Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Geeky stuff
Original poster

Are there any websites that I can use to sort out my laptop without having to pay £70 to pcworld?

39 replies

Oovavu · 10/01/2009 20:34

Can't get an internet connection but the connection itself it fine as I can use my other pc to get on the internet with no probs. It's the laptop - the manual is written for people with computer doctorates but I'm sure if I was to speak to someone kind and sympathetic or follow eedjit-proof instructions I'd be fine. Is there such a thing? I wouldn't mind paying a fee (just not £70!)

OP posts:
SimpleAsABC · 10/01/2009 20:36

Could you follow the settings on your laptop, i.e. make sure they are all the same?

Sorry I know it might seem obvious but it's worth a try?

goingunderground · 10/01/2009 20:37

geekstogo!

Original poster
Oovavu · 10/01/2009 20:38

you mean compare them to the pc? Good idea, but I don't even know where to start. I ended up in some godforsaken menu boxes the other day and nearly burst my brain open trying to understand how what and why

OP posts:
goingunderground · 10/01/2009 20:38

here

goingunderground · 10/01/2009 20:39

mn is good at this too though

Original poster
Oovavu · 10/01/2009 20:39

that site looks fab, goingunderground (God I love that song)

thanks so much

OP posts:
S1ur · 10/01/2009 20:39

I recommend geeky forums.

Try avforums they are good and general - ace for asking for recommendations about decent digital cameras, best laptops and how to weird things with your mac.

Join and then post a question. They are nice and post back quickly.

Original poster
Oovavu · 10/01/2009 20:41

I did think of asking straight out on MN but it seemed so cheeky really when it might be a complicated and time-consuming problem for someone

OP posts:
Original poster
Oovavu · 10/01/2009 20:41

will try both sites. thanks so much

OP posts:
goingunderground · 10/01/2009 20:45

a geeky problem is fun for geeks though oovavu, irano

Original poster
Oovavu · 10/01/2009 20:51

I guess so. are you one of those said geeks?

OP posts:
goingunderground · 10/01/2009 21:03

no but i'll have a go at fixing things

navyeyelasH · 10/01/2009 21:34

My DP is uber geek and says he can help .

Has laptop ever been on internet? When you can for internet connections does your laptop detect your home connection?

Original poster
Oovavu · 10/01/2009 22:45

hello sorry went off to have some food. I have a BT Hoome Hub woreless connection which the lap top has always used for the internet connection. Like I said, the pc upstairs is still fine.

When I go onto Internet connections it just says "No connectivity" or some such. There are odfferent messages depending on which things I've clicked on and got lost in. One of the mian ones that pops up is a picture of the laptop with a big red cross on the line showing connection to the internet. Sorry for being so basic - I love compuetrs but I'm a techno-duffer

OP posts:
SueW · 10/01/2009 23:01

n bottom right handcorner of my screen I have a picture ofa computer with ))) on the right hand side.

If I click on this it showsme the wireless networks available in the area and tells me whether they are secured or not.

I can then choose which one to connect to.

If a network is secured, you will need to entre the security code, this can be huge!

Original poster
Oovavu · 10/01/2009 23:26

My picture is of 2 computers one behind the other but it has an error meesage on it - a little yellow triangle with ! on it. But when I click it, it says that I'm currently connected.

There's also a little picture of a computer witht he Internet 'world' behind it and a red cross. If I put my mouse over that, a little box comes up that says:

"Local Area Connection
A network cable is unplugged
Wireless Network Con...(BTHomeHub-4688)
169.254.88.224 "

BUt it's not 'unlugged' is it - 1) because it's wireless and 2) because my pc's internet connection is fine.

OP posts:
Original poster
Oovavu · 10/01/2009 23:26

'unplugged' I meant

OP posts:
Kaytee26 · 10/01/2009 23:35

have you tried re-booting the laptop, that sometimes works

Kaytee26 · 10/01/2009 23:37

Also, mine always says network cable is unplugged, i think this is because you are not on a wired network

Original poster
Oovavu · 10/01/2009 23:38

re-booting as in how? (Remember you're talking to a complete dullard when it comes to techno-lingo)

OP posts:
Kaytee26 · 10/01/2009 23:43

switch off and on again

Original poster
Oovavu · 10/01/2009 23:47

oh yes, have done this loads of times. no luck with it I'm afraid.

did a search on one of the websites linked before and it all got a bit scary and also talked about a marvellous programme you can download to help with the connectivity problems.

BUT if my laptop can't connect to the internet, how can I download the programme to help???!

OP posts:
Kaytee26 · 10/01/2009 23:52

I also have a little picture of a computer but, when I hold the mouse over it, it tells me which router I am on (mine) and my signal strength. Does your laptop know which network to connect to ie yours?

Original poster
Oovavu · 10/01/2009 23:55

Yes, it seems to. The connection I want is always top of the list of options and the signal strenght is good. Just won't connect

I'm going boss-eyed with it now - off to bed and try again in morning.
Thanks for the help though

OP posts:
Kaytee26 · 10/01/2009 23:55

And, thinking about it, sometimes it won't connect to the internet and I have to reboot the whole lot. I am on Virgin broadband and I have to switch it all off, switch on the main broadband supply, wait 30 seconds and switch on the wireless, wait another 30 seconds and then reboot all pc's on the wireless network. So far, this has always worked.