Help needed, a netbook has me stumped

A Place of Light · 25-09-2010, 19:38

I've been given an advent 4211c to sort out and it's got me beaten. I can't get the wifi to work and it's driving me crazy as to what's wrong with it. I can turn the wifi adapter on (Function key then F11) and the thing not only sees my wifi netwoork but also connects to it.....it just won't pass any data through the connection. Connected, signal strength excellent etc etc but it just won't up/download data. It works perfectly with a network cable plugged in, but this wifi issue has me scratching my head over it.
Any ideas?

Mark · 25-09-2010, 19:51

Does it actually get a network address from the router? It may connect but if Windows can't get an IP address (via DHCP) then it'll usually assign a 'fake' address that doesn't work.

Should be able to tell this from the network connection status. Assuming XP - Control Panel, Network Connections, right click on the connection and select Status, then the Support tab to tell what address it has (and, often, where it got it from).

Rich_L · 26-09-2010, 01:56

Is it Windows 7, I seem to recall there is a Windows update which breaks the WiFi on the Advent for some stupid reason, every now and then I had to roll back to a previous day to get it working again, no idea what it was though as it wasn't updating the wifi driver.

Might be worth trying with an Ubuntu/Jolicloud LiveCD as they both support the WiFi on the Advent 4211c (typing on one on Ubuntu as we speak).

kaiowas · 26-09-2010, 09:20

Whenever I get this it's usually because I've forgetten that I've got MAC filtering running on the router and haven't added the new kit to the whitelist

Unlikely you've made the same mistake but just thought I'd mention it...

A Place of Light · 26-09-2010, 17:45

The answer is, apparently, I'm a dil.
Did the ipconfig/all thang and dhcp wasn't enabled.
Right clicked on the TCP/IP line and changed everything to "automatically select.....blah blah blah" and everything works. TBH I don't know what's created this problem as it's a childs netbook and they don't have admin rights (XP home) on their account. Anyhoo, it's not mine and that's the defence I'm clinging too

Thanks for the above advice.

Rich_L · 28-09-2010, 20:16

That'll do it

I <3 my Advent, it's not perfect by any stretch but I got it for 200 quid, put an extra Gb of RAM and it's been brilliant for playing with Ubuntu, Media Centre, occasional desktop replacement (with monitor, kb, mouse plugged in) etc, and has survived being dropped, thrown in bags as I've paid very little care to it, lol

25-09-2010, 19:38	#1
A Place of Light Absinthe Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,247	Help needed, a netbook has me stumped I've been given an advent 4211c to sort out and it's got me beaten. I can't get the wifi to work and it's driving me crazy as to what's wrong with it. I can turn the wifi adapter on (Function key then F11) and the thing not only sees my wifi netwoork but also connects to it.....it just won't pass any data through the connection. Connected, signal strength excellent etc etc but it just won't up/download data. It works perfectly with a network cable plugged in, but this wifi issue has me scratching my head over it. Any ideas?

25-09-2010, 19:51	#2
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Does it actually get a network address from the router? It may connect but if Windows can't get an IP address (via DHCP) then it'll usually assign a 'fake' address that doesn't work. Should be able to tell this from the network connection status. Assuming XP - Control Panel, Network Connections, right click on the connection and select Status, then the Support tab to tell what address it has (and, often, where it got it from). Last edited by Mark; 25-09-2010 at 19:54.

26-09-2010, 01:56	#3
Rich_L Dr Cocktapuss Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seven Sizzles Posts: 1,044	Is it Windows 7, I seem to recall there is a Windows update which breaks the WiFi on the Advent for some stupid reason, every now and then I had to roll back to a previous day to get it working again, no idea what it was though as it wasn't updating the wifi driver. Might be worth trying with an Ubuntu/Jolicloud LiveCD as they both support the WiFi on the Advent 4211c (typing on one on Ubuntu as we speak). __________________

26-09-2010, 09:20	#4
kaiowas The Stig Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fightertown USA Posts: 1,458	Whenever I get this it's usually because I've forgetten that I've got MAC filtering running on the router and haven't added the new kit to the whitelist Unlikely you've made the same mistake but just thought I'd mention it... __________________ Anal Fish Porn

28-09-2010, 20:16	#6
Rich_L Dr Cocktapuss Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seven Sizzles Posts: 1,044	That'll do it I <3 my Advent, it's not perfect by any stretch but I got it for 200 quid, put an extra Gb of RAM and it's been brilliant for playing with Ubuntu, Media Centre, occasional desktop replacement (with monitor, kb, mouse plugged in) etc, and has survived being dropped, thrown in bags as I've paid very little care to it, lol __________________

26-09-2010, 17:45	#5
A Place of Light Absinthe Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,247	The answer is, apparently, I'm a dil. Did the ipconfig/all thang and dhcp wasn't enabled. Right clicked on the TCP/IP line and changed everything to "automatically select.....blah blah blah" and everything works. TBH I don't know what's created this problem as it's a childs netbook and they don't have admin rights (XP home) on their account. Anyhoo, it's not mine and that's the defence I'm clinging too Thanks for the above advice.