Laptop 802.11b/g issues with Verizon Wireless MiFi 2200 [ Edited ]

[DEasom2621]

EQUIPMENT INFORMATION

LAPTOP:

Compaq PresarioNotebook V5304US Date Code 7J06C4

With a HP Broadcom 54g MaxPerformance 802.11b/g WLAN card

MS Windows XP Home Edition ver 2002 Service Pack 3

Mobile AMD Sempron 3300+ Processor 1.99 GHz, 896 MB of Ram

AND

DESKTOP:

Acer Aspire T160 Series Model V5304US

With a Netgear Wireless-G USB 2.0 Adapter (WG111)

MS Windows XP Home Edition ver 2002 Service Pack 3

AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3500+  2.21 GHz, 960 MB of Ram

AND

INTERNET CONNECTION:

Verizon MiFi 2200

Problem…

Both computers have VZAccess Manager installed thru the USB ports and both

can connect to the internet via USB port.

Next I wanted to setup the WiFi connection for both computers again the

desktop did fine and works great! But the laptop wouldn’t or couldn’t

connect? It was as if I brought the browser up while off line.

My question is…how can the laptops 802.11b/g card, recognize, sees the

signal, connect and show excellent strength but not bring the internet page

up? Wouldn’t it be safe to assume if it wasn’t working property it wouldn’t work at all?

I called Best Buy and talked to the geek folks which was total useless.

They seem to think its either a virus or a program keeping it from connecting,

but I can connect to the internet using the same device connected by USB port just not wireless,

which makes no sense to me.

I have done every thing Tech support has asked me to do…which is 9 pages long now!

And still can't connect the laptop wirelessly???????

To resolve this issue I would request you to perform following troubleshooting steps:
For IE - go to tools è internet settings è security è restricted sites and check that Google is not
listed.
If Google is not listed then try following troubleshooting steps:
1. Click Start, and then click Run, type regedit in Open box, and then press ENTER.
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dnscache\Parameters
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
Windows Live Hotmail Print Message http://co102w.col102.mail.live.com/mail/PrintShell.aspx?type=message&...
1 of 9 8/12/2009 9:31 PM
4. Type ScreenBadTlds, and then press ENTER.
5. Right-click ScreenBadTlds, and then click Modify.
6. In the Value data box, type 0, and then click OK.
7. Exit Registry Editor.
8. Stop and then start the DNS client service. To do so:
a. Click Start, and then click Run.
b. In the Open box, type cmd, and then click OK.
c. At the command prompt, type the following lines. Press ENTER after each line
net stop DNScache
net start DNScache
d. Type exit to quit Command Prompt
If issue still persist then I would request you to perform system restore by following
troubleshooting steps:
1. Log on to Windows as Administrator.
2. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and
then click System Restore. System Restore starts.
3. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Restore my computer to an earlier
time (if it is not already selected), and then click Next.
4. On the Select a Restore Point page, click the most recent system restore point in the
On this list, click a restore point list, and then click Next.
Note A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System
Restore will make. Click OK.
5. On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores
the previous Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
6. Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Restoration Complete
page is displayed.
7. Click OK.

Debbie, you have stated in the e-mail that your internet service provider is
Verizon, and you did a ping test and nothing happened.
VERIZON HAS HELPED ALL THEY CAN, THEY THINK THE 802.11B/G CARD IS BAD.
Can you please specify which IP address did you ping?
I WAS TRYING TO PING WWW.GOOGLE.COM
What was the result of the ping test?
PING REQUEST COULD NOT FIND HOST WWW.GOOGLE.COM PLEASE CHECK THE NAME AND
TRY AGAIN
What is the IP address when you type in the command ipconfig?
WINDWS IP CONFIGERATION
CONNECTION-SPECIFIC DNS SUFFIX:
IP ADDRESS............192.168.1.107
SUBNET MASK.......255.255.255.0
DEFAULT GATEWAY.....NONE GIVEN
What is the default gateway when you check the IP address?
NONE GIVEN
Are you able to view web pages when you connect to internet using a wired
connection?
YES, USING MIFI AS A "USB CONNECTION" THE LAPTOP WORKS FINE THIS INCLUDES
WEB PAGE DISPLAYING
Since you receive strong signal and are able to connect to router, but
unable to view web pages in the browser, there is a possibility that the
problem might be with the internet browser.
NO, NEITHER BROWSER ...MS IE 8 OR FIREFOX 3.0 DISPLAY THE PAGE
Follow the steps mentioned in the link below to reset the Internet Explorer
to default settings.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737
NOTE: The URL(s) above will take you to a NON HP Web site. HP does not
control and is not responsible for information outside HP Web site. Thank
you for your cooperation.
If the issue persists, try using a different browser(Mozilla Firefox,
Netscape), type an URL in the Windows Explorer address bar.
Please reply us with the above requested information so that we can isolate
the issue. If you need further assistance, please reply to this message and
we will be happy to assist you further.

After following the instructions below, up dating drivers, bios, turning off
firewall and manually connecting to the Internet
I still show to be connected with exellent strength but still get the same
results (not pages will come up in my browser)?
I'm thinking the device is bad and was probably bad the day I bought it in
Aug 2007. This is the first time I've ever tried to use it.

Please visit below HP web link for download and install latest WLAN driver
for your notebook.
**Broadcom Wireless LAN Driver
http://h10025.www1.hp
com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=ob-45290-1&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us
product=3321424&os=228
After open this link you will see exe file: sp34152.exe (1/1, 4.29M) Click
on this exe file. It will download and install driver for your notebook.
NOTE: Copy the link and paste it on the address bar in your browser until
the complete address is displayed in the Address box.
Please get back to us with your results and observations. If you need
further assistance, please reply to this message and we will be happy to
assist you further.

Message Edited by DEasom2621 on 08-14-2009 05:26 AM

Message Edited by DEasom2621 on 08-14-2009 05:27 AM

Message Edited by DEasom2621 on 08-14-2009 05:27 AM

[roborjoanne]

I am having the same problem with the MiFi 2200 and my HP laptop.  I can connect WWAN (hardwired) but cannot get the Internet with WiFi connection.  I have been on the phone with both Verizon and HP tech support, each for hours on end.  Neither of them can come to any real conclusion as to what the problem could be.  HP has decided to send me a replacement wireless card.  When I get it, I'll post if it helped (I have my doubts now, as your card is different from mine, but will keep my fingers crossed).

MY EQUIPMENT INFO:

Compaq Presario Notebook CQ50-139WM

Atheros AR5007 892.11b/g WLAN card

MS Windows Vista Home Edition Service Pack 1

Genuine Intel CPU 575 @ 2.00 GHz,1995 Mhz, 1 core, 1 logical processor

RAM 2.0 GB

INTERNET CONNECTION:

Verizon MiFi 2200

I have installed the VZ Access Manager through the setup that starts automatically when the MiFi is plugged into the laptop with the USB cable provided.  I then accepted the update (Version 7.0.0.95)  that Access Manager suggested when the connection was initially made.  I also HAVE NO PROBLEM CONNECTING AND USING THE INTERNET WHEN CONNECTED VIA THE USB CABLE AND CONNECTING VIA WWAN.  However, when I unplug the cable and attempt to connect WiFi, I am able to connect to the network but when I open a browser I cannot view anything.  It is as if I am not connected.  My WiFi Verizon MiFi Wireless Network signal strength is "excellent - 5 bars".  

I believe that the only reason HP has agreed to try a new card is due to my also having the same problem with another wireless SSID that is available to me that is doing the same thing.  It is a secure network being broadcast via an Apple AirPort Express 802.11n router.  The home page with technical info regarding this router states it it compatible with 802.11a/b/g.  I believe the problem of the Internet not working must be the same problem that the MiFi router is experiencing as both work hard wired.

I will not be having HP ship me the replacement card until a couple of weeks from now. I am in the process of relocating and don't have anywhere for them to ship it to yet.  

If you have had any luck resolving this issue in the interim, please post your progress.  It will be interesting to find out what may or may not solve the problem.

[roborjoanne]

Here is an update to my last post regarding Laptop 802.11b/g issues with Verizon Wireless MiFi 2200.  Three days ago I began traveling and have had the opportunity to use my internal wireless card to connect to various wireless networks.  In the many uses of other networks I have discovered this:

The problem of the internet not working is only when I am attempting to use a secure wireless network.  It will connect to unsecured networks and work beautiful.  Therefore I believe the issue is not just with the Verizon MiFi 2200, it is rather, a hardware malfunction causing problems with all secure network connections.

HP has agreed to send me a replacement card with instructions on how to remove the existing card and replace it with the new.  I should have that replacement by the first part of next week.  I will post an update as to the results of installing the replacement.

[roborjoanne]

It's fixed!!!!!

I received the new replacement wireless card from HP.  Installed it and it solved the problem I was having as detailed above.  I can now connect to any type wireless network and browse the internet using either IE or Firefox.  I have connected to the Verizon MiFi 2200 which is a secure connection and an unsecure wireless network in my area.  Both have worked with no problems. 

Hope all of this helps anyone else having the same problem.

[roborjoanne]

Here is one of those "scratchin' my head trying to figure out what this had to do with that!"

Since day one of opening this notebook I had a persistent problem that HP said would require me to return the laptop to them to repair.  I didn't want to send it back and decided I would try to live with the problem.  

The problem:  When typing while on the internet (mostly in email applications) the spacebar would not function approximately 75% of the time that I hit it.  It was a nagging problem for which I had flashed my BIOS with an update and also used canned air to clean out anything that may have settled into the keyborad during use.  Nothing seemed to make it any better.  

Now that I have replaced the wireless card, the spacebar is also working beautifully!!! GO FIGURE!  I would never have related a keystroke malfunction to the wireless card (even if I suspected the card was bad).

Now some of you may be asking, did the spacebar work OK when using it in applications such as Microsoft Word????  It worked better, but still gave me some problems, it just wasn't nearly as bad as when online.  I'd guess it would not space properly approx. 25% of the time.  It is also working flawlessly now. 

Hmmmmmm, I don't know how this is all related, but am sure glad that everything seems to be working now!