Problem with Wireless Connection ! Please Help ! (WXP-Home)

[styan]

I can see an unsecured wireless signal within the range of my laptop and my Windows "Wireless Network Connection Status" tells me that I AM CONNECTED and the signal strength is very good.

Still I am NOT connected ! Both my Skype and MSN messenger show that I am not online ! I am not online, unable to browse nor send emails !

I am suspecting something in Windows which is not allowing me to get online. Please any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Brf]

Just because you connect to an unsecured network, that doesnt necessarily mean you would be able to reach the Internet. You might have only connected to someones home network.

[styan]

Thank you very much for your very prompt reply quite appreciated. You certainly have got a very good point there but, and there is a but ! :
1) I happened in the past to get online thru this very same connection.
2) what are the chances for this home network to be established without being connected to the internet ?
Well I am not at all a wireless network expert. This is why I raised the possibility that Windows thru its firewalls,proxy etc I do not know what, might have caused this situation !

[Brf]

Maybe the owner saw you connecting, and put in a rule to prevent you from reaching the Internet. I use such rules on my home network when my kids dont clean their rooms.