WiFi - Why can't I browse?

In the building that I live in (or the immediate surrounding area) there are
a few people who have their wireless internet setup in the "OPEN" mode, in
other words, they have no security enabled on their networks and they show
up in my "available network lists" when I browse the list with my network
cards properties. (FOR TESTING PURPOSES ONLY), I have tried connecting to
the unsecured networks just to see if it would actually work. The
connection is made yet I'm NOT online! I can't browse with my web browswer
or do anything else online, it's like I dont have a connection at all. The
signal strength indicators for these unsecured networks are all in the good
to excellent range so I know it's not because I'm to far away from these
peoples routers. When I check out the properties for the connections when I
make them, it shows packets being sent AND received. I just don't
understand why Im not able to do anything online if the connection is there.
When I reconnect back to my network (which IS secured) once again I have
complete access to the net. I know that unsecured means the wireless
network is wide open, there is no 'key' or anything needed to connect, so
whats the problem?

I'm really stumped by this because when I take my notebook to friends houses
who don't have their networks secured (I know dumb) not only does it show
that the connection is made, but I can actually get online! Yet when I'm
back home and I try to connect to other peoples unsecured networks, it shows
I'm connected but I can't do anything online, with IE I get "cant find
server" and if I try to open any other program that works online, it won't
sign me in.

Can anyone give me some advice on whats going on because I totally don't get
it.

Thanks.

Sseadoubleyou wrote:

>In the building that I live in (or the immediate surrounding area) there are
>a few people who have their wireless internet setup in the "OPEN" mode, in
>other words, they have no security enabled on their networks and they show
>up in my "available network lists" when I browse the list with my network
>cards properties. (FOR TESTING PURPOSES ONLY), I have tried connecting to
>the unsecured networks just to see if it would actually work. The
>connection is made yet I'm NOT online! I can't browse with my web browswer
>or do anything else online, it's like I dont have a connection at all. The
>signal strength indicators for these unsecured networks are all in the good
>to excellent range so I know it's not because I'm to far away from these
>peoples routers. When I check out the properties for the connections when I
>make them, it shows packets being sent AND received. I just don't
>understand why Im not able to do anything online if the connection is there.
>When I reconnect back to my network (which IS secured) once again I have
>complete access to the net. I know that unsecured means the wireless
>network is wide open, there is no 'key' or anything needed to connect, so
>whats the problem?
>
>I'm really stumped by this because when I take my notebook to friends houses
>who don't have their networks secured (I know dumb) not only does it show
>that the connection is made, but I can actually get online! Yet when I'm
>back home and I try to connect to other peoples unsecured networks, it shows
>I'm connected but I can't do anything online, with IE I get "cant find
>server" and if I try to open any other program that works online, it won't
>sign me in.
>
>Can anyone give me some advice on whats going on because I totally don't get
>it.
>
>Thanks.
>
>
>
>
Couple of ideas:
1) You could be connecting to a network which does not have Internet access.
2) The router/AP may be allowing Internet access to only the devices the
owner specifies.

Even though you are receiving a signal, that doesn't mean that you are
connected to the network. Do you know if you are being assigned a valid
address? Does your wireless device know what the gateway address is?

Sseadoubleyou wrote:

>
> I'm really stumped by this because when I take my notebook to friends
> houses who don't have their networks secured (I know dumb) not only
> does it show that the connection is made, but I can actually get
> online! Yet when I'm back home and I try to connect to other peoples
> unsecured networks, it shows I'm connected but I can't do anything
> online, with IE I get "cant find server" and if I try to open any
> other program that works online, it won't sign me in.
>
> Can anyone give me some advice on whats going on because I totally
> don't get it.
>
> Thanks.

Not all wireless networks have an internet connection. That sounds like
exactly what you are seeing. I use a program called Winc from cirond
corporation (www.cirond.com free for 30 days, about $30 one time after that)
that not only sniffs out networks, but unlike free progs like netstumbler,
gives all sorts of info about it (mac address/protected/locked or not etc),
including saying whether it has an internet connection or not.

While there are other sniffers out there, I really like this one, cuz it
shows the connections, and also actually start the browser and lets you
select it AND CONNECT

If nothing else, check it out, it's free to try for 30 days. I highly
recommend it. What do you have to lose?

PS. For those with PDA's that have WiFi (like my iPAQ 4551), they also have
a product called MiniWinc

Don't be put off by the website, it's actually a security testing company,
but they have really neat programs
(not affiliated with the company, just a very happy user)

Ah, I figured if Windows was picking up the network, then that meant both
the cable or dsl line and router were all connected. Are you saying that
one can physically have their router on, but cable or dsl modem off and the
networks would still be visible even though the actual internet modem was
off? If so I didn't think about that one.


"Jerry Park" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:lXBJd.24187$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Sseadoubleyou wrote:
>
>>In the building that I live in (or the immediate surrounding area) there
>>are a few people who have their wireless internet setup in the "OPEN"
>>mode, in other words, they have no security enabled on their networks and
>>they show up in my "available network lists" when I browse the list with
>>my network cards properties. (FOR TESTING PURPOSES ONLY), I have tried
>>connecting to the unsecured networks just to see if it would actually
>>work. The connection is made yet I'm NOT online! I can't browse with my
>>web browswer or do anything else online, it's like I dont have a
>>connection at all. The signal strength indicators for these unsecured
>>networks are all in the good to excellent range so I know it's not because
>>I'm to far away from these peoples routers. When I check out the
>>properties for the connections when I make them, it shows packets being
>>sent AND received. I just don't understand why Im not able to do anything
>>online if the connection is there. When I reconnect back to my network
>>(which IS secured) once again I have complete access to the net. I know
>>that unsecured means the wireless network is wide open, there is no 'key'
>>or anything needed to connect, so whats the problem?
>>
>>I'm really stumped by this because when I take my notebook to friends
>>houses who don't have their networks secured (I know dumb) not only does
>>it show that the connection is made, but I can actually get online! Yet
>>when I'm back home and I try to connect to other peoples unsecured
>>networks, it shows I'm connected but I can't do anything online, with IE I
>>get "cant find server" and if I try to open any other program that works
>>online, it won't sign me in.
>>
>>Can anyone give me some advice on whats going on because I totally don't
>>get it.
>>
>>Thanks.
>>
>>
> Couple of ideas:
> 1) You could be connecting to a network which does not have Internet
> access.
> 2) The router/AP may be allowing Internet access to only the devices the
> owner specifies.
>
> Even though you are receiving a signal, that doesn't mean that you are
> connected to the network. Do you know if you are being assigned a valid
> address? Does your wireless device know what the gateway address is?

Yes, that is true. A router will connect your computers together and enable
broadband internet access if you have it. You can have network and internet,
Internet by itself or network by itself.


"Sseadoubleyou" <SseadoubleyouATyahooDOTcom> wrote in message
news:xpidnZrCTM-cb2vcRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Ah, I figured if Windows was picking up the network, then that meant both
> the cable or dsl line and router were all connected. Are you saying that
> one can physically have their router on, but cable or dsl modem off and
> the networks would still be visible even though the actual internet modem
> was off? If so I didn't think about that one.
>
>
> "Jerry Park" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:lXBJd.24187$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Sseadoubleyou wrote:
>>
>>>In the building that I live in (or the immediate surrounding area) there
>>>are a few people who have their wireless internet setup in the "OPEN"
>>>mode, in other words, they have no security enabled on their networks and
>>>they show up in my "available network lists" when I browse the list with
>>>my network cards properties. (FOR TESTING PURPOSES ONLY), I have tried
>>>connecting to the unsecured networks just to see if it would actually
>>>work. The connection is made yet I'm NOT online! I can't browse with my
>>>web browswer or do anything else online, it's like I dont have a
>>>connection at all. The signal strength indicators for these unsecured
>>>networks are all in the good to excellent range so I know it's not
>>>because I'm to far away from these peoples routers. When I check out the
>>>properties for the connections when I make them, it shows packets being
>>>sent AND received. I just don't understand why Im not able to do
>>>anything online if the connection is there. When I reconnect back to my
>>>network (which IS secured) once again I have complete access to the net.
>>>I know that unsecured means the wireless network is wide open, there is
>>>no 'key' or anything needed to connect, so whats the problem?
>>>
>>>I'm really stumped by this because when I take my notebook to friends
>>>houses who don't have their networks secured (I know dumb) not only does
>>>it show that the connection is made, but I can actually get online! Yet
>>>when I'm back home and I try to connect to other peoples unsecured
>>>networks, it shows I'm connected but I can't do anything online, with IE
>>>I get "cant find server" and if I try to open any other program that
>>>works online, it won't sign me in.
>>>
>>>Can anyone give me some advice on whats going on because I totally don't
>>>get it.
>>>
>>>Thanks.
>>>
>>>
>> Couple of ideas:
>> 1) You could be connecting to a network which does not have Internet
>> access.
>> 2) The router/AP may be allowing Internet access to only the devices the
>> owner specifies.
>>
>> Even though you are receiving a signal, that doesn't mean that you are
>> connected to the network. Do you know if you are being assigned a valid
>> address? Does your wireless device know what the gateway address is?
>
>

And just to confuse things even more, I have a wireless network, but use
dial-up networking from the devices with modems on the network during the
day/early Eve, and at night and on weekends, when I have free cell time, it
always connected and available over the network


Robert Jacobs wrote:
> Yes, that is true. A router will connect your computers together and
> enable broadband internet access if you have it. You can have network
> and internet, Internet by itself or network by itself.
>
>
> "Sseadoubleyou" <SseadoubleyouATyahooDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:xpidnZrCTM-cb2vcRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Ah, I figured if Windows was picking up the network, then that meant
>> both the cable or dsl line and router were all connected. Are you
>> saying that one can physically have their router on, but cable or
>> dsl modem off and the networks would still be visible even though
>> the actual internet modem was off? If so I didn't think about that
>> one. "Jerry Park" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:lXBJd.24187$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> Sseadoubleyou wrote:
>>>
>>>> In the building that I live in (or the immediate surrounding area)
>>>> there are a few people who have their wireless internet setup in
>>>> the "OPEN" mode, in other words, they have no security enabled on
>>>> their networks and they show up in my "available network lists"
>>>> when I browse the list with my network cards properties. (FOR
>>>> TESTING PURPOSES ONLY), I have tried connecting to the unsecured
>>>> networks just to see if it would actually work. The connection is
>>>> made yet I'm NOT online! I can't browse with my web browswer or
>>>> do anything else online, it's like I dont have a connection at
>>>> all. The signal strength indicators for these unsecured networks
>>>> are all in the good to excellent range so I know it's not because
>>>> I'm to far away from these peoples routers. When I check out the
>>>> properties for the connections when I make them, it shows packets
>>>> being sent AND received. I just don't understand why Im not able
>>>> to do anything online if the connection is there. When I reconnect
>>>> back to my network (which IS secured) once again I have complete
>>>> access to the net. I know that unsecured means the wireless
>>>> network is wide open, there is no 'key' or anything needed to
>>>> connect, so whats the problem? I'm really stumped by this because when
>>>> I take my notebook to
>>>> friends houses who don't have their networks secured (I know dumb)
>>>> not only does it show that the connection is made, but I can
>>>> actually get online! Yet when I'm back home and I try to connect
>>>> to other peoples unsecured networks, it shows I'm connected but I
>>>> can't do anything online, with IE I get "cant find server" and if
>>>> I try to open any other program that works online, it won't sign
>>>> me in. Can anyone give me some advice on whats going on because I
>>>> totally
>>>> don't get it.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks.
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Couple of ideas:
>>> 1) You could be connecting to a network which does not have Internet
>>> access.
>>> 2) The router/AP may be allowing Internet access to only the
>>> devices the owner specifies.
>>>
>>> Even though you are receiving a signal, that doesn't mean that you
>>> are connected to the network. Do you know if you are being assigned
>>> a valid address? Does your wireless device know what the gateway
>>> address is?

Yeah I see what you mean now. I tried it out and sure enough, every single
wireless network in range of me does NOT have internet access


"Peter Pan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Sseadoubleyou wrote:
>
>>
>> I'm really stumped by this because when I take my notebook to friends
>> houses who don't have their networks secured (I know dumb) not only
>> does it show that the connection is made, but I can actually get
>> online! Yet when I'm back home and I try to connect to other peoples
>> unsecured networks, it shows I'm connected but I can't do anything
>> online, with IE I get "cant find server" and if I try to open any
>> other program that works online, it won't sign me in.
>>
>> Can anyone give me some advice on whats going on because I totally
>> don't get it.
>>
>> Thanks.
>
> Not all wireless networks have an internet connection. That sounds like
> exactly what you are seeing. I use a program called Winc from cirond
> corporation (www.cirond.com free for 30 days, about $30 one time after
> that) that not only sniffs out networks, but unlike free progs like
> netstumbler, gives all sorts of info about it (mac
> address/protected/locked or not etc), including saying whether it has an
> internet connection or not.
>
> While there are other sniffers out there, I really like this one, cuz it
> shows the connections, and also actually start the browser and lets you
> select it AND CONNECT
>
> If nothing else, check it out, it's free to try for 30 days. I highly
> recommend it. What do you have to lose?
>
> PS. For those with PDA's that have WiFi (like my iPAQ 4551), they also
> have a product called MiniWinc
>
> Don't be put off by the website, it's actually a security testing company,
> but they have really neat programs
> (not affiliated with the company, just a very happy user)
>

thats kool, but your using shared internet via a host, not via the router. I
know you know that, im just clarifing for others reading the thread...

"Peter Pan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> And just to confuse things even more, I have a wireless network, but use
> dial-up networking from the devices with modems on the network during the
> day/early Eve, and at night and on weekends, when I have free cell time,
> it always connected and available over the network
>
>
> Robert Jacobs wrote:
>> Yes, that is true. A router will connect your computers together and
>> enable broadband internet access if you have it. You can have network
>> and internet, Internet by itself or network by itself.
>>
>>
>> "Sseadoubleyou" <SseadoubleyouATyahooDOTcom> wrote in message
>> news:xpidnZrCTM-cb2vcRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> Ah, I figured if Windows was picking up the network, then that meant
>>> both the cable or dsl line and router were all connected. Are you
>>> saying that one can physically have their router on, but cable or
>>> dsl modem off and the networks would still be visible even though
>>> the actual internet modem was off? If so I didn't think about that
>>> one. "Jerry Park" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:lXBJd.24187$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> Sseadoubleyou wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> In the building that I live in (or the immediate surrounding area)
>>>>> there are a few people who have their wireless internet setup in
>>>>> the "OPEN" mode, in other words, they have no security enabled on
>>>>> their networks and they show up in my "available network lists"
>>>>> when I browse the list with my network cards properties. (FOR
>>>>> TESTING PURPOSES ONLY), I have tried connecting to the unsecured
>>>>> networks just to see if it would actually work. The connection is
>>>>> made yet I'm NOT online! I can't browse with my web browswer or
>>>>> do anything else online, it's like I dont have a connection at
>>>>> all. The signal strength indicators for these unsecured networks
>>>>> are all in the good to excellent range so I know it's not because
>>>>> I'm to far away from these peoples routers. When I check out the
>>>>> properties for the connections when I make them, it shows packets
>>>>> being sent AND received. I just don't understand why Im not able
>>>>> to do anything online if the connection is there. When I reconnect
>>>>> back to my network (which IS secured) once again I have complete
>>>>> access to the net. I know that unsecured means the wireless
>>>>> network is wide open, there is no 'key' or anything needed to
>>>>> connect, so whats the problem? I'm really stumped by this because
>>>>> when I take my notebook to
>>>>> friends houses who don't have their networks secured (I know dumb)
>>>>> not only does it show that the connection is made, but I can
>>>>> actually get online! Yet when I'm back home and I try to connect
>>>>> to other peoples unsecured networks, it shows I'm connected but I
>>>>> can't do anything online, with IE I get "cant find server" and if
>>>>> I try to open any other program that works online, it won't sign
>>>>> me in. Can anyone give me some advice on whats going on because I
>>>>> totally
>>>>> don't get it.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> Couple of ideas:
>>>> 1) You could be connecting to a network which does not have Internet
>>>> access.
>>>> 2) The router/AP may be allowing Internet access to only the
>>>> devices the owner specifies.
>>>>
>>>> Even though you are receiving a signal, that doesn't mean that you
>>>> are connected to the network. Do you know if you are being assigned
>>>> a valid address? Does your wireless device know what the gateway
>>>> address is?
>
>

In this case yes, since I am in a place with no cable internet, and can't
get dsl in a motel/temp suite/furnished apartment/whatever it is. However in
one of the previous places (a motel room in Couer D'Alene ID!), I had an
always on cable thing, and that was plugged into the wap/router. Even here I
can do the always on sat internet thing via the wap/router, but don't want
to leave the dish/tripod outside where the kids hang out. I was trying to
add on to the statement "Internet by itself *or* network by itself." The use
of And/Or instead of just *or* would have made it more accurate and less of
an absolute one or the other, not to mention driving someone trying to
wardrive and steal access crazy (sometimes it's connected, and sometimes it
isn't
(in case you are wondering/give a... umm rodents behind.. I guess you could
say I am technically homeless, and have been traveling 100% of the time for
10 years, 6 of them in an RV, Isn't the internet/Usenet a great thing.. even
a homeless/runaway from home person can be online
Come to think of it, saw a new device at the CES (consumer electronics show)
a few days ago, know how they have "net disks" (with both ethernet and USB
ports) to plug into hosts or routers? They now have "communication boxes"
that have a cell phone in em and plug in to the router as an ethernet device
or usb to computers, no host required....If on the router via ethernet, it
is just a shared device rather than a host, and uses the router
Just muddying up the thread again....
Robert Jacobs wrote:
> thats kool, but your using shared internet via a host, not via the
> router. I know you know that, im just clarifing for others reading
> the thread...
> "Peter Pan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> And just to confuse things even more, I have a wireless network, but
>> use dial-up networking from the devices with modems on the network
>> during the day/early Eve, and at night and on weekends, when I have
>> free cell time, it always connected and available over the network
>>
>>
>> Robert Jacobs wrote:
>>> Yes, that is true. A router will connect your computers together and
>>> enable broadband internet access if you have it. You can have
>>> network and internet, Internet by itself or network by itself.
>>>
>>>
>>> "Sseadoubleyou" <SseadoubleyouATyahooDOTcom> wrote in message
>>> news:xpidnZrCTM-cb2vcRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> Ah, I figured if Windows was picking up the network, then that
>>>> meant both the cable or dsl line and router were all connected. Are you
>>>> saying that one can physically have their router on, but
>>>> cable or dsl modem off and the networks would still be visible
>>>> even though the actual internet modem was off? If so I didn't
>>>> think about that one. "Jerry Park" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>>>> message news:lXBJd.24187$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>> Sseadoubleyou wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> In the building that I live in (or the immediate surrounding
>>>>>> area) there are a few people who have their wireless internet
>>>>>> setup in the "OPEN" mode, in other words, they have no security
>>>>>> enabled on their networks and they show up in my "available
>>>>>> network lists" when I browse the list with my network cards
>>>>>> properties. (FOR TESTING PURPOSES ONLY), I have tried
>>>>>> connecting to the unsecured networks just to see if it would
>>>>>> actually work. The connection is made yet I'm NOT online! I
>>>>>> can't browse with my web browswer or do anything else online,
>>>>>> it's like I dont have a connection at all. The signal strength
>>>>>> indicators for these unsecured networks are all in the good to
>>>>>> excellent range so I know it's not because I'm to far away from
>>>>>> these peoples routers. When I check out the properties for the
>>>>>> connections when I make them, it shows packets being sent AND
>>>>>> received. I just don't understand why Im not able to do
>>>>>> anything online if the connection is there. When I reconnect
>>>>>> back to my network (which IS secured) once again I have complete
>>>>>> access to the net. I know that unsecured means the wireless
>>>>>> network is wide open, there is no 'key' or anything needed to
>>>>>> connect, so whats the problem? I'm really stumped by this
>>>>>> because when I take my notebook to friends houses who don't have
>>>>>> their networks secured (I know
>>>>>> dumb) not only does it show that the connection is made, but I
>>>>>> can actually get online! Yet when I'm back home and I try to
>>>>>> connect to other peoples unsecured networks, it shows I'm
>>>>>> connected but I can't do anything online, with IE I get "cant
>>>>>> find server" and if I try to open any other program that works
>>>>>> online, it won't sign me in. Can anyone give me some advice on
>>>>>> whats going on because I totally
>>>>>> don't get it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>> Couple of ideas:
>>>>> 1) You could be connecting to a network which does not have
>>>>> Internet access.
>>>>> 2) The router/AP may be allowing Internet access to only the
>>>>> devices the owner specifies.
>>>>>
>>>>> Even though you are receiving a signal, that doesn't mean that you
>>>>> are connected to the network. Do you know if you are being
>>>>> assigned a valid address? Does your wireless device know what the
>>>>> gateway address is?

I have Circond WiNc from PC Magazine - branded freeware. 2 AP here and
just opened WiNc and it shows a red x on one of my AP's that I'm not
connected to (x on a different ssid, my router).

fwiw;
The free Boingo software shows similar available AP's info and some more
details too.

I can remove my laptop MAC from the routers allowed filter list and then the
laptop will still wirelessly connect and can browse the LAN and shares
but it will not connect to the WAN( anotherwords no internet ).

"Sseadoubleyou" <SseadoubleyouATyahooDOTcom> wrote in message
news:0JadnZ-P2p1SYWvcRVn-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Yeah I see what you mean now. I tried it out and sure enough, every
single
> wireless network in range of me does NOT have internet access
>
>
> "Peter Pan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Sseadoubleyou wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> I'm really stumped by this because when I take my notebook to friends
> >> houses who don't have their networks secured (I know dumb) not only
> >> does it show that the connection is made, but I can actually get
> >> online! Yet when I'm back home and I try to connect to other peoples
> >> unsecured networks, it shows I'm connected but I can't do anything
> >> online, with IE I get "cant find server" and if I try to open any
> >> other program that works online, it won't sign me in.
> >>
> >> Can anyone give me some advice on whats going on because I totally
> >> don't get it.
> >>
> >> Thanks.
> >
> > Not all wireless networks have an internet connection. That sounds like
> > exactly what you are seeing. I use a program called Winc from cirond
> > corporation (www.cirond.com free for 30 days, about $30 one time after
> > that) that not only sniffs out networks, but unlike free progs like
> > netstumbler, gives all sorts of info about it (mac
> > address/protected/locked or not etc), including saying whether it has an
> > internet connection or not.
> >
> > While there are other sniffers out there, I really like this one, cuz it
> > shows the connections, and also actually start the browser and lets you
> > select it AND CONNECT
> >
> > If nothing else, check it out, it's free to try for 30 days. I highly
> > recommend it. What do you have to lose?
> >
> > PS. For those with PDA's that have WiFi (like my iPAQ 4551), they also
> > have a product called MiniWinc
> >
> > Don't be put off by the website, it's actually a security testing
company,
> > but they have really neat programs
> > (not affiliated with the company, just a very happy user)
> >
>
>