Restart your computer.

When the machine first starts again it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine, amount of memory, hard drives installed etc. At this point you should gently tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with a Windows Advanced Options menu.

Select the option for Safe Mode With Networking using the arrow keys.

Then press enter on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode With Networking

See if you can connect to Google using Safe Mode With Networking

Thanks for the suggestion. I did exactly what you said. I cannot connect to Google or any site in Safe Mode. "Server not found."

do you have a firewall?

I disabled the firewall. I also found a previous thread that described essentially the same problem. However, it was finally solved by installing Vista updates. Right now, I have no way of getting on-line.

I also ran a Network diagnostic that says:
"This computer has the following default gateway entry 0.0.0.0"
"There is no default gateway entry"
"Redirecting user to support call"

Is there anyway to get updates without being connected?

Here is a link that might be useful: Earlier thread

Booting to safe mode, is the same as disabling the Firewall and Anti Virus program, but I begin to wonder is the wireless network driver even loaded in safe mode? Can the computer connect directly connected to modem?

See link for ideas although it deals with xp, some info could be useful.

Here is a link that might be useful: solved-no-gateway-

+ I know neonfx. Who is working the topic..

So this problem is something that has happened recently? Did you make any changes to your machine that might account for the problem?

What happens if you use a cable to connect to the router instead of wireless?

Have you rebooted the router?

You might also disable whatever wireless security you have enabled on the router and see if you can connect. If so, re-enable the security and see if the problem comes back.

Very interesting link! And information.
I gave the laptop to a friend tonight so she could download XP updates. She said it wouldn't download anything until after she used System Restore to the earliest available date. And evidently there is a massive amount to download. (This was my niece's computer.) So I'll wait until tomorrow to see how it goes after the updates.

Nothing much has changed since the updates. Still getting excellent signal strength but no internet connection. I've been working on this as a favor to my brother, but I have to leave this afternoon. He will need to get a professional to deal with this. Any reason why the hard drive couldn't be reformatted and all software (not much) be reinstalled and devices reattached?

Intel (R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection

The only other thing is maybe installing the Wireless adapter above. From the link below. You will need to go to a good computer download the driver on a Flash drive. Then put the flash drive in the Laptop double click the driver file and run it / install it..

Might work.

it's listed below:

Here

Did the laptop come with a Factory Restore disk?

did that xp laptop by any chance recently have service pack 3 installed on it?