Compaq nx9010 problem

The specs show the Compaq nx9010 has 10/100 Ethernet/Wi-Fi. It shows the little pc online...but, when I double click IE it says no internet found. So if it says I am online, why can't I get online unless I hardwire it to my router? I am not to good with laptops...! Help please! Thanks in advance!

 

In the system tray down by the clock, you should have 2 little PC symbols: one will have 'radar waves' coming off of it. This one represents the wifi connection. Right click it and select "View wireless networks". A window should open that displays all the wireless networks in the area. This may include roommates with wireless routers, neighbors, near-by businesses, etc. From this list, find your network (by default, this is usually the make and/or model of the router) and click it to highlight it, then click "Connect" in lower right corner of this network window. Give it a minute or so to connect and to acquire an IP address. Once it says "Connected", close the window and launch Internet Explorer. If you've already done all this and you can't connect, locate the Reset button on the back of your router. Hold it in for 20-30 seconds then power-cycle your modem (yes, the modem and not the router) by removing the power cord for 10 seconds or so, then plug it back it in. Restart the PC and repeat the steps I listed above for connecting to the network. If this still doesn't get you connected, follow these steps: Click Start > Control Panel > Network Connections. Right click on the wireless connection and select "Properties". Click the "Wireless Networks" tab. Make sure the box next to "Use Windows to configure my network" is checked (see 1st screen shot below). If this option isn't here, then chances are you have a 3rd party program controlling your wifi connection. If this box is already checked, make sure that the wireless adapter is set to automatically get an IP. Click the "General" tab, highlight "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)", and click "Properties" (see 2nd screen shot). Make sure the 2 circles are both set to 'automatic'; click the "Alternate Configuration" tab and make sure the circle there is also set to automatic. If you've determined that a 3rd party utility is controlling you wifi connection, you'll need to launch it and configure it correctly for your network. Generally speaking, the default settings in these 3rd party connection managers work fine and it's just a matter of getting it to recognize your router and to connect to it. If, after trying all this stuff, you still cannot connect with the wifi, post again and we'll go on to some more in-depth stuff....

(I assumed you were using Windows XP - if not, all this was a waste of time rolleyes)

 

Thanks for the information, I will work on it in a little bit. Yes, I have Windows XP Pro, so don't worry it should work and I will let you know after I complete what you have told me to do! I really appreciate your help! Thanks!

 

Okay followed your instructions. Now, it tries to acquire network address, but cannot. I updated the drivers and it still won't connect, continues to try through and after awhile it just stated limited or no connectivity!

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

Now it is time to check the router settings. If you have MAC filtering enabled, it will not allow the notebook to receive an address until you put in the MAC address of the wireless card.

 

How do I check for MAC settings on my router? I have a Net gear router? I am not savy on this issue! I have two other laptops that are pretty new that use the router and have never had this problem, is because this is an older laptop?

 

I did it....I went in and checked on network area stuff and the KEY was blocked with the dots, so I deleted them and put in the long KEY.. then I went to the internet connection and the Internet Gateway was not connected (I tried getting on prior to seeing this) and I connected it and I got on. Boy is this a slow PC...need to upgrade the RAM to 1gb instead of 512MB. I am rebooting to see if if it will automatically go on the internet without having to tell it to? It did it, but boy is is slow getting on. I know I can hard wire it to the router and it gets on faster.

Is there anything I can do to make it faster accessing to the internet other than adding RAM to 1GB? Really is slow with the wireless! Page coming up and exiting slowly goes away (kind of a slow scrolling look to it and I have fast/smooth scrolling checked)!

Thanks for anyone's assistance!

 

Go to the HP/Compaq site and put in a) laptop, b ) the name of the model c) the model number then click on drivers. You want to see if there are any newer drivers for wireless. Maybe a newer driver will speed things up a bit.
Of course more RAM will help. All my computers that can accept it, have 1GB of RAM.