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Computer not connecting to internet... Again...

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by .martin.

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Hi,
I turned to the Techrepublic Forums about two months ago, when my computer stopped connecting to the Internet. After a lot of suggestions about one thing or another, I finally gave up and re-installed windows (about a month ago).

I am unhappy to say it has happened again, it had the same sort of symptoms as last time, including: day before internet would not initially connect, but after a refresh connected finely, the next day, it would not connect at all.

Now when the problem first happened (this time), I straight away turned to Microsoft?s internet diagnostic program, which told me there was a problem with the Winsock, so as it suggested, I reset the Winsock catalog (many times) to no prevail. I then researched on the Microsoft website, finding an article on fixing a Winsock corruption, I followed the steps, which included resetting the catalog, and rebuilding the catalog, it also suggested to try the Winsock testing utility supplied with Windows XP, the results of that test say that there was nothing wrong... now today, internet explorer has stopped saying there is a problem with Winsock and is just telling me to seek help from my administrator.

I ask you this: do you have any ideas??? Because I sure do not want to be re-installing windows every month...

10 replies

by oh smeg

If it is a Games Rig it is possible that a game could be corrupting this when it installs it's own TCP/IP Settings to allow you to network games. Or it may just be corrupting the Winsock as the networking feature of the game conflict with the existing Networking Setup or Protocols.

Also what does the Testing Utility tell you is happening with Winsock now?

The obvious thing to ask is what has been changed just before this stopped working? That would then be a starting point to fault find from.

Col

by Former member

Try checking your modem. I had a somewhat similar problem with connective going off daily, or at the spare of the minute. What me and my father figured out was that at times the modem would stop communicating with the router. We would have to unplug the router and plug it back in to get traffic going again.

by .martin.

I don't use my computer for gaming, all i really ever do you it for is homework, ie Microsoft Word, powerpoint, excel,publisher (all 2007), Adobe reader, and Internet (Internet Explorer and Firefox). as for anything being installed, it was about a week beforehand, and it was only a sticky note program, that doesn't connect to the internet (at least it shouldn't...).

I also know it is not the modem, as it is connected through a netgear router to another computer which is still working finely.

As for the tests, it has passed all them,it only states that it does not have an dns server specified. and some information that is probably useful, (but i forgot to say last message), the IP address of the computer is mucked up. it shows the following:
Physical Addriess: 00-1A-92-31-EA-()
IP address: 169.254.202.29
Subnet Mask: 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway: (blank)
DNS Server: (blank)
WINS Server: (blank)
*NOTE* physical address has not been put down fully for my safty...

as anybody who has ever set up a home network knows, the IP address is wrong, not 192.168.1.2 like it should be...

by Former member

You need to update the router's software from netgear. Set the router to "DHCP". To update the netgear router you need to download the file from netgear and save it on your desktop, it will be in a format like a bin file. Next you will have to type in the ip address of your netgear router and then go to the page that has the "update" function, click on this "update" button and then just click on the "browse" button and then search for your netgear bin file (or similar) on your desktop and then select it and follow the on screen instructions. When it is done it will say something like "finished update now rebooting", once done shutdown the router and computer for 15 minutes. Switch on the router FIRST then wait for your router to show all the green lights. When you switch the router back on it should have the right ip address and not the "169.00.00.00" of which you have now.
When all is running ok go into your router and select to save the settings, this will save the settings in a odd format but do not worry, just save it on to your computer so that if anything goes wrong you can load on this file to correct the settings.

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by oh smeg

You need to go into the Router and see how it is set. You may need to enable it to Send out a DHCP Address to all computers on the network. While you are there you should update the Firmware as stated above and reset the entire Router to maintain security if nothing else.

As for loosing the IP Address or giving the wrong one how is the computer set to a Static IP Address or is it set to Obtain one Automatically?

If it's set to Automatically Obtain a IP Address try going to the Run Line and typing [b]ipconfig release[/b] and then after the black box that appears on the screen is closed go back to the run Box and type in [b]ipconfig renew[/b]. If the TCP/IP stack is working correctly those 2 steps should clear the IP Address and reset it.

Also while you are at it how is this computer connected to the Router if it's a WiFi connection look for something like a cordless phone or Remote Control that is interfering with the signal. If it's a CAT5 cable follow the cable back tot he router and make sure that it's not wrapped around a power lead or otherwise in close proximity to any form of power leads. CAT5 Cables need to always be at least 4 inches away from a Power Lead and if they are closer this can cause this problem to occur. The main things here is to look for something that has happened recently as this may be the problem so if something has been dumped down with the CAT lead under it or the CAT Lead has been moved it could be suffering from Low Level Electro Magnetic Interference.

Col

by rob miners

I think that you should run a few tests on this PC.
Is this PC the one that you have had overheating problems with. Did you resolve those problems.
Download SpeedFan and check the Voltages and Temps. If the Temperatures are High or Voltages are high/low look at the bottom of this post.

http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

When you rebuilt your PC did you go on the Net and update all Motherboard Drivers, like Video and especially Chipset, Network Card. If you didn't I suggest that you do it. What do your Event Logs have to say, check the Errors and Messages.

How did you make the initial Network connection after the rebuild. Was it working by Autodetecting. Try a Static IP Address.
Start, Control Panel, Network Connections right click on local area connection, select properties under general tab, select TCP/IP click properties.

select use the following IP Address
type the required address into the spaces

Subnet Mask is normally 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway is the IP Address of your router/modem

Primary DNS is the IP Address of your ISP

If you still cant connect you have a communication path problem between the computer and the DHCP server. Try uninstalling then re-install the Network drivers. Swap the Network Card for a known good one. If another one is not available, try Reseating it. If it is Onboard disable it before replacing it.

Advanced network adapter troubleshooting for Windows workstations

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/325487

Network Monitor

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=18b1d59d-f4d8-4213-8d17-2f6dde7d7aac&displaylang=en

Overheating.
Faulty Fans, Dust and Grime build up on the Heatsink restricting air flow. I would give the inside of the case a blowout with compressed air. When blowing air through the fans make sure that you physically stop them from spinning, as they may generate power and blow something up. Then remove the Heatsink, giving it a thorough clean and reseat the CPU applying new CPU grease. If the Fans spin freely when you give them a spin they are probably OK. If there is resistance replace them.

Clean the golden edge of each memory stick with a soft rubber, remembering not to touch the golden edge of the memory stick.

Also check Capacitors around the CPU for swelling or bulging.

A faulty PSU can also cause it. Fluctuating power is no good for the motherboard. Try another one if available or replace it.

Check the memory as it may be an intermittent problem.
Sometimes random lockups can be attributed to the computer memory starting to fail. You can test the memory by running Windows Memory Diagnostic that can be downloaded from http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp. If memory problems are found, try re-seating the RAM. If it doesn't work, replace the defective RAM.

by oh smeg

I've seen some really strange things happen when they get a bit flat. While it shouldn't affect this type of thing I just wouldn't run the risk as I've seen then adversely affect other things within Windows.

Col

by shhite

Did you check the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) properties for your Local Area connection in your Network connections both optian Ip address and obtain DNS server addres should be checked to obtain automatically (for the most part. Let me know if you need help getting to those settins.

Also do you have both Windows firewall and a third party firewall on?

What (if any) tp firewall are you using? It is possible to block access to internet explorer and firefox from you firewall.

Let me know thanks.

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