Vista Intermittent Wireless Access Issues

My home network includes a Desktop XP (Home Edition – SP3), Vista Laptop (32-bit Home Basic – SP2) and a Windows 7 Laptop (64-bit Home Premium). I have cable service that’s wired into a LINKSYS router with Security Type – WPA Personal. The Desktop is connected through an Ethernet cable and the two laptops are connected wirelessly throughout the home. Everything works fine.

The problem is when I use my VISTA laptop OUTSIDE the home… at other wireless locations. Sometimes I connect successfully and other times I can not connect to the Internet, and receive the message “Local Access Only.” The Windows 7 Laptop connects to the internet wherever I try to use it… including places where I can not connect with the VISTA Laptop.

The system and drivers are up to date on the VISTA Laptop and I have also tried clearing the check box for TCP/IPv6 which was suggested in some tech forum. Are there any other suggestions, or is connecting to the Internet wirelessly with a VISTA Laptop simply a ‘crap shoot’ <grin>??

Thanks

 

Is your Vista machine part of a workgroup? I would tinker with the Network/Sharing Center settings. It appears as though when you are at home, your PC is normal (like,it belongs to the network) but, when you try to go outside your network, your computer is denied access. I would think that it's some kind of network or file sharing setting that just needs to be changed.

 

Yes, but I don't see how that has any bearing. I've had a network at home for several years and have always used the same workgroup name on any laptop I've owned. It's never been a problem when I use the laptop outside the home with another wireless source. Even now, my Windows 7 laptop gets connected anyplace that offers wireless service. The same was true with any XP laptop I had in the past. I'm not trying to share files or printers when I am using another wireless source. I'm just trying to access the Internet.

For example, if I use wireless source "B" to connect to the internet, what would changing my workgroup name accomplish and what name would I change it to?? I'm confused with your solution. I am able to connect to wireless source "B", but only have 'Local Access'. And again, it's hit or miss. I may be able to connect to the internet through wireless source "C", "D" and "E"... but not "B" and "F". B, C, D, E and F simply reference different wireless sources... friends homes or WiFi locations in public areas.

Thanks for your interest, but I just don't understand what setting to try and change the next time this situation occurs. I suppose I could try turning 'OFF' file sharing, but that's only stopping others from accessing files on my VISTA laptop..... and only IF they are on my network which they are not.

 

What kind of PC is it? Some PC's like Dell, have that built-in (Crapware) controlpoint software that makes netwroking a hassle sometimes.

 

It's an ACER ASPIRE 5315-2153 laptop which I have had for about 2 years. No problems except this intermittent connectivity issue I have had since day one. Fortunately, it doesn't leave my home very often and it stays connected on my home network. I now use the WIN 7 laptop most of the time when I am away from home without issue. Thanks

 

No solution here.

I had a Vista laptop that had that issue and more with wireless. There was no amount of troubleshooting that would help it. Not with the vendor, not with my own professional techs. Lucky for me, the laptop went belly up 2 months out of warranty and I hate it so much that I never tried to resuscitate it. I did seriously consider buying XP for it every single day that I used it.

It looks really pretty sitting in the bookcase right now, all carbon fiber and glossy, eh, dusty.

 

Have you ever tried disabling the DHCP broadcast flag. It is disabled by default in XP but not in Vista. It caused issues with some routers and non-Microsoft DHCP servers.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928233/en-us

 

I've installed Microsoft's fix, but won't know the results until I try connecting at one of the locatons giving me problems. Thanks