Dimension 4600 internet - limited/no connectivity

Question

Hi, I'm having trouble connecting to the internet on my Dell Dimension 4600 running Windows XP Pro Service Pack 2.

In the Network Connections list, there's:

Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet - either displays the message "limited or no connectivity" or appears to connect, but only sends out packets(info?) and does not receive
Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Conenction - gives "a network cable is unplugged" message

I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers, as well as updating the Intel PRO drivers, but nothing has worked. As far as I know, my modem and router are both connected properly -- I have no trouble on this computer (which I would like to take down, in favor on the 4600, if I can ever access internet on it!)

Is there anything I can do to fix this? At the moment I'm using a RoadRunner modem and a Belkin 802.11 Wireless G router, if it's of any importance.

Help is of course appreciated! Thank you.

munition · Answer

I'm not very computer literate... I'm assuming there's only one, as there's only one outlet to hook up a router to. Also guessing it hooks into the Broadcom, since that's the connection that appears to 'work' Message Edited by munition on 12-17-200603:09 PM

volcano11 · Answer

Was this computer purchased in the U.S. or somewhere else?  I don't see an option for either of those newtwork adapters on the U.S. download site, and it is still very puzzling why both would show up in Network Connections (and probably Device Manager as well).  Did you, at some time in the past, attempt to install drivers for either of these nework cards?  What does your system invoice say about which one of these was shipped with your computer?   Steve

volcano11 · Answer

Do you really have two ethernet adapters in that computer?  Which one is the ethernet cable plugged into?    Steve

munition · Answer

It was purchased by a relative in California and recently sent here as he never had a chance to use it. I've only attempted to set it up recently and didn't anticipate any problem like this... the drivers were already there, I haven't had an opportunity to install them myself.

Linksys LNE100TX(v5) Fast Ethernet Adapter is what I'm using on the computer currently set up -- would moving this to the Dell 4600 possibly remedy the problem?

Also, thank you for the extremely quick responses

volcano11 · Answer

Well, adding a third network card to computer that really should only have one, would likely really confuse the issue.  I would recommend opening Device Manager, removing both ethernet network adapters, rebooting, and letting Windows detect and install the correct one.   Steve

munition · Answer

I opened the Device Manager, removed both ethernet network adapters, rebooted, and Windows detected both...

volcano11 · Answer

One of the adpaters is an integrated ethrnet adapter.  It would have a port next to the USB ports on the back of the computer.  The other one would have to be a PCI adapter and would have a port in the area of the PCI slots.  Do both ports exist on the back of the computer?   Steve

volcano11 · Answer

To help troubleshoot this problem, go to Start > Run and type cmd then click OK. In the command prompt window that opens, type ipconfig /all then hit the enter key. Write down the output from this command or select it and save it to a txt file, then copy this output into a reply to this message.  Please also state which port you are plugging into (the PCI card port or the integrated port).   Steve

munition · Answer

Yes, both ports exist.

fixati0n · Answer

I would try bypassing the router and connecting straight to the modem. Make sure to reset the modem (unplug the power) until you have it connected to the PC.

munition · Answer

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\X>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : babydell
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 3:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-10-18-09-3D-5C
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 4:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connecti
on
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0C-F1-81-3C-E4

C:\Documents and Settings\X>

------
This is the output - I changed the username to "X" in the text for my own peace of mind.

Also, I've tried connecting directly through the modem, to no avail. The router is necessary, as other notebooks at home need to connect to the internet as well...

Message Edited by munition on 12-20-200602:05 PM

volcano11 · Answer

Your problem is that the integrated network adapter (the Broadcom Gigabit adapter) has a static IP address that may not be in the range that your router assigns, and certainly will never be in the range expected for your modem when directly connected to that).  You need to change the TCP/IP properties so that the network adapter obtains an IP address automatically.  To do this, open Network Connections, right click  Local Area Connection 3 and select Properties from the drop-down menu.  In the list of items, find Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), select it, and click on the Properties button.  Make sure there is check mark in the box next to 'Obtain and IP automatically' and a check mark in the box next to 'Obtain DNS server address automatically', then OK your way out.   This should get you connected.    For the future, also note that whenever you are changing the connection to modem between a computer and a router, you need to do a complete reset of the network every time you make the change. To do this, shut everything off. Wait about 5 minutes. Turn on the modem first, and wait another 5 minutes. Then turn on the device that is connected directly to the modem (either the router or the computer), then turn on any other computers that will connect through the router.  This procedure must be done every time you change the device connected to a cable modem.   Steve

munition · Answer

I did exactly as you said and changed the TCP/IP properties. This time, the connection came up with "Limited or no connectivity" at 100.0 mpbs... I did another ipconfig, just in case you'd need to see it:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\X>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : babydell
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 3:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-10-18-09-3D-5C
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.230.254
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

C:\Documents and Settings\X>

volcano11 · Answer

Is this with the computer connected to the router or to the modem?  If to the modem, did you do the reset that I told you must be done whenever you change the device connected to the modem?   Steve

munition · Answer

MAC Address filtering is enabled. Should I disable it? And also, is there a reason why can't connect using the modem directly...?

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Dimension 4600 internet - limited/no connectivity

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