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Question

XP- low connectivity -ie, firefox won't load

Jan 2, 2012 4:38AM PST

First off I know just enough to be dangerous to my computer, I want to fix it but need help. It started with Foxfire not loading and then I noticed a yellow inverted Yield sign with an exclamation point on the computer icon that shows I'm connected to wi-fi saying low or no connectivity. Someone suggested it may be Foxfire and I should try Explorer but that changed nothing.

My system info for my desktop with Linksys wi-fi adapter is listed below. It should be noted that we have a router using AT&T U-verse and there are five computers on it. We have a Vista desktop, an XP desktop, a Windows 7 laptop, an XP laptop and my XP desktop. This began happening I believe after Christmas (25th-31st). I know I had an update from Windows that week, and this is also happening with the XP Laptop, so it's happening with two computers which is odd. The first desktop I mentioned above with XP is rarely used but seems to be working okay.

Here is what I have on my desktop:

Microsoft XP Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 3 Computer Intel (R) Pentium (R) 4CPU 1500 MHZ 1.50 GHz 512 MB of RAM

Linksys 25 GHz Compact Wireless - G Model No: WUSB54GC

What I have tried is this:
I uninstalled the Linksys and re- installed it.

I did a system restore back to the beginning of December, no change.

I had a friend look at it and it appeared he got it working but he disabled my Linksys and set up a Network Connection 3 with Windows.
That wasn't there before I just know he was entering this info on the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties page which is:

IP address 192.168. 1 . 81
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255. 0
Default Gateway 192.168. 1 .254

And the DNS Server addresses:
Preferred DNS address: 192.167. 1 .251 Alternate DNS address: . . .

Before he changed it the IP and DNS server was set to be found automatically with the Linksys.

After his fix I do not have the yellow inverted Yield sign with an exclamation point. The Linksys icon was there but grey as it was disabled and the computer icon showing wi-fi says strength is Excellent and I'm connected but IE doesn't load just says IE cannot display the webpage and when I click diagnose connection problem it tells me no problems detected and try the following refresh page, check spelling (address) and access from a link (try using link to access page I want).

I can click the computer wi-fi icon and click repair and it may or may not work to get me connected.

Since I started writing this (it's been over a few hours time) my Linksys icon has disappeared.

My Avast antivirus icon says my system is secure and it has updated.

How can it do that if I can't get IE or Firefox open?

Ideas? Have you fixed this on yours system? Brilliant minds out there I need your help please.

Thanks a bunch.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
That's a strange DNS entry.
Jan 2, 2012 4:41AM PST

I could not find a DNS at that address. A lot of things should fail.

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DNS with IP address
Jan 2, 2012 5:00AM PST

The only DNS (not sure what it is) is in the address with the IP address the 192.167. 1 .251. Is there somepalse else I should look to give that info to you?

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No.
Jan 2, 2012 5:03AM PST

You gave me the address but my thought is that's not a working DNS I can reach. We could around and around on this so I'm going to write and this is not to offend you but it looks like you don't have a background in networking.

Try the google DNS at 8.8.8.8 next
Bob

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need clarification
Jan 2, 2012 5:11AM PST

You are correct. I'm the one who wants to press the on key and it goes, so are you saying I need to leave all as is but where DNS is listed by the IP address put 8.8.8 and leave the last spot blank?

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Sorry
Jan 2, 2012 7:15AM PST

But I noted the Google DNS and here it looks like 4 number 8's. Can you tell why you would use three 8's?

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clarify
Jan 3, 2012 4:26AM PST

You have completely lost me. You said Try the google DNS at 8.8.8.8 next. I thought you meant the DNS listed in the same tab as the IP Address is. Please clairify am I looking for something with 8.8.8.8 or am I going to plug in 8.8.8.8. somewhere? I tried another System Restore but now have the connectivity issue again. I never realized how attached I am to that computer.
thanks

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Since I never wrote about those other things.
Jan 3, 2012 4:30AM PST

And only have written about the DNS, if you go change other things you must have a reason. You don't have to share why.

To save words and keep it simple put the 8.8.8.8 into the DNS so you have a valid DNS entry.
Bob

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low conectivity
Jan 3, 2012 4:44AM PST

I right clicked the computer w/wifi signal and put in 8.8.8.8 on DNS and it tried to start but then got :
Cannot finish repairing problem because following action cannot be completed; renewing your IP address, but it looked like it had one,

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Since I can't see your exact actions.
Jan 3, 2012 4:48AM PST

Let's step back to "Before he changed it the IP and DNS server was set to be found automatically with the Linksys."

It appears you are not able to change it back. Try this.

http://www.petri.co.il/whats_network_setup_wizard_in_windows_xp.htm

If the network wizard is too hard to use, I suggest you call in the help you use and let them fix it.
Bob

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typo
Jan 3, 2012 4:29AM PST

the 8.8.8 was a typo but question i still need answered