HP Laptop Cannot connect to internet Via wireless Or Direstly

12 years ago

I have an HP laptop using windows vista, reached a point where I could not connect to the internet via wireless or direct. I took thing to a repair place was told I needed a new hard drive, they installed one charged me 145. Thing worked haphazardly for about a month, cusor would jump around in the middle of a word but otherwise ok. Then last week when I tried to get on line got the message that computer could not connect to the internet just like before they installed the hard drive. Took laptop back to repair place was told thing needed a new mother board and they wanted additional money told them to kiss off and took computer. A friend suggested that I might fix it by installing and external USB wireless device, I bought a Cisco wireless USB valet, did not help a bit. The laptop powers up fine and I can get to the point of selecting a connection but cannot get on the web. After thinking about it I was stupid to buy the new hard drive idea, a hard drive would not have anything to do with connecting to the internet. Also I now get the message that the version windows they installed was not genuine. Is there anything I can do to fix this thing or should I toss it? Any help will be thoroughly appreciated. Iggie

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Comments (6)

PKponder TX Z7B
12 years ago
So are you unable to connect or unable to browse? They are 2 different things. If you are unable to connect, what error are you getting? Tell us about the home network. Do you have a cable modem or something else? What router do you have?

Can you manually navigate to www.google.com? Many times I have had customers state that they can't get online when in reality, they just had their browser opening to a home page that was just a bad web address.
zep516
12 years ago
"Also I now get the message that the version windows they installed was not genuine."

It may need to activated.

Genuine Windows: frequently asked questions

Please read the link for possible help.

As for the internet connection, do other computers connect in your house, the reason I ask is having an issue with both wireless and direct connection (Ethernet) seem to suggest a possible router / modem issue.

Here is a link that might be useful: genuine/faq
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jean001- I understand what you're relaying about your conversation. However, if it's backwards compatible to XP, it means that it works with Vista. Now if he is telling you that he can either have it set to handle Vista connections, or XP and Win7 connections, but not all of them at the same time, maybe that's so based on some odd configuration he has set up. I have my own $60 wireless router running four computers (and a Roku box and a printer): one computer is XP, two are Vista, and one is Win 7. They all worked immediately after I put in the keys for my security settings, and I did nothing to configure any of them specifically. I've never had a problem connecting. And I have friends who visit and tap into my system using both PCs and Macs and they have no problems either. If you don't want to question your guru any further, that's your call, but I'm still not buying his story.
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First I have to confess that I have not gotten to backing up the hard drive - or working on the start up programs. Other computer issues in the family took priority - and then we had non-technological family difficulties. So my focus has been elsewhere. The internet connection still sometimes drops. Less often but it happens. I can just buy a wireless dongle. The laptop had been running cooler after getting all the bogus programs off. But lately it's sluggish again and running hot. The hard drive is making a bad noise. Not sure how to describe it but kind of like a car struggling to turn over. It does it just occasionally - some times if it's just trying to perform some action - and just now when I started the laptop. (It has not made the sound since it started up). Since hard drives are mechanical, does this sound like the hard drive might be failing? if it's hardware failure, is there any point in running chkdsk? or any other test? If the hard drive is failing, could that be causing it to run hot and slow at times? seems logical to me but I have no idea. I could inexpensively replace the hard drive. And get a wireless dongle. I imagine all that could be done for under $100 and just a small amount of time. The other troubleshooting I did was partly to learn. Here's what I like about the computer and why I may want to save/keep it: great size - 13", light - but has a great, great keyboard for such a small laptop. like the trackball and no touchpad. includes a free upgrade to Vista (so it could be used after XP is not supported) What I don't like: ongoing wireless adapter problems, sometimes running hot, possible failing hard drive, no web cam. Not sure if I'll put it to sleep soon - or try to resuscitate it. If I decide to let it die a peaceful death, there's no need to back up the HD. If I decide to replace the hard drive (if it needs it) or keep it if the HD's fine, I will back it up and make that a priority. And of course, now that I'm writing this post, it's behaving absolutely fine. Quick, cool, no noise. Thanks. Lynn.
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I'll try to answer several of your questions. Yes, you will need a special router, but I would NOT buy the one the salesman is pushing on you. I have one made by Cradlepoint (the CTR350) which I bought at Amazon.com and did not pay nearly that much for it. It is very small and I plug the wireless "card" (modem) into a USB port on the router. Then I connect my desktop computer via Ethernet (cat 5 cable). I connect my laptop via the wireless signal sent from the router. It is very easy to set up the security on the router. In addition, I also use software firewalls on my computers. The built-in wireless in the laptop is not the same thing as what you plug in. It allows the laptop to receive and use wireless signals, and all new laptops come with this. Now whether this would be faster than your DSL is questionable. Sometimes my service with Verizon is quite fast, but at busy times, mostly evenings, it slows down quite a bit. With DSL you have a dedicated line, so your speed should remain constant. I went this route, because I cannot get DSL or cable, and I suffered over 2 years with satellite. Then Verizon's 3-G (EVDO) became available to me. You need to be fairly close to a tower to get a good, strong signal also. If your cell phone service is good, chances are the wireless Internet would be good, also. I was able to buy a used "card", which is really a modem, so that I was not locked into a contract and I can end the service at any time without penalty. So it's your call. If you are unhappy with your DSL, you might give it a try. Do they have a trial period during which you can return anything and only owe for the usage you had? If not. . . . .It's your call.
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owbist
12 years ago
Did they install Vista when they replaced the hard drive?

You need to return to them and tell them to re-install but use the 25 digit activation code on the sticker underneath your laptop. This is totally legal. Perhaps they used a pirate version so if you get any flack from them suggest that unless this issue is resolved you will contact Microsoft telling them this person in using illegal software. Also suggest you will contact your local BBB

You also need to get that old hard drive back. Whether it is defective or not is of no consequence, your data is on that drive and you do not need it sold at a flea market or other outlet.
iggie
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the replies. I am using a Netgear wireless router and we have another HP laptop that connects wirelessly to the internet without problem also a desktop that works fine where internet connection concerned. I do not get any error message simply the message when I try to connect to say Internet explorer a caption, saying the computer cannot display the webpage and that I am not connected to the internet. When I run the help stuff I get a message that they cannot repair problem and suggest I call my internet provider. My internet provider( Road Runner Via Time Warner) says they cannot help me because my service is working properly and my problem is with computer. I will call the repair place tomorrow, they are supposedly a reputable company. Thanks again to all who replied. Iggie
zep516
12 years ago
It does not seem to be a network adapter issue either, as both wireless and direct connection are problematic.

The next step to see if a program typically Anti Virus is causing issue. So lets boot the computer to safe mode with Networking and see if you can connect that way, lets just concentrate using a direct connection.

Restart the computer, keep tapping the F8 Key, the computer will boot to the advanced boot options menu black screen with white letter. From the list presented to you, use the arrow key to select Safe Mode With Networking once selected hit enter on the keyboard. Now try to connect to only Google.com. Let us know if you can connect that way. Do not surf the internet in this mode.

Please be sure to try another browser too maybe before doing all this above in case this is a silly internet explorer issue..

Joe
iggie
Original Author
12 years ago
I did as suggested started laptop and tapping the F8 key. I got the safe caption with networking I then hit enter. When I tried to connect to Google. I got a message saying that my connection had been lost and to try and reconnect.. I then shut the unit down. My desk top works fine as does my wife,s laptop which we use via wireless. Thanks to all who replied. Iggie

HP Laptop Cannot connect to internet Via wireless Or Direstly

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