Wireless mystery

Hi,

I have a computer that is being updated but barely used. It connects wirelessly with a ralink card. I went to use it the other day and it won't connect. My daughter says it has been this way for months. I did all the standard stuff- reset the router, disabled/enabled the connection, repaired the connection etc. Nothing. The icon for the wireless shows that it is connected wit hfull signal strength. The utility for the card looks normal and everything is fine. (WZC is not running). I can ping google with no problem. Scans with Eset NOD32 are clean, and MAMB is clean (though it won't update because it won't connect.) Everything shows that I am connected and it's working fine, except it isn't. I am using the NOD32 security firewall with the XP firewall turned off. No one has changed any settings or installed any new hardware or software, and it's worked fine configured the way it is for over a year. Until now. Can anyone help?

 

NEVERMIND!! Figured it out. For anyone else with this problem:
On the browser (explorer) under Tools> Internet Options> LAN had a checkmark for proxy server. Unchecked it and problem went away. I have NO IDEA why that was suddenly checked when no one has been around to use the machine --ghosts? Gnomes? I certainly didn't change it. Whatever--it works now. I'm going to give you guys a big thanks anyway, because I know someone would have helped as they always have before. You guys are terrific! Thanks for being there.

 

Greetings, Vallander.

Good job! Checking the proxy server settings is always good procedure - looks like you were on top of it. Thanks for the feedback! :major

 

One footnote: Once I was able to update MAMB, it picked up a virus called "pum.bad.proxy," which sounds like the culprit. Thanks!