Why isnt my computer connecting to the internet over Wi-Fi?
Q: My desktop, which has Windows 10, intermittently doesnt connect, via Wi-Fi, to the internet. We have a new CenturyLink router. Im usually able to force the connection through the Network Settings. Ive tried rebooting and sometimes that works. Recently, though, it doesnt connect at all, no matter how many times I reboot or try to connect via the network settings. I keep clicking the Connect Automatically box, but that doesnt work. Your most recent column in The Seattle Times mentions updating the drivers but I dont see anything in the device manager. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Henry Burton  A: When internet connections over Wi-Fi are intermittent there are three main things to look into  and theyre related to each other. Those three things are: the distance between the computer in question and the Wi-Fi router, whether there are obstacles to Wi-Fi signals between the computer and the router, and the Wi-Fi standards supported by the router and the computer, respectively. Related Tech Q&As Read more from Patrick Marshall here >>  Those factors are all interrelated because the Wi-Fi range and speed depend on the standards supported. As you would expect, the more recent standards offer greater range and speed. But range and speed will be limited to the standard supported by the oldest device. That is, if your router has the latest and greatest Wi-Fi standard  802.11ax or Wi-Fi 6  but your client device only supports an older standard, performance will be limited to that older standard. Oh, and if youre looking for obstacles that can disrupt Wi-Fi signals the main ones are the numbers of walls and floors between the devices, especially if those structural elements contain metal. Other culprits are nearby devices that emit radio signals, such as microwave ovens and televisions. Q: Even though I use a Mac, I usually read your column to see what I can learn. So, I thought Id take a chance that you might have a clue what is going on here. Advertising  Ive been using the Excel spreadsheet program to design the rugs I plan to weave. Basically, I set up a grid and color in the squares with approximations of the yarn colors I plan to use. Its clunky and tedious, but it works. Until yesterday. When I clicked on a design file I got a message saying the file could not be found. I tried to open a number of other spreadsheets and I get the same message. I havent added any new applications or programs to the computer. Since this leaves me with hundreds of designs I cant view, I am a little freaked out. Heres what I am wondering. My Microsoft Office bundle is about 10 years old. The Mac is using Sierra 10.12.6. I had read something (probably in your column) about the problem with 64-bit systems not reading files that were created using 32-bit systems. I think the older Excel program I am using is 32-bit, so I didnt want to risk not being able to open my designs. Yet, here I am. I prefer not to use the cloud at all, if possible.  Chuck Eberdt, Bellingham  A: Im afraid your problem probably cant be solved without some hands-on troubleshooting. The cause could be corruption on the hard drive, a virus or other malware. But I can dispel some misunderstandings. First, programs running under 64-bit operating systems can open files created with 32-bit programs. Probably not, but its possible. Years ago, Microsoft noted a problem with the 2007 and 2011 versions of the programs that resulted in the file not found message. The recommended fix was to install the latest updates to the program. Its also possible that disc corruption may be affecting your installation of Excel. The older your computer is the more likely thats possible. If thats the case simply reinstalling your current version would fix the problem. Of course, youll want to repair the drive first using the Terminal utility. Next, I dont know of any programs that automatically save only to the cloud, so youre good there. In fact, you wouldnt want to work directly on files stored in the cloud because then the performance of the program youre using would be dependent on the speed of your internet connection. But I do recommend backing up files to a cloud storage provider. That way you always have a backup off-site, and if your location is flooded or goes up in flames your data is safe. Finally, if you still cant access those files and if you dont have a backup Id take your computer into a repair shop to see if they can retrieve them.