a network connection

No, because Windows still doesn't acknowledge a network connection. Status is still completely unchanged since my original post.

 

[2xg]

Post# 11 - you might want to try the rest of my suggestions.

 

[szthesquid]

Post# 11 - you might want to try the rest of my suggestions.

SFC/SCANNOW didn't detect any errors, and I didn't get an install disc with my computer. Is there a way to create one? I remember it prompting me to create a recovery disc when I got the computer, but that's not the same thing.

 

[2xg]

Is it possible to borrow one from a close friend? You will need the actual O/S CD/DVD.

 

[szthesquid]

Is it possible to borrow one from a close friend? You will need the actual O/S CD/DVD.

Maybe, but even if I can, it'll take some time. Are there any other options?

 

[szthesquid]

Is it possible to borrow one from a close friend? You will need the actual O/S CD/DVD.

I have a friend who has the Ultimate version, but I have Home Premium. Will that work, or do I need the same install disc as the version that's currently installed?

 

[szthesquid]

I never managed to get this problem resolved, and as you can see it's been almost a year since this thread was originally posted. I have a laptop with an OEM install so I cannot use a retail disc to do a repair install.

Is there any other possible solution?

 

[we2wards]

did anyone ever resolve this I have had the same problem