A large number of Wireless Internet issues can be fixed before you have to contact someone. Here's a quick checklist of what to look for when you are having issues connecting to the internet wirelessly.
Start by checking your physical connections. If you have a jumble of wires like most people do at their wireless access point something could have easily been bumped or unplugged. Double check both ends of the cables, see if the lights are lit up on your router and modem then move to the next step. (If cable appears damaged it probably is, luckily they're cheap)
Check to make sure the wireless access point (router, or wireless modem...) is installed and working properly. You might have to break out the CD to reinstall your wireless hardware, but at least you'll know it's working properly.
Make sure your computer is set up to receive a wireless signal. I'm guilty of going through all the steps just to find that I bumped a button that turned my wireless off for my laptop. Once you have verified it's on check on your computer's control panel for available wireless networks. If yours is there, click connect and then you're set, if not. Keep reading.
Check your computer network settings. Sometimes you have to type in the IP address to have it connect. For windows computers go to network connections, pick the connection, choose properties. Select the TCP/IP protocol (V4 for Vista users) and click properties. The settings should be set to detect both IP address and DNS server automatically, if not, make sure they are. If there are any numbers in the fields already be sure to write them down before changing the selection, in the event you need to go back to them.
Still not working? How about something more simple, like changing the location of your access point. Move your antenna, change its position to see if you notice a difference, that's what it's there for. Try changing the location of it, move it up higher, away from windows, to a more central location, and try to avoid physical obstructions which decrease the range. Experiment until you find a practical, working one.
If you still aren't having any luck, get your computer to somewhere that has internet and update your operating system. Microsoft and Mac have newer versions and updates available through their websites and you can fix a lot of minor bugs simply by keeping up to date on updates.
If you're still not having any luck give us a call and we'll help you out.
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