PC Won't Connect to Home Network

[snix]

Hi everyone, I have 1 out of 3 computers that can't access the Internet or the LAN. Network card is installed correctly and hooked up to a Linksys switch which is connected to a Linksys router. The other two computers can access the resources fine. I have all computers set up to use the same Workgroup and obtain an IP address and DNS address automatically. Light on the NIC is green. I've uninstalled and reinstalled the NIC under Device Manager and rebooted as well as do a cold boot but nothing works. What else can I try? Thanks

[ktkendall]

What OS is on the problem PC. I believe you still have to do default gateway manually don't you?? I can't remember as I went back to static IP addressing on my home LAN a while back. Of course if you didn't manually enter the default gateway on the other 2 PC's then you probably shouldn't have to on this one, but I would manually enter it if it isn't there.
I think DHCP just takes care of the IP and subnet mask. On your router do you have the proper range set under DHCP. Do an ipconfig on that problem PC and see just what kind of IP addressing it has!! If win 95/98 you can run winipcfg, or winxp/2000, go to the command prompt and type ipconfig to see what you have!

[Tuf]

Does it show up in the router's client table?

[snix]

Thanks to those who replied. I figured out the problem which was with the switch. We had a bad storm and apparantly it fried 3 out of the 5 ports. I bought a new switch and all computers now have complete connectivity.

[doubledragon5]

To help prevent that again I would strongly suggest you hook up all of your PC componets to a good quality surge protector,that way if that happened again the price for a new componet would be the Surge Protector Manuf problem.

[snix]

Hi doubledragon5, thanks for the suggestion but now you've got me wondering. Do you have any recommendations of a good surge protector I can buy? Thanks again.

[doubledragon5]

Hi snix I use APC for my PC and a Belkin for the kids, and other electronics I have at home. Go with anything $30 or more, as the saying goes you get what you pay for.

I have had plenty of power surges here where I live and haven't fried one Item yet. For belkin go to wal-mart that is where I bought mine, and for APC try best-buy. A good quality one will protect you up to $1000,000 dollars worth of equipment. My APC I bought through Dell were I purchased my PC.

Good Luck

[glc]

The only surge protectors that I trust 100% are TrippLite Isobars - and you will pay dearly for one of those.

DD5 - don't ever try to collect on a warranty claim from Belkin. Stick with APC and TrippLite for quality companies that stand behind their equipment.

[doubledragon5]

Thanks glc now I will replace the other belkins with APC. Thats what I like about this forum always receive good advice.

[Tuf]

I agree with GLC. We have a lot of thunderstorms here in Oklahoma. My next door neighbor bought his family a $6k big screen TV for Christmas last year. Earlier this summer it was damaged during a thunderstorm. It was plugged into a Belkin Surge protector. The TV dealer says it was damage caused by lightning and it's not covered under warranty. His surge protector has a $25K equipment warranty. Belkin says fine just prove it was lightning not the Electric companies fault.
He has provided them with weather reports and statements from the Electric Company. But they keep telling him thats all good and well but it doesn't prove it was lightning!

[AlwaysUp]

I have had great surge protection using a CyberPower UPS. I have tried other SOHO UPS's like IBM and Belkin brands with mixed results. For cost and reliability with the added flexibility on some models to close open applications and properly shut down a PC coupled with phone line protection makes this UPS a must IMHO.

[Tuf]

I wouldn't leave a PC on without a UPS. In fact I don't use any computer at my house without one except my notebooks. They have "battery backup" by design!