Problem With Router And/Or Ethernet

[Vanchatron]

I connect my router to my PC using an Ethernet cable and it has been running fine for about a month now.

All of a sudden the other day I was using the Internet and everything stopped running (web pages wouldn't load, downloads stopped, MSN Messenger signed me out etc), then I got a little Computer icon with an exclamation mark on it in the system tray with a message saying:

"Local Area Connection
Speed: 100.0 Mbps
Status: Limited or no connectivity"

I then went into 'Network Connections', right clicked the 'Local Area Connection' icon and click 'repair' but after doing something for a while it just came back with the same message. I even tried disabling & re-enabling the connection but it was no use.

I'm now connecting to the Internet via a dialup modem which is far slower than my router and I've no idea what the problem is. I would appreciate the help, thanks.


HK

[Fruss Tray Ted]

You say you have a router. What kind? Can you access it through the computer? Is your 10/100 nics onboard or add-on card?

Try opening a new window and typing into the address bar either:
192.168.1.1
or
192.168.0.1
Then press Enter

Do you get to a screen asking for username and password?

Not sure where your connection is lost. Lots of times your isp's tech service will help walk you through setting it up or troubleshooting your connection.

[Vanchatron]

You say you have a router. What kind? Can you access it through the computer? Is your 10/100 nics onboard or add-on card?

Try opening a new window and typing into the address bar either:
192.168.1.1
or
192.168.0.1
Then press Enter

Do you get to a screen asking for username and password?

Not sure where your connection is lost. Lots of times your isp's tech service will help walk you through setting it up or troubleshooting your connection.

A) I'm using a router called 'BT Home Hub'

B) I take it '10/100 nics' is the Ethernet card? If so, it's onboard.

C) When I enter 192.168.1.1 & 192.168.0.1 into the address bar and press enter, nothing happens, just a white screen.


HK

[jlreich]

Do you have other computers hooked up to the router, and are they having the same problem?

What about your modem, have you tried resetting it by unplugging it for a minute and plugging it back in? Try doing the same for the router.

Is the port lighting up (where you plug in the cable) when it is plugged in to a live network?

How about the activity lights on the router? Are they all as they usually are?

Check the ethernet cable to make sure it is still pugged in properly at both ends. Sometime they can wiggle out just enough to lose connection. Do you have a cat or dog by chance? Just a thought...

Try another cable if you have one, even if you just use one off another machine to test.

Try plugging into a different port on the router.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Any problems in Device Manager?

[Erik]

Try shutting everything down. Then power up your modem (what type of internet connection is it?), and wait until it is fully booted up and operationial. The the router, again waiting until it is done booting up. Lastly your PC.

Another thing to check would be if you have an internet connection if you connect directly to the modem without the router.

[deddard]

disconnect the ethernet cable from the PC
open a command prompt (MS DOS) and type ping 127.0.0.1
you should get 4 replies

If you do, then you need to look at the cable and the router.
Cable first:
Has it been damaged in any way? look for signs of physical damage along the cable.
Look at the plugs on it. When you insert it into the socket (either end) does it go home with a nice 'click'? if not, then the plug may be a bit dodgy - ethernet cables are not expensive, so just replace it.

If the cable seems ok, then just apply a little pressure to the plug whilst it is in the PC. (make sure both ends of the cable are attached to where they are supposed to be)Try pushing on it from all sides in turn, watching the PC to see if it comes up with anything different regarding the connection.
Try the same at the router (BT Hub) end.
If applying pressure works, then it is likely that you have a faulty socket (although a faulty plug can't be ruled out, but is easily remedied by replacing the cable) on whatever device (either the PC or Router) makes the computer say you're connected.

If it is the NIC (the network card in your PC) then you need to replace that. If it is a bulit in unit (most modern PCs have a built in NIC) then you can buy another from most stores for around £10 or less.

If pressure applied at the BT Hub end of the cable works, then the Hub is the likely culprit, and you'll need to contact BT about it.


If you don't get any replies to the ping then there is a problem on the PC - uninstall the Ethernet card (the 10/100 device) in device manager.

Then reboot and try the ping 127.0.0.1 again
If you got some replies, then the problem is sorted. Reconnect to the broadband router (the BT Hub) and you should be fine.

Other things to check are your firewall - do you have one running?
Let us know how you get on, so we can help further if necessary.

[Vanchatron]

Thanks a lot everybody. I was re-arranging my room today and had to unplug the router for a while. When I plugged it back in everything was fine!

Thanks again


HK