mrthejacob

Recently reformatted and reinstalled XP on my laptop. I was getting a "wireless network connection..." ... "Signal Strength: Good" via my taskbar icon, but was unable to get online. I browsed these forums a while, uninstalled and reinstalled all the associated network adapters (Broadcom 802.11 b/g WLAN, Realtek RTL8139, PCI modem), re-ran the setup wizard on my laptop and the hub desktop (Vista) using a flash drive, and also reset the cable internet box and router (D-Link DI-524) by way of a power-down then simultaneous power-up. It kept showing the same message on the laptop, as if I was connected, but continued getting the "server not found" default error page when attempting to get online. I finally called the cable company and said wtf? They had me unplug the cable modem and then soon after plug it back in... I had been through that before on my own, and didn't think this would solve the problem, but when I checked, I was able to get online! Did they remotely reset the modem, or otherwise do something to solve the problem I couldn't access and solve on my end?? Well, that was yesterday. This morning, I was cruising the net and trying to catch-up on season1 episodes of Heroes. NBC isn't showing anything before the start of season 2, so I was googling for them and guess what... the default "server not fount" error page starts popping up, and I'm no longer online. I was visiting some random sites, I think called ibgn, fmv, onlinecinema, and I haven't installed anything in the way of AV since the re-install. This also coincided with my roommate leaving for work, possibly turning off his desktop while leaving, but I'm assuming that to be mere coincidence since that hasn't ever been an issue before, but worth mentioning just in case it's not. Reset modem and router again, called the cable company again, but this time, when they had me unplug the modem and plug it back in, I was still unable to get online. Finally I took my laptop into the other room and physically plugged it into the router via ethernet port. My laptop is online. I decide to disable the ethernet in the connections manager, and I'm still online! via the wireless connection! I unplugged the laptop all together and am still online... Can anyone tell me WTF??? I'm really hoping to understand this problem a little better, any information would be appreciated.

I'm a newbie... I have just reformatted my computer and am seeking advice on how best to set it up. 1.) Should I stay with WinXP SP2 home, or are there better alternatives? 2.) Is there anything one should do before installing the operating system? 3.) What are the most important things to do after install? 4.) What other questions am I forgetting to ask? Here's what I'm working with... Microprocessor 1.8 GHz AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Processor ML-32 with PowerNow!™ Technology Microprocessor Cache 512KB L2 Cache Memory 1024MB 333MHz DDR System Memory (2 Dimm) Memory Max 2048MB Video Graphics ATI RADEON® XPRESS 200M IGP Video Memory 128MB DDR (shared) Hard Drive 80GB (4200RPM) Hard Drive Multimedia Drive DVD±R/RW and CD-RW Combo Drive with Double Layer Support Display 15.4” WXGA High-Definition BrightView Widescreen (1280 x 800) Display Fax/Modem High speed 56k modem Network Card Integrated 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN(h) (RJ-45 connector) Wireless Connectivity 54g™ 802.11b/g WLAN with 125HSM / SpeedBooster support Sound Altec Lansing Keyboard 101-key compatible 2 Quick Launch Buttons (HP Quick Play Music and DVD) Pointing Device Touch Pad with dedicated vertical Scroll Up/Down pad PC Card Slots * 1 ExpressCard/54 Slot (also supports ExpressCard/34) External Ports * 2 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 * 1 headphone-out * 1 microphone-in * 1 VGA (15-pin) * 1 TV-Out (S-video) * 1 RJ-11 (modem) * 1 RJ -45 (LAN) * 1 notebook expansion port 2 * 1 Consumer IR Dimensions 10.4"(L) x 14.1"(W) x 1.38"(min H) /1.77"(max H) Weight 6.6 lbs Security * Kensington® MicroSaver lock slot * Power-on password * Accepts 3rd party security lock devices Power * 65W AC adapter * 6-Cell Lithium-Ion What's In The Box HP Mobile Remote Control Mobile Stereo Earbud Headphones (1 pair) Software Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition+Service Pack 2 Security and Support: Symantec™ Norton Internet Security 2005™ (including 60 days complimentary live update) HP Total Care Help & Support Center Adobe™ Acrobat Reader Recovery DVD Multimedia: Sonic Digital Media Plus InterVideo WinDVD Microsoft Zones.com Apple iTunes and Apple iTunes Music Store InterVideo Home Theater HP Quick Play Muvee AutoProducer DVD Edition with Burning Microsoft® Windows® Movie Maker Microsoft® Windows Media Player HP Image Zone Plus photo and imaging software Productivity and Finance: Microsoft® Works Microsoft® Money Microsoft® MSN Encarta Plus Microsoft® Office 2003 Student and Teacher Edition: 60 day trial version Internet Solutions: Microsoft® Internet Explorer AOL® Dial-Up

This is my first time to ever make a post on any kind of forum. I'm a "newbie" and wish to learn, which is why I'm here, and why I chose this site. Everyone here seems very informed and helpful. please bear with me, as I don't even know how to navigate or properly use forums and so forth, but I think I pick up on stuff well enough. Thank you to everyone who helps run this site!