Can connect to Internet can't browse Aspire 5516

I have an Acer Aspire 5516 (Windows Vista) given to me by my brother-in-law (he's finally upgrading).

At any rate, I restored to factory in preparation for donation. However there is an issue I can't resolve. The install seemed to go through without problem but, after connecting to the WiFi/Internet, I can't browse. All other aspects seem to be fine. Ipconfig shows valid data and I can ping yahoo.com so I am connected to the Internet.

The only thing I can't do is browse websites.

I understand its an old computer with an os no longer supported by Microsoft, but I'd like to get it going anyway.

Also note I have turned off all firewalls for now as they have been prime suspects in the past.

So, can anyone help?

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Easwar

Clif001,

Did you check the drivers in the device manager ?

Clif001

Yes, there is no error. Based on Google search for my problem, I also deleted and let the system reinstall the driver.

JackE

What browser are you trying to use? Many websites don't support InternetExplorer any more. I suggest that you try to connect to mozilla.org and download and install FireFox or use another machine to download FireFox to a USB stick and install it from there.

Clif001

Hi, thanks for the suggestion. Rather than go through that amount of trouble, wouldn't it be easier to find a website that still supports the old ie?

I do find it odd that neither msn.com, yahoo.com nor google.com support the version of ie I currently have installed.

JackE

Sorry. Most websites are now incompatible with IE9 and earlier versions. If you're trying to use the version that came with the laptop, IE8, it's now incompatible with most websites. This means you really can't browse the web effectively since most sites won't load.

So you can either go through the trouble of installing IE11, the last version of Internet Explorer which is being phased out, or install a modern browser like FireFox which still has the same look and feel of old Internet Explorer.

Or if you really want more trouble, you can try to install the new Microsoft Edge browser which might not work very well on WinVista. Edge is the browser that replaces Internet Explorer.

Any way you try to cut the mustard, you're going to be faced with some amount of trouble trying to surf the web with an older laptop like this.

Clif001

Ok, I give. After doing a bit of research to try and find a browser to install, I've come to the conclusion that it will be futile as Vista itself will be holding me back. (That and the machine is not "compatible" with Windows 11.)

So I guess it's time to wipe the hd and send the computer on to the school.

Thanks for your help anyways. :-)

JackE

Windows 11!!!??? No way if that's what you were thinking!!! This machine won't run Win11 as its currently planned. It might barely run Windows 10 which will be supported for a few more years. But any Windows upgrade from WinVista would not be free. WinVista was definitely not one of Microsoft's better Windows ideas.

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