Cant connect to the internet with any type of connection HELP!!!!!! Windows Vista

Reset Winsock (Vista)

To reset Winsock in Vista:

1.Click the Windows Start button.

2. Type Cmd in the Start Search text box and press Ctrl-Shift-Enter (keyboard shortcut to run Command Prompt as Administrator). Click Continue to allow elevation request.

3. Type netsh winsock reset in the Command Prompt shell, and then press the Enter key.

4. Type netsh int ipv4 reset in the Command Prompt shell, and then press the Enter key.

5. If you use ipv6, type netsh int ipv6 reset in the Command Prompt shell, and then press the Enter key.

Note: you may need to run Network Diagnostics afterwards to "repair" your connection after this.

Hi

connecting by ethernet cable is usually the easiest if you are near the router/modem/switch/wireless accesspoint

Do other devices manage to connect to the internet via the same equipment ?

Is there no internet connection or just a problem with Internet Explorer or other browser ?

go to cmd prompt as recomended and type ipconfig /all
and record the settings & post them here

ipconfig /all > %temp%\ip.txt


puts data into %temp%\ip.txt

regards

Mike Barnes

Hi

one setting which is blank is Gateway:

mine is Gateway: 192.168.1.1 which is internal network router address
this is for ethernet cable to router

I presume the device you are tethering to can get on the internet.

Try again by ethernet cable to router using a known good ethernet cable
(cable could be faulty or cross over cable designed to connect 2 PC's not PC to switch or router.
(some modern switches can deal with cross over cables but not faulty cables)

check for virus / malware causing corruption and the contents of hosts file

%SystemRoot%\system32\drivers\etc\hosts

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_%28file%29

example Windows 7 SP1 effectively no entries in it
------------
# Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

# localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
# 127.0.0.1 localhost
# ::1 localhost
----------

regards

Mike Barnes

Hi

%SystemRoot%
is normally c:\windows

Good AV software will scan every where on hard drive

hosts usually has no information other than comments starting with # unless PC has been hacked

lines starting with # are not active

I typed hosts to show a standard version for Windows 7

until gateway (ip address) is detected and configured you will have problems

I dont know what is causing problem

Microsoft provide a set of fixit utilities

or try
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/fix-network-adapter-problems#1TC=windows-7

(vista will be similar)

regards

Mike Barnes

Hi videogamer99!
Upfront info: i am NOT a computer specialist and new to this forum. But I had several times the same problem like you.
I have a Toshiba Laptop with Windows Vista premium SP2 and I tether with my android mobile onto the internet.
The mistake might be on the manufacturers side and not so much on the windows OS side.....

In my case I solved the problem with the "connectivity utility" which is provided by the manufacurer of my Laptop (Toshiba).
It might help if you find your manufacturers (Dell, HP, Acer....)"user guide" (help guide) which is usually stored on your hard drive as a pdf file. Search in this pdf file the key word "connectivity" and see wether your manufacturer provides a connectivity repair utility. The other way to find out wether you have a manufacturer repair utility is by clicking on the little symbol in the lower task bar in the right hand corner which looks like a tiny computer-screen with the earthgolbe behind it. Try both right klick and left klick and see what's on offer. There should be at least a usefull help link for you.

Unrelated to your manufacturers "repair utility" there is the Windows Network and Sharing Center which also offers "Diagnose and Repair".
(I have never used it though!) You can acces it by both right and left clicking on the tiny double-computer-screen symbol with the earthglobe in front of it. It is situatd in the lower task bar right hand side. Or type "network" in the "start" search box.
Somtimes the simple solutions are the best ones....fingers crossed for you!!!

Hi videogamer99! Sorry to hear that your misery has not ended yet.

1. Your could try to google in order to find your HP user manual.
Key words: "Model name + user manual pdf" or "Model name + user guide pdf".

2. Have you tried the program "system restore" yet? If not do this:

Remove all CDs, floppy discs and external hard drives.
(You must be logged in as Administrator.)
Klick “start button” (bottom left corner with windows logo on it)
Type in search box “system”
Find in the drop down menue the “system restore program” and open it.
Klick “next”
Choose a restore point with a date when your internet connection was still working.
If you cant find one, click little “check box” below and choose.
Do not interrupt during restoring action!

Your personal files and folders will not be affected/changed by this

3. If “system restore” hasn’t worked or is not available on your version of Vista try this for restoring your system to an earlier point in time:


Remove all CDs, floppy discs and external hard drives.
(You must be logged in as Administrator.)
*Repeatedly* press the F8 key when your computer restarts
You need to press F8 *before* the Windows logo appears.
If the Windows logo appears, you will need to try again.
(If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to start, and then press F8.)
On the advanced boot option screen: choose (using the arrow key) “LAST KNOWN GOOD CONFIGURATION” and then press ENTER.
The restore action might take a while. Do NOT interrupt during restore action.

Please note: Once system restore is done to a point back in time, you can not restore it back to today’s status. If you go back only a few days in time it wont really matter, you may only loose a few updates which you can download afterwards again.

In case your computer has a hard ware failure (and you don’t know that yet) it would be good if you make a system back up and a backup of your personal files on an external hard drive plus: copy the most important personal folders 1:1 on an external hard drive so you can use/access them on another computer.

You can scan and repair for little hardware failures of your hard drive as well with “scan disc”. But this later…
Good luck!

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·
Hi Videogamer99

Since I don’t quite understand which options you have tried, here again just to be on the safe side:

1.
If you could not find a repair program for your internet connection in the manufacturers user guide perhaps you can find one like this
Click “start” (left lower corner with windows logo on it), click “all Programs”,
Click on folder which has your computer manufacturers name on in (HP, Toshiba, Acer…) See wether you find a program there that relates to “network” “configuration” or look in the “Utiliies” folder wether you find a diagnostics or repair program


2.
Windows system restore program
You said you don’t find any restore points that are old enough. Right? Did you cklick (mark/tick) the tiny box underneath ?? If you mark/tick the little box you get a whole lot more and older restore points.

3.
F8 Option – “Last known good configuration”
Did this work for you?

4.
Have you checked in the “device manager” wether there are any (abnormal ) symbols next to the listed devices?
If you haven’t, click “start button”, type in search box “device manager”.
Open “device manager”. In the task bar above click “view”. Choose from the “drop down menue” the “show hidden devices”
Then look for any strange symols next of the devices.

And last but not least…..

5.
Bluetooth option
Do you have Bluetooth on your Android Mobile and on your computer?
You could try “Bluetooth tethering” and go online with that.
It works like usb tethering. Just no cable needed!
You need to got to the “blue tooth user utility guide” which you find in the blue tooth program of your computer.
And also read the user manual of your Android.

You need to “pair” both the phone and the computer first.
To “pair” means both, the phone and the computer must recognize eachother first before you can start tethering.
Your "internet network acces" must NOT be set to “public”.

I havent done it for a long time, cant exactly remember how I did it.

Note: bluetooth connection to the internet is not the “safest” option going online.

Hello again!
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No, sorry, I have no experience with screen recording and cant help you with that.
I also dont understand why you want to use screen recording.
Do you want to use it because you dont understand my instructions?
Which of my options did you try?

Answer christie222: Hi again Videogamer99

Please try wether you are able to go online by trying "option 7" below (safe mode with networking) first before you try anything else. Please write me a short note and let me know wether you can go in this mode onlilne.
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Oh no i do understand your instructions i was just saying should i screen record so you can see anything that i am missing that might help fix it.
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Answer christie222: No, you don’t need to screen anything for me. As I said before I am not a computer pofessional person and therefore I can not help with interpreting log-files and stuff like that. I am only a Computer USER and try to help you with my experience of being a Windows Vista user for the past 6 years.
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But.

Hi christie222

These are my answers to everything you suggested.

Option 1.
I didnt find any network or utility program or anything like that. Is there any that i could download if so what are they.
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Answer christie222: Windows Vista operating system only supplies a “Diagnose and Repair-Option” in the “Network Sharing Center”. But this is not an option for you because you need to be able to go online with your computer in order to receive help. So forget this for now.

I don’t know of any other download options for a repair utility program. (The repair utility program should be supplied by your Computer manufactuerer “HP” but you said you coudnt find anything there. Maybe the HP homepage offers something like this.
If everything failes, you could open another thread here in the forum and ask the question. If you do so, give EXACT details about your operating system, Bit Version, Computer Manufacturer.
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Option 2.
The windows restore wont go back far enough it has todays back up and the earliest back up is 8/23/14. and this computer messed up way before that. Is there a way to see even more. This happened to this computer in 2011. The system restore way tried but nothing at the time then the computer sat for a while then i just now want it fixed because if this computer goes out then i will have another.
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Answer christie222: Ok, I understand now. I didn’t know that the problem was THAT OLD !
I am pretty sure that there are NO older restore points available for you. Certainly not back to 2011!!!
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Option 3.
I have tried last known good config. and nothing.
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Answer christie222: Ok, I understand now! Your computer problem lies too far back in the past.
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Option 4.
This is my network adapter can you help and see if there are any updates because i can find any bu here it is: NVIDIA nForce network controller, Version: 65.7.4.0. The device says it is working properly. Also it is a built in Ethernet port not a PCI card.
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Answer christie222: The usual solution to update drivers is through the “device manager”. But you need to be able to go online for that with your (defect) computer. So right now this is not a solution for you.
You said, you didn’t find any problems reported in the “device manager”. So the question is, wether it is really the NVDIA nForce network controller or its driver which is defect.
If you could get online you could update your drivers within the offered options of the"device manager"
But:
I have found another thread in this forum with the same question in regards to NVIDIA nForce network controller issue BUT the answer is for Windows XP.
I would like you to read this short thread, it will show you
1. WHAT kind of DETAILED INFORMATION you will need about your “NVDIA nForce network controller” type in order to find the right/correct!! download from the NVDIA-Webpage.
2. It also contains a link to the NVDIA home page where you can look for siutable drivers which you can possibly download using another computer and burn the drivers to a cd.

Here is the link to the thread: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/33532-42-nvidia-nforce-network-controller-working

Here is the link to the thread NVIDIA nForce network home page but for Win XP: http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce3_winxp_5.11.html
And:
Your manufacturer’s (HP) homepage should be able to offer you downloads for drivers as well. But I am not sure wether this downloads must be done from the (defect) computer or wether they can be done from another computer and burnt onto a cd.
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Option 5.
I will look more into the Bluetooth thing but i will do that later on.
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answer christie222 OK!
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Option 6
Are there any downloadable utility diagnostics that i can get for free.
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answer christie222 Sorry, I don’t know this. But you could post this question in a new thread in this forum. Give detailed information about your
“Computer Manufacurer”, 32 Bit Version or 64 Bit Version and “Operating System incl *Service *Pack *Type” (example: Windows Vista PREMIUM *SPK 1 and *SPK2 or another example: Computer Manufacturer and 32 Bit Version or 64 Bit Version and Windows XP plus uprgrade to Windows Vista BUSINESS and and *SPK1) and “detailed information about your “NVDIA nForce network Type”.
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Thank you for helping me I know you are probably tired of helping me but I am sorry I just want my PC to work on the internet again.
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Answer christie222 No, I am not tired of helping you, I find it quite good that you try to independently fix your computer. In my opinion that’s the only way to learn and to improve and to get to know your computer better.

Option 7 (new)
Have you tried to go online by starting your computer in “safe mode with networking”

If not, try the following:
“Safe Mode With Networking”
Remove all CDs, Floppy Disks and external harddrives and so on… from your computer.
Restart your computer and repeatedly (fast) press the F8 key the moment your computer restarts. You need to press the F8 key before the Windows Logo appears. If the Windows Logo appears you will have to try again.
On the “Advanced Boot Option” screen use the arrow key to highlight the “safe mode with networking” option.

In “safe mode with networking” following drivers in regards to “networking” are loaded:

Network-related devices and services that start in Safe Mode with Networking
· Network Adapters (wired Ethernet and wireless 802.11x)
· Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
· DNS
· Network Connections
· TCP/IP-NetBIOS Helper
· Windows Firewall

Try to go online in this mode.

If you can go online in safe mode, PLEASE LET ME KNOW straight away!

Note:
Be aware that your Antivirus and Firewall definitions are out of date now and that you are very likely to catch malware if you can not update your Antivirussoftware BEFOR surfing the internet.


Option 8 (new)
And finally another question to you:

Do you have an installation CD for your Windows Vista operating system.
Since I know now, that your problem has started so far back, I think the reinstallation of your operating system is the easiest and safest solution.

Fingers crossed! Christie222

Hi Videogamer99!
I would not recommend changing the driver to another driver version. But if you cant resist, make sure you FIRST create a "restore point" in the "backup and restore center" so you can restore your system back to your current driver verson. =( restore your system to an earlier point in time)
And:
If I was you I FIRST would try to go online in "safe mode with networking" because if you can go online, you can access the right driver update with the help of the "device manager". With the help of the "device manager" you dont take the risk of installing an unsuitable driver.

Question: Do you have the original "Windows Vista Operating System Installation CD".
You can find the drivers on this CD as well without having to go onlin

Re: Installation CD
1.
Try to remember wether you installed the Operating System (Vista) with a CD. Look for the CD.
2.
You can also look wether your Vista operating system is stored on a "hidden partition on your harddrive" or wether your Vista operating system was delivered with a "operating system DC"in your "manufacturer (HP) user manual PDF". Search the document with the key word "installation" and "reinstallation" and "recovery".
3.
Maybe this link will help you to where your operating system is stored and it might help you to find drivers for your problem device.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=au&dlc=en&docname=c00834921&lc=en&jumpid=reg_r1002_auen_c-001_title_r0001

4. Try to "go online" in "safe mode with networking"
“Safe Mode With Networking”
Remove all CDs, Floppy Disks and external harddrives and so on… from your computer.
Restart your computer and repeatedly (fast) press the F8 key the moment your computer restarts. You need to press the F8 key before the Windows Logo appears. If the Windows Logo appears you will have to try again.
On the “Advanced Boot Option” screen use the arrow key to highlight the “safe mode with networking” option.

In “safe mode with networking” following drivers in regards to “networking” are loaded:

Network-related devices and services that start in Safe Mode with Networking
· Network Adapters (wired Ethernet and wireless 802.11x)
· Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
· DNS
· Network Connections
· TCP/IP-NetBIOS Helper
· Windows Firewall

Try to go online in this mode.

If you can go online in safe mode, PLEASE LET ME KNOW straight away!

Hello Videogamer99

I have just found the link how to find and use your "Hewlet Packard recovery utility program".
(You said before you couldnt find it but here it is!
There you can find the "network scan gear" (utility)
Read this link please:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00834921&lc=en&cc=au&dlc=en

The other links are not so good but might also help.
This link might help you to fix "unidentified network error
http://winthecustomer.com/how-to-fix-windows-vista-unidentified-network-error/
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This link will help you with "unidentified network ..."
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/network-connection-problem-help#network-problems=windows-vista&v1h=win81tab1&v2h=win7tab1&v3h=winvistatab1&v4h=winxptab1
But you must be able to go onine in order to get connected to the right page that is suitable for your computer/operating system. Try to go online in safe mode