Connection problems

[Teak]

I am running XP home, SP 2 on my Presario notebook. While travelling a couple weeks ago, tech support from the hotel's wireless system had me make a couple of changes to my Broadband wireless b/g card. I have tried a system restore and tried to recall the changes to reset, all to no avail. Sometimes I get a connection, sometimes not. My wife's laptop isn't experiencing connection problems. Using Linksys WRT54G w/ WPA. Seem to have similar problems when hard wired to router, just not as bad.

Saw a request for the following info in another post:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\HLL>ping 216.109.112.135

Pinging 216.109.112.135 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 216.109.112.135: bytes=32 time=69ms TTL=55
Reply from 216.109.112.135: bytes=32 time=37ms TTL=55
Reply from 216.109.112.135: bytes=32 time=38ms TTL=56
Reply from 216.109.112.135: bytes=32 time=36ms TTL=55

Ping statistics for 216.109.112.135:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 36ms, Maximum = 69ms, Average = 45ms

C:\Documents and Settings\HLL>ping yahoo.com

Pinging yahoo.com [66.94.234.13] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 66.94.234.13: bytes=32 time=113ms TTL=55
Reply from 66.94.234.13: bytes=32 time=111ms TTL=55
Reply from 66.94.234.13: bytes=32 time=111ms TTL=56
Reply from 66.94.234.13: bytes=32 time=113ms TTL=56

Ping statistics for 66.94.234.13:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 111ms, Maximum = 113ms, Average = 112ms

C:\Documents and Settings\HLL>nbtstat -n

Local Area Connection :
Node IpAddress: [0.0.0.0] Scope Id: []

No names in cache

Wireless Network Connection :
Node IpAddress: [192.168.1.101] Scope Id: []

NetBIOS Local Name Table

Name Type Status
---------------------------------------------
HLLNOTEBOOK <00> UNIQUE Registered
HLLNOTEBOOK <20> UNIQUE Registered
MSHOME <00> GROUP Registered
MSHOME <1E> GROUP Registered

C:\Documents and Settings\HLL>

[johnwill]

You appear to have a connection there.

Hold the Windows key and press R, then type CMD to open a command prompt:

In the command prompt window that opens, type type the following command:

IPCONFIG /ALL

Right click in the command window and choose Select All, then hit Enter.
Paste the results in a message here.

If you are on a machine with no network connection, use a floppy, USB disk, or a CD-RW disk to transfer a text file with the information to allow pasting it here.

[Archon]

you can also try un-installing the network card drivers and re-installing them again. hopefully this helps.

[Teak]

Thanks much for the replies. The results posted yesterday were from ipconfig /all and were from a brief moment when I was able to get online. My connection status is irregular, at best. Just can't figure out why I keep getting booted offline, while my wife sitting next to me has no problems.

Just tried again and here is the current status of ipconfig /all:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\HLL>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : hllnotebook
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection :

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Eth
ernet NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0F-B0-0F-87-E9

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection :

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-90-4B-97-DD-21
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255

BTW, I did uninstall and reinstall drivers a couple of times--to no avail.

Thanks.

[johnwill]

IP addresses of all zeros are normally caused by one of the following.

Diagnosis:

1. DHCP Service not running.
2. Duplicate IP address on the network.
3. Bad NIC card drivers.
4. Defective NIC hardware.

Resolution:

1. Check Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Services. The DHCP Client service should be Started and its Startup Type should be Automatic.
   
2. Turn off ALL of the computers and other network connected devices, restart (power cycle) the router, then restart all the computers and other network devices.
   
3. Check for upgraded drivers and/or reload the Network drivers.
   
4. Replace the Network Interface Card.

[Teak]

Johnwill,
Tried your solution suggestions with no luck.
1. DHCP client service is started/auto
2. Done--multiple times
3. Done. Uninstalled and reinstalled driver. No updates found.
4. Not done. I have a D Link USB NIC device that doesn't want to work on notebook, though functions fine on my desktop.

Although the NIC card could certainly be bad, it is just curious that it was working fine until hotel tech support had me change some advanced Broadcom properties.

[johnwill]

Try uninstalling the NIC totally in Device Manager, disable it in the BIOS, and reboot. Then reboot again and enable it in the BIOS and reload the drivers.

[Teak]

Can you please walk me through changing the BIOS settings? I can get to regedit, that's about it.
Thanks

[johnwill]

I don't have access to that machine, so there's no way I can be specific about the BIOS configuration. Maybe you should try Compaq tech support, since this is an internal device...

[Teak]

After about two hours online chatting with support, they sent me link to flash the BIOS. Still no luck. I am picking up my network (5 by 5 signal) and about 6 others, 3 of which are unencrypted. Still can't connect

Some snippets from HP:

Bryce: Select Home network setup.
hl: "The wizard found disconnected network hardware. The network connections
listed below are disconnected. Plug in cables or otherwise connect your network hardware & click next."
Bryce: H, is the blue light on Notebook is turned on?
hl:Yes.
hl: I think we may be getting somewhere. Finally!
hl: Device mgr. shows both network adapters "functioning properly", but wizard
doesn't see them.

Bryce: Here is the weblink to download the BIOS update:
Bryce: ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp30001-30500/sp30397.exe

Bryce: Follow the following steps to reset the BIOS to default settings:

1. Turn on the Notebook
2. Keep tapping the F10 key when the Compaq logo appears. This will take you to BIOS Setup Utility.
3. Press F9 to "Set Defaults and Exit".
4. Press F10 to "Save and Exit" the BIOS.
5. Click on Ok/Yes to confirm the changes.
6. Restart the Notebook.

Bryce: Double-check your cabling to the computer. Make sure you have the correct type of

cabling, straight-through CAT 5 or possibly a crossover cable and try another cable or test the

cable to make sure its working properly.
Bryce: Check your IP address assignments and workgroup settings in the computer for accuracy.
Bryce: Check your network card to make sure its configured correctly and working properly.

Many times setting the network card to 10Mbps/Full Duplex will solve this issue. To do this, open Control Panel, System, Device Manager. Go to the properties of the Network card, click on the Advanced tab and find the Link Speed and Duplex section. Change it from Auto Detect to 10Mbps/Full Duplex.

These are some of the more pertinent things that were attempted to remedy, though the last one--Link Speed & Duplex were not among the Advanced Settings for the Broadcom.

[johnwill]

It's starting to sound like the wireless card may be bad. A final thing to try. Open up the access plate on the bottom of the machine and reseat the wireless card in the connector. Obviously, you should power down the machine, remove the power cable AND the battery, then open it up and reseat the card. See if this helps. Failing that, you may have to send it back for repair.

[Teak]

John,
It may be the NIC card, you're right. But why won't it connect with an external USB powered NIC device?

[johnwill]

It's hard to say. I've had tons if issues with USB networking, and I steer clear of it whenever possible.