Internet works at home but not in other locations

[Starrelight33]

This is a general question to get me started on what might be the problem or where I need to start to fix it.  I connect fine at home. No problems. However, when I take my laptop and try to use it at a friends house, I'm unable to go online. I've checked the connectivity settings to read the local router, which says it's a strong connection but when I try to connect it states that there's a problem connecting, whereby I go through the troubleshooting advice to no avail. Internet Connection Setup and HP Total Access Care Advisor.

I'm hoping someone can at least point me in the right direction to fix this problem. I'm not strongly pc saavy so please keep it simple.  Thanks!

[Daniel_Potyrala]

Hi,

Maybe on his router is enabled Mac filter and that's the reason of your situation.

[Starrelight33]

Thanks for your response. I haven't tried using my laptop in other locations.  That should help me at least confirm it its their router or it's my machine.

[Gary_R]

It probably means that your friend (or whoever set it up) implemented security on his WLAN as he should. If not secure, anyone nearby can use a WLAN. As mentioned, MAC filtering is one tool that can be used. Another is security encryption (WEP or WPA-PSK). Encrypted networks will show up tagged as "security enabled". These require you to enter a key code to gain access (usually a long, complex character string passed to you by the admin on a USB drive).

If you want to gain experience using your wireless laptop on public WLANs, check out whether your local library or downtown areas have free internet access (many do). Some businesses like coffee shops and restaurants provide WLAN access for customers (some free, some fee). Be sure to have working A/V and firewall protection before accessing any public network.

EDIT: Which reminds me - it's possible your firewall program (if you're using one) is blocking access to unknown networks. When I used Zone Alarm's Checkpoint firewall on a company laptop, I had to explicitly allow access to new networks before I could gain access. Windows Firewall is less restrictive but will block some functions if the network is tagged "public" (which you can configure).

Message Edited by Gary_R on 04-08-2009 11:37 AM

[Starrelight33]

Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely look into it further. Its a another place to start. My friends router was unsecured so security isn't an issue with regards to that but I'll check out the firewalls and see where that takes me.

Thanks Again!