Member Avatar for jl1

Hi,
I moved into my new apartment recently and configured our wireless router. But when I try to connect, I get stuck on "Identifying... Local Only". My apartment-mates don't seem to have this problem. I am honestly getting very frustrated with this and have searched the internet for solutions but nothing has worked.

I have Windows Vista, and this is a Lenovo Y550 Ideapad.

In case you were going to ask for it, here's the copy-paste from ipconfig/all:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\James>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : James-PC
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . :

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100 AGN
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-65-AD-28-D6
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::29a3:cbe2:c42b:4a20%11(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : (Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . :
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, July 16, 2010 2:26:53 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Friday, July 16, 2010 3:26:52 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . :

NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Gigabit Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-26-22-06-A9-F5
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::2486:2122:e950:5ac2%10(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : (Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . :
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, July 16, 2010 2:26:31 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Friday, July 16, 2010 3:26:30 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . :

NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 7:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . :
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

C:\Users\James>

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am currently connected to my router through an ethernet cable, which works fine. Could somebody help me figure out the solution to this?

Thanks,
James

  • 3 Contributors
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  • 5 Days Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by Sikander Khan

Dani AI

Generated

This thread describes the classic case of a laptop that gets stuck on "Identifying... Local Only" for Wi‑Fi while the same network works for others. supplied useful diagnostics and and pointed at gateway/DNS and drivers — both reasonable leads. Below is a short, ordered checklist to isolate client vs router causes and fixes that are practical for a Vista-era laptop.

Quick isolation steps

  • Test the laptop on a different wireless source (phone hotspot). If it connects normally, the router or its wireless settings are the likely culprit; if it still fails, focus on the laptop.
  • While the laptop is on wired, run the adapter checks to see whether the wireless interface receives a DHCP address (not an APIPA 169.254.x.x), a default gateway, and DNS entries — that separates DHCP failure from an access-control or driver problem.
  • From the router admin, review DHCP pool size, MAC filtering/ACL, AP/client isolation and wireless mode (mixed/N/G). Temporarily disable encryption for a quick functional test (restore security immediately afterward).

Immediate commands and driver workflow
Run these from an elevated command prompt, reboot, then retest wireless:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset

If that does not help, follow ’s direction but more specifically: in Device Manager uninstall the wireless adapter (choose to remove driver files if prompted), reboot, then install the latest official driver from the laptop or chipset vendor. Also clear the adapter’s Power Management setting so the OS cannot turn it off.

Further checks and cautions
Try forcing the router to a simpler wireless mode (G-only) or change encryption to WPA2-AES temporarily — some older drivers/OS combinations misbehave with N + TKIP. Update router firmware if available. If all else fails, test with a USB Wi‑Fi dongle or, after backing up router settings, do a router factory reset. Keep a log of each change so settings can be restored.

Recommended Answers

All 2 Replies

Member Avatar for zxor 2

the default gateway and dns is incorrect..there should be a not 0.1

Member Avatar for Sikander Khan

Along with the ZXOR2 recomemndation, Can you please check the Software of your machine. If possible try to re-install the S/W for your Wireless device.

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