Paul's not the only one with internet issues...

[lake_wrangler]

I don't know exactly about your motherboard's BIOS, seeing as I haven't had to deal with secure boot, so far, but when you go into the BIOS, you are usually shown the hard drives, to select the order in which it will check them for an OS. However, that main screen will NOT show you the USB. You need to find something like "Boot Menu" or "Boot Options", which will then show you hard drives AND any USB keys that are PRESENTLY plugged in (i.e. make sure to plug in your USB key first, before going into the BIOS). You can then select to boot from the USB key, at which point it will reboot the computer and boot from USB.

At least, that's how it worked for me, when I tried different distributions of Linux. Good luck.

[GlytchMeister]

Yeah, I saw that. I even tried messing with the boot order to force the thing to look at everything else before looking at the hard drive. No dice.

*shrug*

There was also legacy boot stuff, which is disabled by default. I turned it on and tried, even messing with the legacy AND the normal boot order. Still didn't work. I don't know what is up with this idiotic laptop, but it is kicking my butt.
...
Y'know, I just read something about Windows 10 making better use of hardware than 8. Like, 8 would have issues with a fingerprint scanner, but 10 handled it no sweat, every time.
Before I see if Windows 10 will fix the problem, I'm going to see if I can make a system restore point on an external storage medium.

[Dave]

Yeah, I saw that. I even tried messing with the boot order to force the thing to look at everything else before looking at the hard drive. No dice.

*shrug*

There was also legacy boot stuff, which is disabled by default. I turned it on and tried, even messing with the legacy AND the normal boot order. Still didn't work. I don't know what is up with this idiotic laptop, but it is kicking my butt.
...
Y'know, I just read something about Windows 10 making better use of hardware than 8. Like, 8 would have issues with a fingerprint scanner, but 10 handled it no sweat, every time.
Before I see if Windows 10 will fix the problem, I'm going to see if I can make a system restore point on an external storage medium.

Unfortunately, some laptop (and computer) makers are really only concerned with supporting Windows... and just the then-current Windows release at that.

It's possible that your laptop BIOS simply doesn't support boot-from-USB. Some do not.

Consider yourself at least slightly fortunate that you can at least turn off Secure Boot. There's a definite chance that some rules-changes at Microsoft are going to have the effect of encouraging computer makers to stop supporting non-UEFI boot entirely, and eliminate the requirement that the computer owner must be able to add additional boot authentication keys to the BIOS.

Computers built without those "back door" options will be able to boot software which was securely signed by Microsoft... and nothing else. They will be "Windows-only", and if you want to boot anything else, too bad.

There's only one more thing I can suggest that you try (along the lines of what others have suggested): try a different WiFi access point. A simple low-end access point (without any router functionality) could be set up, without disrupting your existing network configuration at all. You'd want to configure it with a different WiFi network name and passphrase, and then plug it into the wired side of your existing network.

[GlytchMeister]

Hmm.
ATT gave us two internet boxes, one big and one small. One has all kinds of lights on the front and has several Ethernet ports in the back. One of those ports has an Ethernet cord that runs to the smaller internet box.
That smaller box came with a sticker:
"Wireless Access Point (WAP)"
Here's the confusing part: when my laptop started acting up, I used the small box's cord to get internet. But in doing so, nothing happened to the wireless network.

So what I'm wondering is wtf is this little box here for?

-----------
Ok, technical information:
Big box:
•Front says this:
AT&T
U-verse

Power <light>
Battery <light> (off)
Ethernet <light>
Wireless <light>
HomePNA <light>
Broadband 1 <light>
Broadband 2 <light>
Service <light>
Phone 1 <light> (off)
Phone 2 <light> (off)
USB <light> (off)

<light> (off)
Some wifi icon button
(Two arrows chasing each other in a circle)

ARRIS
NVG589

Side sticker says the S/N is 180846647161168
(I'm not putting anything else from the side sticker on here because it has to do with login and stuff.)

The Small Box says this on the Bottom:
CISCO
Model: VEN401-AT
S/N is AP002519625

Do you guys n' gals think I can configure the small box into an auxillary access point like Dave was talking about up there? Any ideas on how to pull that off?

[Dave]

The VEN-AT seems to be a specialized wireless access point (reportedly for the 5 GHz802.11a band only) which is used to send a video stream to a wireless U-Verse television receiver. You'd have to ask AT&T and Cisco if there's any way to "open it up" as a general purpose access point, without messing up your U-Verse television service.

There are (I understand) ways to completely replace the internal software in one of these and turn it into a general-purpose access point, but this is probably an irrevocable action and not one I'd encourage at this stage.

Question: do you have a spare 12-volt, 1-ampere (or more) "wall wart" DC power supply kicking around?

If so, I could send you a spare access point I'm not using (an AirLink101 AR325W). I could pre-configure it so it would act as an access point but not a router, so you could just plug it into your existing router with an Ethernet cable and try it out. I've got more APs and routers sitting around here than I need - I bought this one years ago as a "just in case" when they were on sale and haven't ever used it.

(The reason I ask about the power supply is that I'm sorta short on 'em, and the power supply I do have that works for this would be heavier and harder to ship than the AP itself).

If you're interested, send me a PM.

[scantrontb]

Hmm.
ATT gave us two internet boxes, one big and one small. One has all kinds of lights on the front and has several Ethernet ports in the back. One of those ports has an Ethernet cord that runs to the smaller internet box.
That smaller box came with a sticker:
"Wireless Access Point (WAP)"
Here's the confusing part: when my laptop started acting up, I used the small box's cord to get internet. But in doing so, nothing happened to the wireless network.

So what I'm wondering is wtf is this little box here for?

-----------
Ok, technical information:
Big box:
ARRIS
NVG589

Side sticker says the S/N is 180846647161168
(I'm not putting anything else from the side sticker on here because it has to do with login and stuff.)

The Small Box says this on the Bottom:
CISCO
Model: VEN401-AT
S/N is AP002519625

Do you guys n' gals think I can configure the small box into an auxillary access point like Dave was talking about up there? Any ideas on how to pull that off?

just doing a quick google search, the BIG box is your actual internet modem, the SMALL box apparently is only for connecting your TV to stream internet TV wirelessly rather than wired... it probably WON'T have anything to do with your INTERNET WiFi... but if you disconnect that and plug your laptop into it's cable, then I'll bet your TV service cuts out!

just guesstimating I'd say that the following MIGHT BE what those lights are for:

Power <light>
Battery <light> (off) either a status light saying the battery is "OK", OR a status light saying that the mains power is OFF and the modem is being powered directly from the battery (kinda like a UPS) i'm pretty sure this is used mostly for the VOIP aspects of the modem, to ensure 911 calls and such can still go thru even if normal power has been knocked out.
Ethernet <light> this is the side you connect YOUR PC's to to get internet access
Wireless <light> this is the status light for the built-in wireless antenna
HomePNA <light> um?... reading between the lines from Wikipedia i would guess that this is a status light as to whether or not the current connection is actually "good enough" to be useful as per the HPNA protocols (the wikipedia article tells more info.)
Broadband 1 <light> this is the status light of one of the two broadband connections from the phone company (ie the World outside your house)
Broadband 2 <light> the status light for the SECOND broadband connection... this modem is capable of using what is called a "dual-bonded" pair of lines, OR just one of them, whichever way the input connections from the phone company are set up for...
Service <light> whether or not the phone company ACTUALLY has a signal going out ON those two broadband connection cables
Phone 1 <light> (off) these are status lights if you have a plain ol' PHONE line plugged into the back going to a WIRED phone in your house
Phone 2 <light> (off) a wired phone line number two inside your house, more than likely any phone plugged in to either of these jacks will NOT need the filter dongle that is required when you have a DSL connection, as there is probably a filter built-in to the unit.
USB <light> (off) this is a status light for whether or not you have anything plugged into your USB jack... i guess it's intended purpose would be used for a Networked USB Printer for the whole house, rather than having to have one PC ALWAYS turned on AND running in order to use the printer that is directly attached to that PC from anywhere ELSE on the network via shared printers?? I'm not sure if you can use it as a way to plug in a thumb drive and boot the modem from it though...

[GlytchMeister]

That's what I thought about this confounded little box too, until I took it's Ethernet cord and plugged in my laptop. The TV's all still work.
Every one of them.
This... VEN-AT seems to do absolutely nothing whatsoever. It's literally just sitting here, I'm looking at it now: no Ethernet. The power is still on, so it might be repeating the wireless signal for the TV's and the Ethernet cord is unnecessary?
Damned if I know. I'm about ready to track down the guy who installed this thing and drag him here and make him teach me wtf everything is.
Gawd.
I'm not using AT&T when I move out. I know that much. This is weird. I'm gonna unplug this stupid little box from the power and see if that makes the TV's freak out. Hold on.
EDIT:
Dad's getting nervous about me screwing with "them in-ter-net doodads" so I'm gonna wait until he goes to bed. Should be in a few hours at most.

[TazManiac]

I'm not really going to reply to this thread, until tomorrow and the sun has arisen.

in the mean time, hang tight, we can fix this...

[GlytchMeister]

SUCCESS!

Windows 10 made my wifi adaptor straighten up and fly right!

Also, this VEN-AT appears to be absolutely useless. It has no effect on signal strength, the TV's, or internet connectivity. I've tested this several times, cycling it off and on, plugged and unplugged from Ethernet and/or power.
It does nothing.
Screw it, my laptop can stay connected. Whatever. I'm happy!

Now I just have to get used to this newfangled OS.

[Dave]

SUCCESS!

Windows 10 made my wifi adaptor straighten up and fly right!

Also, this VEN-AT appears to be absolutely useless. It has no effect on signal strength, the TV's, or internet connectivity. I've tested this several times, cycling it off and on, plugged and unplugged from Ethernet and/or power.
It does nothing.
Screw it, my laptop can stay connected. Whatever. I'm happy!

Now I just have to get used to this newfangled OS.

There was much rejoicing!

One caution about Windows 10: you should go into the network settings, and turn off the "WiFi Sense" feature. This feature, which is turned on by default, allows Windows 10 to upload an encrypted copy of your WiFi network name and password to Microsoft's servers, and automatically share this information with all of your Facebook (and other) contacts who are also using Windows 10. That way, if your friends visit you... or your neighbor... or happen to drive by on the street... or aim a directional antenna at your house from a block or so away... their Windows 10 devices can hop right on your WiFi network automatically, use your network connection to the Internet, and take advantage of any public shares your own devices happen to be putting on the network.

Wonderful feature, no?

[GlytchMeister]

SUCCESS!

Windows 10 made my wifi adaptor straighten up and fly right!

Also, this VEN-AT appears to be absolutely useless. It has no effect on signal strength, the TV's, or internet connectivity. I've tested this several times, cycling it off and on, plugged and unplugged from Ethernet and/or power.
It does nothing.
Screw it, my laptop can stay connected. Whatever. I'm happy!

Now I just have to get used to this newfangled OS.

There was much rejoicing!

YYYEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!! WOOOHOOO! I DONT HAVE TO SPEND MONEY!!!

[GlytchMeister]

Thanks everyone for helping however you could, and thanks for the offers to send wireless cards, wifi adapters, and wireless access points.
I really appreciate it.

If you don't mind, I'm going to begin chronicling my upgrade and basically doing an amateur review of Windows 10. That way y'all can benefit from my self-guinea-pigging.

Cheers!

[GlytchMeister]

OF COURSE WINDOWS TEN GIVES ME AN OPTION TO BOOT FROM A USB. HOW 'BOUT THAT.
ಠ_ಠ

[lake_wrangler]

One caution about Windows 10: you should go into the network settings, and turn off the "WiFi Sense" feature. This feature, which is turned on by default, allows Windows 10 to upload an encrypted copy of your WiFi network name and password to Microsoft's servers, and automatically share this information with all of your Facebook (and other) contacts who are also using Windows 10. That way, if your friends visit you... or your neighbor... or happen to drive by on the street... or aim a directional antenna at your house from a block or so away... their Windows 10 devices can hop right on your WiFi network automatically, use your network connection to the Internet, and take advantage of any public shares your own devices happen to be putting on the network.

Wonderful feature, no?

WHAT?????

What kind of "feature" is that????

[GlytchMeister]

One caution about Windows 10: you should go into the network settings, and turn off the "WiFi Sense" feature. This feature, which is turned on by default, allows Windows 10 to upload an encrypted copy of your WiFi network name and password to Microsoft's servers, and automatically share this information with all of your Facebook (and other) contacts who are also using Windows 10. That way, if your friends visit you... or your neighbor... or happen to drive by on the street... or aim a directional antenna at your house from a block or so away... their Windows 10 devices can hop right on your WiFi network automatically, use your network connection to the Internet, and take advantage of any public shares your own devices happen to be putting on the network.

Wonderful feature, no?

WHAT?????

What kind of "feature" is that????

YYYEEEAAAHHH, I turned that off as soon as I possibly could. That sounds like an incredibly baaad idea. I hope Microsoft pulls another XBone-style 180 on that crap.

[Dave]

YYYEEEAAAHHH, I turned that off as soon as I possibly could. That sounds like an incredibly baaad idea. I hope Microsoft pulls another XBone-style 180 on that crap.

Yeah, it's not good.

Apparently, there are several levels of "No". Microsoft appears to feel that they're sufficient.

It appears that if the WiFi Sense feature is active (which is the default) Microsoft won't actually share out your key with contacts.

You have to "opt in" before Microsoft will share the key with your contacts' computers. This is a single-click option.

If you do "opt in" to sharing it with your contacts, it's apparently all-or-nothing - you cannot limit the automatic sharing to a subset of your contacts, nor (it seems) revoke sharing with one of them. If you've accidentally shared your key with someone you don't trust to use your network, your only recourse would be to remove them from your contacts list entirely and then change your network security key, I guess.

The contacts whose computers receive the key, are (if I understand correctly) not able to see the passphrase. Windows 10 will give them access to your network, but (in theory) only for limited purposes (surfing the Internet). Microsoft says that they *cannot* access your file shares or other devices, because Windows 10 deactivates "network discovery" when the shared key is in use, so they can't find your shares.

I rather suspect that it'll take someone out there at least ten minutes to configure a third-party tool to perform network discovery independent of the Windows SMB stack, and gain access to various file shares on such networks. Digging the "encrypted" passphrase out of Windows probably won't take all that much longer.

It feels to me as if Microsoft is trying to do what some of the big ISPs do - turn peoples' home networks into an extension of the Internet as a whole, with automatic network access. It'll be interesting to see how soon a serious case of abuse pops up (and I do expect it to happen).

All it would take would be one "friend" (yours, your kid's, etc.) abusing your network connection and streaming a pirated bittorrent movie, and you-the-homeowner could find yourself on the sharp end of some serious legal trouble. Even a "friend" whose laptop was infested with malware, could cause all kinds of grief (some malware can spread via SMB shares).

[shadowinthelight]

One caution about Windows 10: you should go into the network settings, and turn off the "WiFi Sense" feature. This feature, which is turned on by default, allows Windows 10 to upload an encrypted copy of your WiFi network name and password to Microsoft's servers, and automatically share this information with all of your Facebook (and other) contacts who are also using Windows 10. That way, if your friends visit you... or your neighbor... or happen to drive by on the street... or aim a directional antenna at your house from a block or so away... their Windows 10 devices can hop right on your WiFi network automatically, use your network connection to the Internet, and take advantage of any public shares your own devices happen to be putting on the network.

Wonderful feature, no?

WHAT?????

What kind of "feature" is that????

Ignore the stupid included Nazi images, here a collage of screenshots of "features" in Windows 10

too big to post so click to view

[lake_wrangler]

Ignore the stupid included Nazi images, here a collage of screenshots of "features" in Windows 10

too big to post so click to view

YIKES!!!

If I wasn't already not interested in Win10, I definitely wouldn't be now!
(I'm currently in a slow process of migrating to Linux... it's not that Linux is slow, it's that I'm lacking the time to do all the configuring at once to get everything working the way I want it... I'll post about it, someday...)

[TazManiac]

moving this post to the next page...

[shadowinthelight]

Hopefully ReactOS will be a viable option at least for home use by January 14, 2020 (W7 end of extended support).