Laptop Ethernet LAN connection problem
04-06-2009, 04:26 PM
#1
Laptop Ethernet LAN connection problem
I've reformatted a laptop today and installed Windows XP Pro on it. Once I connected it to a working router with an Ethernet cable and added the correct drivers from the Dell site, I was able to browse the 'net.
However, as soon as I went to the Windows update site, it failed to load the page and now won't load any pages. So, I 'repaired' the connection, which failed and it is now behaving as though the port is dead. It is saying that a network cable is unplugged and the light has gone out on the router.
It has already done this once and I reformatted and reinstalled Windows again for a second attempt.
WTF am I doing wrong??!!
I just don't understand what it is that is allowing it on the 'net, then suddenly deciding that it doesn't want to do that any more.
However, as soon as I went to the Windows update site, it failed to load the page and now won't load any pages. So, I 'repaired' the connection, which failed and it is now behaving as though the port is dead. It is saying that a network cable is unplugged and the light has gone out on the router.
It has already done this once and I reformatted and reinstalled Windows again for a second attempt.
WTF am I doing wrong??!!
I just don't understand what it is that is allowing it on the 'net, then suddenly deciding that it doesn't want to do that any more.
04-06-2009, 07:25 PM
#6
At least that'd save me refomatting each time! LOL.
It doesn't even load the Windows update page before it goes tits up. It just doesn't make any sense. I tried accessing the Windows update from the Windows menu, and also from Microsoft web page.
I did wonder if it's having a wobbly because its Service Pack 2 and an old version of IE (until I can get the updates to run!!), long shot I know.
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04-06-2009, 10:10 PM
#8
Got me stumped - and I do this every day!
Get it going again. Instead of browsing the internet, connect another computer to the same router, and try copying a large file from the other computer to this one.
It sounds more like the network adapter in the laptop has given up, or is throwing its toys out of the pram because it doesn't like the router. It does happen occasionally - one of our HP servers at work refused to talk to a Netgear switch. Worked fine with a different switch though.
Check that the pins in the network socket on the laptop aren't twisted and shorting each other.
Get it going again. Instead of browsing the internet, connect another computer to the same router, and try copying a large file from the other computer to this one.
It sounds more like the network adapter in the laptop has given up, or is throwing its toys out of the pram because it doesn't like the router. It does happen occasionally - one of our HP servers at work refused to talk to a Netgear switch. Worked fine with a different switch though.
Check that the pins in the network socket on the laptop aren't twisted and shorting each other.
04-06-2009, 10:23 PM
#12
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You're probably aware of this, but some laptops (both my last two at least) do not activate the LAN controller if there's no cable/link present at power-on. Warm reboots don't always do the trick either.
Is the laptop getting an IP address? (in the range 192.168.xxx.xxx, not 169.254.xxx.xxx which is the windows auto assignment rubbish) Can you ping the router itself?
Chris
Is the laptop getting an IP address? (in the range 192.168.xxx.xxx, not 169.254.xxx.xxx which is the windows auto assignment rubbish) Can you ping the router itself?
Chris
04-06-2009, 10:33 PM
#14
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I've reformatted a laptop today and installed Windows XP Pro on it. Once I connected it to a working router with an Ethernet cable and added the correct drivers from the Dell site, I was able to browse the 'net.
However, as soon as I went to the Windows update site, it failed to load the page and now won't load any pages. So, I 'repaired' the connection, which failed and it is now behaving as though the port is dead. It is saying that a network cable is unplugged and the light has gone out on the router.
It has already done this once and I reformatted and reinstalled Windows again for a second attempt.
WTF am I doing wrong??!!
I just don't understand what it is that is allowing it on the 'net, then suddenly deciding that it doesn't want to do that any more.
However, as soon as I went to the Windows update site, it failed to load the page and now won't load any pages. So, I 'repaired' the connection, which failed and it is now behaving as though the port is dead. It is saying that a network cable is unplugged and the light has gone out on the router.
It has already done this once and I reformatted and reinstalled Windows again for a second attempt.
WTF am I doing wrong??!!
I just don't understand what it is that is allowing it on the 'net, then suddenly deciding that it doesn't want to do that any more.
stop rebuilding the machine as its not quite a build problem.
04-06-2009, 10:42 PM
#15
By the way, all 4 ports on the router are in use, and there is one machine that accesses it wireless.
Today, I unplugged the network printer (known to work), from the router and plugged the laptop into that port and it didnt work, but plugging the printer back in, it worked instantly.
I also tried shutting all the machines down on the network, including the router and restarting just the laptop and the router. Still nothing.
It really is as though something is upsetting the network card, but it certainly works at first.
Incidentally, once it has failed, if you right click on the '1394 Connection' and then click 'repair' it tells you that it can't complete this action because the TCP/IP is turned off, or words to this effect. This is what makes me think it's pissing the network adaptor off.
Today, I unplugged the network printer (known to work), from the router and plugged the laptop into that port and it didnt work, but plugging the printer back in, it worked instantly.
I also tried shutting all the machines down on the network, including the router and restarting just the laptop and the router. Still nothing.
It really is as though something is upsetting the network card, but it certainly works at first.
Incidentally, once it has failed, if you right click on the '1394 Connection' and then click 'repair' it tells you that it can't complete this action because the TCP/IP is turned off, or words to this effect. This is what makes me think it's pissing the network adaptor off.
04-06-2009, 10:51 PM
#16
just a pointer, not meaning to patronise you here but if you go to the device manager
(right click on my computer, properties, hardware, device manager, )
you can click on the network controller and "roll back driver" this effectively removes the driver you've installed and you can do some step by step diagnostics while you play around with drivers and settings. this is wihtout waiting a few hours for windows to install again
it might help you
(right click on my computer, properties, hardware, device manager, )
you can click on the network controller and "roll back driver" this effectively removes the driver you've installed and you can do some step by step diagnostics while you play around with drivers and settings. this is wihtout waiting a few hours for windows to install again
it might help you
Last edited by orionmojo; 04-06-2009 at 10:52 PM.
04-06-2009, 11:35 PM
#17
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Really easy, install windows xp with sp2, once setup, turn off windows updates ie notify me but dont dont automatically download and install, you may be receiving a hardware driver update which is conflicting with your LAN hardware. Easy fix dont automatically download.
If the problem was IE related or firewall or span, you can test this by going to start and then select run, type in cmd and Open it to run. You will receive a black command window, type ping www.google.co.uk and press return. if you get a response your internet is OK. Then type ping 209.85.229.104 if you get a response all is well. Now load you IE and in the address by type 209.85.229.104 and press enter, if google comes up all is well, if so now try www.google.co.uk if it doesnt load, you know you are having issues with resolving domain names to ips.
Though unrecognised lan connects, is down to driver issues, especially when it did work and then suddenly not, a conflict in the hardware driver, not a faulty ethernet cable etc. If a reload from scratch resolve then you know for certain there is no hardware issue, kill the updates and all will be fine, microsoft drivers updates verses Dells drivers dont always agree.
If it happens again, go to control panel, and select device manager, from network adapters, select you LAN hardware, properties and role back the driver, not uninstall, but role back to previous driver.
If the problem was IE related or firewall or span, you can test this by going to start and then select run, type in cmd and Open it to run. You will receive a black command window, type ping www.google.co.uk and press return. if you get a response your internet is OK. Then type ping 209.85.229.104 if you get a response all is well. Now load you IE and in the address by type 209.85.229.104 and press enter, if google comes up all is well, if so now try www.google.co.uk if it doesnt load, you know you are having issues with resolving domain names to ips.
Though unrecognised lan connects, is down to driver issues, especially when it did work and then suddenly not, a conflict in the hardware driver, not a faulty ethernet cable etc. If a reload from scratch resolve then you know for certain there is no hardware issue, kill the updates and all will be fine, microsoft drivers updates verses Dells drivers dont always agree.
If it happens again, go to control panel, and select device manager, from network adapters, select you LAN hardware, properties and role back the driver, not uninstall, but role back to previous driver.
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