Unable to Connect. What Now?

[pixsnap]

Came back from trip to discover that Dell C610 laptop could no longer
access the web on my home network.
Tried wireless; tried ethernet...no luck! (Network is otherwise OK--
even supplying hotspot to next door neighbor.)
Phoned ISP (Comcast) and after various attempts at ipconfig (yielding
169.etc.) they concluded that the network card (built-on MB) was shot.
Cost to replace MB exceeds value of machine.

Is there such a thing as a portable network card (perhaps card bus or
USB) that allows the machine to bypass its own card and gain a valid
IP address?

 

[Malke]

Came back from trip to discover that Dell C610 laptop could no longer
access the web on my home network.
Tried wireless; tried ethernet...no luck! (Network is otherwise OK--
even supplying hotspot to next door neighbor.)
Phoned ISP (Comcast) and after various attempts at ipconfig (yielding
169.etc.) they concluded that the network card (built-on MB) was shot.
Cost to replace MB exceeds value of machine.

Is there such a thing as a portable network card (perhaps card bus or
USB) that allows the machine to bypass its own card and gain a valid
IP address?

Absolutely. In answer to your actual question, you can buy a USB
wireless adapter for very little money. However, the fact that you can't
connect with ethernet OR wireless makes me think something else is wrong
since the ethernet adapter and the wireless adapter are separate
devices. Both are on the motherboard of course, and if the motherboard
itself is going just buying a new wireless adapter isn't going to help.
You might want to see if your computer will connect to anyone else's
network (via ethernet or wireless) to see if the issue is on your laptop
or on your home network equipment.

I question the information you got from Comcast. They aren't really
authoritative when it comes to computer troubleshooting. I'd take the
machine to a local computer shop/person (not a
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place) and have them look at it for
you. It might be something really simple that will be apparent to
someone skilled who can see the machine.


Malke

 

[Steven L Umbach]

Try booting into Safe Mode with networking using Ethernet to see what
happens. If that works you have some application/process loading at
startup/logon in Regular Mode that is causing a problem. Also try a
different Cat5 cable and port on your switch built into the router.

Steve