LAN Unplugged

[computerlearner]

Okay,
I recently bought Comcast internet service. They could not set it up through my labtop, so they did it remotely. I'm on my 3rd modem, and, each time I call Comcast they say that it is connected. However, I get the error "Local Area Network Unplugged." All i need to do is set it up so I can install my router, then to heck with the eternet connection to my labtop.

So, I tried two friends' labtops - same result. Then I picked up a new modem, same result.
I've tried, restarting, disable and enabling the LAN, disabled anti-virus, turned off Sygate and Windows' Firewalls, and now my next resort is to get a network card. I have a Dell Inspiron 8600, and don't know what to get.

I will try my friend's computer now that I have a new modem, but I'm not optimistic. Again, my intention is to just get it running so that I can set up my new router, and be done with the Ethernet connection.

If anyone can help it would be great. Thanks for any suggestions.

[computerlearner]

Hi again,

In addition, I noticed I now cannot pick up wireless connections. This seemed to start after a scan occurred while restarting my computer. FYI: I have SYgate Firewall and Avast Anti-Virus. The latter usually scans during restarts.
Can my labptop disable a modem or even ethernet cable such that any computer used afterwards would also not connect to the modem?

Thanks for listening.

[classicsoftware]

Forget your router.
Forget your wireless.

Connect a PC directly to the cable modem.

Set your PC to get an IP address automatically.

DOES IT WORK?

[Relztrah]

Okay,
and now my next resort is to get a network card.

By this do you mean that you have connected your laptop directly to the modem using the network port and it's not working? Do you mean that your last resort is to insert a network PC (PCMCIA) card for your laptop?

In either case I agree with classicsoftware that you need to attempt to connect directly to the modem with a cable.

[computerlearner]

Hi Classicsoftware,

Basically, I connected the ethernet cable to the modem and to the computer, using my computer and a friend's. Is this what you were referring to "connect your PC to the modem with a cable"? Also, how do I set the PC to get the IP address automatically?

I never tried to connect the modem through the wireless or the router to set up the LAN connection. However, I did it just to checke if the LAN shows a connection.
Is it possible that my computer can disable the ethernet cable or the computer-to-modem connection if I try mine first? The reason I say this is because, I even have trouble with the LAN connection at his apt., while he does not. As I said in my last post, now, I even lost my wireless connection capabilities. I think a setting has been changed. I'm at quite a loss. Thanks for any help again.

[classicsoftware]

What operating system do you use?

[computerlearner]

Windows XP, thanks.

[awaj]

If you are in XP Service Pack 2, go into network connections. you should see two options, one is Local area connection, the other would be Wireless. Right click on the local area connection, and choose to enable it. For other operating systems, you will have to vary the steps a little.

[computerlearner]

did that a hundred times.

[classicsoftware]

Rt Click on My Network Places

Choose properties

Rt Click on Local area connection

Choose properties.

Highlight Tcp/IP

Click Properties

Make sure it says to obtain an IP address automatically.

When you get to my network places, what does it say about it the connection?

Go to start-->run--> cmd

at the command prompt

type ipconfig>ipcponfig.txt

then type ping 209.68.14.80>ipping.txt

then type ping www.nytimes.com>ipname.txt

Post back with the results and the contents of the three files you created.

[computerlearner]

Hi classicsoftware,

Below are the results to your instructions. Under Tcp/IP it says "obtain an IP address automatically"
In network connections, it says "Not Connected" for Wireless Network Connection

The results of the run--> cmd queries are as follows:
for ipconfig>ipcponfig.txt --> nothing happens
for ipconfig: the following result (bare with me I am typing it in myself as I am on another computer)
Windows IP Configuration

Ethernet adapter Loacal Area Connection:

Medial State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Ethernet adpapter Wireless Network Connection

Medial State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Tunnel aapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . : fe80.::ffff:ffff:fffd%6
Default Gateway . . . . . . . .:

Now for ping 209.68.14.80>ipping.txt: No result
For ping 209.68.14.80 (without the >ipping.txt) the following result:

Pinging 209.68.14.80 with 32 bytes of data:

Destination host unreachable
Destination host unreachable
Destination host unreachable

Ping statistics for 209.68.14.80:
Packets : Sent = 4, Receieved = 0, Lost = 4 <100% loss>

in response to ping www.nytimes.com>ipname.txt No result

Thanks for any help

FYI: I received a new modem (RCA) and it works on my friend's dell. I have a sinking feeling that the Motorola connection with Windows XP has some problem or a setting has to be looked at.
Also, when I look at Wireless Connections it says:
"Windows cannot configure this wireless connection
If you have enabled another program to manage this wireless conneciton, use that software." etc. etc.
I don't know if my Sygate Firewall or Avast have taken over. I can tell you that this all started after I was starting my computer and it did a self scan during that start. After which, my login page (you know the blue-screen that has an icon with your computer username) did not come up any more. Instead, a box came up to type in a username (which was different) and my password (which was the same as before the scan). Well, hope that info helps, I know that it is a lot.

Thanks

[classicsoftware]

Media disconnected means, the cable is bad or the Ethernet connection is bad. Try a new Cat-5 or Cat-5e patch cable.

[computerlearner]

Thanks people. While the ethernet suggestion is good, it was not the problem. I called Net Gear while setting up the router via another laptop. After they helped set it up, I asked for some help with my computer. When I told him "Windows is not controlling the Wireless" and that "I could not view any wireless networks," the solution was to:

1. Right Click My Computer
2. Click Manage
3. Double Click Services and Applications
4. Double Click Services
5. Double Cick Windows Zero Configuration

From there, I had to change Startup Type to Automatic (it was disabled) and click Start for Service status. Then it was a simple matter of connecting to my new router.

All that is to say - if someone else has this problem, my experience might help, and, thanks to all on this forum for trying.
I'm sure I'll be back for more someday.

[classicsoftware]

I'm glad you connected wirelessly, but that does not does fix the fact your Ethernet port is NOT working and that may be a problem for you in the future.

[computerlearner]

I'll check the ethernet. My guess is that it will work though.

Thanks

[classicsoftware]

Thanks people. While the ethernet suggestion is good, it was not the problem. I called Net Gear while setting up the router via another laptop. After they helped set it up, I asked for some help with my computer. When I told him "Windows is not controlling the Wireless" and that "I could not view any wireless networks," the solution was to:

1. Right Click My Computer
2. Click Manage
3. Double Click Services and Applications
4. Double Click Services
5. Double Cick Windows Zero Configuration

From there, I had to change Startup Type to Automatic (it was disabled) and click Start for Service status. Then it was a simple matter of connecting to my new router.

All that is to say - if someone else has this problem, my experience might help, and, thanks to all on this forum for trying.
I'm sure I'll be back for more someday.

I'll check the ethernet. My guess is that it will work though.

Thanks

My guess is it won't. Unless the ethernet services are also turned off. The Windows Zero Configuration is all about wireless...

[Variable]

:)
Classic, of course turning on wireless zero config will make the ethernet cable connection work. It can also cure diabetes. DUH!