No connectivity via Ethernet

jonsl1000

jonsl1000

jonsl1000

Associate
Joined
7 Jan 2006
Posts
33
I had to re-install Windows XP on my mum's PC. Since then, it has been unable to connect to the Internet via Ethernet-it won't even allow me to log in to the router's home page. It just keeps saying "acquiring network address" and eventually allocates a 169.IP address.

I am assuming the Ethernet ports must be working seeing as XP picks them up and recognises when the network cable is plugged in? Or is that an incorrect assumption?

I've tried changing the MTU, both in the router and using DrTCP. I've allocated IP and DNS addresses manually in the network connections properties but it doesn't want to know.

Strangely, though, it will connect via USB and automatically assign the correct IP address through that. However, it won't connect to certain sites e.g. MS, which usually indicates an MTU issue.

The router works fine as I've tried it on my own PC, and the cables are also fine, so it almost has to be something to do with XP. It is driving me up the wall now as I'm sure it is something really daft but I can't think what.

Any ideas would be great.

Jon
 
Since you have just formatted it and started again I would do it all over again. Did you do a format or just a re-install (as in an over the top install of XP)?

Andr3w1984
 
I've tried both a clean install and an over the top install.

Bizarrely enough, I've just put my router on mum's PC, manually assigned IP and connected via Ethernet and it works. Although it still can't be a problem with her router since I'm using that at this very minute.

Hell, worst case scenario-she can have my router and I'll keep hers. If it sorts the problem then that's fine.
 
Try downloading some drivers for the network card, the ones included in Windows are sometimes very out of date.

It also might be worth testing it with a Linux Live CD, that should tell you if it's a hard ware problem or a software problem.
 
I was going to say make sure that DHCP is enabled in your mums router config, but if its getting an ip address connected via USB... Hmmm. What router is it?

You could try making a note of the connection username and password and wiping the router (reset to factory defaults) and put everything back in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom