Windows 7 Connected to router, but not Internet ("Connection...is broken")

oldandslow

New Member
UPDATE! RESOLVED BY UNINSTALLING "Update for MS Windows KB2732500"

Hardware setup:

  • Dell Studio 1558 laptop, Windows 7 Home Premium, Service Pack 1, 64-bit O/S, Intel Core i3
  • Linksys E1200 wireless router
  • Comcast cable modem (by Motorola)




After functioning on my home WLAN for over a year, my Dell Studio laptop suddenly refused to connect to the internet:

  • Via the WLAN
  • Via an ethernet cable connected to a wired port on the Linksys router
  • Via an ethernet cable connected directly to the Comcast cable modem


Initially the error displayed by "Troubleshoot problems" was: "DNS server not responding".


Now, after all my troubleshooting efforts, the displayed error is: "The connection between your access point, router, or cable modem and the Internet is broken"


All the following devices function normally on the WLAN:

  • Dell Latitude laptop, Win XP SP3
  • Toshiba Satellite, Win Vista Home Premium SP2
  • iPhone 4 (two of them)
  • iPad 2


Other than installing Windows updates a few days before, I had not made any changes to this laptop or to my WLAN (at least none that I can think of)


I have done the following in an attempt to troubleshoot:

  • Searched this forum (tried most of the suggestions in the "DNS server not responding?" thread)
  • Rebooted the PC, modem, and router (multiple times, in different sequences)
  • Updated to the latest drivers for the DW1501 Wirelss-N WLAN Half-Mini Card to 5.60.48.35
  • Updated to the latest drivers for the Realtek PCIe GBE Familyh Controller to 7.61.612.2012
  • Used "Device Manager" to uninstall both of the above, then re-added using "Scan for hardware changes"
  • Tried to connect on a public AT&T WiFi network
  • Installed a USB WiFi adapter
  • Turned on SSID broadcast
  • Turned off MAC filtering
  • Turned off the McAfee firewall
  • Ran "Troubleshoot problems" after most of the above changes
  • Rebooted after most of the above changes
  • Confirmed that "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties" was set to:
  • - Obtain an IP address automatically
  • - Obtain DNS server address automatically
  • Tried manually setting the DNS server to 192.168.1.1


I have NOT yet attempted to reinstall Windows or "restore to an earlier point in time" (not sure how to :( One of the threads suggests this worked, but I'll admit to being nervous about trying it!!


An suggestions for other troubleshooting would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
Rob
 
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