Computer Help Needed!

[BigBassin144]

Since I don't know that much about computers and fear messing it up worse than it already is, I figured I'd ask you guys cause I know there's some IT guys out there as well as some that just know a hell of a lot more than I do.

My sister never uses her laptop, so I figured I could use it. But she had some problems with it and stuff not working, and I'm pretty sure there is a virus of some kind.

But before I can download some antivirus stuff, I need access to the internet, which I can't get.

So, here's some background info. If it matters, it's a Dell Insprion 5100 from back in 2003 (I know, ancient in computer time). Anyways, she has a D-Link wireless notebook adapter that I can't even get a signal on. I hooked up our USB wireless internet adapter, from our desktop and I could could pick up our wireless signal just fine.

Now, even with the signal, I can't get in to Internet explorer. When I open it, it tells me there is no connection and automatically switches to Work Offline.

Our wireless router (I think that's what I should be calling in), as well as our USB wireless adapter on our desktop and our other laptop card are all Linksys brand, so I don't know if that has anything to do with not getting a signal on the D-link adapter, but I wouldn't think so, because we've had other people at our house use our wireless signal.

Any help would be appreciated. If you need more info, I can try to find it out. Also, normal english would be appreciated instead of fancy computer jargon.

BB

[Bubba_Bruiser]

Can you get internet by plugging directly in to the router?

[BigBassin144]

Originally Posted by Bubba_Bruiser

Can you get internet by plugging directly in to the router?

I'm not sure, haven't tried it. How would I go about doing this? I know we had our old computer hooked up to it (it was in our basement). But my Aunt from Texas is who set out wireless sytem up, so I don't really know what I'd need to do.

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[nofearengineer]

Bubba is right, Anthony.

The notebook should have an ethernet port on the back. The Linksys router should too. Just hook an ethernet cable between them and let us know how it goes.

[BigBassin144]

Ok, I'll go try that. I think my trouble may be finding the cable. I know we have to have it if we had our old computer hooked to it.

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[BigBassin144]

Ok guys, after a much quicker search than I thought, I found the ethernet cable (It was curled up right net to the router) Anyways, I'm in my basement right now on the laptop.

Ok, so what is the net step to getting the wireless part of it to work?

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[nofearengineer]

What version of Windows is it running?

You will probably want to go into your Control Panel, select Network Connections, and use the "Set up a Wireless Connection Wizard."

If your problem runs deeper than that, I probably can't help without being there.

[BigBassin144]

nofear, I've looked at that and don't really know which options to choose. I'm afraid I'm going to mess something up. Also, I don't have any of the software that came with the D-link adapter or the computer.

On the bright side, I've taken this time to download Malwarebytes and Avast. 1 min 50 seconds into the malwarebytes scan and 29 infected items already... Avast is still installing, but there hasn't been working antivirus software on here since likd 2004 when the Norton 1 year subscription epired.

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[nofearengineer]

You can also look into Avira and AVG. Both of them have free products that are great at keeping you system clean. Best bang for the buck (free ).

I think once you get the notebook running well, you can download the manual for the router, and also look up how to set up your wireless off of the web. Google, Google, and shall I add, Google?

[BigBassin144]

Thanks, and I think it has Windows P.

That's odd the "ecks" key does work. Hard to spell the letter without using the letter...

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[Bubba_Bruiser]

Try Super AntiSpyware too BB. An IT buddy told me about it when I got a trojan and Norton wanted 100 to remove it. I run it daily and it hasn't let me down yet.

[BigBassin144]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

Thanks, and I think it has Windows P.

That's odd the "ecks" key does work. Hard to spell the letter without using the letter...

BB

Ok, for some reason, the Z, X, and left shift keys don't work... But that's a problem for another day...

We've got a friend of our who's good with computers coming over this weekend. He can help me set up the network stuff on the laptop. Until then, I'll sit on the cold floor in my basement next to the router.

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[Bubba_Bruiser]

Get a pillow, hard surfaces can give you roids, and I don't mean rage.

[nofearengineer]

Originally Posted by Bubba_Bruiser

Get a pillow, hard surfaces can give you roids, and I don't mean rage.

I don't know...I think a case of 'roids could get you ragin' easily.

[Captmikestarrett]

AVG has stopped support for its free anti-virus..

I am now using Microsoft Security Essentials on a lot of systems. But beware the imatators. If you google it you get the wrong site and install a virus.

http://www.microsoft.com/security_es...s/default.aspx

Here is the link. It works on XP SP3 or above. Includes Vista and windows 7

Please do not install more than one virus scanner BTW. If you do you will be so slow. One will scan a file change prompting the other to scan the same file and loop will never end.

Capt Mike

[BigBassin144]

lol guys...

Anyways, it turns out the OS isn't as new as I thought. It must be Windows Millenium. the battery is also shot. I can only get about 40 minutes out of it... Also, the space key doesn't work real good (it only works when I press right in the middle). Running Avast today, and malwarebytes again.

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[nofearengineer]

Millennium?....dear God...I thought that was outlawed by federal decree or something. It should have been.

I'd say a laptop with a 40 minute battery is pretty much useless haha. But then again, laptops have always seemed to me to be nothing more than expensive self-sterilizers. A man can only take so much heat in the nether regions.

Space key is broken? At least it's not an important key, ROFL.

[BigBassin144]

Not broken, it just seems like the only place it is supported is right in the middle, so it doesn't press down anywhere but right in the middle. And most of the time, I press it on the far right side.

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[TN_Bassin]

I am certainley not condoning this course of action, but if you happened to have a Win Xp CD and a serial code you could double use the code. Microsoft has stopped policing Win Xp as much because of Vista and Win 7 coming out. As far as your wireless problems go, ME wasn't designed to fully support Wi-Fi like XP and beyond were. You will most likely have to have the software that came with the D-Link router in order for the Wi-Fi to function properly. The keyboard, it may simply be that dust has accumulated under the keys. If you take it and have it cleaned, that may fix your keyboard problems.

[BigBassin144]

While restarting the computer after Avast said it needed to scan the computer while it was booting up, I noticed it does say Windows XP.

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[TN_Bassin]

Well since it is XP, it should automatically detect and try to install the drivers for the D-Link Wireless card when you plug it in. Did you actually connect to your house's wireless access point or did you just see that it was showing up?

[Bubba_Bruiser]

Sounds like something might have been spilled on it at some time if some of the keys are not working. Can you start in Safe mode and do a scan from there?

[1/4 stick]

Originally Posted by Captmikestarrett

AVG has stopped support for its free anti-virus..

Capt Mike

When did they stop? I'm still getting updates for my free version.

[Bassboss]

Leave it as it is BigB.

Don't buy something any anti virus soft ware or anything like it, save your money. You can get a free operating system, that won't get viruses!

Download Uberstudent, my dad made it for people in school, and, it's real easy to use right outa the box (so to speak). And whith ubuntu, or linux branches, you don't get viruses, for the simple reason people don't make viruses for them, only windows.

Check this out too. http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/

p.s, It's 100% free.

[BigBassin144]

bassboss, I'll check it out. I definately don't plan on putting any money into this POS, lol. I new battery would be like 40-50 bucks off ebay, but I'll just leave it plugged in when possible.

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