Can't connect to the Internet

Question

I can't connect to the Internet. This problem started about six days ago. The network diagnostic says the IP address failed. I also got a message that the IP address could not be renewed. I manually pinged the computer’s IP address with no luck. My router is working fine. I do have Internet service. I also replaced the cable from the router to the XPS. Verizon says there is nothing wrong on their end, including the router. There have not been any recent software changes or anti-virus/firewall settings. I use Norton for my firewall and it reports no problems. The network connections panel shows Local Area Connection as being connected. But it isn't receiving anything and it's sending practically nothing. When I click on repair, it says it cannot renew the IP address. I also tried resetting the TCP/IP and Winsock settings with no luck. And two days ago I downloaded and installed new driver’s from Dell’s website, and that didn’t help. Yesterday I bought and installed a new network card. Still no luck.

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
          Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
       System Model: Dimension XPS
               BIOS: Default System BIOS
          Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz
             Memory: 1024MB RAM
          Page File: 411MB used, 2052MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : home-htwf1timlt

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

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

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-07-E9-5E-EB-F1

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 2:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Linksys LNE100TX(v5) Fast Ethernet Adapter

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-12-17-5B-18-11

Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes

Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.27.150

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

volcano11 · Answer

Try downloading and running winsockfix for Windows XP from the Here   Steve

jruehrmund · Answer

Thanks for the tip. I had some trouble downloading it on my laptop, but I finally downloaded it on another desktop I own that has a wireless connection. I'll install it tomorrow and let you know what happens. By the way, I noticed something in my Norton firewall history that might be relevant. Around 9:30 pm on the 15th, the firewall established a rule allowing Microsoft Help Center access(that's a rough approximation of the name) . I also vaguely remember a Microsoft Security Update installing that night, too. When I turned the computer on the next day, it wouldn't connect to the Internet. Could there be a connection?

volcano11 · Answer

If running Winsockfix doesn't fix the problem, consider using System Restore to go back to the day before the update.   Steve

jruehrmund · Answer

I tried both and still no luck. I also did a Google search on the phrase 'unable to contact your DHCP server,' which is what I get when I use the ipconfig /renew command. It's amazing how many people have the same problem I'm having. What's especially unsettling is that there is no consensus on a solution. After a week of working on this problem, I'm no closer to a solution.

volcano11 · Answer

Yes, there are many reasons you could be getting this error.  Windows is complex.  Try this, go to start > run and type services.msc.   Find the dhcp client service, double click it and make sure it started and is set to run automatically.  I have seen cases where Norton has messed with this setting - one of the reasons I don't allow Norton on computers for which I am responsible.   Steve

jruehrmund · Answer

I just want to follow up and let you know how things turned out. As luck would have it, my router actually was the problem. It failed completely two days ago. Before that I had been able to use a wireless connection even though my desktop could not connect by cable. Two days ago the wireless side of the router quit, too. Verizon came out yesterday and replaced it, and everything now works great. It's interesting how Verizon insisted the router was not the problem until it completely gave up the ghost. I guess their line tests can only do but so much. At any rate, thanks for all your help.

volcano11 · Answer

Thanks for letting us know the solution.   Steve

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Can't connect to the Internet

Was this post helpful?