Ethernet Keeps Disconnecting

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Hey everyone, sorry to bother you with what is surely a simple fix, but...

I just got my new notebook, connected it to my Ethernet router (and hence to
my cable modem), and started surfing the Web. If I leave my computer for a
while, however, or if the thing hibernates, my Internet connection locks up
and cannot be repaired through normal means. It says it can't find a new IP
address, or something like that. Once I reboot, I can get on the Internet
again. This happens when I connect to the Ethernet network at work, too. It's
not my router or cable modem's fault, I don't think.

This system is only a week old, but in the name of full disclosure, i *have*
installed ZoneAlarm security software. Could that be the problem? You might
also like to know that Windows is already doing some quirky things, like
refusing to remember which toolbars I want at the bottom of my screen and
that I've turned off all of Security Center's alerts. After a reboot, these
things revert to whatever the system seems to want for me and forgets my
preferences.

Any guidance out there? I await your sage wisdom...

Asa
 
Instead of rebooting, try enabling and then disabling the NIC. This should
force it to release the IP address it received from DHCP. There are a number
of reasons why this could be happening. Set the power settings for the NIC
to not shut off during hibernation: start >> run devmgmt.msc >> expand
Network Adapters >> right click your adapters >> clicjk properties >> click
the Power Management Tab >> uncheck any boxes here >> click ok. DNS may not
be lost during hibernation and may not be renewed properly >> try hard coding
the DNS. You could also try ipconfig /release and the ipconfig /renew from
the command prompt. Sometimes the ipconfig release/renew does not work. I
normally disable and then reenable the NIC driver from within Network Places
thjis forces it to completely reinitialize.
 
Beau:
Thanks for the help. I've tried these things already and nothing's worked.
I'll be calling tech support tomorrow -- something I dread -- but if anyone
out there has any further ideas, I'm open to them.

Thanks again, Beau.

Asa
 
Have you tried disabling the "Hibernate" mode? If you right click on Desktop
-> Screensaver tab -> Select Power button -> Hibernate tab,

you can at least control that function.
 
brentromero:

i did try your suggestion and it also had no real effect. THEN i went deeper
into the various screens for my new ZoneAlarm security software and found the
culprit: a checkbox that actually TURNS OFF the internet completely after 15
minutes of idle time...and then once it's off, the only way to reconnect is
to reboot. Of course, as soon as I unchecked that box, I was off and running.
No problems since with regard to Internet access. Now if I could just keep
that stupid Language Toolbar from showing up on my Taskbar every time I
restart. ANNOYING!

thanks again for the help!

Asa
 
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