Windows 7 Connects To Router But Not Internet

[ichkeria]

I've got my wife's laptop back from being repaired. They've replaced the hard disk and I have a fresh install of Windows 7.
When I try to set up an internet connection using our router, via wifi, it recognises the existing working router and connects to it, but not to the internet. I've looked at a few possible solutions on other forums but none of these suggestions seem very likely. One possibility is that the firewall on the router is rejectiing the connection, but it wasn't a problem before. What could have changed now?

Grateful for any advice

[The Builder]

I think the first thing I would try, Ichy, would be to uninstall the router, and use its disk to re-install.

[ichkeria]

Thing is, the router is working perfectly well, so far as I can see.
For now I can't remember how to log back into it, useless specimen that I am :-)

I think a call to the reasonably priced ISP helpline may be in order :-(

[Buenchico]

A few pieces of information from you might be useful here:

Firstly, how is it apparent that the laptop isn't connecting to the internet? If it's simply that web pages won't load in a browser, it could be a problem with that browser, rather than with the laptop or router. However if 'no internet access' is shown when you look at the available connections (via the icon at the bottom right of the screen) then we can rule out the browser.

Next, have you tried connecting the laptop to the router with an ethernet cable? (The router should have been supplied with one, or you can hand over a quid in Poundland for one). If the laptop works with an ethernet connection it's clearly a wi-fi problem; if not, we need to consider something else.

Have you tried taking the laptop into your nearest McDonalds, Wetherspoons, Tesco Extra or Asda to see if it will work with their free wi-fi connections? If it does, the problem would seem to be with your router, rather than the laptop.

Lastly, have you got any other devices that take a signal from the router (such as another laptop, router or internet radio)? Are they working normally?

[ichkeria]

Thanks for those suggestions Buenchico.

Firstly, it's definitely not a browser issue - the network connection in Control Panel shows connectivity to the router but Router to Internet has the dreaded red X. And there's the exclamation mark in the connection icon on the bottom right.

Second ( I should have tried this earlier) the local connection via ethernet cable also shows no internet connectivity.

Thirdly, I've not had the chance to try an external free wifi connection.

Finally, yes the router works fine with my laptop, phone

[Buenchico]

Well, the ethernet test shows that it's not specifically a wi-fi problem. (So you've lost your excuse for a pint in Wetherspoons!)

Try resetting the TCP/IP stack:
Click Start and then type CMD in the Search programs and files.
Right-click CMD.exe icon in Programs and choose Run as administrator.
When the User Account Control box pop up, click Yes.
At the command prompt, copy and paste (or type) the following command and then press ENTER:
netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt
Reboot the computer.

Then reset Winsock by following the instructions above but substituting this text:
netsh winsock reset

[ichkeria]

I tried that test before (it was one of the things I found on one of the forums)
However I didn't get the "run as admin" option when right clicking on the cmd icon (perhaps because I was already logged in as administrator?) and the netsh command was unrecognised. So perhaps I did need extra access after all.

Interestlingly the red X disappeared for a while, i.e. I got a status of "able to connect to internet" but it didn't make any difference. It's now come back again :-)
I also turned off the windows 7 firewall
Using Chrome it does suggest that access is being blocked somehow.
I'll try again tomorrow

Thanks for your advice so far

[ichkeria]

That worked Buenchico. Many thanks!