Strange Network Issues - Can't surf or ping, but get IP and resolve DNS - HP Laptop (Wi-Fi)

Check the network settings of your wireless card and make sure that BOTH are set to AUTO and not manual.  Sometimes I have seen where the DNS is left set to manual with an IP address in. That would cause your symptoms.

Also run TCP/IP Reset and DNS Flush

Open cmd.exe with Run as Administrator
Then  netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt
Also, ipconfig /flushdns followed by net stop dnscache followed by net start dnscache
Then restart the computer

See if that helps restore internet.

I've tried the system on three different Wi-Fi networks. The end-users office, my office, and a Starbucks. Every time the computer does successfully get IP, Subnet, Gateway, and DNS assigned. I did flush the DNS as requested.

When in the command prompt, I type in "ping google.com" and it says "pinging <ip address of google>" and then tells me request timed out when at Starbucks, but the ping does work at my home office. I think Starbucks may simply have ICMP requests disabled.

I have done a "RESET" on Internet Explorer. I've also turned the Windows Firewall completely off. When trying to browse to CNN.COM I receive the error "Unable to open the search page."

I just noticed Norton Internet Security is installed. I'm going to see if removing it resolves this issue.

Yep, NIS was the issue. What garbage... It completely disabled the ability to browse.

Thanks for the update. Strange split of points however.

I think the split was due to me stating that something like a firewall may be the issue.  I can't see that you said anything like that, John, until you suggested uninstalling NIS (but only after ITworks said that's what (s)he was going to do).

I don't think you can get points for simply agreeing with the author's own suggestion ;-)