I just spent the better part of the day taking my old XP machine apart, because when I pressed the power button nothing was happening.
So I got out my trusty multimeter and began testing everything I could think of that might cause this kind of issue.
Needless to say... after an exhaustive search for the problem. I found nothing wrong and everything that I tested was working.
Scratching my head and staring at the machine (after reassembly), I then realized that I was pressing the optical drive's eject button instead of the power button.

This my seem silly, but I just had to share this with somebody.
At least I now know without a doubt, that all of the wires and other things I tested are in perfect running order.

Wish that was my problem at the moment. Computer is turning on and I have I/N access but cant connect to anyone. I am using the wireless connection for my phone which is how I am able to leave a message.
Glad you finally worked it out. Least your computet would have got a good clean.

Sorry to hear that.
Although what I thought was a problem was just me having a senior moment. I haven't used my old machine in a while so I guess I forgot which switch was for power.

We could try to help you out, but we would need much more information about what you feel might be the exact issue.

Don't feel too bad, Wallace. I was looking at an old laptop the other day that wouldn't power up. Turns out I was pressing the Wireless Adapter toggle switch instead of the power switch.

Thanx Wallace. I can't think of anything other than it might be my computer. Troubleshooter can't find anything wrong. Last time I rang up my ISP about it they told me my modem was old. I dont want to have to buy a new one all the time. (How long should they last?)
My browser (firefox) comes on, but nothing will connect, not even my Isp or google.
I have tried from shortcuts and searches in the toolbar. Was happening yesterday early but came on after i shut the modem down and powered it up again. Didn't work today though.

Now I don't feel so bad, thanks.


Not sure about your modem.
I'm using a 4 year old one that works fine for me. One of the techs from my internet provider told me it was a better modem then what was currently available.
Anyway...
I'm assuming you're using windows.
Have you tried to reset your computers time to synchronize with internet time?

You need to do a proper reset in the correct order to test.

1) Power down the Computer, Wireless Router and Cable Modem. Wait 2 minutes.
2) Power up the Cable Modem. Wait 2 minutes
3) Power up the Wireless Router. Wait 2 minutes
4) Power up the Computer and try to connect to googe.com in Firefox

If that doesn't work, try accessing Google in Internet Explorer to see if you might have a FF problem.

It that doesn't work, open a command prompt and input: ping google.com (press enter).

If you get timeout messages from there, you definitely have a network problem and you'll have to use the process of elimination (as conbagui suggested) to figure out what the problem is. Let us know how it works out.

I only have the laptop at home. So I have nohing else to work/check with. I am currently accessing with a mobile phone. I'll try everything else you have each mentioned. Yes i use windows.....on my computer.

Looks like a network problem. Getting timeout messages on firefox and IE.
By the way, what does LAN mean? Says it is disconnected but my wireless LAN is enabled.
Thanks for all your help thus far

LAN = Local Area Network

Thanx molly

Do you have a cable/dsl modem and a wireless router or are they built-in to one unit?

You can be connected to your LAN and not be connected to the internet, which sound like the case. There should be lights on the cable/dsl modem that gives you the status of both connections. The meaning of the lights/colors are different for different modem models.

What is the make and model of your modem and what are the status of your light indicators? Usually being off or slow flashing is a problem. Colors can also be an indicator. Just depends on the modem.

I have an ATT com box (w/ built in modem/router). Every so often, I have to power cycle it; not really happy that I have to do this. It's either due to lost conneciton or no sound coming out for my cable, or the Telephone doesn't work (so far all three issue came up since I received my cable modem a little more then a month ago). I'm hoping things will settle down; starting to miss the good old days with Charter. lol

As Tux suggested, just power cycle your cable modem, router, et. al. and I bet all would be well Sallyanne.

Just as a side note, we have way too many old folk here. lolol

I have to pull the plug out on my modem once in a while, count to 10 and plug it back in. it is a pain but only happens about once or twice a month. When it is down, none of the computers work in the house.

Hi Sallyanne. it looks as if everyone is offering advice. here is just a tiny bit more.

EDITGo to Control panel/Network and Internet/ Network and Sharing Center /View network computers and devices. Do you see your network? It might be called "Sallyanne Home" or "Belkin8" or something different. If you can see your network but cannot connect to it try to the trouble shoot option . It may give you some more clues as to the problem. Then ...

My first action would be to restore the system to an earlier time. Control Panel /System and Security /restore your computer to an earlier time. If this solves your problem then most likely your lan or ethernet adapters are corrupted. If it does not solve your problem then,

I would do as Tux says , then In FF reset cache (history/clear recent History/ tick Cache /untick others/ Clear Now.

Conbagui using a dedicated LAN cable (if you have one) will isolate to a wifi modem fault or to a wifi card in your laptop. Go to a shopping mall and go to Control panel/Network and Internet/ Network and Sharing Center /View network computers and devices . If networks are discovered then your problem is most likely your modem.

Cheers John

Thanx for all the advice.
GT its all in one. When i got wireless i stopped using landline too so the only things i have plugged into it are the ethernet and power. It is a Netcomm110tzut modem/wireless connector. My laptop also has a built in receiver.
Btw 4 of the lights are green which is all I ever have on. There are 5 others but they must have something to do with the other plugs.

I hope this is working before Monday wbool which is when I will be able to find out if it is the modem.
Until then or maybe even longer. (Hope not,not used to being without IN)

Are you using wireless broadband or is your wireless router/modem connected to a cable of some sort?

I can't find the Netcomm 110 anywhere. Are you sure that's the right model? Can you find it here?

http://www.netcommwireless.com/

There are pictures of their devices under the "Products" menu but I didn't see that model.

I am on dsl naked wireless. Same as adsl. Yes its broadband.. The modem is one that was sold to me by my providet when i went onto wiireless. I will go have a look and get back to you. Thanx for checking GT.

Well my computer can see at least 3 other wireless connections that are not mine (at home). After further looking into my modem details/properties my 'lrase expites tomortow, which I find to be weird because I thought I bougjt it and it hasn't been working for a couple of days. (Going stir crazy without access) I may have to get another buyt cant do anything until office is o
pen monday. Hope to be back soon.

I'm still a little confused by what you have. DSL (Digital subscriber "line") and Wireless are two very different technologies. DSL/ADSL uses a cable/phone "line" to make the connection to the internet and Wireless (3G/4G Wi-Fi) uses cell towers to connect to the internet. I have no idea what Naked Wireless DSL is.

The connection to your LAN can be wireless too, but that's a different wireless connection (802.x) than a Wireless internet connection (3G/4G).


What is Irase?