dns settings invalid?

[adalgisa]

I had an XPHome and a win98 computer connected by crossover cable, sharing a dialup connection by ICS. Finally got DSL yesterday. I set up DSL first by connecting the modem to the XP (which was the host computer for the old ICS connection). Then set up the router (linksys befsr41 purchased yesterday). All involved some fiddling around, because I didn't want to install SBC Yahoo's software, and because the setup disk for the Linksys router got to a certain point and said it couldn't connect to the router (& because I don't understand this very well).

The network connection that I had set up & named previously for the crossover cabling network was taken over by the router (I think), and a new, unnamed LAN appeared under network connections, with a status of "network cable unplugged."

The 2 computers are networked via the router, and both can access the web and the printer, etc.

The problem is that now it takes forever for the XP to boot up. It was hanging for a couple of minutes at "loading personal settings". I tried spyware/adware scans; I deleted all but one profile (now it hangs at the "welcome" screen); I moved a bunch of large files out of My Documents to make the profile smaller. No effect.


IPconfig done on the XP computer shows, for connection-specific DNS suffix, "domain_not_set.invalid." IP address & default gateway are the IP of the router.

I'm wondering if something is wrong with the DNS, making bootup slow? Any ideas?

[doctorgonzo]

What I would do is delete all the network connections on the XP machine and start over. You don't need ICS anymore because the router is doing the sharing for your, correct? Delete them all and when you set up the connection again, make sure it is set to use DHCP from the router. That usually takes care of it.

[adalgisa]

If I delete all the network connections on the XP machine, will I have to reinstall the dsl modem and router?

[doctorgonzo]

Are you using the software? Do you have to? Most routers out there allow you to configure the username/password you have to enter with DSL routers. Then, the router itself takes care of the connection, and you don't need any software on any computers connected to the router.

[adalgisa]

I don't know if I'm using the software because the installations of the modem and the router didn't complete according to the instructions given. I tried to delete the network connections by highlighting the icons in the "network connections" page, but got the message that they couldn't be deleted. Tried disabling them, unplugging the cable, safe mode... wouldn't let me delete them.

[doctorgonzo]

Can you get to the router's configuration page?

[adalgisa]

Yes, I can get to the router's configuration page. The router IP and the XP machine's IP are the same -- is that normal?

[doctorgonzo]

No, that's no good at all if accurate. What you should first do is set up your router to log onto your DSL connection automatically. There should be some setting for that. Then, enable DHCP and everything should work itself out on the computers.