PC or connection issues?

soolin

Firstly, i am very non techie so apologies for childish explanations.

i have Virgin broadband through my main BT box and I use wi fi to send it around to the other devices. I always run an iPad and a desktop Packard Bell pc using a plug in wi fi receiver (the pc did not come with wi fi enabled). I am aware that my pc has issues, some of my ports don't work and I struggle to use the disc drive as PC is very very well used but was cheap.

Today my iPad works, my sons laptop works but my PC shows no wifi. It shows I am connected with a strong signal but also says no Internet access.

I have phoned Virgin several times at xxx a minute! And surprisingly they have been extremely helpful. My box appears to be working, I have all the lights on that I should have. However when I try to connect my PC directly to the test socket I get nothing

My non techie brain thinks my PC must be the problem, but Virgin, bless them still think it might be my settings and I just have faulty wiring between the router and my pc when I hard wire them to test. They suggest going to Maplin, buying all new cabling and trying again, or also buying a new wi fi dongle.

I know virgin are trying to help me, but I am loath to replace everything when maybe I ought to consider buying a new PC. This one takes a real hammering, it's on all day and in use for hours and I tend to buy cheap end £350-£400 systems. However, if it might just be something simple should I try new wires and a new dongle even though I might struggle to install anything by disc?

My router is a Netgear , I use Virgin broadband through a BT line. My pc currently shows I am connected with a full signal to Virgin, but also shows I have no Internet access. I am obviously using Virgin to type and send this.

soolin

Also, whether or not it is connected I also have an issue with a programme called Babylon that came with Firefox that I downloaded last weekend. I have done several system restores on my PC and have also removed and cleaned Firefox.

I lose Babylon for a day but it just keeps coming back, this might not have any connection but I thought I ought to mention it.

debitcardmayhem

Couple of questions
Which version of Windows have oyu got Xp/Vista/7
And when you connected the PC direct did you connect it to the router (Not the BT Test Socket?)

debitcardmayhem

As for Bablyon go to Control Panel Add/Remove Programs (if XP) or Programs and Settings(7/Vista). Uninstall Bablyon and in Firefox go to your normal "home" page then go to to Options General Tab and Use Current Page as Home page.

soolin

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

Couple of questions
Which version of Windows have oyu got Xp/Vista/7
And when you connected the PC direct did you connect it to the router (Not the BT Test Socket?)

I have windows 7 .

When I tried the pc directly I went via the router but the router was on an extension cable as PC is up stairs in my office and the main BT box is downstairs .

soolin

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

As for Bablyon go to Control Panel Add/Remove Programs (if XP) or Programs and Settings(7/Vista). Uninstall Bablyon and in Firefox go to your normal "home" page then go to to Options General Tab and Use Current Page as Home page.

I'll worry about this later, but basically Babylon doesn't show there, it shows in Internet tools but all the install is greyed out. I had to force a removal and restart, and it is completely gone for about a day but then just pops back again.

Malware, cleaner and Mcaffee do not show it as an issue, although when it does pop back it shows as a programme only in Ccleaner where it allows me to remove it again.

debitcardmayhem

soolin wrote: »

I have windows 7 .

When I tried the pc directly I went via the router but the router was on an extension cable as PC is up stairs in my office and the main BT box is downstairs .

OK that clears up one thing, go to control panel,network and sharing centre, and it sshould give you a diagram of your basic connections is there a re X any where in that , and under view active networks does it say Home Network/Public/Work ?

soolin

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

OK that clears up one thing, go to control panel,network and sharing centre, and it sshould give you a diagram of your basic connections is there a re X any where in that , and under view active networks does it say Home Network/Public/Work ?

Sorry about delay in replying I can't stay logged in for more than a few minutes on MSE on my ipad!

Ok under network information I show home network and my PC connected to virgin broadband and then a connection to Internet with a big red cross on that last connection

debitcardmayhem

No probs on the Network screen click on troubleshoot please ,see if it gives any clues

soolin

Can I please ask an associated question?

virgin have said that rather than take my study apart and take my PC downstairs to connect it to the router I can use the laptop instead and reset from there.

Daft question, will that work, only the laptop is currently already working , it is only the PC that isn't connected.

My current Ethernet cable doesn't work (I did a loop back test) but I'm sure they aren't that expensive, so if a reset via the laptop will work I could go to marlin now and buy an Ethernet cable to give it a go

soolin

Ok> trouble shoot Internet connections> running (post saved as I will get logged out again)