Network Nubie - cannot make connection

[bsniemann]

My new apartment provides DSL. I have installed the network card (Belkin 10/100BT Ethernet 32 bit PCI Card) and am running on Windows version 98 (4.10.1998). I called support at Belkin. They determined that the card is working fine yet I cannot access the internet. Please help.

[Ryan2318]

do you have to pay for the dsl and tell them to activate it for you?

[bsniemann]

No. It's gratis with the place. Unfortunately, they provide no tech support, no provider info, nothing but the three step instructions of installing the card, setting the adapter to 10 Mbps, then setting the computer to "never dial a connection". Supposedly, I should follow these steps, plug the cable into the CAT5 outlet and away I go. Is it my old system that's to blame? Any ideas?

[ktkendall]

We need a little more info here to actually help U.
1. From your NIC card what are U connected to??
2. What type of DSL service are they providing?? (ie. PPPOE)
Mainly what we need to know since U said the apartment is providing the service, is it shared among the tenants, if so then what R U connected to?? (ie. a router/switch),, if so U just have to have your network settings set probably to obtain ip address automatically.
go to the run box and type winipcfg, then in the little drop down box at the top drop it down and highlight your network adapter and perhaps tell us or copy and paste what your IP settings are. U need to be getting an ip address, subnet mask, default gateway, and dns server ip addresses from somewhere...I know this all may be greek to U but do the best U can to post more info...

[bsniemann]

I have no idea what type of service they're providing. The girls at the office don't either. Here's what the IP Configuration shows:
Adapter Address 00-30-BD-1E-6F-79
IP Autoconfiguration Address 169.254.133.137
Subnet Mask 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway -blank-

More Info provides DHCP Server 255.255.255.255

[ktkendall]

Thats why U'R not surfin the net. Those settings are the Windows default when it is set to obtain IP address automatically, thus it will be looking for a DHCP server but can not find one. U need to find out if they need U to statically assign yourself an IP address, and then you'll need the dns servers and the default gateway. Best thing is check one of the other tennants whose PC does work and see what they're settings are. On yours, go to Network Neighborhood and right click and go down to properties, then TCP/IP, then properties and tell us what U R set for. It sounds like your set for Obtain IP address automatically but R not getting one from the network...

[ktkendall]

Just had 1 other thought for U 2. Check in the back of your PC should be right near whare the network cable plugs in to your PC there should be at least 1 little led, usually lights up green if you are at least plugged into a valid network of some type and the cabling is correct. Called the link light, my hunch is that U won't see a light cause they don't even have plugged into the network and that would account for why your PC can not obtain IP address automatically ad why it can't find the DHCP server...

[bsniemann]

Green light is on. Network Neighborhood is not on my desktop. How else can I access it?

[ktkendall]

Originally posted by bsniemann Green light is on. Network Neighborhood is not on my desktop. How else can I access it?

Thats a good question, I am using a WinME machine at the moment and I don't have a win98 machine but U should find it in ControlPanel>Network
In there U just click left click on it to bring U right to properties, then highlight TCP/IP for your network adapter and that should take U to where we can see what your settings are...

[gunrunnerjohn]

Since you are plugging into a CAT5 jack, I'd guess that there is a LAN throughout the building. I'd start by finding someone that has a working one and see if plugging your computer in his CAT5 jack gets you connected. This could be as simple as a bad LAN connection or port on the switch that services your apartment.