Bad modem?????

[chattycathy]

Can anyone explain this? My sister-in-law's laptop suddenly quit connecting to the internet. She is using a Belkin router with a Westell dsl modem. Everything had been working fine when she shut it down one night and the next day, her laptop wouldn't connect. I went over there and tried to get it to work but I couldn't accomplish anything. I reset the modem,did virus scans, malware, and spyware hoping that was the problem but it wasn't. She purchased a new router, and it won't work either with her Westell modem. But, if she connects the modem straight to the laptop, it works fine. Is it the modem? If so, why does it work without the router Anyone have any ideas? Thanks for your time!

[Dark Shadow]

It connects by ethrenet but not wireless If I am understanding correct.If thats the issue,open up your wireless network on the laptop and make sure the wireless service was not disabled.If its enabled check available wireless networks in your area and it should see your modem or wireless router.If it does not then there is a lose of communication between router and laptop wireless signals.

[kdcdq]

Hey chattycathy,
Dark Shadow has a good question. Please tell us if your sister-in-law is trying to connect to the Internet via an Ethernet cable or wireless networking. I will be happy to help you; I am a recently-retired networking guy....

[Dark Shadow]

We wait as chattyCathy is not to chatty right now.

[chattycathy]

She has been connecting wireless but then it quit working out of the blue. That's when she called me and I suggested that she try hooking it up via Ethernet until I get over there and it works this way with no problems. I'm waiting on a "convenient" time for her for me to go over and check it out. I thought I would get some ideas from others before I go. I don't use a router so I don't know that much about them. No, Dark Shadow, that time of the night is one of the rare times I'm not very chatty.

[kdcdq]

Chattycathy,

Could you please find out if your sister-in-law is connecting her Ethernet cable to one of the Belkin router's Ethernet outlets or directly to the cable modem Ethernet output plug. I am trying to determine if the router's integrated Ethernet ports are working properly or not and to see if the router "sees" the cable modem properly.

[chattycathy]

Originally Posted by kdcdq

Chattycathy,

Could you please find out if your sister-in-law is connecting her Ethernet cable to one of the Belkin router's Ethernet outlets or directly to the cable modem Ethernet output plug. I am trying to determine if the router's integrated Ethernet ports are working properly or not and to see if the router "sees" the cable modem properly.

I would ask her but she's not going to understand what I'm talking about. She doesn't understand computers very well. Ok, when I was over there last, I unplugged the Ethernet cable from the router and plugged it in to the Ethernet port on the laptop. Does that tell you anything except, I don't know much about networking? I'm wondering if it is the wireless service disabled. That would explain why the new router didn't work but I will wait and check that myself. From what I've been reading at different web sites, this seems to be common with Windows 7. I appreciate your time and help!

[kdcdq]

Yes, Chattycathy, there is a good chance that her wireless networking adapter built-in to her laptop is either turned off, configured wrong, or has simply stopped working.

If the wireless adapter is simply turned off, most laptops have either a on/off switch or a button to perform this function.

If the wirless adapter is configured wrong, I can help you with that as well.

I have seen several laptop wireless adapters fail; the hardware itself dies. If this turns out to be the case, you can buy a USB-attached wireless adapter for appx. $40-50 that will restore wireless networking to the laptop.

If you want to PM me, I will send you some personal information so that we can communicate via phone, email, or texting (your preference) to help you solve this problem.

I enjoy this stuff, I am VERY good at it, and it is so easy for me that it's pitiful...

[Dark Shadow]

My gateway netbooks have the wireless key on\off with the F3 key and i have accidentally had hit the key on a few occasions and turned it off.Hopefully its something that simple.

[kdcdq]

And of course, Chattycathy, if you would prefer that we help you here at Wilders via this posting thread, feel free to continue with this option as well.

[chattycathy]

Thanks everyone for your help! I'm going over today to work on it. I'll check out your suggestions and I'll post the results as soon as I can.

[chattycathy]

Ok. I got it fixed. It needed a new network setup plus malware, virus and spyware scans. Thanks again everyone!!!

[Dark Shadow]

Originally Posted by chattycathy

Ok. I got it fixed. It needed a new network setup plus malware, virus and spyware scans. Thanks again everyone!!!

Good work,glad you got it solved.

[kdcdq]

Chattycathy,

One comment: Most Excellent.

We are always here when you need us...

[Amit]

Great work everybody helping Cathy. Wilders is a great place for people in need of help.