DNS and DHCP

[Chuck]

Chuck,

I lose the connection after restarting a second time. When I restarted the
first time, after it detected the ethernet controller and the Intel PRO/100,
I could connect again. Then I installed the network driver from the CD (there
was no update for it online) and rebooted... but I went back to the same
problem.
I have a feeling I'm misunderstanding something. The "Intel PRO/100 VE
Network Connection" is the driver, right? The one to uninstall from Device
Manager and reinstall from the CD...or is the driver another thing?

Brian,

The device "Intel PRO/100 VE" is most likely the network card, and you should
find a similarly named entry under Device Manager. When you "un install" that
device under Device Manager, you are actually un installing the drivers. If you
don't open up the computer, and physically remove the network adapter from the
motherboard, that's what you're doing - un installing drivers. Device Manager
un installs drivers.

After you reboot, the system should recognise the physical device (still
attached), and re install the drivers (based upon you providing the most current
ones from the vendor for instance).

What you're doing is removing all old drivers, before installing new ones. By
rebooting between the un install and re install, you are forcing a cleaner
install.

 

[Guest]

Chuck,

Thanks, I understand now. Everything is going as it should be, but it
doesn't seem to solve the problem. I forgot to mention, by the way, that the
system labeled the Local Area Connection with numbers (the current one is 7).
I don't think it's that significant though...
In the meantime, my dad's suggesting that we take the laptop to a repair
center by the manufacturer tomorrow, to see what's going on.
Thanks for all the help so far, I really appreciate it.