"Richard in AZ" <me@mailinator.com> wrote in message
news:eBT3mYN9HHA.2004@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
>I have a shop computer with Vista Premium that frequently has a problem
>connecting to the Internet while it is connecting to the local workgroup.
>
> Background. This computer has a Three-way hard drive switch that connects
> one of three hard drives at a time. Other than that all hardware is
> shared. One hard drive has Windows XP Pro, one has Vista and the third
> drive has a Linux OS. The computer is marginal for Vista (1.2 MHz CPU, 1
> GB RAM, 128 Mb Video) but works okay for what I need. The network
> connection is via a wireless PCI card to a wireless DSL modem/router in my
> office. The Vista and XP are protected with AVG, Windows Defender and
> Windows firewall for protection. The Linux hard drive uses an antivirus,
> and antispyware software that came with it (XandRos distribution). I only
> use these machines when I need support for computers I am working on in
> the shop and trying to master the OS. I don't keep any personal records
> on these hard drives.
>
> The XP operation always connects to the workgroup and to the internet very
> quickly with a strong signal strength on the wireless. The Linux
> operation always connects to the workgroup and the internet very quickly
> with a medium signal strength (I suspect a driver issue). The Vista
> operation connects to the workgroup with a strong signal strength, but
> frequently connects only to the "local" workgroup and not to the Internet.
> I can access shared folders on my office computer, but I can't connect to
> the Internet. When I do a system restore to the last used date, I can
> then connect to the Internet at boot-up. (I have learned to make a
> restore point at the end of each successful use of the OS.) When choose
> the "diagnose the problem" option, it points to the Windows Firewall. But
> even turning off the firewall will not let the connection complete.
> While using the restore point fixes the problem, I would like to not have
> to got that route.
>
> I don't think it would be a hardware issue, since all hardware is shared
> (except the hard drives) and works on the other two OS's.
> I do get an IP address from the workgroup router when the Internet is not
> connecting.
> Does anyone have any suggestions? I am not that skilled yet in fixing
> the Vista OS.[/color]


Are you using DHCP?

Can you access the internet in other ways other than through www? Like,
does Windows Live Messenger, IRC or something else still work?

Can you access websites using IP addresses, which would mean you have a DNS
issue?

Can you ping host addresses or IP addresses on the internet?

ss.