Member Avatar for mdsmith370

I ran malwarebytes this morning and it found a few spyware programs and removed them. I do this regularly with no issues. After the computer restarted I cannot access any websites. I could before the reboot. The computer is connected to the router at 54mbps. My IP is , subnet mask is , and default gateway is I can't access any sites with Firefox, IE, or Chrome. It's just says server not found. I have power cycled the modem and router, didn't work. I connected to my neighbor's unsecure wireless network and the same thing is happening. I even did a repair install of XP and it still doesn't work. I have my laptop right next to my pc with a wireless card connected to the exact same router and modem and it works fine. I have tried turning off my firewall and lowering my security. Nothing works. Please help. The only thing left to do is a complete format and I don't really want to do that. I use comcast cable and a netgear card and router.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by donkey_pasta

Dani AI

Generated

Useful follow-on notes and a compact checklist for anyone who sees a PC that reports it is "connected" to Wi‑Fi but can't reach websites.

A quick diagnosis strategy: use a wired connection to confirm whether the problem is the router/ISP or the client machine. That simple split test is the fastest way to focus troubleshooting (credit to for suggesting the wired test). When the wired test works but Wi‑Fi does not, the client-side wireless driver or the local network stack is the most likely cause.

Practical steps to try (in order):

  • Verify Internet works over a direct Ethernet connection. If it does, proceed on the client.
  • Check Device Manager for the wireless adapter; uninstall the device (and driver if the option appears), reboot, then install the vendor-supplied driver you downloaded while wired.
  • Reset the TCP/IP/Winsock state from an Administrator command prompt, then reboot. Typical commands:
    ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt
  • If drivers reinstall still fails, test the PC with a clean boot or a Live USB to separate OS-level corruption from hardware faults.

Other checks and cautions:

  • Look for third‑party firewalls, VPN or security suites that install network filter drivers; temporarily disable/uninstall them while testing.
  • Ensure no proxy is configured in Internet settings and that power‑management options are not disabling the wireless adapter.
  • Download drivers only from the adapter/vendor site and keep a wired fallback when doing network-driver work.
  • Before major changes, create a system restore point or back up current drivers.

The combination of the wired test and a clean driver install resolves the majority of "connected but no internet" Wi‑Fi cases.

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Member Avatar for donkey_pasta

Have you tried directly connecting the computer to the router via ethernet cable?

Can you ping an external IP address via Command Prompt?

Also you could try assigning a static IP and DNS addresses. Right-click on the Local Area Connection and select Properties. Go to Internet Protocol TCP/IP. Choose a higher IP like (just to make sure you don't assign one that's in use -- you can also check the DHCP Clients table in your router to make sure it's not in use) and for the DNS addresses use the OpenDNS servers (they are trusted) -- Primary: , Secondary: 208.67.220.220.

Post your results.

Member Avatar for mdsmith370

I tried pinging a couple different websites and it didn't work. I successfully pinged but could not ping 192.168.1.1.

I tried changing the IP and DNS addresses but it didn't do anything.

I just hard wired the pc to the router and everything works.

Member Avatar for donkey_pasta

Sounds like it must be an issue with the wireless adapter or the drivers for the wireless adapter.

Now that you're connected to the internet and can load web pages, try to uninstall/reinstall the wireless adapter drivers and see if you can get connected over wifi again.

EDIT: Look for the most recent drivers for the adapter.

Edited by donkey_pasta because: added comment
Member Avatar for mdsmith370

Thanks for your help donkey. I reinstalled updated drivers for the adapter and I'm back in business.

Member Avatar for donkey_pasta

Thanks for your help donkey. I reinstalled updated drivers for the adapter and I'm back in business.

Glad to hear it.

Also, I don't know how the whole 'solved thread' thing works, but if you don't mind -- try to give me a 'solved thread' point.

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