Repeating Networking Problem with Winsock

[Edd Read]

Hi,

I have a problem with the Winsock network component on a Dell Laptop.

It is using a Belkin wireless network card and every few days, the IP
address resets to 0.0.0.0 and will not pick up the DHCP server, or connect
to the network. I have tested the laptop's integrated WIRED network and same
problem.

Having done some research into this, I have discovered that the problem
appears to be Winsock2 Corruption. There is a Microsoft article (at
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=811259), and following the
steps laid out in this article actually fixes the problem, but only
temporarily--as I said above, it corrupts again after a matter of days (with
no indication as to why!)

I am getting tired of repeating the same steps to fix it, and would be very
grateful if anyone could shine some light on the problem!

The laptop is running Windows XP Home SP2 (problem existed before updating
to SP2).

Many thanks,
Edd

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Hi,

I have a problem with the Winsock network component on a Dell Laptop.

It is using a Belkin wireless network card and every few days, the IP
address resets to 0.0.0.0 and will not pick up the DHCP server, or connect
to the network. I have tested the laptop's integrated WIRED network and same
problem.

Having done some research into this, I have discovered that the problem
appears to be Winsock2 Corruption. There is a Microsoft article (at
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=811259), and following the
steps laid out in this article actually fixes the problem, but only
temporarily--as I said above, it corrupts again after a matter of days (with
no indication as to why!)

I am getting tired of repeating the same steps to fix it, and would be very
grateful if anyone could shine some light on the problem!

The laptop is running Windows XP Home SP2 (problem existed before updating
to SP2).

Many thanks,
Edd

Run this new SP2 command, reboot, and see if it works better than the
steps in the Microsoft article:

netsh winsock reset catalog

If the problem still occurs, something that's running on your computer
could be corrupting the Winsock catalog. Download, install, update,
and run some spyware removal programs, like Ad-Aware SE,
CoolWebShredder, and Spybot Search and Destroy.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

Having done some research into this, I have discovered that the problem
appears to be Winsock2 Corruption.

Edd,

I see that you already got excellent advice on the Winsock
corruption problem. If the advice solves your problem, then
please disregard this message.

Reading your message, there may be some remaining doubt whether
your problem is indeed Winsock corruption or whether it is
something entirely different after all.

One very simple example would be an intermittent problem with
your wireless connection. The fact that repairing the Winsock
re-establishes the connection doesn't mean much. Perhaps the
connection would work after a short while anyway.

I can't be sure, but I've seen such cases, and it could be
something entirely different again.

But we'll know soon enough whether my suspicion was unfounded. I
really cannot know.

Hans-Georg

 

[Edd Read]

One very simple example would be an intermittent problem with
your wireless connection. The fact that repairing the Winsock
re-establishes the connection doesn't mean much. Perhaps the
connection would work after a short while anyway.

Thanks for your help but I think I've ruled out this possibility, as the
same problem occurs with the integrated wired network adapter on the laptop.

I do agree, however, that the problem might be something else that is
corrupting WinSock.

Many thanks,
Edd