Netbooks stop accessing internet

[Little-Miss]

I'm having this issue that reoccurs every so often.

 

Child comes saying laptop wont go onto internet, which it doesn't. Its connected to wireless etc. Yellow exclamation mark on wireless icon (i tend to ignore that most the time anyway!).

 

I usually then log in as Admin, load browser, internet works, yellow ! vanishes. Go back to kids logon on low and behold it works.

 

Any idea what this is?

[FN-GM]

Are you able to ping the device when the student brings it to you with the Yellow exclamation mark?

[Little-Miss]

Well i'm logged on as me and my little trick doesn't seem to be working anymore.

 

I still have yellow exclamation so pinged and i'm getting a response.

[Little-Miss]

so, can ping it...no issues with network connection. Just internet. Troubleshooting says there isn't a problem and blames google.co.uk but the issue is the same for all websites...

[FN-GM]

Do you use a proxy server?

[Michael]

This sounds like a proxy settings issue rather than obtaining an IP from DHCP issue.

 

If the pupil can logon successfully, but can't access the internet, try adding a GPP to add proxy settings via a regedit.

 

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings]
"ProxyEnable"=dword:00000001
"ProxyServer"="eduproxy.bgfl.org:80"
"ProxyOverride"="localhost;127.0.0.1;10.*;192.*;*.bgfl.org;*.bgfl.eu;*.myvle.org;*.misportal.net;pceconsole.bham.org.uk;pceconsole2.bham.org.uk;"

 

I had the same/similar issue with wireless devices sometime ago and this cured it.

[Little-Miss]

It does seem like it hasnt picked up the proxy looking at, thanks. Will give this a try!

[Little-Miss]

gah...how does one deploy a reg edit...

 

my attempts never work. I must be doing something wrong. I was trying to do startup scripts etc...

[Little-Miss]

Im logged in as admin on one of the machines with the issue. I've compared the registry to what you posted @Michael and its the same.

[Michael]

You just need either 2008 or 2008 R2. Create a new GPO (recommended), then link it when complete.

 

Open Group Policy Management, then open your newly created GPO. The regedit is user based, so expand:

 

User Config > Preferences > Windows Settings > Registry

 

See attached pics what it should look like! Never give up!

[Little-Miss]

Hmmm.. well i've added it to a gpp. Doesn't seem to be taking effect at the moment though.

 

Problem is after a couple reboots the problem goes away, which is annoying as i haven't solved it! BUT checking the reg, its still uneditied (i've knicked bits of yours)

[Michael]

GPO refresh is 90 mins by default. Reduce it to 5 mins, with a random of 9 mins.

 

Computer Config > Policies > Admin Templates > System > Group Policy - Group Policy refresh interval for computers

 

User Config > Policies > Admin Templates > System > Group Policy - Group Policy refresh interval for users

 

For your testing, use gpupdate /force then reboot.

[Little-Miss]

Oooh GPO refresh settings! I do love it when you help me Michael!

[Michael]

You're welcome, anything to help!

[Duke5A]

I have/had a very similar problem with netbooks not pulling proxy settings. What was really odd was it was seemingly random; it would only affect two or three systems at a time in an entire cart of thirty and never the same ones. For troubleshooting I eased the restrictions on our student accounts and tried these steps:

 

• Check proxy settings in IE - the checkbox was not ticked
  
• Forcing a policy refresh at the command line using gpupdate /force - No Change
  
• Verifying that proxy settings were indeed in the policy the machine was getting using RSOP - it was
  
• Used RSOP to check for group policy related errors - No Errors
  
• By hand verified the policy was replicated properly between my domain controllers - No Difference
  

 

Finally I tried flipping this policy option on:

 

Due to the randomness of the issue I could never really verify that this fixed, but at least I haven't heard any grumbling since then.

Edited November 14, 2012 by Duke5A

[Michael]

@Duke5A - That's a good alternative fix there. It would also make sense as the problem only happens on wireless and not wired workstations, all from the same image (in my case).

@Little-Miss - Is the problem resolved? Hopefully most of your netbooks have 'checked in' to receive the updated policy settings.

[Little-Miss]

To be honest, it hadn't when i tried. Like @Duke5A said, its completely random. It may well have worked now...the proof will be when one ends up on my desk again . But will keep the other option in mind too.