I recently setup a wireless network using Linksys WRT54G router, two notebooks and a desktop. The desktop and one notebook are running fine. Great connectivity, internet acess, etc. My Dell Latitude D800, however can connect to the network, but cannot gain internet or other network login access.

I have followed steps detailed in this thread:
http://www.daniweb.com/forums/thread23104.html

Originally I could not even connect to the network using this notebook, but have managed to reset the TCP/IP settings to do so.


Any ideas on what may be going on?

Dani AI

Generated

When a wireless client can associate with an AP but cannot reach the Internet or other hosts on the LAN, the usual culprits are: addressing/routing or DNS problems, client-side networking stack or drivers, or router-side features (filters, isolation, or pool/exhaustion). The thread posts from , and point to those same categories; below are clear, practical checks and small fixes that are not covered in the replies.

Recommended diagnostics to run on the affected laptop (capture the output for later reference):

ipconfig /all
ping <default-gateway-ip>
ping 8.8.8.8
nslookup example.com
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
arp -a

Interpretation tips: an IPv4 address without a valid default gateway will not reach the Internet even when “connected.” Successful ping to a gateway but not to an external IP suggests a router or ISP issue. Successful ping to an IP but not to a hostname points to DNS. An arp -a listing that shows duplicate MACs or unexpected entries points to an addressing conflict.

Router- and environment-level checks: confirm the router’s address pool has free entries and that no MAC-filter, static-assignment or client/isolation feature is preventing traffic. Verify wireless compatibility mode and any encryption settings if older adapters are involved. Update the laptop’s wireless driver and the router firmware. Temporarily disable proxies, personal firewalls, or security software when testing (do not leave them disabled afterwards).

Preventive notes and safe tests: test with a wired connection or a different wireless adapter to isolate hardware faults. If a static address is used for testing, pick an address in the same subnet and avoid collisions with the router or other devices. After making temporary changes (lowering security or opening ports), restore secure settings. For similar symptom sets, the diagnostic commands above will quickly reveal whether the issue is addressing, DNS, driver, or router-related.

Recommended Answers

All 11 Replies

have you tried changing the router settings? do you use WPA or WEP?

how can i check/know?

on your router, are you using any type of security? if you go to the settings you can check on the wireless settings.

yes, there is security. i'm lowering it now for compatibility.

well, lowering the security made it so i couldn't connect.... so that didn't work.

that is I changed WPA to WEP.

I have the WRT54G-C (compact)

Just to note, older laptops and PDAs have wireless "b" whereas newer ones have "g". You need to set the wireless mode to "mixed" to let these machines connect

Wireless Mode is Mixed.

Both laptops have the same IP address when looking at the network settings. Is this right?

problem solved through use of Linksys Forum FAQ. Basically the IP address should not match the router.

yes, most of the time is sensible to set up the router to automatically assign IP adresses via DHCP

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