# Computer is connected to the network but can't access the internet. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 14, 2008, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-is-connected-to-the-network-but-cant-access-the-internet/433454 "2008-01-14T06:05:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![maikai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@maikai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maikai)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-is-connected-to-the-network-but-cant-access-the-internet/433454/21 "2008-01-15T05:26:45Z")
[QUOTE=drachillix] Once a router is setup you can plug in pretty much anything. [/QUOTE] That’s interesting. I just looked at the Linksys website and it said that my model was compatible with Vista, no drivers required. The impression that I got from my father was that the Comcast guy said that _sometimes_ Vista just doesn’t work with a given router, not every time. Does that sound like bullshit to you? I mentioned in my OP that it’s connected to the network but can’t access the internet. Any thoughts about that? ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-is-connected-to-the-network-but-cant-access-the-internet/433454/22 "2008-01-15T05:39:19Z")
[QUOTE=pulehoopo] That’s interesting. I just looked at the Linksys website and it said that my model was compatible with Vista, no drivers required. The impression that I got from my father was that the Comcast guy said that _sometimes_ Vista just doesn’t work with a given router, not every time. Does that sound like bullshit to you? I mentioned in my OP that it’s connected to the network but can’t access the internet. Any thoughts about that? [/QUOTE] I see this type of stuff daily as an onsite tech. Establish connection to one machine, run the software from linksys, follow the prompts, and you will have a running router in 10-15 min. More often that not the problem is a bad saved password or incorrect PPPOE settings on the router. The software will do it for you correctly with no muss or fuss, bigger PITA to do it by hand but it can be done. With comcast pretty much all you have to do is clone the MAC address and you are done. ---
**Author:** ![maikai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@maikai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maikai)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-is-connected-to-the-network-but-cant-access-the-internet/433454/23 "2008-01-15T05:49:04Z")
[QUOTE=drachillix] I see this type of stuff daily as an onsite tech. Establish connection to one machine, run the software from linksys, follow the prompts, and you will have a running router in 10-15 min. [/QUOTE] I’m not sure that I understand. The router is working fine. This desktop computer that I’m on right now is connected to the router. It’s the new laptop that seems to be the problem. Should I run the Linksys software on the laptop? ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-is-connected-to-the-network-but-cant-access-the-internet/433454/24 "2008-01-15T07:40:11Z")
[QUOTE=pulehoopo] I’m not sure that I understand. The router is working fine. This desktop computer that I’m on right now is connected to the router. It’s the new laptop that seems to be the problem. Should I run the Linksys software on the laptop? [/QUOTE] Can it connect with no security enabled? try enabling security with a simple password that cannot be screwed up. For long keys try copying and pasting them to a text file and pasting them into key fields to eliminate typos. Still no love? ---
**Author:** ![maikai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@maikai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maikai)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-is-connected-to-the-network-but-cant-access-the-internet/433454/25 "2008-01-15T09:00:31Z")
I got it to work! Vista was asking for a passphrase or a key and I was typing the passphrase when I should have been entering the key. I found the key by going to [http://192.168.1.1](http://192.168.1.1). which is the router address and stumbling upon the key. [QUOTE=drachillix] You nailed it in one. There were some linksys routers that shipped with setup software that was not vista compatible, most of them had a sticker on the box with the URL to download the new software. The routers themselves worked just fine under vista. Otherwise there is nothing special about any given router and any given o/s. AT&T likes to say you cannot use their service with anything less than XP too which is total BS, its just that their little autoinstallers only work in XP. Once a router is setup you can plug in pretty much anything. [/QUOTE] And this post is lead to me start looking for a solution other than letting Comcast rip us off. Thank you **drachillix**. You saved us $150! ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2008, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-is-connected-to-the-network-but-cant-access-the-internet/433454/26 "2008-01-15T16:36:48Z")
[QUOTE=pulehoopo] I got it to work! Vista was asking for a passphrase or a key and I was typing the passphrase when I should have been entering the key. I found the key by going to [http://192.168.1.1](http://192.168.1.1). which is the router address and stumbling upon the key. And this post is lead to me start looking for a solution other than letting Comcast rip us off. Thank you **drachillix**. You saved us $150! [/QUOTE] You’re welcome..where do I email my bill 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-is-connected-to-the-network-but-cant-access-the-internet/433454.md?page=1)