Can't access the internet

ponyexpressrider · 08-15-2012, 01:49 AM

I've seldom had a problem accessing the internet with my Linux operating system but recently I haven't been able to access it. The two TV sets at the bottom of the screen remain TV sets. I have a desktop computer in one room of the house which uses Windows XP and a laptop in another room of the house that uses Linux. I have a modem and a router. The laptop is WFI enabled.
My IP couldn't help because they are not familiar with the Linux operating system. Any suggestions?

414N · 08-15-2012, 02:02 AM

Hi and welcome to LinuxQuestions!
You should provide us with a lot more information than what you just posted for us to be of any help.
What distro are you using? What are the "two TV sets at the bottom of the screen"?
Is Linux installed only on your wifi-enabled laptop?

ponyexpressrider · 08-15-2012, 07:55 AM

Linux is installed on the WIFI enabled lap top.

John

ac_kumar · 08-15-2012, 09:36 AM

what os are you using?
can you scan for available wireless access point in your laptop?

arizonagroovejet · 08-15-2012, 01:48 PM

As others have said, more info required. Way more info. Some questions it might be useful to know the answer to:

Which version of Linux are you using?
What have you done to attempt to resolve the issue so far and what was the outcome of that?
Are you seeing any errors? (If so full and exact wording or screenshots.)
Did you change anything about your modem/router recently?
Have you verified that the wireless functionality of your router is actually turned on? (I'm guess the Desktop connects using Ethernet rather than wireless.)
If you plug the laptop in to the router using an Ethernet cable, do you then have Internet access?

I'm guessing the part of your post about TV sets is a reference to some sort of icons but it would help if you said what they are. A screenshot might help.

arizonagroovejet · 08-15-2012, 01:50 PM

If you're not sure what version of Linux you're using try the following commands

Code:

$ uname -a 
$ lsb_release -a
$ cat /etc/issue
$ cat /etc/*issue*
$ cat /etc/*release*
$ cat /etc/*version*

At least one of them should yield something useful.

arizonagroovejet · 08-15-2012, 01:55 PM

One last thought, some laptops have a physical switch on them that can be used to turn wireless on/off. Does yours?