Whoa, what happened? can't connect to my home wifi

OklaMoni

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I have an older laptop (2010). Worked fine yesterday.

Today, it would not connect to wifi.

Now, after hooking it up direct with a cable, it worked for a while, then boom, gone again.

could this be via a virus?

do I need to take it in to a shop?

any help/advise is apreaciated

Moni

PS, wifi works fine on my I-pad mini!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (16)

Elmer J Fudd
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Reboot everything (modem and router each, if separate and the PC) and try again. I presume you have adequate antivirus/security software already installed and if so, there should be no need to check on that score

If this were mine, I'd do a minor amount of checking - like is the battery loose?- and if the erratic behavior continues, I'd schedule a funeral and buy a new one. Remember to take off your important files - photos, etc - onto SD cards, thumb or external drives.

Unless you know someone who can fidget with it for you for free, I'd leave it be. I wouldn't pay any money to diagnose or repair an 8 year old laptop. It's lived longer than many do.

Good luck.
OklaMoni
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Good advice...overall, but I really didn't want to put any money or thought in to a new computer. I hate computer changes.

i restarted it 4 times, and went back to the 11.th of October.

just got back home, and should try it once more.

Moni

PS, edited..

Laptop still does NOT read and connect to wifi. I have it hooked up via cable at the moment.

What the heck do I have wifi for... if my stupid ( ok, old) computer won't connect.

So, Elmer, what kind do I get? I have windows 7 on here.. what all do I need to look for? It's been AGES, since I had to think about such stuff, and I am really not good at it.

Moni
Related Discussions
Can't believe it happened again!
Q
Comments (4)
Patti, In your first post you said the water goes in around a small opening around the skimmer pipe coming into the box. In one of my pump boxes I have 10 pipes coming in or going out. It is a fiberglass box that has been in the ground for 19 years. I could have used bulkhead fittings to go through the box walls but I did not. What I did was to take a small piece of plywood and put a hole that is little larger then the OD of the pipe. Then took a piece of liner about the same size of the plywood. Then on the outside of the box I silicone caulked the liner to the box over the pipe hole and put the plywood over that and ran bolts through the assembly in each corner of the plywood to clamp the liner to the box. Then ran the pipe through a small hole in the center of the liner and used a hose clamp to seal the liner to the pipe. After 19 years not one of the connections leak a drop of water. But I still have had that box flood 4 times. One time was when we had a freak storm and we got 16 inches of rain in 24 hours in a small area. The first 8 inches was not a problem but the last 8 inches caused flooding and I had a stream 4 inches deep running over the box. One time was when a lid on a primer pot broke and came off which drained about 2000 gallons of pond water in and out of the box. The other two times were caused by power failures and the small sump pump that I have in a 4" pipe connected to the bottom of box as a sump pit did not run. Mike
...See More
My architect. Can't live with her, can't live without her.....
Q
Comments (16)
Thank you all for your comments (except for vhehn - seriously, if you want to tell me I'm an idiot (or, conversely, that you are the smartest person in the world), why hide it, just tell me you think I'm a moron and be done with it. You don't know me, and you assume that I'm throwing away perfectly good (and hard-earned, mind you) money because I'm a d*mb*ss. If gloating in front of someone who's down is the way you roll, I'm so glad I don't know you in person.) - 15 hours after the initial discovery of "OMG, it's happened again" (and the resulting pit in our stomaches), our anger and sadness has mellowed a bit, abut we're both intent on salvaging this situation in a professional and drama-free manner. I probably haven't chewed on the situation enough, but after digesting your comments and putting all the pieces together, I'm inclined to do the following: 1) wait for her response (except I really really really want/need to know if we submitted, and/or if we're submitting on Monday, omg......), 2) unless there's a fantastic reason why Friday didn't go as agreed, request an off-site coffee meeting with the architect and synthesize your comments in to a conversation that says, basically: look, we think you're a really talented architect [she is!], but it's clear you're extremely busy, and maybe too busy to devote the type and timing of attention on our project that we need. It's causing us a lot of unnecessary stress and heartburn, especially this early in what we know will be a stressful year and a half [between the rest of planning and the build]. We see a couple of good solutions: a) now that you know how difficult the slipping of schedule has been on not only the timing of our project but on us personally, if you'd like to continue working on our project, we'd like to continue working with you, but we need hard milestones. [and then discuss the milestones, timing, etc....maybe these need to be in writing.....]. 2) if you're just too busy and don't see that changing, we'd be disappointed but would be willing to transfer the plans to another architect to complete - do you have any that you'd recommend? How do we properly transfer the plans? As you can tell, I do soft-pedal rather than throw blame in situations like this - I'm very willing to be firm, but it needs to be in my own voice, and unfortunately (I guess), that's my voice when dealing with people that I actually like (err, you "heard" my other voice above, when responding to others!). chisue - thank you for understanding, and yes, she's licensed, has a nice boutique business, and is actually really talented. she just sucks as client service. We found her as a referral from a neighbor who has (in our opinion) the prettiest new build in the neighborhood - we live in a 50's era rancher town on quarter acre lots in a part of the country where that's considered really big - most of the Bay Area is on 4000-5000 sq ft lots). To his credit, he DID warn us that while she's a terrific architect, she'd be "tough to get a hold of, as she's very busy" (maybe that was neighbor-code for "she'll miss every deadline"). dixiedoodle - agreed, I'm not planning on getting any $ back, so that's not what I'm after. Actually, for the $ we've paid thus far, we ((heart)) the house plan. Yes, in hindsight, the comments that translate to "they're more important than you" are, at best, inappropriate. At the time(s), it seemed more like casual chit-chat. feedingfrenzy, sue36 and sovra - thank you all - your comments and thoughts are the basis for the planned conversation. We actually *would* like her to see the plans through, just need to figure out how to tell her that we can't continue this way, it's too painful. I will go post this in Conversations to see in M-A has additional thoughts. What do you all think of the planned conversation, and how would you tweak it?
...See More
Gwebbers suggestions CAN'T happen, so now what?! Layout help
Q
Comments (131)
I wouldn't take out the fireplace - you have plenty of room to work with and enough to still have a sitting area -- at least a coffee nook by the fireplace even with the kitchen over on that side. Depending on how much you want to move things around the dining table could even go by the fireplace and the reading/sitting area by the deck. If the lighting is flexible, you could even change that seasonally. A fireplace adds warmth and charm to a room. They add value to a house. You are not in a situation where the room is just too small to have a fireplace and still live in the room. If anything, I would make sure the fireplace is an important part of your thought process and planning -- not an afterthought. It does seem to be an afterthought in some of these ideas, and that can make it awkward. My suggestion: put down the pencil and paper, the markers and even the blue tape for a day or two. Stop drawing. Take some time to think about what you really need, both now and over the next 10 years or more. Aren't your boys about to be taking off or at least not home more than they are home (if not already)? If not, I would think losing living space would not be good because there would be a greater demand for separate living spaces for kids and adults. And that daughter of yours is not likely to be doing homework at the kitchen counter much longer. I'm sure you went through this with your boys to at least some degree, so you should understand when I say that your daughter is about to start thinking your are the dumbest, most unreasonable person on the planet (at least some of the time) and want to spend her time in her room, talking to her friends, experimenting with hair, nails and makeup, etc. What I'm trying to get at is that you need to make sure you think forward ten years and plan for those rather than the last ten years. I don't mean plan an empty-nester kitchen because they are still around and in 10 years time may be bringing spouses and grandbabies around. Or you could decide this isn't where you want to be when daughter goes off to college and you start thinking about resale in 5 years. Do you host extended family or teen groups now? Just meals or other activities? You still want a functional and flexible space. I'm just wondering if you are giving up too much living space just for the sake of having an island. I don't see that having an island is gaining that much for all that you have to give up to get it. You're not gaining function. Most of what you gain is aisles. That doesn't work for me. I want breathing room, but I want function and usable space -- in the kitchen and in my living spaces. My suggestion would be to put down the pencil, pens and paper and walk away for at least a day or two. Think about what you need and use now and how it is likely to change. After you think a bit, pick up the pencil, resist the urge to sketch layouts and just list your priorities, in order, for your kitchen and your home as a whole. What is it that you must have and what would be nice but not essential. What is just a dream? Then keep that list in mind when you start to consider your layout options. To me, it sounds like the island is a would like or a dream, but not a must have -- but it seems to be driving all the options. The island seems to play into your desire to have more than one traffic path, but may not be essential to it. I keep wondering if you might have an option to rework the basement stairs and open up the DR to the kitchen and give yourself more traffic options. I can't tell that from what you've posted, and for many people it would be cost prohibitive, but for you, it might not be that frightening and it might be easier than moving your kitchen across the way, tearing up a basement bedroom you are happy with, etc. Just thinking out loud hear, and in between several interruptions at that. I hope you get some of what I'm trying to get at. Either way, keep at it. This is the most important part of a reno -- thinking, planning, researching, analyzing and thinking some more. It costs the least and will gain you the most in the long run. Look forward to seeing what you come up with.
...See More
Options for internet music over home WiFi to multiple tube receivers
Q
Comments (15)
"Elmer, as far as I know, Sonos cannot stream high resolution files - it's limited to CD quality. " Yes, mostly right. CD is 44.1kHz. This page says Sonos will handle 48 kHz too, a minor difference better but still limited. Sonos file compatibilities But unless your using Sonos Connect and plugging it in to a capable component system with good speakers, the little Sonos speakers and systems most people use will have little chance of producing the dynamic ranges the higher quality files can produce. "but nowhere on HDtracks website was the analog source they used disclosed." I believe (75% certainty) that the tracks they sell come from the master copies. Older masters will be analog, newer ones will be in the majority digital. All distributed music, whether vinyl, digital, or whatever, needs to be "mastered", a process that takes the master copy and processes the signal to produce the sound in a format compatible with the media to be used and with adjusted audio settings that are mindful of the limitations and idiosyncrasies of the particular media itself. For any given album, if you have a question about the source, I'd contact them and ask. Many recording artists over the years, especially with CDs, are unhappy with how far from the "studio recordings" the distributed copies are. It's why many continue to release their work in vinyl form. Neil Young has been especially vocal and active in this area. He's been releasing high quality digital files and vinyl for a number of years now. " I am enjoying this discussion with you." Thanks! Me too! As a longtime music fanboy and relatively early adopter of digital music and wifi transport, I've learned a lot over the years and am happy to share what I know.
...See More
OklaMoni
Original Author
7 years ago
Elmer, I could just pull my post.... but you took time to answer... so, here it goes.

I reset the modem once more, as well as the laptop, and at the moment they are playing nice together... and all is working.

I will holler at you, when I need help again.

Thanks a bunch!

Moni
acraftylady
7 years ago
When my devices started to stop connecting to Wi-Fi like that and I had to reset a lot my very old modem was wearing out. Bought a new one and problem went away. If this one goes I will get the free one from spectrum this time. Mary
Elmer J Fudd
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Be careful with your words. The wifi signal (or ethernet, in the case of wired connections) is done by a router, not a modem. The modem connects to the external signal source only and passes that signal along to a router.

Some people use the hardware supplied by the ISP and those are typically an integrated modem plus router in one case, so perhaps that's what you're referring to. The routers in these units can be rather mediocre. Between that and the need many have for a higher performance router because of the nature of their use or size of house, a lot of people have separate modems and routers. I do and have had for as long as I can remember. I currently have a Surfboard modem and a Netgear Orbi router + satellite system using a mesh configuration.

A way to tell which is the problem components is to connect to another PC on the home network and transfer a lot of large files back and forth. If it continues for a good while without problems, the problem ISN'T the router but could be some part of the internet connection OR the modem.

So if the internet connection seems okay but the wifi connection drops, the problem is the router.
acraftylady
7 years ago
Oops sorry. I have always had my own device because Adelphia then time Warner charged a monthly fee for theirs or you could buy your own. Spectrum does not charge a monthly fee so at some point will switch over but this one is still working fine. Mary
Elmer J Fudd
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Free isn't always free. If the stock one works well for a user in their home, fine, but that's often not the case as many tend to be quite mediocre. Also, many houses are of a size or construction or configuration that a basic or inexpensive router can't do the job. Especially in a household of many users that includes a lot of higher bandwidth audio and video streaming.

There are now many product choices on the market that are much more capable in distributing a faster than ever signal over a greater area than ever were available before and most use some form of mesh technology. They're expensive but yet very popular for the very reasons mentioned.
OklaMoni
Original Author
7 years ago
I have AT&T U-Verse, there is a model number:

5268 AC FXN

So, do I have a router, or a Modem? We also have a white box at the wall, that everything seems to be wired through.

At any rate, it is rather new... got it in September. This is my first time with a problem.

Moni
Elmer J Fudd
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I searched the model designation you've given and it appears to be a combo unit, a modem and router together. If you're always able to connect the tablet fine with wifi but the PC disconnects from time to time, I'd suspect the problem is the PC.
OklaMoni
Original Author
7 years ago
Yeah, Elmer, I thought so too... but then when I did the reset on the unit... my computer was able to connect again. Before, it didn't see the unit. Charlotte has no problem with her laptop... and my ipad works..

sooo, sooner or later I will have to get a new laptop. I am holding out a bit longer. It's only 8 years old... LOL

Moni
Maggie200
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I suspect that if you buy a new PC or laptop they are going to have the newest windows on there. I have windows eight and do not want to go through another learning curve. Is there a windows9? I don’t think windows 10 is out.
acraftylady
7 years ago
I went from Windows 7 to Windows 10 about a year ago when I got new computers had no issues or learning curve. Absolutely love windows 10. Never had 8 so can't say how it compares. Mary
dadoes
7 years ago
Maggie200,

There was no Windows 9. Windows 10 has been out since July of 2015.
Maggie200
7 years ago
Oh, that's great. . Big leap. Thanks
shuffles_gw
7 years ago
When I got a new desktop with Win 10, my tech installed Classic Shell (i think). There was no learning curve as it looks and works like Win 7 did.
jemdandy
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Att Uverse uses a "Gateway" which is a modem and router combined into one unit. Check the settings in your laptop to insure that the radio is turned on.

You could have an unsupported browser. My memory is dim on this, but I recall that the older version of internet explorer (the one that came with Windows XP or Windows 7) is no longer supported and is not compatible with the newer systems used by internet service providers (ISP). It became obsolete after "Edge" was introduced. If you manage to get connected and for a long enough time period, the ISP may send a message that your browser is outdated.

I am running Windows 7 professional using ATT Uverse and the browser, Internet Explorer that came with Win7, no longer works. (My ISP gave me plenty advance warning that this version was being obsoleted and that must have been a couple of years ago.) I have installed FireFox by Mozilla and it works very well. Some folks use Chrome. I have tried the free version of Chrome and found that I preferred FireFox. Over the past month, FireFox began to hang for several minutes and the best way out was to exit it and restart it. I found there was something running in the background that was interfering and my system identified that it was a file in the Chrome folder. I uninstalled Chrome and the problem went away.

Another possibility: The radio link and/or interface in your PC has failed. Try installing FireFox. Since your connection is bad, you may need to have a friend download a copy for you.

I wish you luck. I presume you have all the current updates for your system.

Whoa, what happened? can't connect to my home wifi

Comments (16)

Elmer J Fudd

OklaMoni
Original Author

Related Discussions

OklaMoni
Original Author

acraftylady

Elmer J Fudd

acraftylady

Elmer J Fudd

OklaMoni
Original Author

Elmer J Fudd

OklaMoni
Original Author

Maggie200

acraftylady

dadoes

Maggie200

shuffles_gw

jemdandy

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Whoa, what happened? can't connect to my home wifi

Comments (16)

OklaMoniOriginal Author

Related Discussions

OklaMoniOriginal Author

OklaMoniOriginal Author

OklaMoniOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

OklaMoni
Original Author

OklaMoni
Original Author

OklaMoni
Original Author

OklaMoni
Original Author