Computer help and Internet setup. Why won't my Windows PC connect to my phone in Wi-Fi hotspot mode? No internet connection in safe mode

Safe mode (English - Safe Mode)- diagnostic mode, in which all unnecessary drivers and Windows functions are disabled. It is used to fix problems that arise in the operation of the PC. It is enough just to start safe mode and fix the errors, after which the PC will work as it should again.

When might you need to enter safe mode? For example, to solve the problem when .

Also in this way, you can remove viruses, reset your password, fix errors (including the blue screen of death), restore the system, etc.

There are several ways. Plus, they are slightly different depending on what operating system you have. Therefore, below we will consider all the available ways to enter Windows Safe Mode.

How to Enter Windows Safe Mode: 2 Universal Ways

There are 2 universal methods that work on all versions of Windows - XP, 7, 8 and 10. In addition, they are the simplest. Perhaps we will start with them.

Login via msconfig utility

The first way is through a special utility. To do this, you need to follow a simple instruction:

Press Win + R (the button between "Ctrl" and "Alt") and enter the word "msconfig".
In the new window, select the "Download" tab, indicate the desired OS and put a bird in the "Safe Mode" item. There are a couple of sub-items here - it is recommended to choose either “minimal” (the standard option) or “network” (in this case, there will be access to the Internet).
Click "OK" and restart the PC - now it will turn on in safe mode.

When you fix the errors, do not forget to return the computer to the normal startup mode! This is done in exactly the same way - using the msconfig utility (only now you need to uncheck it).

There is a small nuance here: in this way you can enable safe mode in Windows only if your OS boots normally. If you can’t even load the desktop, then use the second method.

Login with F8

This method is suitable for those whose PC or laptop does not turn on (the desktop does not load, the monitor goes out, etc.). In this case, do the following:

Turn on the PC (or laptop) and immediately press the F8 key repeatedly until the menu appears (in some cases, you need to press Shift + F8).
If the Windows logo appears or the screen goes out, you didn’t succeed. Wait for the system to fully boot, then restart your PC and try again.
When everything is done correctly, a menu will open where, using the arrows, select the “Safe Mode” item (the best option).

P.S. On Windows 10 this method does not work! This feature has been disabled by the developers.

Special boot options for Windows 10

If Windows starts, then you need to do the following:

What to do if Windows 10 won't start? If the PC boots before the login screen, then "Special Boot Options" can be opened in another way. To do this, click on the power button icon (in the lower right corner), hold down Shift and select the "Restart" item.

Use disk or flash drive

This is the most reliable way to boot Windows 10 in safe mode. But in this case, you need a DVD-ROM or (they can be burned on any PC or laptop).

Connect a USB stick or insert a disc, boot them (), and then do the following:

After loading, press Shift + F10.
After opening the command prompt, enter - bcdedit / set (default) safeboot minimal.
Then close it and restart your PC. It will turn on.

To return the PC to normal startup, write the following on the command line: bcdedit / deletevalue (default) safeboot.

You can do this in the same way (or as an administrator ) .

You can also enable the mode in Windows 8 in 4 different ways

The first two are described in detail at the beginning of the article. The remaining two are quite similar to the options that are suitable for Windows 10, but we will still consider them in more detail to make it easier for you to navigate.

Diagnostic tools

So, the first way is to activate the buffer format (suitable only if the OS is working properly). To do this, do the following:

The PC will start in Safe Mode, and you can carry out the necessary manipulations.

Boot from disc or USB stick

And another simple option for starting safe mode in Windows 8 is through a bootable USB flash drive or DVD with Windows files. The procedure is as follows:

Connect a USB flash drive (or disk) and boot from the media.
A window for setting the date and time will appear - click "Next".
When the installation window opens, select "System Restore". As a result, a diagnostic screen will appear (it is slightly different from the previous option).
Next, select the items: Diagnostics - Additional. options - Command line.
In a new window, write: bcdedit / set globalsettings and press Enter.
After eliminating all errors, write the line in the command editor - bcdedit / deletevalue (globalsettings) advancedoptions. This will disable the transition to the diagnostic screen when the OS is turned on.
Close it and click Continue.
After rebooting, the system will prompt you to select a boot method - click F4. The PC will now start in safe mode.

How to be on Windows 7 and XP

You can enter Safe Mode in Windows 7 or XP using one of the universal methods described at the beginning of this article. The first option is suitable in cases where the OS is working fine, and the second if the PC or laptop does not turn on.

It is worth noting that the operating system is in no way related to the BIOS. It also doesn't matter what brand of laptop you have - Samsung, Asus, Lenovo, HP, Acer, LG, etc.

What to do if Safe Mode won't start?

Sometimes a PC or laptop stubbornly does not want to enable safe mode. The reason is banal - viruses damaged the Windows registry. In such situations, there are only 2 options:

restoration of the PC (system rollback to a checkpoint);
installation of special programs.

The best, of course, will be the first way - restoring the computer from a checkpoint. If you have not saved them (for example, they are disabled), then the only option left is to install programs to restore the Windows registry. In this case, you can use the free Safe Mode Repair or SafeBootKeyRepair.

To protect your Wi-Fi network and set a password, be sure to select the type of wireless network security and encryption method. And at this stage, many have a question: which one to choose? WEP, WPA, or WPA2? Personal or Enterprise? AES or TKIP? What security settings will best protect your Wi-Fi network? I will try to answer all these questions in this article. Consider all possible methods of authentication and encryption. Let's find out which Wi-Fi network security settings are best set in the router settings.

Please note that the type of security or authentication, network authentication, security, authentication method are all the same.

Authentication Type and Encryption are the basic security settings for your wireless Wi-Fi network. I think, first you need to figure out what they are, what versions are there, their capabilities, etc. After that, we will already find out what type of protection and encryption to choose. I will show you on the example of several popular routers.

I highly recommend setting up a password and protecting your wireless network. Set the maximum protection level. If you leave the network open, unprotected, then anyone can connect to it. It's not safe in the first place. As well as an extra load on your router, a drop in connection speed and all kinds of problems with connecting different devices.

Wi-Fi Network Security: WEP, WPA, WPA2

There are three protection options. Of course, not counting "Open" (No protection).

WEP(Wired Equivalent Privacy) is an outdated and insecure authentication method. This is the first and not very successful method of protection. Attackers can easily access wireless networks that are protected using WEP. You do not need to set this mode in the settings of your router, although it is present there (not always).
WPA(Wi-Fi Protected Access) is a reliable and modern type of security. Maximum compatibility with all devices and operating systems.
WPA2 is a new, improved and more reliable version of WPA. There is support for AES CCMP encryption. At the moment, this is the best way to secure a Wi-Fi network. That is what I recommend using.

WPA/WPA2 can be of two types:

WPA/WPA2 - Personal (PSK) is the normal authentication method. When you only need to set a password (key) and then use it to connect to a Wi-Fi network. One password is used for all devices. The password itself is stored on the devices. Where it can be viewed or changed if necessary. It is recommended to use this option.
WPA/WPA2-Enterprise- a more complex method, which is mainly used to protect wireless networks in offices and various institutions. Allows for a higher level of protection. Used only when a RADIUS server is installed for device authorization (which gives out passwords).

I think we figured out the authentication method. The best is to use WPA2 - Personal (PSK). For better compatibility, so that there are no problems connecting older devices, you can set WPA/WPA2 mixed mode. Many routers have this method set by default. Or marked as "Recommended".

Wireless Encryption

There are two ways TKIP and AES.

AES is recommended. If you have old devices on the network that do not support AES encryption (but only TKIP) and will have problems connecting to the wireless network, then set "Auto". The TKIP encryption type is not supported in 802.11n mode.

In any case, if you install strictly WPA2 - Personal (recommended), then only AES encryption will be available.

What protection to put on a Wi-Fi router?

Use WPA2 - Personal with AES encryption. By far, this is the best and safest way. This is how the wireless security settings look on ASUS routers:

And this is how these security settings look on routers from TP-Link (with old firmware).

You can see more detailed instructions for TP-Link.

Instructions for other routers:

If you do not know where to find all these settings on your router, then write in the comments, I will try to suggest. Just don't forget to specify the model.

Since older devices (Wi-Fi adapters, phones, tablets, etc.) may not support WPA2 - Personal (AES), set mixed mode (Auto) in case of connection problems.

I often notice that after changing the password, or other security settings, devices do not want to connect to the network. Computers may get the error "The network settings saved on this computer do not match the requirements of this network." Try to delete (forget) the network on the device and reconnect. How to do this on Windows 7, I wrote. And in Windows 10 you need .

Password (key) WPA PSK

Whichever type of security and encryption method you choose, you must set a password. It is also a WPA key, Wireless Password, Wi-Fi network security key, etc.

The password length is from 8 to 32 characters. Latin letters and numbers can be used. Also special characters: - @ $ # ! etc. No spaces! The password is case sensitive! This means that "z" and "Z" are different characters.

I do not recommend setting simple passwords. It is better to create a strong password that no one can guess for sure, even if they try hard.

It is unlikely that you will be able to remember such a complex password. It would be nice to write it down somewhere. It is not uncommon for a Wi-Fi password to be forgotten. What to do in such situations, I wrote in the article:.

If you need even more security, you can use MAC address binding. True, I do not see the need for this. WPA2 - Personal paired with AES and a complex password is enough.

How do you secure your Wi-Fi network? Write in the comments. Well, ask questions 🙂

Judging by the fact that you came across this article on the Internet, you know about the security problems of Wi-Fi networks and the need to properly configure it. But it’s unlikely that an unprepared person will be able to figure it out right away and set it up correctly. And many users generally think that everything is already configured on the router “out of the box” with the maximum level of security. In most cases, this is a misconception. Therefore, now I will give the basic rules for configuring the security of WiFi networks using the example of a TP-Link router.

1. Be sure to enable network encryption.
Never leave your network open. If your home WiFi is not encrypted, this is not correct. Anyone can connect to you and use your Internet access for their own purposes.

2. Use only the WPA2-PSK encryption type whenever possible

If WEP encryption is used in the router settings, be sure to change it to WPA2, because WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is outdated and has serious vulnerabilities. And WPA2 is the strongest in use right now. WPA should only be used if you have devices that cannot work with WPA2.

If you do not use the WPS function, be sure to disable it. In some router models, it is a serious vulnerability due to the typical configuration. As practice shows, in 90% of cases WPS is not used at all.

4. Change the default SSID network name.

Very often, a wireless router model is used as the SSID (Service Set Identifier), which makes it easier for an attacker to hack Wi-Fi. Therefore, it is necessary to change it to any other. The name can be any Latin word and numbers. Do not use Cyrillic.

5. Change the router's default password.

An example is GPON ONT terminals from ZTE. Due to the fact that they all used the same password by default, which no one changed when setting up the device. Because of this, many home networks in Moscow and St. Petersburg were hacked. Accordingly, an attacker could gain access to the router settings, Internet channel and home network.

6. Turn on the firewall (firewall) of the router.

Almost all routers are equipped with a built-in firewall (aka firewall), which can be disabled by default. Make sure it's enabled. For even more security, make sure that every computer on your network is also running a firewall and antivirus software.

7. Enable MAC address filtering for Wi-Fi clients.

Every computer, laptop or mobile device has a unique identifier on the network called a MAC address. This allows the WiFi router to keep track of all devices connected to it. Many WiFi routers allow administrators to physically enter the MAC addresses of devices that can connect to the network.

Thus, only those devices that are in the table will be able to connect to your home network. Others will not be able to at all, even if they guess the password.

8. Disabling remote administration.
Most routers allow administrators to connect remotely from the Internet to the device's web interface or command line. If you don't need it, disable this feature. From the local network, the device settings will still be available.

So, by taking a few minutes to make sure our home WiFi network is set to the optimal security level, you can avoid problems and prevent future problems.

So, you have got a Wi-Fi router - this gives you convenient and no less fast access to the Internet from anywhere in your house or apartment, which is already excellent. As a rule, most users purchase the distribution device themselves and it happens that they hardly configure it, except that they only adjust the basic settings for optimal operation. However, do not forget that setting up Wi-Fi security is necessary if you do not want intruders on your network and the headache that comes with them.

Why are visitors dangerous?

If you do not take care of the proper configuration of certain parameters, they will connect to your network and pull a decent share of the speed for themselves, they can reconfigure the router, or even get to your computer if there is an interested person with certain hacking skills on the other side.

The conclusion is this: if you do not protect yourself, sooner or later it can play a cruel joke on you; this is especially true for places where Wi-Fi can become almost public - high-rise buildings, houses near parks, and so on.

Where to look for router settings

If you just bought the device and have not changed anything yet, but want to at least minimally secure your wireless network, you will need to follow the steps described below.

To get started, open the browser you have on your computer. Find the address bar at the top and enter the values 192.168.1.1. If it does not work out, we change the first unit to zero, it turns out 192.168.0.1. Of course, there may be situations when the manufacturer has changed the standard address: in this case, you will find it either on the sticker of the device or on the box.

The next window that you will see will be for the login and password: by default, this is the word admin, or again, we specify it on the device sticker. By the way, the first and most primitive reason for the vulnerability is to leave standard login information on the router.

Well, now that you've already got inside, the fun begins - setting up Wi-Fi security.

How to protect yourself

We will show everything using the TP-Link modem as an example. And first of all, we will change the username and password.

We find the menu items on the left and select "System Tools" there, and then in the submenu - the "Password" item. Here we enter the old data in the first two fields, then a new login and a new password twice. After that, we just have to click on "Save".

We continue to strengthen Wi-Fi security and change the network name or SSID. Here we go to the "Wireless Mode" tab and then proceed as shown in the screenshot. It is important to use the Latin alphabet and numbers in the title - we do not use Cyrillic at all.

Some devices also have a special option - hiding the network name, so that after the first correct setup, you no longer have to enter anything manually: the computer or tablet will connect automatically, and no one will be able to access the Internet without permission even from your computer.

The third action, which is aimed at protecting your network, is changing the encryption - everything is clear here. There is no point in using WEP encryption, as it is quite outdated and has many flaws.

Here we are looking for "Basic Settings", then "Wireless Mode" and in it the item "Wireless Security". On the tab, we recommend using WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK. Now we save again.

Another feature that is only needed in 10% of cases, but creates a serious gap, is WPS: we find a separate tab with it and disable it, after which we save the changes again.

Now we have in turn such an aspect of Wi-Fi security as IP protection using Firewall. Of course, all computers that will be connected to the network must also have firewalls enabled and antivirus software installed.

We go to the "Security" tab, there we are interested in "Basic protection". Here we need the "SPI Firewall", in front of which we check the "Activate" item. This gives us another plus on the way to relative security.

As a last resort, if someone can still guess the password, there is such an option as filtering by MAC addresses - by enabling it, you can further increase the security of Wi-Fi distribution by strictly restricting access to it. In fact, only devices on the list will be able to connect, and others will be closed under any conditions.

We find the item "Wireless Mode" and the sub-item "MAC Address Filtering". Here we need to click on the "Enable" button and select the "Allow" item. Now at the bottom we find the “Add” button and write out the necessary addresses: do not forget to name the devices to make it easier to understand.

To find out the MAC address of your computer, just go to the "Start" menu and find the command line there, or find the "Run" item and enter cmd there: in both cases, you will see a window in front of you, as in the screenshot, in which you need to enter getmac. In the screenshot, the required field is highlighted with a red frame.

To get information about the address of your Android tablet or phone, follow the path: "Settings" > "About phone" > "Technical information". Now you will be protected from all sorts of intrusions.

Some of the devices have an interesting function inside the settings - work schedule settings, thanks to which the device will work and be available only at certain times and on certain days.