Way OT: Internet Connection

[Grandpa Kim]

Boy, do I need a super expert!

Three computers in the house and two can get onto the 'net, mine can't. It could yesterday and can't today. I've changed no hardware or drivers, just one day can next day can't.

I've tried everything:
--direct connect to the cable modem. (to be fair, this is my usual solution and has always worked in the past)
--turn everything off then on again.
--cleared history and Cache.
--checked the ethernet card. It's working properly.
--checked device manager; no joy.
--looked in windows help. Okay, you can stop laughing now; sometimes you get lucky.

I'm just about out of ideas.
--should I clear the cookie file?
--is my IP address a problem? If so how can I change it?

My computer
Dell Dimension running Win XP Home
Netscape 7.1
Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller

... and lots more info if you need it.

If you are interested in taking a whirl at this problem tell me what you need and I'll dig out the info.

Thanks
Kim

[geoschmo]

Originally posted by Grandpa Kim:
--checked the ethernet card. It's working properly.

Ok, how did you check it, and why are you sure it's working?

Try clicking start run, "cmd". In the window that pops up type ping 192.168.1.1. That is usually the LAN ip address of the cable modem. If you get a few lines that don't say "timed out" you are probably communicating ok. If not try swapping ethernet cables? They don't go bad often, but it is possible. Try swapping with the ethernet cable thate you used succesfully with one of the other pcs.

--is my IP address a problem? If so how can I change it?

I would expect you probably don't have an IP on the pc, but it is getting one from the cable modem using DHCP. It's checked and changed in your network tcp/ip properties though. But you probably don't need to do that.

[ February 28, 2004, 23:55: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

[geoschmo]

On second thought, normally you have three pcs hooked up over the same cable modem? So you probably have some sort of router or something? If that's the case then you might have fixed IPS for the pc's that are like 192.168.1.100, or .101, etc. Or maybe not depending on your router. You could still have no IP specified in the PCs and using DHCP with the router.

[Grandpa Kim]

I'm sure the ethernet card is working because it has built in diagnostics. If I disconnect from both the network hub and the modem, I get no packet activity. Connected to the modem or both the hub and modem, I get packets successfully sent and received. Why I can get these packets yet not get onto the net is beyond me. This also seems to eliminate the defective cable problem. One diagnostic appears to be a "ping" and returns a "no response received". All other diagnostics tell me all else is working properly. As well when I disconnect my cable, I get a popup telling me just that.

I tried your ping number and got "timed out". Norton system doctor is getting the same thing.


The IP address on my computer has always been the same (same as on my old computer, now defunct). I'm not sure about the other 2 and it might take a while to be sure if they change or not.

Right now, I think I'll try out that spare cable. And a few other ideas your comments have given me.

And Geo, thanks a bunch for your help, but one more question: if I set my IP address to all zero's, might that help?

[Wardad]

Can you still transfer files between systems?

[geoschmo]

Originally posted by Grandpa Kim:
if I set my IP address to all zero's, might that help?

No, I'm sure that won't work. But it might work if you change it to "Obtain IP address automatically" instead of specifing an IP address. But that would depend on how your network is setup. Before you change anything I'd recommend writing down the current settings so you can change it back later if needed.

[Wardad]

Could be the router setup. His IP may not have permissions to reach the internet.

My router has security settings that can only one computer can change.

So if your functional enough to transfer files between computers, but can't access the internet, then check the router setup.

[minipol]

Network problems can be funcky to solve. Today, the power in the house went down and i thought "yeah here we go again". Last time i lost a recent harddisk because it's not surge protected. Now, one of my network cards seemed to be messed up. On checking it was not my network card but the connector of the hub (or how do you call the little hole where you put the cable in? plug?). In fact 2 plugs of the 8 stopped working.
I think my next it related buy will be a surge proctected powerthingie.

[Slynky]

My router, a Netgear, has this IP addy:

192.168.0.1

I think that IP is reserved for "home networking".

Try what Geo said in the CMD prompt and ping that. If that isn't right, pull your info on the router out and see.

I know this is basic questioning but it's the way I do business:

Your LAN connection on the back of the PC should show a green light. This light means there is a bonafied physical connection between it and the router. If you see it lit up, you should also see a similar indicator light on the routher lit up.

If you have those lights, you should be able to "see" the router and get a ping response from it.

I'm going to assume you have green lights. (or whatever color)

But if you can't ping the router, then the first and easiest thing to look for is something that happens periodically to my "people" in the area I support...right-click on My Network Places and take a look at your Local Area Connection. Change the display to "Details" if it isn't already on it (usually, it's set on stupid default of Big Icon). Then take a look to make sure the connection is enabled instead of disabled.

[Slynky]

Originally posted by Wardad:
Could be the router setup. His IP may not have permissions to reach the internet.

My router has security settings that can only one computer can change.

So if your functional enough to transfer files between computers, but can't access the internet, then check the router setup.

I'm going to assume that isn't the case. He could get on yesterday but not today. It's unlikely the router settings got changed somehow. Especially if the other 2 PCs can get to the Internet. I suspect it is isolated to the one PC (or cable).