Win 7x32 wi-fi issue - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2020, 04:10:24 am
content: I have one of my old Toshiba laptops that came with Win XP. After many years of not using it, I pulled it out and realized that I had forgotten the HDD PW! Tried all sorts of things but no luck at all. Installed a new HDD and loaded Win 7x32 and all went well. All the drivers are installed including the network drivers. Windows update fixed whatever had issues with drivers.Now the hard part. I can go on line only if the LAN cable is connected. Even though the Wi fi gets connected with 5 bars, the moment I try to go on line without the LAN cable, it loses the internet connectivity. It stays connected to the Wi fi but has no internet access. It will launch a Google page but beyond that it is a No Go (If I try any other URL, immediately the ! mark comes on). Even if I install the original XP version, the results are the same. I tried Inputting 8.8.8.8 as a DNS entry and that has no effect either.Any ideas will be much appreciated.Thanks in advance.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2020, 07:04:53 pm
content: This is only a guess. Windows 7 can have only one ip address active. It may be getting confused over which interface to use. Try going into Device Manager and completely disable the wired connection hardware. I always thought the networking interface in Windows 7 was pretty poor. It's one of the few things that I ever had problems with.

author: Chris_Walch
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2020, 08:18:03 pm
content: Quote from: rdl onTodayat 21:04:53Windows 7 can handle multiple IP addresses and multiple interfaces just fine.There is absolutely no need to disable any devices.

author: Chris_Walch
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2020, 08:22:03 pm
content: Try renewing your IP and/or flushing your DNS cache:Code:ipconfig /renewipconfig /flushdnsTry some diagnostics and post the results:Code:ipconfig /allnslookup [url=http://www.google.com]www.google.com.tracert -d 8.8.8.8tracert [url=http://www.google.com]www.google.com.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2020, 08:22:41 pm
content: Thanks, but that did not work as you guessed. Also, I have 2 other laptops running win 7x64 and those have the Wired connection always on even though not physically connected.I thought it may be something to do with this being old and designed for XP. But if I remember correct, it used to connect to the WiFi and access internet without any issues at that time. I checked my router to make sure I have not put any limits to the number of devices allowed to connect etc. Still no luck.

author: Chris_Walch
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2020, 08:30:00 pm
content: Did you install a device driver for the Wifi adaptor?

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2020, 08:33:50 pm
content: Thanks for the suggestion.ipconfig /renew does renew.flushdns: DNS flushes.ipconfig /all: both connections have IP addresses.both tracert commands fail if the network cable is removed. In other words, all traffic seems to go through the LAN port only.Yes, the WiFi adapter driver is installed.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2020, 08:42:48 pm
content: Can Windows 7 actually use two different addresses at the same time? I always thought it could only have one active ip address at a time. When I ran into that problem I seem to recall that it was caused by some DHCP issue in the Windows 7 networking when I was trying to set an additional static ip for wireless. That was a while back and I've never needed two addresses since, so I never investigated any farther.

author: Chris_Walch
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2020, 08:47:10 pm
content: Sounds like a routing issue. Please runCode:netstat -r

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2020, 08:48:00 pm
content: Quotesurley then its getting onto the internet if its connecting to google

author: Chris_Walch
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2020, 08:52:39 pm
content: Quote from: rdl onTodayat 22:42:48Each interface can have one or more IP addresses.And there's always a loopback device with IP 127.0.0.1As long as gateway(s) and routing are set up correctly that's not an issue.

author: Chris_Walch
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2020, 09:26:40 pm
content: Quote from: andy3055 on July 31, 2020, 08:33:50 pmPlease disconnect the LAN cable and rerun all of the commands.Then post the complete output with all the error messages or a screenshot.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 01, 2020, 01:19:02 am
content: Quote from: rdl on July 31, 2020, 07:04:53 pmMulti-homed interfaces have been supported in Windows for a long time. This is not a problem.Check to see that DHCP is working properly (i.e.: The adapter is getting an IP address from the router). If not, I'd be looking at the age of the Wi-Fi adapter versus the age of the your wireless access point. There may be features/extensions which your wireless network is using that aren't supported by your adapter/drivers. For example, if you're using wider channel widths (say 40 MHz instead of 20 MHz on 2.4 GHz band), you may want to try reducing the channel width in your wireless access point/router settings. Things like 802.11r (Fast BSS Transition) might also upset some older cards (and is pointless being enabled on your network anyway if you only have the one access point).Also depending on the age of the laptop, check that your wireless adapter does actually support WPA2 properly (and not some early draft implementation). WPA2 became mainstream around 2004-2006.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2020, 09:14:54 pm
content: Thanks to all who responded. The solution was to do the following change:WiFi connection properties -> advanced -> Wireless mode (changed from802.11b/g to802.11b)

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2020, 10:14:38 pm
content: Quote from: andy3055 on August 02, 2020, 09:14:54 pmThat is not a solution for everyone else wanting to use the limited bandwidth you're abusing.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2020, 11:09:25 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on August 02, 2020, 10:14:38 pmI am not abusing anything. That is a dumb statement. This is my home network and I do what I want. The idea was to get this laptop to be able to access the internet. Thank you for the stupid statement.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 12:17:08 am
content: Quote from: andy3055 on August 02, 2020, 11:09:25 pmBut you don't own the airwaves, and 802.11b is long, long outdated and literally time wasting.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 01:23:38 am
content: You need to read all my posts before replying. But don't try to. So long buddy!

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 01:31:28 am
content: Quote from: andy3055 on August 03, 2020, 01:23:38 amI did read all of them. I stand by my opinion that switching back to using a 20 year old standard on open airwaves is poor practice and impolite at best to other users.I'm sorry I don't have a real solution for you, but these things usually require a lot of effort to resolve, if at all possible.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 09:16:00 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on August 03, 2020, 12:17:08 amSo? Who are you to say someone isn't allowed to use their old, legacy devices? It's as much their band as it is yours. I also run a legacy network for my old computers and devices.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 01:08:01 pm
content: Quote from: Halcyon on August 03, 2020, 09:16:00 amWell, you'll note I didn't say that. As it offers to do .11g, it would be far preferable to try and fix it properly.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 02:08:06 pm
content: Halcyon, andy3055, you are a bunch of infidels! Wasn't 2020 already enough for you? Covid, businesses collapsing, riots and now 802.11b freely roaming again on the airwaves?!?Sheesh, some people really want the planet to burn...

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 04:29:48 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on August 03, 2020, 02:08:06 pmNo one asked for your poor judgement of others. Before using words, look for the meaning first. Instead of offering a solution, you are here to ridicule others and name-calling. If you have nothing constructive to say, keep your trap shut. That will be more helpful to everyone. This is a good example of how people get in to unnecessary fights and arguments over a simple matter that should bring ideas and knowledge.I had to resolve a problem. Some came up with good suggestions. I found a solution which I posted. That should have ended there. Instead, people with mentalities like you, hijack the thread and make it in to a war of words. You should be banned from this forum.Thanks again for the great suggestions from all the knowledgeable members.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 04:32:11 pm
content: Quote from: Halcyon on August 03, 2020, 09:16:00 amThanks for understanding my position. Some people do not know where to contribute constructively and when to stop.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 04:53:16 pm
content: No offense was intended, I wasn't looking for an argument, and I know full well the meaning of the only word I used towards you, 'abuse' - that does not imply intentional wrongdoing. It is myopinionthat use of an outdated, inefficient standard in an excessivly crowded band is abusive, and it's not a judgement of you.Perhaps allow me to rephrase..While you've found a workaround by falling back to 802.11b, this is a non-ideal solution which is perhaps less than fair to others should you have close neighbours, and I would suggest investing more time in finding a better solution, which is likely to be beneficial to performance for you also.By the way, you're attacking someone mocking me in support of you. You might want to take your own advice and read the posts.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 06:05:18 pm
content: Quote from: andy3055 on August 03, 2020, 04:29:48 pmChill, dude... Sarcasm went right over your head.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 05, 2020, 08:04:59 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on August 03, 2020, 01:08:01 pmThere is no "fix" it seems. Clearly b/g mode didn't work. His laptop is too old to support the modern WiFi standards properly. I've run into this several times myself. Sometimes forcing into 802.11b (and even 802.11a) is the only fix.Quote from: Monkeh on August 03, 2020, 04:53:16 pmIt sounds like the OP has found a solution that works. Perhaps his close neighbours should live in the 21st century and use 5 GHz instead of the overly congested and poor performing 2.4 GHz band?You forget that not only is his 802.11b network interfering with his neighbours, so is anyone with a cordless phone, baby monitors, wireless cameras, Sonos speakers, doorbells and Bluetooth. Shall we growl at them too?

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2020, 06:08:36 pm
content: Thanks, Halcyon. I am sure there are so many people who still use old equipment that may not be acceptable to so may others. Like you say, who is going to stop everyone who uses old stuff? In fact, there are so many businesses using XP still due to various reasons. Some can't upgrade for reasons like incompatibility of some custom software which is a great concern. This is true in every thing we see around, not only laptops.In my case, I wanted it to be a fully functional unit just for the heck of it. Not that I am going to use it as a daily use item. That will be a frustrating affair! May be I can donate it to a poor family who can't afford any computer at all. It is also a learning experience. If we look at all the comments, nobody suggested this option. I am not blaming anyone but I appreciate all the valuable ideas as it triggered some great thinking/troubleshooting. I always felt there had to be a simple fix as this was a working laptop in its day. One of your earlier posts confirmed that as well. I just did not want to be beaten by a 12 year old laptop!Not everyone in this forum is an expert in everything. It is great to have people contributing to resolve an issue or to educate someone, rather than what we saw in this thread. There is a saying about not saying anything if one cannot say something good. Participating in public forums is not for everyone. It calls for self discipline and a lot of restraint.Thanks again for your input. It is much appreciated.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 07, 2020, 09:43:54 am
content: At the end of the day, the ISM bands are there for all to use. You have absolutely no guarantees of any kind of levels of service. It may work well for some and not at all for others. That's the way the cookie crumbles, particularly with consumer-grade gear.Provided you are using the bands legally (as the OP is), then no one has the right to complain. I have a nutbar living near me that insists on using 40 MHz worth of the 2.4 GHz band for this WiFi network... do I complain? No, I just drown his network out with enterprise gear :-PIf you want a high performing network and still insist on using ISM bands, then upgrade your gear to better, enterprise-grade radios where you have far better control and learn how to design a decent wireless network.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2020, 04:21:26 pm
content: Agreed. Thanks again.