The Official Computer Tech Support Thread

LoathsomePete · 12-13-2010, 05:37 PM

This is more of a curiosity based question rather than one I need answered post haste. Today I was at the library in school with my laptop, ready to work on an essay for my Anthropology final for tomorrow. When I attempted to get onto the Internet at the library I found that it would connect me, but it would not actually let me browse. I disconnected and reconnected, but to no avail, eventually I restarted my computer (because that always works) but not even the mighty restart could appease the Internet gods. So I got fed up and walked to another area of the school, but the same problem persisted in all the different buildings.

Now on Saturday Dec. 11 I was up at school for a few hours using their Internet with no major issues (although I did notice my connecting get severed frequently) and have had my laptop with me up there periodically over the semester with no problems. What are some of the reasons why my computer would be unable to use the Internet up at school all of a sudden?

s_k · 12-13-2010, 05:39 PM

You connect to some wireless access point or router.
But that router itself is connected to the internet, too.
The connection between the internet and the router can be interrupted and then your laptop won't tell you, as it's connected to the router and everything seems fine for the laptop.
The router just keeps sending it's wireless signal to your laptop, but the signal doesn't contain any information from the internet. Signal is still there, though.
Another problem could be that the internet provider that your school uses had some issues. This happens a couple of times a year with most providers.

Freebase Dali · 12-13-2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoathsomePete

This is more of a curiosity based question rather than one I need answered post haste. Today I was at the library in school with my laptop, ready to work on an essay for my Anthropology final for tomorrow. When I attempted to get onto the Internet at the library I found that it would connect me, but it would not actually let me browse. I disconnected and reconnected, but to no avail, eventually I restarted my computer (because that always works) but not even the mighty restart could appease the Internet gods. So I got fed up and walked to another area of the school, but the same problem persisted in all the different buildings.

Now on Saturday Dec. 11 I was up at school for a few hours using their Internet with no major issues (although I did notice my connecting get severed frequently) and have had my laptop with me up there periodically over the semester with no problems. What are some of the reasons why my computer would be unable to use the Internet up at school all of a sudden?

It could be a lot of things depending on the way the school's network is set up. Were you connecting wirelessly? Did everyone have the same connectivity issue or just you?

LoathsomePete · 12-13-2010, 06:34 PM

Just me from the looks of it, I saw a lot of Facebook profiles open, and yes it was all wireless.

Astronomer · 12-13-2010, 06:40 PM

That happens to me all the time at uni with the wireless internet connection, and usually I rectify the problem by going to the IT Service Desk, dumping my laptop on the desk and saying "Please fix it." But it's annoying.

Freebase Dali · 12-13-2010, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoathsomePete

Just me from the looks of it, I saw a lot of Facebook profiles open, and yes it was all wireless.

Well if it was just you (or at least not everyone) that obviously narrows it down quite a bit to problems related to your computer.
But just for information's sake, like s_k was saying, connectivity between a computer's wireless card and the wireless router/access-point happens at the authentication stage. Even if the AP was unsecured, there is still authentication involved, simply by choosing to connect to an SSID (whatever name the AP is broadcasting). After you connect, the only thing that has happened is that the AP has agreed to let you transmit data to it. If the actual connection to the ISP is down, you'll still be authenticated with the AP, thus, connected.
But if you go to your network and sharing center (Vista and above) it should make it clear that there isn't an actual connection to the internet simply from the grayed out world icon.

I was just wondering, do you use wireless at home, or do you use a cable for your internet connection?

It's difficult to offer a plausible explanation for this type of issue without certain information, or else you'll just get a long list of a lot of things that don't apply at all.

debaserr · 12-14-2010, 07:23 PM

starting yesterday, my headphones started physically shocking me intermittently while I listen to music through my computer. I haven't had the same issue when I listen with my ipod. Any ideas? I've had these headphones for probably two years.

noise · 12-14-2010, 10:34 PM

my guess is static electricity. this time of the year, my earbuds often shock me when i'm wearing my big winter coat and i pull my backpack off. bzzt.

debaserr · 12-14-2010, 10:36 PM

indeed. here's hoping I haven't already done damage to my mobo.

jackhammer · 12-17-2010, 02:04 PM

OK I am usually pretty good with computers but this is driving me absolutely barmy. Whenever I open a window- anything from my documents to itunes, I cannot maximise it at all. Sometimes I can physically drag the window to full but when I close the window it reverts back to around half size.

I have tried opening 2 explorer pages, dragging them wide and then closing them in order of opening so windows remembers but that doesn't work.

The other profiles on the netbook are absolutely fine though which makes it even more annoying. I am pretty sure that I have pressed some function key on the keyboard by accident for it to do this.

C'mon wise people, help me out.

12-13-2010, 05:37 PM	#731 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	This is more of a curiosity based question rather than one I need answered post haste. Today I was at the library in school with my laptop, ready to work on an essay for my Anthropology final for tomorrow. When I attempted to get onto the Internet at the library I found that it would connect me, but it would not actually let me browse. I disconnected and reconnected, but to no avail, eventually I restarted my computer (because that always works) but not even the mighty restart could appease the Internet gods. So I got fed up and walked to another area of the school, but the same problem persisted in all the different buildings. Now on Saturday Dec. 11 I was up at school for a few hours using their Internet with no major issues (although I did notice my connecting get severed frequently) and have had my laptop with me up there periodically over the semester with no problems. What are some of the reasons why my computer would be unable to use the Internet up at school all of a sudden? __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

12-13-2010, 05:39 PM	#732 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	You connect to some wireless access point or router. But that router itself is connected to the internet, too. The connection between the internet and the router can be interrupted and then your laptop won't tell you, as it's connected to the router and everything seems fine for the laptop. The router just keeps sending it's wireless signal to your laptop, but the signal doesn't contain any information from the internet. Signal is still there, though. Another problem could be that the internet provider that your school uses had some issues. This happens a couple of times a year with most providers. __________________ Click here to see my collection

12-13-2010, 06:34 PM	#734 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	Just me from the looks of it, I saw a lot of Facebook profiles open, and yes it was all wireless. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

12-13-2010, 06:40 PM	#735 (permalink)
Astronomer we are stardust Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,894	That happens to me all the time at uni with the wireless internet connection, and usually I rectify the problem by going to the IT Service Desk, dumping my laptop on the desk and saying "Please fix it." But it's annoying. __________________

12-14-2010, 07:23 PM	#737 (permalink)
debaserr eat the masters Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 5,467	starting yesterday, my headphones started physically shocking me intermittently while I listen to music through my computer. I haven't had the same issue when I listen with my ipod. Any ideas? I've had these headphones for probably two years. __________________ Last.FM

12-14-2010, 10:34 PM	#738 (permalink)
noise thirsty ears Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Boulder Posts: 742	my guess is static electricity. this time of the year, my earbuds often shock me when i'm wearing my big winter coat and i pull my backpack off. bzzt. __________________ my flac collection

12-14-2010, 10:36 PM	#739 (permalink)
debaserr eat the masters Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 5,467	indeed. here's hoping I haven't already done damage to my mobo. __________________ Last.FM

12-17-2010, 02:04 PM	#740 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	OK I am usually pretty good with computers but this is driving me absolutely barmy. Whenever I open a window- anything from my documents to itunes, I cannot maximise it at all. Sometimes I can physically drag the window to full but when I close the window it reverts back to around half size. I have tried opening 2 explorer pages, dragging them wide and then closing them in order of opening so windows remembers but that doesn't work. The other profiles on the netbook are absolutely fine though which makes it even more annoying. I am pretty sure that I have pressed some function key on the keyboard by accident for it to do this. C'mon wise people, help me out. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”