When you connect Vista after a long time to a new or an existing wifi connection, you will connect – and inspite of that you will be unable to use the broadband connection – it will keep reminding you that the connection is “limited connectivity”.
I have faced this thrice already….and its a terribly nagging and obstinate problem. Most solutions on google seem to indicate, restart of the modem and wifi adaptor in the laptop.
None of it ever works, since they are trivial solutions.
Day before, I faced the same issue with my PC (again). Turns out that the real concern is that the DHCP service is unable to acquire/allocate a new dynamic IP, and thats because of an inherent security “feature” within Vista.
If you ever need to correct it, follow the steps:
1. Figure out the GUID for your laptop/PC wifi adaptor
- Start Regedit
- Traverse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > WindowsNT > CurrentVersion > NetworkCards > (number)..
- Click on each of the listed ones, one of the registry values would indicate which one is your wifi adaptor.
- The number associated with that entry is your wifi adaptor GUID
2. Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\{GUID}
In this registry path, click the (GUID) subkey that corresponds to the network adapter that is connected to the network. (which you figured in step 1)
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value.
In the New Value #1 box, type DhcpConnEnableBcastFlagToggle, and then press ENTER.
Right-click DhcpConnEnableBcastFlagToggle, and then click Modify.
In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
4. Do a full restart
Bingo, your PC/laptop should now work.