Dial-up connection problem

[Bob338]

I have multiple problems but the big single issue is titled above. This will be long as I'm sure I'm the guy that screwed things up. Living in the country, dial-up is my best option and I go through a good ISP. I can get to the ISP but can neither access my mailbox for my E-mail, nor can I surf the web. I get connected and it stops there.

System is XP on a Dell desktop, 56K modem and connection speed 31.2 baud. I've done two things, either or both which could have caused my problem. I've been trying to establish a home network using a laptop (on which I'm accessing now on the same line used by the Dell which is where my problem lies. There is NO problem in any respect through the laptop, all problems in the Dell desktop.) I'll ask for help re the networking when I get this pressing problem resolved. I'm mentioning it only so you'll know what I've done. In setting up the network I was one time able to connect the laptop through the desktop which is functioning as the gateway. I couldn't get either computer to recognized each other in spite of doing and redoing the Network Wizard, reading manuals and reading posts on the problems on this board and I couldn't access shared files which is what I"m trying to accomplish. I thought I had reversed all the changes I made when I made them after they didn't have much effect and the machines were both functioning normally though not networked. I may have missed one someplace.

I also bought and ran the Registry Booster which was sold through this site, found a number of errors and they were repaired over the last few weeks. During the last scan a couple of days ago 5 errors were found, I had the program repair them and that's when I became aware of the problem. I was hooked up to the ISP and had downloaded a McAfee virus update. When I went to check mail I received an error message that the machine wasn't recognized. In trying to surf the web I also received an error message the page was not available. Contact with the ISP was not helpful. They showed I was connected but the connection stopped there. I checked it with the laptop and everything functioned properly.

I did a system restore on the Registry Booster which had no effect. I even went back to a restore point the prior week, no effect. At one point after correcting some registry errors I wasn't even able to access the ISP as the internet connection had been deleted by one of the actions, so I did a system restore through XP to a point two weeks prior when the system operated normally. I was then returned to being able to access the ISP again but unable to go any further. That's the point at which I am now. All the settings have been reviewed with the support persons at the ISP and they are all fine and the same as on this laptop.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[ktkendall]

You need to look at your internet options , connections tab and check the settings for that dial-up connection, sounds like they got changed.

[Bob338]

Don't know what to look at beyond comparing the settings in the two computers which I just did. They are set identically in the Connections tab and I have no problems in the laptop. Made one change to uncheck the Automatic Configurations settings but that made no difference. I can still get connection to the server but can't go beyond. Any other ideas?

[glc]

You need to run the networking wizard on both computers, making the desktop an internet connection sharing host. This should also enable file and print sharing and allow it through the XP firewall. The laptop should be set to connect to the Internet through another computer. Do not use any 3rd party firewalls, I have a feeling McAfee may be the source of your difficulties. If you are using Ethernet to connect the 2 machines to each other, you need a crossover cable, not a standard patch cable.

[Bob338]

I've probably run the Network Wizard 20 times with no effect. In every case I've enabled file sharing in both computers. In that regard it brings back the same problems I had in trying to set up the network.

One strange thing when I run the wizard over again, when verifying the IP addresses, in the gateway computer, the "General" tab, the wizard erases any address I install and checks "Obtain an IP address" automaticallyleving the address line grayed out. Believing both the address in the gateway and in the laptop should be the same except for the last number of the address I've installed the address of the laptop (192.168.0.2) in the gateway except for the last number (1) and tried that. No luck. I've even changed the second to the last number in each to 1 while leaving all the other numbers the same (the last two stiill being different, 1 & 2) and it has no effect.

I've also checked the IPconfig to see if the addresses show up and they do. What I haven't done, but will very shortly, is to run the Network Wizard on the laptop after the automatic number is chosen by the gateway computer. I've checked immediately after running the wizard without any manual changes and when I do the autoconfiguration address is totally different (169-254.194.172). The subnet mask also drops the third 255 in that address as compared to the laptop. If I manually change the address to the 192.168.0.1 then the subnet mask reverts to the same as the laptop, (except for the last number of the IP address.) Regardless, in neither case can I get into my ISP mail server with the gateway (desktop) computer and that is my primary source of concern.

I hate the thought of contacting McAfee but I somewhat agree that may be the source of my problem. Through all this I get a balloon on the desktop that advises my computer isn't protected and indicates something is missing from the program. Unfortunately I can't download whatever is missing as I can't gain access to the internet! The computers failing to recognize each other existed before that McAfee download. Any other ideas?

[glc]

Do not attempt to do ANY manual IP settings after running the wizard. The NIC in the host machine will set itself to 192.168.0.1 and MUST be left ALONE. It will act as a DHCP server for the NIC in the laptop, which MUST be set to obtain IP automatically. UNINSTALL McAfee, install AVG Free for an antivirus, and run the wizard again and make SURE you are either using a crossover cable, or 2 patch cables through a hub or switch.

If the laptop winds up getting a 169.254.x.x IP, it means that it can NOT see the desktop, due to firewall or improper cabling.

[Bob338]

As thorough as I tried to be I didn't cover one maybe important point, the connections. I'm linking through the Atheros Wireless network adapter in the laptop through a Linksys access point, LNE100TX. I don't have any cables except the one from the access point to the computer. WhenI posted an earlier thread with a question I was asked why I did it that way. I answered "lack of knowledge and inexperience." Those connections at one time functioned except for the file sharing. I was able to access the internet from the laptop through the gateway with no problem. I was just not able to share files which I want to do.

Does this change things, and what do I do now?

[glc]

Is the access point set to obtain an IP address automatically? Does the access point installation CD see the access point?

[Bob338]

GLC~
Just want to let you know I've gotten the primary problem, the internet connection resolved. I'll address the networking issue later as I'm plain tuckered out with this thing.

Your conjecturing it might have something to do with the McAfee issue was DEAD ON!

I went through the frustrating experience of contacting them in a chat and besides the monumental frustrations of dealing with them the agent said one thing that got me to thinking. He said they had some problems with the downloads changing the SMTP, whatever that is. Without the ability to get online a patch he wanted me to download, couldn't get to this machine. I therefore uninstalled McAfee and reinstalled. After the installation and before downloading I was able to connect as normal and it continues now.

One thing relating to the networking, some time when an automatic download came in they also installed a firewall of which I wasn't aware. The new program didn't seem to have a means of disabling the firewall and since I hadn't purchased their firewall I didn't check very thoroughly. As the reinstallation was working the question was asked about installing the firewall and I rejected it. That may affect and resolve my networking problems. Just wanted to let you know and thank you. I'll be back on the networking issue when I'm disposed to address it. Thanks for your assistance and expertise.