Problem Getting on the Internet!

[shilakadaddy]

Probably a basic problem, but I've tried everything I can think of, so maybe u guys have some ideas.

I've got a network of 2 computers linked up to a Linksys Ethernet router in my home. The broadband internet is then connected up to the router, and both computers access the internet this way. We can also share files between the two computers.

Everything was working fine, until I tried to print on computer 2 (the number has no meaning, its just to differenciate) and it wouldn't as it couldn't find the printers (the printers are connected up to the other computer, i.e. computer 1, and computer 2 accesses the printers throught computer 1)

At this point the network didn't appear to be set up properly, so I ran that "set up a small office or home network" wizard that it has in Windows XP (both computers have Windows XP btw) on both the computers. After the restart computer 2 was unable to access the internet, or the network (essentially there was no network)

For some reason Computer 1 could still access the internet, and was totally uneffected.

I've tried everything I can think to do on computer 2 to get it to access the internet... Uninstalling the network cards and reinstalling, different network cards, Running the wizard again, I've gone through all the help things on XP, and none work.
In the Network Connections window in Control Panel, I've tried resetting the IP address and giving it new IP address's etc. but it was always set to automatically detect. When you view the Status of a Connection on computer 2, it has no IP address, subnet mask, or anything there, and when u try to renew it, it just can't.
Theres an option of repairing the connection, but that doesn't work either, it just comes up with an error saying that it could not renew the IP address etc.

The Current status of the situation is that the Network has been restored (both computers can see each other) and Computer 1 can access the internet. But computer 2 can't. I'm not sure what I've done to restore the network, but it hasn't helped with the internet connection on Computer 2.

The connection we have is 1mb/s broadband which is always on. When I try to just create a new connection, it says that this type of connection should be already set up, and so doesn't do anything.

Sorry it was a long post, but all ideas are welcome, thanks for any help!

Chris.

Spec of Computer 2:

Asus P4G8X - On board Ethernet (which is what I'm using, but tried a PCI card which had no effect)
P4 2.53
ATI Raedon 9700 pro

Network Hub - Linksys BEFW11S4

I've just found a website that might have the answer and I'm looking at it now...
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/.../troubleshoot/
will tell if anything on there helps

[shilakadaddy]

ok I looked at that site, and one thing thats come up is the DHCP client.

On computer 2 I went into computer management and checked the status of the DHCP client, and it was Stopped... I tried to Start the service but got the following error:

"Could not start the DHCP client service on local computer

Error 1075: The dependancy service does not exist or has been marked for deletion"

This may be the problem... but how do I fix it?

Thanks again for any help

[shilakadaddy]

btw I've even tried connecting the modem directly to computer 2, by ethernet, and by USB but that didn't even work, it still couldn't get on the internet

[jeresimo]

What printer you got? Try going to AdministrativeTools >SERVICES then look for a Service that pertains to your Printer, double click it and make the Startup Time to > AUTO. Also, make the RPC Services set to AUTO too. HTH

[jeresimo]

P.S.
Look at the DHCP CLIENT too if it is disabled set it to AUTO too. Then RESTART the PC.

[shilakadaddy]

the network is fine now, both computers see each other and can access the files and printers, just computer 2 can't get on the internet.

I changed the stuff u said to auto anyway. But the DHCP Client already was on auto, but stopped, and it can't start again just brings up the error I mentioned above

[TysonTY1]

What kind of cable or DSL modem do you have?

Set both computers automatically detect network settings.
It is a possibility that your broadband modem (depending on the make/model) and your lynksys router both have DHCP enabled and/or their network submasks are not the same causing conflicts.

Try the command from the command prompt on both computer 1 and computer 2

c:\>ipconfig /all

What is the result for each?

DHCP Enabled………..:?
IP Address…………….:?
Subnet Mask…………..:?
Default Gateway………:?
DHCP Server………….:?

Also, right click the network connection for both computers and ensure ICS (internet connection sharing) is NOT enabled.

[shilakadaddy]

not sure about the first bit u said... the modem is a Motarolla SB4100 if that helps...

Results from Ipconfig

Computer 1 (working computer)
DHCP Enabled: Yes
IP Address: 192.168.1.100
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1

Computer 2:
DHCP Enabled: Yes
IP Address: 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask: 0.0.0.0
Default Gateway:
DHCP Server: 0.0.0.0

For computer 2 there was nothing written next to Default Gateway, it was just blank.

I right clicked on the connections, but couldn't find any ICS option. However I did find Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) / Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) in the Computer Management, and disabled it on both computers. Although it was set to manual and off anyway

[TysonTY1]

All the address should be the same except "IP Address" which is specific to each computer. It's obvious Comp 2 dosen't even know it's on a network.

Looks like Comp 1 is getting its IP from the lynksys (192.168.1.1)

From the command prompt on Comp2 (the one not working properly) try the following.

c:\>ipconfig /release

then

c:\>ipconfig /renew

If that doesn’t work check your network connections through device manager and make sure it is recognizable and installed properly (from the way it sounds it should be alright). If it is not re-seat your NIC and reinstall the drivers.
If the card appears to be working properly check your physical connections (wires) from the router to the comp.

Make sure you are not using a crossover cable…..hold the clear connectors right next to each other. If the color scheme from left to right is the same you’re in good shape. If mot you need another cable.

If all that is good I only have one other suggestion.

The Motorola web site says your modem can manage up to 32 users (I can only assume it has DHCP). Log on to your lynksys router by opening explorer and type in the address 192.168.1.1. The interface for your router should open. Log in and look for an option to disable DHCP. Exit (router may re-boot). Plug the wire from your modem directly to a port on your lynksys (Not the uplink port). Plug the other computers in to any other open port (again not the uplink port). Reboot both computers, cross your fingers and hope it works. In this case both computers will get their IP address Subnet and gateway from your modem and not your router. Your router will now be acting like a simple switch passing data between each computer and your modem.

Try the command c:\>ipconfig /all from both computers again.
Your DHCP server should now say 192.168.100.1

[shilakadaddy]

Thanks for this help

I gave the release and renew thing a try, and it released fine, however when it tried to renew it poped up the following error:

"...the system cannot find the file specified"

I've checked out all the connection and the Hardware is all good. Drivers are sorted and it seems qutie happy.

I'm gonna give your final suggestion a try as soon as I find the info for the linksys... it wants a user name and password which I have no idea about, but I'm sure I'll find something that'll say

Again thanks for the help, Chris

[TysonTY1]

Linksys default user - (blank), password - admin

Try changing the IP address of the router from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.100.2 before you change the wires and disable the DHCP. That will put it on the same subnet mask (logical network link) as the modem.

ipconfig /release and /renew each machine

See if that works.

If not try as said before. DISABLE the DHCP, leave the IP address as we changed it 192.168.100.2, and hook all wires to ports (will not use the uplink port)

Note: To log back on your router now you need to use the address 192.168.100.2 in your browser.

I'm assuming in all this you are using a cat5 ethernet wires between your modem and your router and your router and your PC's.

[glc]

No no no - the Motorola SB4100 doesn't have a DHCP server in it, it's a simple bridge. It supports up to 32 users using IP addresses assigned upstream. No need to change anything in the router, it should work properly with defaults.

Your problem is in Computer 2's hardware or in XP itself.

[TysonTY1]

Thanks for clarifying. Reason I said so is because I experienced a similar issue with a friends 2Wire (had DHCP & NAT services). Had to get every thing on the same network to get things to work. If the LAN is behind the router with NAT you should be limited to the capiabilities of the router not the modem, right?Where does moto get the number 32? In any case is it not easier to use the same network submask for all IP's concidering this is a small network.

[glc]

The nice thing about a Linksys router is it works on standard DHCP cable with zero configuration, that's what the factory defaults are set to.

[shilakadaddy]

well it defeated me... I reinstalled XP, seems to work fine now... just dead annoying doing that because u know u havn't actually fixed anything, u've just started again lol

Thanks for all the help guys

Chris