Windows Vista - LAN working properly, but Vista says I'm not connected

Question

I use the wireless adapter of my laptop to connect to my company's LAN everyday. Today, I decided to connect using my wired LAN instead. And my problem began: I can connect just fine, whether I use the wireless or the wired adapter. I can connect to Exchange, I can browse the Internet and use Skype and Messenger. It connects just fine and works flawlessly. Nonetheles, Windows says that I'm not connected. When I go to the Network and Sharing Center, it shows me no map and says "You're not currently connected to any networks".

This wouldn't be a problem if I would just need to browse the Internet, but the fact is that I need to connect to a client's VPN. And since Windows reports that I'm not connected (though I am) it won't let me event try to connect to the VPN.

 

The problem is, then, that I have no problem at all... ¡but Windows Vista thinks I do!

 

Details:

Soft: Windows Vista Business, SP1
Hard: Dell Latitude D830, with a Broadcom NetXtrem 57XX Gigabit adapter and an Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN.

 

I have all the required network-related services running and I always disable the Firewall service.

Any ideas? Why would Windows use one system to connect and another diferent system to detect if I'm connected? How can Windows connect just fine and not be aware of that?

 

Thanks to every clue you may provide.

Answer 1

I have this identical problem. I could have written it almost word for word as in the original post. It's happening through my wired connection. Just started happening, I've connected to the VPN successfully many times before.

 

I'm using:

Windows Vista Ultimate SP1

Dell Vostro, BroadComm 440x 10/100

 

Answer 2

Same problem. Same hardware and software. Cannot connect VPN. Big problem.

Answer 3

I have the same problem, and found a long thread about it.
http://forums.techarena.in/windows-vista-network/986895.htm
As you can see, there is no solution.
The problem appears to interfere with VPN access also, which makes life quite difficult.
It may be something to do with Vista SP1, but Microsoft have not addressed the issue.

Answer 4

This happened to my bosses boss while on a road trip...  Of course he just noticed it as his VPN not connecting any more.  This affects all network adapters.  I've tried resetting my winsock, system restore to a few weeks ago, updating bios, drivers, etc...  no luck.

 

Running Vista Ultimate 32 SP1 on a Dell Latitude D630 fully loaded

 

Made sure it wasn't a hardware issue by moving users HD over to an identicle dell that wasn't having the problem.  I've isolated and uninstalled all MS Vista and Office updates for the past month.  Removed all programs installed on the laptop to ensure something funky wasn't happening there.

 

This problem would be fine BUT as the user can still access his network even though Vista says it's not connected the blasted VPN won't configure, in fact after setting up the VPN over and over, it tries to set the IP address as a phone number for a modem that I have disabled anyway.  Pretty nifty...

 

I've migrated the user over to another laptop (Which is fully updated as well...) and the problem went away.  So I know it's not a hardware nor is it a profile issue nor is it a driver issue.

 

I guess my bosses boss is right when he says he hates Vista with a passion...  Ya know, it's so hard to keep people happy with the products we buy from MS when issues don't get addressed or theyhave unexplained bugs that no amount of working with it will solve.

 

Time to format the drive...  wish me luck!

 

Answer 5

Could someone please help!!!!!!!!! I have the same problem and its ridiculously frustrating.  My Network and Sharing says I'm "Not Connected" but clearly I am as I'm posting here...

I can use my browser, SmartFTP, iTunes store.. the list goes on.  I'm clearly connected, and have no problem with those programs.  People in various posts keep saying to just deal with it.  But since Vista thinks I'm not connected it leads to various problems.  Like the post above, I can't use VPN.  Exact same thing happens to me, it gets converted to a dialup connection for some reason and won't try to connect because it says a I have a network problem.  Various other annoyances have popped up (I can browse iTunes but I can't buy anything - it can't establish a secure connection with the iTunes app).

If this is a such a widespread issue (google it - it is) - you'd think Microsoft would address it.

CG

Answer 6

I also have this problem. Using Vista Home Premium edition. Additionally, I recently found that Windows Updater is not able to check for updates. I suspect the two issues are connected in some way. There are numerous threads on forums about the "unable to check for updates" problem, but no real solutions.

Bill

Answer 7

Count me in as another victim: I didn't develop this symptom until after installing Vista SP2, however. I can see and interact with all LAN resources, access the Internet just fine, and use RDP without difficulty. I certainly hope somebody comes up with a fix for this: it's quite galling!
Another crazed Vista User,
--Ed--

Answer 8

Count me in as another user with the same problem.  I can't connect to PPTP VPNs set up with the Microsoft client and have all they symptomps where Vista thinks I'm not connected to the Internet when I am.  It started happening to me about three or four weeks ago, just prior to when I installed SP2.

Vista Enterprise SP2
Dell Latitude D531 (Broadcom NetXtreme 57xx gigabit adapter, Dell wireless 1490 dual-band WLAN mini-card)

Answer 9

Hi. Same problem for me. It seems to be caused by a required update from HP relating to network and usb issues. Once this installed, the problem seems to have corrected itself.

Regards

Sorry folks. Scrub this post. Problem is back.

Answer 10

I have the same problem.  I don't know exactly when it began, but the network and Sharing Center says I'm not connected to a network, yet I can browse, receive email, and see other systems on the network, including my WHS.

I've searched everywhere but haven't found any good suggestions.  I've tried all the obvious.  I replaced my router.  I've uninstalled and reinstalled NIC drivers.  Checked all the relevant services.  Tried static IP. Tried all the auto troubleshooters.

It's not critical, just annoying.  I'll be replacing this system shortly, which will probably fix the problem, but it would be nice to know what's going on in case I run into it again.

Core i7 950 system
Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
Gigabit LAN wired connection

All other computers on the network work fine and generate accurate network map in the network/sharing center.

---

Gary M Johnson

Answer 11

Gary:

When I updated my system from Vista to Windows 7 RC the problem went away. I'm now running the final version of Win7 (Ultimate) and no longer have this problem: same hardware, same networking environment, but no "missing network." Is your Win7 system likewise afflicted? If so, first I've heard of this...

Best wishes,
--Ed--

QX9650 X38 DDR 3 mobo
Win 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Gigabit LAN wired connections