ie not working/no internet connection

Hi Paws When i meant obligated, i only meant in the way that it is set up currently. In the past, I have gone in to the Verizon site under my ip address and changed the WPA (and all machines in the house could handle it) but only with the help of a technician because i wasn't comfortable changing certain codes without knowing what i was doing (for example, it gives you a list of channels to select from…how would i know which is the correct one?). so to that end, if someone (you?) were to guide me, i know i can go in and change the settings to a WPA but just not confident in my abilities not to muck it up. Obviously we'd prefer more encryption strength. Maybe i just need to go in and check the settings and report back to you what my questions are before i do it? Regarding the netgear vs. windows thing: I am totally content letting windows manage the wireless, but are you saying that the netgear software is NOT damaged in some way, and if not, why didn't windows recognize our request to let it run through net gear? Thanks loopi

Hi Loopi,

In the past, I have gone in to the Verizon site under my ip address and changed the WPA (and all machines

in the house could handle it) but only with the help of a technician because i wasn't comfortable changing

certain codes without knowing what i was doing (for example, it gives you a list of channels to select from…how

would i know which is the correct one?).

Maybe its best to talk this through with your ISP's helpdesk

Regarding the netgear vs. windows thing: I am

totally content letting windows manage the wireless, but are you saying that the netgear software is NOT damaged

in some way, and if not, why didn't windows recognize our request to let it run through net gear?

I dont know if the Netgear software is damaged (but I have seen no evidence so far that it has been damaged)

however as I mentioned before, it's necessary to make a choice as to which one will manage your wireless network,

if you have them both trying to manage your Network at the same time there is likely to be a conflict between them

and the consequences are… No Wireless Internet at all.
As it's working Ok now I'd be inclined to let Windows continue to manage it.
Regards
paws

Thanks paws I guess the only annoying thing is that everytime we turn on the computer, a message pops up from Netgear and asks which service (Netgear or windows) would we like to manage the network. I don't see an option to make it permanent, so you have to check "windows" everytime on startup. i don't want to belabor the point about "netgear versus windows" but what i'm trying to find out is, if nothing is 'broken', why won't the machine let me run netgear when we tell it to do so without windows interfering? i won't bug you with anymore questions after this. thanks for all your help. loopi

Hi Loopi, If you dont want the message to pop up from Netgear each time you boot up your machine, then just remove the shortcut from your Startup group…. Here's how: 1 Click on Start 2 Click on All Programs 3 Find the entry for "Startup" 4 click on it and delete the entry for Netgear. I would be inclined to leave it at that but if you really want Netgear to manage your Wireless Network then you will have to click Yes on the invite from Netgear…. Its your choice…. All the best paws

hi paws Following your instructions, there is no entry for Netgear in Startup; only two items unrelated in there. your Quote: I would be inclined to leave it at that but if you really want Netgear to manage your Wireless Network then you will have to click Yes on the invite from Netgear…. If i did the above, wouldn't i just be right back to having no wireless connection all at? Since that is what the system was set to when the problem of not having a connection was occuring? loopi

Use System Configuration (msconfig) to disable Netgar software.

Click on Start then Run, type msconfig and press Enter or click OK.
Click on the Startup tab.
Uncheck (disable) anything netgear related.
Click on the Services tab.
Check the Hide all Microsoft Services box.
Uncheck (disable) anything netgear related.
Click Apply then OK.
Reboot.

That should do it.

ztrucker looks like that worked i did get a message on reboot that said i'd changed system utilities and it wanted me to load the normal startup proograms again. i ignored it. do i need to just check the box that says "don't show me this again" ? i hope i didn't piss paws off with all my questions. just wanted to find out if my netgear software was broken or not. I am inquisitive. i guess the rule of thumb with computers is, if it's working, just accept it and don't question it. thanks for your help loopi

ztrucker well, i clicked the box i mentioned above on the next restart and now i don't have any wireless service at all loopi

Checking the box prevents the message from showing at boot, just as you found.

ztrucker yeah, but now my wireless has stopped working altogether. I don't even have thewireless icon in my task bar anymore. Do i have to undo the changes? loopi

Is "use windows to configure my wireless network settings" still checked?
In Services, is Wireless Zero Configuration still set to Automatic and Started?

If they are both still checked, what Netgear entries did you disable under Startup and/or Services in msconfig? Try enabling them one at a time until you find the one that is preventing you from having a Wireless connection. I can't think of any that are needed if Windows is setup correctly to mange your Wireless network.

Thanks Ztrucker I think it's working ok now. it was just behaving dodgy. regardless that i had checked that box, it would still popup on startup and even though the wireless wasn't in the task bar tray, if you open IE, the connection was there….it's just odd because it takes several minutes after the machine is already fully up and then the wireless icon appears. oh well, it seems to be working. Thanks for finishing this up for me. I had another question about a desktop we have that is having a problem and was wondering what forum i should post to? Basically, it's plugged into a power strip that is turned on and off from time to time so it's connection is not always "hot". Now when i turn the strip on, the computer comes on to the dos screen and says "invalid confif infraction" and says time of day not set. i've tried to set it with the setup section but no matter what, everytime it comes back on, date and time are incorrect and it starts up with that dos screen…….and that's without even powering it up! It just powers up on its own when it's connection goes "hot". Weird huh? Where could i post for help on this? Again, thanks for all your help. Loopi

Hi Loopi, I'm back now, but am pleased to see that Ztruker has got you up and running again with your wireless… As to the time of day issue on your other computer that is usually the sign of an expired CMOS battery….. they usually last for around 4 years or so….sometimes less and sometimes a lot longer… If you need to set the time and date each time you switch on then this battery is the first thing to check… Most desktop machines use a CR3028 and these cost only a pound (or a dollar or two…) but before you buy one check that it is a CR 3028 you need. you will find it on the motherboard… The 30 stands for a diameter of 30mm and the 28 means its 2.8mm thick…(hence the designation of 3028, its bright silver in colour and looks a bit like a coin…it has a nominal voltage of 3v Regards paws

thanks paws any idea how to get to the motherboard? it's probably not as easy as pulling out a tray or something? loopi

Hi Loopi, Assuming this is a desktop computer then you will need to take the side panel off. Before you do this make sure that you have totally disconnected all, repeat all wires from your computer, every wire that is in any way connected to your computer MUST be disconnected……(it is NOT sufficient just to turn it off) Then when everything is disconnected hold down the power on button for 30 seconds. Wait for another 30 seconds then take off the side panel and take a look. Do not touch anything inside your computer without taking full ESD precautions (anti static) If you are at all unsure of the ESD or personal safety precautions required then get your local competent computer technician to do it for you…the battery is a dollar or two and the labour is about 3 minutes worth! so get a fixed price quotation first! Regards paws