suspicious: can access internet when computer says 'local'

[stephenn]

hello

I can access the internet but my computer only registers that it is local connection (usually i cant get online itself when this is the case... something perculiar is going on.?

usually click to connect then it goes 'local' (router) then after a second or two it goes to internet.

the three pics to inform me this (running vista) are:
'mycomputer' --- 'router' --- 'internet'

if there is a prob usually between the last two it shows this:
'mycomputer' --- 'router' -X- 'internet'

when this occurs I am usually unable to get the internet and after having another go at connecting it usually connects ok

.....Today is perculiar... it shows this:
'mycomputer' --- 'router' -X- 'internet'

yet I am able to use the internet.

when i click the -X- to get a diagnostic I get this pop up messege (never seen it before)

you might need to sign up with this networks internet service provider to get access to the internet

connections to the webpages are currently being redirected to a different webpage.

'CLICK' here to open the webpage
If this is anISP sign up page, you can read the sign up information

when i click to see where the page goes, it ends up at:
http (colon) //www (dot) microsoft (dot) com/en/us/default.aspx

it all seems a bit suspicious... any knowledge/thoughts on this

cheers
Inq

wireless laptop with vista premium... belkin wirless router (shared with few in same house)... virgin media 2meg broadband

[stephenn]

Findings were that the IP address of the modem had been altered.... all computers accessing the wireless router were turned off and one computer was used to conect with router (with same prob), then direct with modem via cable... but no internet poss... until...

the modem was reset and the usual IP address showed up... then the connection to internet worked. the cable was disconnected and the router was connected, then wireless conection was madw with router.. all worked as usual now.

the conclusion (suspicious conclution was that someone changed the modems IP so they were the direct link computer, then all the rest that tuned into the wireless modem were to go through THAT computer (local) and accessing the net via it?

not sure if this were mistake. not sure if it allowed that one dominant computer to 'see' all other computers contents that were seemingly rerouted?

anyway all back to usual now.

[Disk_Contented]

Originally Posted by stephenn

the conclusion (suspicious conclution was that someone changed the modems IP so they were the direct link computer, then all the rest that tuned into the wireless modem were to go through THAT computer (local) and accessing the net via it?

not sure if this were mistake. not sure if it allowed that one dominant computer to 'see' all other computers contents that were seemingly rerouted?

looks that way. Passwords or other data may be compromised.

[Kitsunejm]

however the main computer does not have the IP changed, and other computers can connect to it that have XP. this seems to only have happened after deleting all registry keys relating to skype, and then enabling telnet upon skype tech support request. But i think it maybe is not a registry issue because i think i restarted the computer after deleting skype registry keys, but rather somehow enabling telnet disabled access to port 80 from this computer. i do get that message about ISP.

A couple of days ago i downloaded and installed the automatic update for Skype to Skype 3.8. For the first time Skype could not connect. Skype tech support had me temporarily enable telnet to test port 80 and another typical skype port. Prior, they had me remove skype and all skype registry keys. Then I installed a internet explorer add on that allows for searching for words while typing similar to firefox. I was watching streaming video and the computer froze up. so i shut it down and restarted, only to have the internet connection go full, then drop to "local only" I examined the hardware and none of the devices are having problems. So i tried resetting the router, updating router firmware, resetting TCP/IP settings, probably every solution i could find for this sudden problem. I did notice when the this first was starting i had usb adaptor driver problems, but that is reinstalled now too, i even reinstalled network drivers and checked for updates just in case. But I'm out of solutions now and I need help.

I will add that I can connect to Windows Live Messenger, Mozilla Thunderbird e-mail client, QQ messenger, Google Talk, and if i use the newer skype beta i can connect to skype. but for some reason i cannot browse the web, and cannot connect to yahoo or windows update server. The Vista computer seems to think it is a local only connection, but it seems it really isn't, but maybe having difficulty accessing ports. I am wondering if this can be a missing file problem or registry issue.

I want to also add that I can ping yahoo.com. Also, i can connect to k9webprotection.com in my browser, but it seems it maybe connects via a different port. I've made sure it wasn't the filter causing the issue. i have tried disabling the antivirus, and i've made sure there was no firewall up.
I don't want to do a repair install of windows if not necessary.

The vista system is a Sony Vaio VGN-FE890 with Windows Vista Business.

Please help me!