Error with XP Pro

[Guest]

Hi everybody. This is the first time I've posted on this forum, so I'll give
it my best.

Just to lay down some background, I recently brought my laptop home from
school and am trying to set it up on the home network. To do this I had to
unplug one of the pc's and put mine in it's place(my sister probably isn't
happy, but...oh well). Anyway, the computers on the home network here are
all set to automatically obtain ip addresses and DNS servers, which works
just fine for them. When I try to do this, I get the "limited or no
connectivity" error message. Now, I found that the IP address that my PC was
automatically picking up was absolutely wrong. All the pc's on the network
are 192.168.1.x , while mine decides it likes 169.254.212.156 . The mask on
the network is 255.255.255.0 while mine likes a mask of 255.255.0.0 . Now,
I've tried to manually set the IP address to what it should be as well as
entering the DNS servers that work on the other pc's, but to no avail.
According to my computer it's hooked up to the LAN, but i'm not recieving any
packets. The only thing that seems to be different, in this case, between my
laptop and the others is that the others had DHCP enabled, while mine does
not. So, as you can see, I'm at a loss. If any of you could help, it would
be greatly appreciated. And before you start asking if the hardware's fine,
it is. My laptop was working at school not 3 days ago, and the router and
modem here are working just fine. Thanks again.

 

[Chuck]

Hi everybody. This is the first time I've posted on this forum, so I'll give
it my best.

Just to lay down some background, I recently brought my laptop home from
school and am trying to set it up on the home network. To do this I had to
unplug one of the pc's and put mine in it's place(my sister probably isn't
happy, but...oh well). Anyway, the computers on the home network here are
all set to automatically obtain ip addresses and DNS servers, which works
just fine for them. When I try to do this, I get the "limited or no
connectivity" error message. Now, I found that the IP address that my PC was
automatically picking up was absolutely wrong. All the pc's on the network
are 192.168.1.x , while mine decides it likes 169.254.212.156 . The mask on
the network is 255.255.255.0 while mine likes a mask of 255.255.0.0 . Now,
I've tried to manually set the IP address to what it should be as well as
entering the DNS servers that work on the other pc's, but to no avail.
According to my computer it's hooked up to the LAN, but i'm not recieving any
packets. The only thing that seems to be different, in this case, between my
laptop and the others is that the others had DHCP enabled, while mine does
not. So, as you can see, I'm at a loss. If any of you could help, it would
be greatly appreciated. And before you start asking if the hardware's fine,
it is. My laptop was working at school not 3 days ago, and the router and
modem here are working just fine. Thanks again.

Caleb,

It sounds like whoever setup the router is careful with who uses it. I'd bet it
has a MAC filter for DHCP, and maybe for internet access too.

I think you better ask who owns the router if you can have connectivity. And
apologise to your sister - she may have to get you out of a jam sometime, so you
may need her on your side.

 

[Guest]

Well, I'm looking at the settings for the router right now, my dad's the one
who basically looks after the network and whatnot. Right now I'm looking at
the router setup, and from my understanding I'm going to need DHCP enabled on
my computer to get it to actually be able to communicate. I guess my next
question is, is there a way to get my laptop to correctly find an IP address
when I tell it to do it automatically. I think that if i can get it to quit
picking up the IP address it's pulling out of thin air, I might get it to
work properly.

 

[Chuck]

Well, I'm looking at the settings for the router right now, my dad's the one
who basically looks after the network and whatnot. Right now I'm looking at
the router setup, and from my understanding I'm going to need DHCP enabled on
my computer to get it to actually be able to communicate. I guess my next
question is, is there a way to get my laptop to correctly find an IP address
when I tell it to do it automatically. I think that if i can get it to quit
picking up the IP address it's pulling out of thin air, I might get it to
work properly.

Caleb,

The 169.254.x.x address is from APIPA.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=220874

APIPA kicks in when you try and get a DHCP address, but none is issued. This
could be from several reasons:
1) No connectivity.
2) No DHCP server, or no available addresses.
3) The DHCP server explicitly filters you out.

If your Dad is the one who looks after the network, should you maybe ask him for
help? Could he maybe have setup filters and blocked all unknown physical
addresses for security reasons?

 

[Guest]

Heh, my dad and I are both stumped. We've both been trying to figure it out
for the past few days. As for any physical address filters there aren't any.
This network is setup to allow any computer that is physically plugged in to
be able to access the internet, without even the need of inputting IP
addresses. So, obviously, there's something very wrong with my hardware.

If you have any ideas specifically to limit the addresses within which my
laptop looks, it would be very helpful. The root of this problem, is that my
laptop is somehow assigning itself this faulty IP address, which does not
work with the network. I'm stumped, it's just extremely aggravating.

 

[Guest]

I know this sounds simple, but humor me. Try unplugging the power to your
router for about 10 seconds and then plugging it back in. Also, restarting
your computer may not hurt either.

 

[Chuck]

Heh, my dad and I are both stumped. We've both been trying to figure it out
for the past few days. As for any physical address filters there aren't any.
This network is setup to allow any computer that is physically plugged in to
be able to access the internet, without even the need of inputting IP
addresses. So, obviously, there's something very wrong with my hardware.

If you have any ideas specifically to limit the addresses within which my
laptop looks, it would be very helpful. The root of this problem, is that my
laptop is somehow assigning itself this faulty IP address, which does not
work with the network. I'm stumped, it's just extremely aggravating.

Caleb,

You're connecting with Ethernet cable, or wirelessly?

Is it the Ethernet cable that worked for your sister's computer, or another
cable? Any lights on the router when you plug the cable in? Can you try
another cable and / another router port?

 

[Guest]

Heh, nothing as simple as that. I've power reset the router and modem
multiple times, as well as my laptop.

 

[Guest]

I'm connecting via ethernet cable. Yes, it is the same ethernet cable and it
works, i've jacked the cable back into the other PC and it gets connection
with no problem. I've also tried other ports, to no avail.

 

[Guest]

Hmmm....I'm beginning to think that maybe you're dealing with winsock
corruption. This is usually caused by removal of spyware/adware/malware or
removal of some software. Also can be caused by removal of some viruses too.
There is a nice little tool to fix all this that you can get here
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=4372&file=10&evp=4578a0d2691013178f302c260093894b
I would recommend using the built in registry back up in the program, before
applying the fix. If applying the fix doesn't work, you can always restore
the back up and you are right back where you started. Remember to restart
after the fix is finished if it doesn't automatically.

 

[Chuck]

I'm connecting via ethernet cable. Yes, it is the same ethernet cable and it
works, i've jacked the cable back into the other PC and it gets connection
with no problem. I've also tried other ports, to no avail.

Caleb,

I like Brian's idea of corruption in your LSP / Winsock. But please be careful
if you use MajorGeeks - they are known for spurious links on their pages. Use
more direct links if you can - see below.
<http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12911507>

Numerous network functions can be affected by the LSP / Winsock subsystem.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=318584
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=811259

If XP RTM or Service Pack 1:
1. Backup and delete the following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2
2. Reboot.
3. Open the network connections folder, right click your network connection, and
click Properties.
4. Click Install | Protocol | Add.
5. Click "Have Disk...", type "\windows\inf" in the box, and click OK.
6. Click "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)", then click OK.
7. Reboot.

If XP SP2:
1. Start - Run - "cmd".
2. Type "netsh winsock reset catalog" into the command window.

Give LSP-Fix <http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm>, WinsockFix
<http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=257>, or WinsockXPFix
<http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html> a shot.

If no help yet, reset TCP/IP.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=299357

Start - Run - "cmd". Type "netsh int ip reset c:\netsh.txt" into the command
window.

 

[Chuck]

Hmmm....I'm beginning to think that maybe you're dealing with winsock
corruption. This is usually caused by removal of spyware/adware/malware or
removal of some software. Also can be caused by removal of some viruses too.
There is a nice little tool to fix all this that you can get here:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=4372&file=10&evp=4578a0d2691013178f302c260093894b
I would recommend using the built in registry back up in the program, before
applying the fix. If applying the fix doesn't work, you can always restore
the back up and you are right back where you started. Remember to restart
after the fix is finished if it doesn't automatically.

Brian,

Please be advised that MajorGeeks has started including massive amounts of
advertisements in their web pages, with some links that are not beneficial if
examined by the unwary. The advertisements are not necessarily seen by those
with secure setups, but can be seen (and tried) by those needing help.
<http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12911507>

Also, WinsockFix is one of 3 similar products, and various times, when all 3 are
recommended, folks have reported that one worked when the others didn't. I
highly recommend direct links to each of the 3 Winsock repair tools.

Give LSP-Fix <http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm>, WinsockFix
<http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=257>, or WinsockXPFix
<http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html> a shot.

 

[Guest]

Well, I tried the commands as well as the WinsockFix as well as resetting the
tcp/ip like you said, but neither worked. I'm really at a loss for what is
causing this problem. I really don't think it's a hardware issue, no matter
what Dell thinks (I tried calling them...no help at all). This is just
getting really aggravating. There are moments when my reaction is to attempt
a little shotput with my laptop, but then I remember that no, it does work,
you're the one who isn't speaking it's language. Anyway, like I said
earlier, any help, any at all, is most appreciated.

Caleb

 

[Guest]

Also, It is now telling me I have a network connection, instead of the
limited or no connectivity. I guess that's a step up. But, I'm still
getting no packets and so, obviously, it's no where near repaired.

Caleb

 

[Chuck]

Also, It is now telling me I have a network connection, instead of the
limited or no connectivity. I guess that's a step up. But, I'm still
getting no packets and so, obviously, it's no where near repaired.

Caleb

Caleb,

In cases like this, you shouldn't expect to solve everything immediately. If I
was right in front of the laptop, I could probably diagnose the problem in
stream of consciousness mode, without stopping to think. (Right Chuck). Since
I'm here, and you're there, I have to think what to have you do, then tell you,
then you do it, then you tell me what happened, ... you get the picture.

So in a situation like this, we solve this by patience and persistence. And you
have to have both.

Anyway, since you don't have the "limited or no connectivity" error, that's a
start. Let's see what you do have.

Provide ipconfig information for two computers, as a start. One your laptop,
the second any computer on the LAN.
1) Start - Run - "cmd".
2) Type "ipconfig /all >c:\ipconfig.txt" into the command window.
3) Open Notepad, make sure that Format - Word Wrap is NOT checked!.
4) Open file c:\ipconfig.txt from Notepad.
5) Copy and paste entire contents of the file into your next post.
6) Identify operating system (by name, version, and Service Pack level) with
each ipconfig listing.

 

[Guest]

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :
Caleb
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :
Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : No

Ehternet Adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . . . . . . . . . . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :
Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :
00--0F-1F-1A- 82-0E
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . :
169.254.212.156
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :
255.255.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :

That's it, thanks.

 

[Guest]

uninstall windows Xp sp2