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Network Issue

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by bsualum

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My business has 4 computers (2 desktop, 2 laptop)all running vista and all connected through Ethernet cables. All 4 were working fine, then all of a sudden, the 2 laptops cannot identify (access) the LAN. The desktops are still doing just fine. When connecting to the same cable as the desktop, the laptops still do not work. On the network and sharing page from the control panel, the laptops both show that if cannot identify the LAN and keeps looking for it. If this problem is familiar with anyone, I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you, Tim

10 replies

by robo_dev

does the port light on the switch/router light up or not?

Does the laptop show 'cable disconnected' in the status bar?

Are these XP boxes?

First guess is that your switch/router has gone bad.

by tmalo627

Checking to make sure a Windows update didn't do something goofy with the NIC driver. Check your device manager to make sure you NIC's are properly installed and post the results from an IPCONFIG /ALL.

by chris029

You leave alot to the imagination. Are the lan adapters enabled in the Network Properties? Make sure they have not been disabled, and you may want to disable the wireless lan adapter so the laptop does not get confused by which adapter it is trying to connect with. Also it might be important to check what workgroup names the laptops have - if it is not the same as the PC's workgroup you can have a problem there. You may want to IPCONFIG /all to make sure the wired connection has the TCPIP (I assume)address that is compatible with the subnet you are using. Pinging the laptop with the other PC's may help identify them on the LAN (unless firewall prevents ping replys). Do you have lights on the Hub/Switch when you plug the laptops in? Do you have the firewall locked down so the Laptops cannot communicate? What about file and printer sharing, has that been enabled? For connectivity do you use a host or lmhost file to locate the other pc's? I could go on.

by bsualum

Thanks for the replies. Wife had a baby yesterday and have not been able to respond, but she told me to get away from her so here I am.

I moved the laptops around the offices to all the ports and they lit up the hub on every plug-in. ipconfig/all shows the following:

Ethernet adapter LAN
Connection-specific DNS Suffix ....:
Description...:Intel 82566 MM Gigabit Network Connection
Physical Address...: 00-1C-25-10-CE-5D
DHCP Enabled....: Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled...: Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address...: fe80::2dfc:fe79:9285:ff30%8
Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address...: 169.254.255.48
Subnet Mask...: 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway...:0.0.0.0
DNS Servers...: fec0:0:0:ffff:1x1
2x1
3x1
NetBIOS over TCPIP..: Enabled

I have all the address info and all documentation with me.

The system is as follows:

Router > Polycom NetEngine 6200
Firewall > Cisco PIX 501
Switch > TRENDnet Fast Ethernet Switch
TE100-S16R
Hub > Netgear 16 port Dual Speed Stackable
Hub

The Network OS is Chronicle on a Dell Precision 340 with Windows XP Pro

There are 2 Dell PowerEdge 600SC Data servers
one running Backup Exec and the other Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition

The internet service is Reallinx T-1

On the Network and Sharing Center, both have Discovery, File Sharing, Public Folder, Printer Sharing turned on and Media sharing off.

Both laptops show Unidentified Network at the top of the page with red X between Unidentified Network and Internet.

When pinging router from laptop I get the request timed out message.

Thanks for any help from this updated info.

by cg it

which means that the network card can not obtain an address from a DHCP source. So.. you either have to assign an address to the network card on the same subnet as everyone else, include your default gateway and DNS servers or you have to find out why your laptops can't get an address from your DHCP server[which from the look of it, is probably is hosted on your PIX firewall]

by bsualum

I have the list of range of addresses available, so I can input a unique address to each laptop which is not getting an address from DHCP?

by jgirizarry

Power cycle the router and reset both laptop nic cards. Right click the nic card icon in the network connection window and choose diagnose, then click reset. Execute the ipconfig command and check your ip's. Try to ping another pc or any website. Post your results.

Cheers

by bsualum

Ran through the steps and still same situation. No change on info after ipconfig

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