Checking the Connection Status

The first thing you should check when you suspect a network problem is Vista's Network icon. The Network icon changes depending on the current network state. To refresh your memory, three states indicate a problem:

General Solutions to Network Problems

Figuring out that a problem exists is one thing, but it's often quite another to come up with a fix for the problem. Here are a few other general fixes you need to keep in mind:

• Enable network discovery. If you can't access your network, by far the most common cause is that you have Vista's network discovery feature turned off. Make sure network discovery is turned on.
• Close all programs. You can often fix flaky behavior by shutting down all your open programs and starting again. This is a particularly useful fix for problems caused by low memory or low system resources.
• Log off Windows Vista. Logging off clears the RAM and so gives you a slightly cleaner slate than merely closing all your programs.
• Reboot the computer. If there are problems with some system files and devices, logging off won't help because these objects remain loaded. By rebooting the system, you reload the entire system which is often enough to solve many computer problems.
• Turn off the computer and restart. You can often solve a hardware problem by first shutting your machine off. Wait for 30 seconds to give all devices time to spin down, and then restart. This is called power cycling the computer.
• Power cycle the router. If you're getting a network error or you can't access the Internet, the router may be at fault. Power off the router and then power it on again. Wait until the status lights stabilize and then try accessing the network.
• Power cycle the modem. If you can't get Internet access, it could be a problem with your broadband modem. Power off the modem and then power it on again. Wait until the status lights stabilize and then try accessing the Internet.
• Check connections, power switches, and so on. Some of the most common (and some of the most embarrassing) causes of hardware problems are the simple physical things: making sure that a device (for example, your router) is turned on; checking that cable connections (particularly between the NIC and router) are secure; and ensuring that insertable devices (such as a USB or PC Card NIC) are properly inserted.
• Revert to a working configuration. If you could access the network properly in the past, you may be able to solve the problem by reverting your system to that working state. See "Reverting to an Earlier Configuration," later in this tutorial.
• Upgrade the router's firmware. Some network problems are caused by router bugs. If the manufacturer has corrected these bugs, the fixes will appear in the latest version of the router firmware, so you should upgrade to the new version.
• Reset the router. You can cause network problems by misconfiguring your router, or by the router's internal settings becoming corrupted somehow. Almost all routers come with a reset feature that enables you to return the router to its factory settings. Ideally the device comes with a Reset button that you can push; otherwise, you need access to the router's setup pages.
• Use the Help and Support Center. Microsoft has greatly improved the quality of the Help system in Windows Vista. The Help and Support Center (select Start, Help and Support) is awash in articles and advice on using Windows Vista. However, the real strength of Help and Support is, in my opinion, the Support side. In the Help and Support Center home page, click Troubleshooting to see links for troubleshooting network problems.