Win2000Pro will connect to the Internet only 5% of the time... why" help please!

[MuscLuvr]

Hello!

I have Win2000 Pro running on my laptop and for some reason it will
not connect to the internet thru my cable provider but every once in a
while. This is a fresh install and the NIC is functioning properly.
I used the internet connection wizard with success. I have been able
to connect to windows update 3 times in 50 tries so I know it "can"
work although I can't figure out why it won't the 47 other times.
I've tried pinging 127.0.0.1 and get a reply. There are no hardware
conflicts. The connection will "detect proxy settings", then go to
"finding site www.google.com" (my start page), just to go to a place
on my C drive and give me the "page can't be displayed" error message.

If I plug the cat 5 into my desktop all is fine and dandy and all of
the settings on both computers seem to be the same as far as I can
see.

What could be the cause of this? Any ideas? Any advice on an
approach to troubleshooting this?

TIA!!!

Elliott

 

[Brian]

Hello!

I have Win2000 Pro running on my laptop and for some reason it will
not connect to the internet thru my cable provider but every once in a
while. This is a fresh install and the NIC is functioning properly.
I used the internet connection wizard with success. I have been able
to connect to windows update 3 times in 50 tries so I know it "can"
work although I can't figure out why it won't the 47 other times.
I've tried pinging 127.0.0.1 and get a reply.

<snip>

Have you tried to ping your cable modem? Is this a cable modem to
computer connection or are you using a router too?

If I plug the cat 5 into my desktop all is fine and dandy and all of
the settings on both computers seem to be the same as far as I can
see.

What could be the cause of this? Any ideas? Any advice on an
approach to troubleshooting this?

Do you get an IP address when you do an ipconfig? Is is the same one you
get when your desktop is online? Do you have the laptop to set to obtain
an IP address (DHCP) or are you supposed to enter one the cable co.
specifies?


Brian

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

This problem may result from swapping the cable around without releasing IP
addresses.

Try:

1. On the laptop, open IE, click Tools and select Internet Options. Click
the Connections tab - make sure Never dial a connection is selected. Select
the LAN Settings button and clear the check box for Automatically detect
network settings. Close IE and shut down the laptop.

2. On the desktop, connect the network cable and make sure IE is working
OK. Close IE and open a command prompt. Type: ipconfig /release <enter>.
When the address is released, disconnect the network cable.

3. Unplug the power supply to the cable modem and wait 60 seconds. Plug in
the cable modem power supply and connect the network cable to the laptop.
Start the laptop and see if you get consistent Internet access.

Doug Sherman
MCSE Win2k/NT4.0, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP

 

[MuscLuvr]

<snip>

Have you tried to ping your cable modem? Is this a cable modem to
computer connection or are you using a router too?

Thanks for responding! My cable modem is connecting directly to each
computer (un-plugging from one and then to the other mainly for
consistency). I'm not really sure how to ping the modem, tho. I have
made one observation in the mean time... if I leave the laptop
plugged in for a 1/2 hour or so and walk away, it will probably
connect. If I reboot, there's no chance of connection for, well, half
and hour or so.......

Do you get an IP address when you do an ipconfig? Is is the same one you
get when your desktop is online? Do you have the laptop to set to obtain
an IP address (DHCP) or are you supposed to enter one the cable co.
specifies?

I IPCONFIGed both and they are far different. ALL should be automated
in both and the Win2000 settings seem to be the same - obtain IP and
DNS, etc. are automatic.... Yet on the problematic win2000 system
the IP and the Subnet Mask are far different and there is NO Default
Gateway. Why not??? And why will it connect with no problem in 30
minutes or so?????

Thanks for the help!

Elliott

 

[f/f george]

This problem may result from swapping the cable around without releasing IP
addresses.

Try:

1. On the laptop, open IE, click Tools and select Internet Options. Click
the Connections tab - make sure Never dial a connection is selected. Select
the LAN Settings button and clear the check box for Automatically detect
network settings. Close IE and shut down the laptop.

2. On the desktop, connect the network cable and make sure IE is working
OK. Close IE and open a command prompt. Type: ipconfig /release <enter>.
When the address is released, disconnect the network cable.

3. Unplug the power supply to the cable modem and wait 60 seconds. Plug in
the cable modem power supply and connect the network cable to the laptop.
Start the laptop and see if you get consistent Internet access.

Doug Sherman
MCSE Win2k/NT4.0, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP

Couldn't she just set the IP addresses instead of using DHCP and not
bother with "releasing" every time.
If you are troubleshooting..forget I butted in.

 

[Brian]

Thanks for responding! My cable modem is connecting directly to each
computer (un-plugging from one and then to the other mainly for
consistency). I'm not really sure how to ping the modem, tho. I have
made one observation in the mean time... if I leave the laptop
plugged in for a 1/2 hour or so and walk away, it will probably
connect. If I reboot, there's no chance of connection for, well, half
and hour or so.......

Open a command prompt (start -> run -> type 'command') and type ping <ip
address of modem>. When the desktop is on and getting the web, do an
ipconfig, that should be your modem IP. Another way to be sure is to go
to http://www.privacy.net. That site will show your IP on the top center
of the page. Either way, Write it down and ping it when you are working
on the laptop.

This laptop - did you buy this from someone - is it pre-owned? Have you
ever used it successfully to get the web before with another ISP? If
either answer is 'yes' maybe some old settings are still in there.

I IPCONFIGed both and they are far different. ALL should be automated
in both and the Win2000 settings seem to be the same - obtain IP and
DNS, etc. are automatic.... Yet on the problematic win2000 system
the IP and the Subnet Mask are far different and there is NO Default
Gateway. Why not??? And why will it connect with no problem in 30
minutes or so?????

Go into control panel, double click 'network', identify your connection;
might say LAN connection or something close to that. Right click on that
connection and go to 'properties.' Click the internet protocol (tcp/ip)
line and then click the 'properties' box. Make sure 'obtain an IP
automatically' is marked. There should also be a gateway tab there.
Check that and make sure nothing is specified.



Brian