To All:

After several years of reliable service, my laptop suddenly is unable to connect to my home wireless network. I was given the "Limited or no connectivity" error. When I attempted to use the repair... it kept stopping because it was unable to renew my IP address. My router and modem are operating just fine because I am able to use my desktop.

I'm not exactly the most computer/networking literate person, however, I did disable my firewall, etc. but no luck. I'm really at a loss here. Also, when I run a command, i.e. "ipconfig\ all" the box runs and closes "in a blink" before I can read what it says?

Router is a Netgear WGT624. Laptop is a Toshiba Satellite.

Can someone assist? Thanks in advance.

LT

If you are running the ipconfig command via Start > Run, instead start a command prompt by entering "cmd" via Start > Run and then enter "ipconfig /all" to see the output. ("exit" to quit the command prompt)

If an address renewal isn't working, either DHCP service isn't being provided by your router or you have a wireless connectivity/other issue. Configuring a static address on the laptop adapter and seeing if you can reach the Internet or PING the router will determine which. Use your desktop's IP settings configuration and increment the IP address by one to avoid duplicate IP addresses.

The most common causes of that particular error are an incorrect WEP or WPA key on the laptop, the laptop not being on the MAC address access list, or the TCP/IP stack on the laptop being corrupt.
Have you replaced the wireless card on the laptop recently? Have you had to reconfigure the wireless settings and perhaps forgot to re-enter the WEP/WPA key?

If it's just an issue of the TCP/IP stack you can run the following command:

Go to Start, Run, type CMD, press enter.
Now in the command prompt box type
Netsh int ip reset c:\netshlog.txt
Now press enter.
This will reset the TCP/IP stack in Windows XP for you.

If none of these appear to be the solution your next step is to try a different wireless card with the laptop.

Seems to me most computers are way too technical and do not contain enough information for someone computer illiterate, yet that never seems to stop such folks from trying to use one. The same effort and enthusiasm should be applied to troubleshooting as well. All too often, posts on this forum amount to a throwing up of hands, a plea for help with no useful information that would lead to specific advice, and an implied unwillingness to take or learn the steps necessary to resolve the issue.

Usually my comments are directed at the original poster, in this case one familiar with the 'ipconfig /all' command and therefore definitely not computer illiterate. Others reading this that may try to utilize information I offer out of context in their own situation would be best advised to post their own question to receive targeted assistance.