'puter problem.

Only those using MS XP and Comcast need reply.

I have a hell of a time connecting to the Internet from my desktop icons. I called Comcast in regards to this problem and they told me my wireless/wire Netgear router is the problem.

What the? My router is causing the problem? I can understand a possible problem with my video card or even my mouse, but the router? If I click on another icon such as "my computer" and then click on the icon for the Internet, it usually works. Why would the router have anything to do with that work-around? I'm not sold on the router causing the problem with my Internet icons.

Anyone hear of a router making it difficult to connect to Comcast with an icon on their desktop? I have no problem buying a new router if this is causing the problem but it all sounds very weird to me.

My Internet Explorer desk top icon isn't working properly because of the router when I can click on another non-Internet icon and then the Internet icon works????

Before I run out and buy a new router, I thought I'd check with you guys.

Gene:
I am running Windows XP with a Belkin Wireless Router and no problems.........knock on wood, or plastic, or whatever! Is your Comcast modem failing? I had to have Comcast replace mine about one year ago for the reason you describe.

Gene,

Using XP and Comcast. On Comcast's last upgrade of their site, which took place a couple of months ago, I was unable to connect using IE for a couple of days. I called customer service and was told that they were having some problems and that they were working on it. It was suggested that I download Mozilla as that was what the new upgrade was designed to work with. I switched to Mozilla and everything worked fine. I checked out IE a couple of days later and it was working fine, too.

Since this little hiccup, which got me a 50% credit on my next bill, both IE and Mozilla have been loading faster than before. Maybe the little hiccup was resolved for direct/wired hook-up and there is still a hiccup in the wireless/router approach.

Dean

So it fails when you launch from the desktop, but works with the task bar or start menu? If it is only the desktop icon that is not working it sounds like a registry issue, the router excuse makes no sense. They are just trying to get you to pay extra from a comcast router (that sucks by the way). I would try creating a shortcut on your desktop that points to the working icon.

Thanks, guys. This is a weird one. I can click on Eudora and it instantly connects to the Internet for my e-mail. But even when I use Explorer from the program menu, it still may or may not ever connect.

Eventually it will connect but sometimes it may take a half dozen attempts.

I suppose it may be the modum but I don't know enough about computers to know if the e-mail function is seperate from the Internet Explorer function.

It doesn't make sense that it is my Netgear router.

As my lap top works fine in wire-less mode, I'm beginning to suspect it may be a problem with my desk top computer. But I'm at a loss as what it could be.

I don't really want to install Explorer 8 because we had a lot of problems with the program where I work and ended up going back to 7. But I don't believe Explorer 7 is available from the evil MicroSoft or I'd try reinstalling the program.

With the unset of winter and fishing time now down to a standstill, I guess I have a few months to try and figure it out.

Ain't PCs fun? Considering how much Comcast charges for Internet connections, I may call them again just to harass them... there's always value in that

try installing Google Chrome or Firefox. I have been using Chrome for a couple months now without any issues but, then again, I am not a Comcast customer.

Sorry for the reply even though I am non-Comcast....

Good Luck

EJ thanks for the tip. I'm not a Comcast customer but I was experiencing a WTF moment.I've been getting an error prompt due to missing Chrome files when I opened up Firefox.Your tip and a quick download, problem solved.

Thanks...

For anyone who may run into what I did with Comcast, I was able to cure the problem. Guess what? It WAS the router.

I called my friendly neighbor computer store and talked with the guy who has designed my PCs from the beginning of my computer voyage. I explained the situation and he told me that because Comcast is making so many changes so quickly, unless I keep my Net Gear (Netgear?) router updated frequently, it can cause the problem I encountered.

I had no idea I need to keep upgrading my router! That's a new one for me. So I accessed the Netgear site and sure enough, there was an update for my model of router. I downloaded the firmware and voilà, problem solved.

Great, another piece of computer equipment I must remember to frequently check for updates.

Computers, a love hate relationship with humans.

"Open the pod bay door, HAL."

Believe it or not, modern vehicles include a ton of computerized components. Those components need upgraded if a problem occurs. Most of the warranty claims I process have to do with reprogramming (they call it a "flash") the vehicle. Rough idle?... flash a specific computer in the vehicle. Shifting problems?... flash a specific computer in the vehicle. The auto 4x4 not responding?... flash a specific computer in the vehicle. Radio problems?... flash a specific computer in the vehicle. We have a wireless broadcaster in the shop so the techs can use a very expensive laptop to change the programming of the modules.

Our techs spend more of their time flashing modules to correct a problem in the vehicles than they do making mechanical repairs.

The brave new world includes constant program changes and updates.

Just remember, if you do purchase a new vehicle with all sorts of bells and whistles, those bells and whistles are controlled by modules (computers) and more times than not, the failure of one of the bells and whistles has to do with computer programing.

Like I said, humans and computers have a love hate relationship.

"Open the pod bay door, HAL."

So it was YOU, and not Microsoft Corp and Comcast Cable?

I'm SHOCKED!

Actually, it was Comcast and Netgear that created the problem. I had nothing to do with causing the problem but I had to figure out how to fix it. Evil machines....

Updating computer hardware is like changing the oil in a car.

Imagine someone bringing in a car to you with 40,000mi on it and the oil had never been changed, complaining about the car not running....

My buddy used to work for Honda, he had an old lady bring in a Civic that was running rough. It had 80,000 miles on it and she had never had the oil changed (bought the car new) which amounted to nearly an inch of gunk covering everything. They told her they could clean the engine and get it running correctly but that she would have to change the oil regularly. She opted to just have a new engine installed since she made it 80,000 miles on the last one without changing the oil and didn't want to be bothered with routine maintenance.

So I guess how this relates is you can update the hardware periodically or you can keep buying new ones to keep up with everything else.

You guys aren't even close. An auto engine that requires an oil change is a mechanical device. With the vehicle comes a maint book that indicates what maint needs done and when. No such damned book came with my Netgear or I damned well would have checked for upgrades. Nothing, absolutely nothing in the material that came with the router indicated I had to "change oil" every few months. Zippo. Nothing. And if you two are so knowledgeable about updates for routers, why the hell didn't you suggest it when I first started the thread?

Give me a break. Guess I'd better check to see if there is an upgrade for my mouse, my keyboard and my monitor -- I haven't checked them for upgrades either.

"No such damned book came with my Netgear"

They put all of that info on the CD that came with your router.

Just sayin'

Like I said, why didn't you mention the upgrade for the router when I first started the thread? Just sayin'

You're trying to make me look like an idiot for not checking for an upgrade but I'd like to know just how many out there with routers frequently look for upgrades.

I tell you what. Lesson learned. Never, ever will I ask a computer question on this Forum again so I avoid being to made to look like a fool for asking the question.