ipconfig /all   will probably show that your router is not giving you an IP address

 

try ipconfig /release

 

Thanks for your reply...apologies but could you expand a little on it.

I've not used ipconfig before. How will I know when I run /all if the router is not giving an IP address?

And what will happen when I run /release?

Thanks

I know where to run the commands...I asked what would happen. I did google it, while I found some things out I couldn't find out how /release would specifically help my problem and whether it would cause anything unexpected to happen...because I don't fully understand it's purpose even after reading explanations. I asked because it's not my laptop and I don't want cause more probs than it already has. Instead of the usual forum attitude you could of just been polite but never mind.

If anyone else can help me I'd be very grateful, thanks.

I only vaguely understand the following, but if someone could explain in the context of my problem that would be great. Thanks

What is the purpose of the ipconfig /release command? 
The IP Release command releases the "hold" of any IP address configuration data it has received from the DHCP server and allows that IP Address to be re-assigned to another network adapter.

After issuing a release command, your network adapter will no longer have a valid configuration and will not be able to connect to the network unless you use the command ipconfig /renew or you restart the adapter/computer.

You run the commands in a Command Prompt box

Google is your friend.

 

 

 gton,

 

You can try running WinSock XP Fix and it may correct the problem.

 

Make sure the wireless card is enabled in the BIOS, press F2 at startup.

 

If using XP, I have seen the wireless cards turn off Press F2 or Fn and F2 to enable the wireless card.

 

 

Go to device manager(right click my computer, left click properties, left click hardware, left click device manager). Click on Network and then right click on your wireless adapter, left click properties, power management. Uncheck the box, allow computer to turn off this device to save power.

 

While there, click on advanced, antenna diversity. Change the Antenna Diversity from Auto to Aux.

 

Restart your computer.

 

What happens?

 

 

Rick

Thanks for that, I havn't used the Winsock fix as the laptop is running Vista, but I've unchecked the 'save power' box and also changed antenna to aux. The problem still remains after this. Connection can be made, but constantly cuts out.

After this I ran ipconfig /all and have pasted the results below...I'm not technical enough to know if there are any anomalies though. Thanks

 

gton,

 

Restart your computer and press F2 when you see the Dell splash screen. Look in the bios and make sure the wireless card is activated.

 

Winsockxp Fix works with Vista and Windows 7 as well, so try running it and see if it fixes your winsock problem, unless you want to do it manually.

 

Winsock2 How to determine and to recover from Winsock2 corruption in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, and in Windows Vista

 

 

Rick

wireless card is activated have checked that.

ran winsock but the following happened (i'm paraphrasing as I wasn't doing it myself but instructing someone on the phone)

1st. When pressing regbackup button nothing happened (as opposed to what normally happens where you get an option to save)

2nd. Ran 'fix' anyway (dumb I know). Came up saying something like 'registry files not found', pressed OK, said fix complete, pressed ok again to reboot and it said runtime error 53 file not found.

This all happened within about 10seconds so it appears that winsock hasn't run at all for some reason?

Thanks

gton,

 

Fix should have worked. If not, try the manual method, in above post.

 

Do you have the factory disks?

 

If so, put the disk in and stop it from running.

 

Start, all programs, accessories, right click on command prompt, left click run as administrator.

 

Type

 

sfc /scannow          (space between the c and /)

 

Hit enter. This will put back any any missing Windows files.

 

 

Rick

Thanks, I'll try the manual fix. I've read the guide but find it all a little perplexing to say the least, can I confirm that I should just follow the below steps...

(I tried the first one earlier today, but when clicking diagnose and repair it simply comes up with a message saying something like 'a network adaptor is not connected)

So to confirm shall I just try the 'reset winsock for windows vista' steps below? Thanks again

Manual steps to recover from Winsock2 corruption for Windows Vista users

Winsock corruption can cause connectivity problems. To resolve this issue by using Network Diagnostics in Windows Vista, follow these steps:

1. Click , 
   
   and then click Network.
2. Click Network and Sharing Center.
3. In the Network and Sharing Center box, click Diagnose and Repair.

Note You may also access the Network and Sharing Center in Control Panel.

Reset Winsock for Windows Vista

To reset Winsock for Windows Vista, follow these steps:

1. Click 
   
   , type cmd in the Start Search box, right-click cmd.exe, click Run as administrator, and then press Continue.
2. Type netsh winsock reset at the command prompt, and then press ENTER.
   
   Note If the command is typed incorrectly, you will receive an error message. Type the command again. When the command is completed successfully, a confirmation appears, followed by a new command prompt. Then, go to step 3.
3. Type exit, and then press ENTER.

Have reset winsock as above. No change. I don't have the factory disks also.

Someone above suggested ipconfig /release...I'm still struggling to get my head round this. Do i just run ipconfig /release and the straight after run ipconfig /renew?

And is there anything else i can try?

Thanks in advance

gton,

 

start

run

cmd

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

ipconfig /flushdns

 

Are you the registered owner and live in the United States. If so, then...

 

Request Backup Disks USA

 

 

Rick

 

Thanks for your help,

It's a UK laptop, in the UK. Sure I could probably get hold of the factory disks, but it's not my laptop and I think if none of this works then my brother (it's his laptop) will just take it to a repair shop as they need it working in the next few days.

Ran /release - this worked and the script ran properly etc

However when running /renew the following error message keeps coming up

an error occurred while renewing interface wireless network connection

no operation can be performed on a LAN while it has its media disconnected

Even so after this ran /flushdns and this worked too. Nothing has changed after a reboot (as expected because as I said /renew wouldn't run)

Any ideas?

Thanks 

gton,

 

Did you look in the bios, press F2 on startup and make sure the wireless adapter is enabled there?

 

Try starting the computer in the safe mode with networking, tap F8 at startup and try to connect.

 

Request Backup Disks UK

 

 

Rick

Thanks for all your help, I tried all the above, and also tried the laptop on a different wireless network, the problem was the same.

My brother (who's laptop it is) took it to a computer shop and they said wireless card was fine, likely problem was corrupt windows files. So next step is to do as you suggested above and get the factory disks i think.

Thanks