Wireless & Vista
 

Here's hoping someone can help me.....

For my sins, got a Vista Laptop a couple of weeks ago. Has only ever been connected to the internet wirelessly through my router and has been consistently fine up until yesterday.....

The laptop automatically goes into sleep mode after about 5 mins, and after it doing this yesterday, I logged back on to find that I couldn't connect to the internet. It's telling me that I have 'local access' only.

I thought it may have been an issue with my VM broadband so checked on my Apple iBook and it's all working perfectly so I don't think it is an issue from VM end.

I've tried restarting the laptop and modem and router, assigning a static IP address, but I'm still getting 'Local Access' only.

Has anyone experienced this?

Re: Wireless & Vista
 

When you set a static IP, did you set the correct Gateway?

Re: Wireless & Vista
 

Honestly? I don't know :(

I disabled IPv6 and assigned a static IP address. I used 192.168.1.200 for the IP. 255.255.255.0 for subnet mask. and 192.168.1.1 for default gateway and 192.168.1.1 for DNS Server.

Re: Wireless & Vista
 

Hmm well this can change entirely from router to router, what router are you using? Also note that I've known Firewalls to block DHCP requests before.

Re: Wireless & Vista
 

The wireless router is a Buffalo WYR G54

http://www.wifigear.co.uk/buffalo-ai...ter-p-186.html

Re: Wireless & Vista
 

Have you tried right clicking the network icon on the task bar and selecting "Diagnose & Repair?

Re: Wireless & Vista
 

The wyr-g54 IP is 192.168.11.1 if you haven't changed it from the default...

Re: Wireless & Vista
 

does this only happen when you let it go into standby/sleep?

Re: Wireless & Vista
 

It is possible that the onboard wireless is turning itself off to save power. On a lappy there's usually an Fn key combo to enable it, first try that. Next step is to stop it turning itself off. If your PC has its own power management software (Acer is one that does for sure), make sure that's set to leave wifi alone on both battery and mains. Also, check the Power Options - Advanced Power Settings in Control Panel to make it leave the wifi on regardless of how the PC is being powered.

Re: Wireless & Vista
 

Sounds feasible that the laptop powered down the wireless card to save power, check also if there is a button or switch on the front of the machine, or next to the power button below the screen to switch the wireless back on.

Which laptop is it, and which version of vista?

Re: Wireless & Vista
 

I have had this problem about 4 or 5 times with different PC's and Laptops running vista and usually its to do with the WEP Key which needs to be re entered.. Its either got corrupted or the setting were wrong, or its set to open instead of shared key.. you need to go into managed wireless network connections and click on to network you are having problems with and right click and go on to properties, and change it from there (I think as PC i am working on at the mo is XP).

Re: Wireless & Vista
 

Hi all, thanks for the replies.

Ok, firstly, I checked my wireless status, and all is fine - there is a switch on the front, which lights up when it is it, but additionally the laptop is picking up the wireless connection, but only 'Local Access'.

Tried re-entering the WEP key over and over again, this doesn't resolve it either. Apparently this is happening to a lot of people, so i consulted the Microsoft website and they advised me to change the power management, to ensure wireless is 'always on'. Again, no joy.

Tried the diagnose and repair option, Windows is saying it can't find the issue.

I am running Windows Vista Home basic. My laptop is this one.

Am really at a loss. Have Googled endlessly and loads of people have this problem, but there doesn't seem to be a resolve.

It happened when it went into sleep mode, but as I haven't been able to get back on since, don't know if this is what caused the issue - it had never happened previously when going into to sleep mode.

Am totally stumped :confused:

Re: Wireless & Vista
 

Reset your router?

Re: Wireless & Vista
 

Yep, it was one of the first things I did although have done it a couple of times since.

Re: Wireless & Vista
 

There is apparently a bug with Vista that effects DHCP, I have heard about it on Desktops and Laptops using Wireless hotspots. There is apparently a bug fix that is available on the Microsoft webpage

Calum