Prob with older Dell and TCP/IP

[niege]

Hi. I'm new here and glad to find this place!

I've got an older Dell Latitude XPi running a P166, 64, 2.1, 56k and Win98FE with all the Windows Updates. I have it networked though a docking station ethernet connection to a router to my desktop and an uplink. Sometimes I also take it places and connect with the modem. I'm trying to set it up for my wife's use and I wanted to tweak it to be 'just right.' This is my theory: I put on IE6 and since then haven' t been able to connect to the net. I can access it through the network, because I'm just using NetBEUI for the LAN, but anything TCP/IP won't fly. The ISP checked out all my TCP/IP settings and pronounced them okay.

When I log onto my ISP I do get connected, password verfied and everything, but then nothing will go back from the laptop. My ISP pinged me and I could see the ping come in, but no respone. When I try to ping the ISP, I get timed out. If I try to ping before I connect I get the usual 'Host Unreachable', but after the connection is made it's back to 'connection timed out.' If I then break the connection, it's 'host unreachable.' This happens both when I'm connected by modem or cable modem.

I've tried installing Netscape with the same result. I've uninstalled and reinstalled the network adapter, DUN, nothing. I've uninstalled and reinstalled the whole Windows Communications modules section, still nothing. So.... do I reinstall Windows and IE5.5, or should I wipe it and start over? I don't want to start over because I have one program (that I paid for) on there that I need and for which I've lost the CD. I could buy another copy of the program, but I really don't want to do that if I don't have to. Could it be the older BIOS not compatible with IE6?

Any suggestions appreciated. And thanks!

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Niege

[This message has been edited by niege (edited 12-22-2001).]

[mjc]

Check the security settings in IE6, cookies, etc...

Check again in the TCP/IP settings and make sure that it isn't looking to the network for DNS servers, if possible use the actual address (get it from your ISP) as a test,and make sure the the dial-up adapter is bound only to TCP/IP, not NETBUI etc....

If that fails run the IE repair tool (Add/Remove Programs -> IE -> Repair)...

What other software are you rinning on this, anything like ZoneAlarm, an AV app, etc?


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mjc
Links list:Computer Links

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[niege]

mjc: Thanks for replying!

NETBEUI was attached to DUN, but deleting that, rebooting, etc. hasn't helped. Though I have Zone Alarm and NAV, they are not running while I'm testing this thing out, so they aren't a factor.

I ran the cable modem directly to the lappy, set all the hard IP and Gateway addresses, no joy. Went back to the DNS lookup they prefer, no joy.

I tried repairing IE6 with no favorable result. I flashed the BIOS to the latest Dell has to offer for my rig -- an upgrade for W98 last updated 11/30/98, with no joy.

If I reinstall W98 will that wipe out enough of the IE6 stuff to get me back to a reasonable facsimile of W98?

This is really frustrating. It makes me aware that perhaps I know just enough to be dangerous.

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Niege

[mjc]

ZA being off may have something to do with it....I have, on occasion, had a no-connect problem with ZA off, but never really investigated to find out if it really was the problem or not,I just rebooted and dialed again, and since I had ZA set to come on at boot-up it always connected....


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mjc
Links list:Computer Links

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[niege]

mjc! thank you! Turning Zone Alarm on was the answer! This is so weird. Just last week I couldn't connect to my ISP with my desktop and after agonizing with tech support there for over an hour we turned Zone Alarm OFF, and that was the answer then. Naturally I assumed that ZA off was the better, cleaner way so I didn't even think of that. An inspired call. Many thanks.... and happy holidays!

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Niege