Perform an initial check

Our first step will be to verify some basic network connectivity information.

  1. Make sure that your laptop is not connected to a wired internet connection.

  2. If you have an external wireless adapter (such as a wireless-USB adapter, or a PCMCIA card), make sure that it is inserted into the proper slot on your computer.

  3. If your wireless card is inside your computer, make sure that your wireless adapter switch is turned on.

  4. Click the network menu on the top panel and make sure that the Enable Wireless setting is checked.

  5. Open a terminal window (such as gnome-terminal), and enter the following command:

    nm-tool

The nm-tool program will display information about your network hardware and connection status. If output from the wireless connection section contains the text, State: Connected, it means that your wireless adapter is working and it is connected to your wireless router.

If you are connected to your wireless router, but you still cannot access the internet, your router may not be set up correctly, or your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may be experiencing some technical problems. Review your router and ISP setup guides, or contact your ISP for support.

If the output from the nm-tool command did not indicate that you were connected to the network, proceed to the next portion of the troubleshooting guide.