I've been experiencing similar problems with a new 8300 running XP Home. Occasionally Internet Explorer responds that I'm not connected to the internet, and I must select the response box to reconnect. Several times my computer was not able to get the DHCP information from my DLink wireless router (I'm using the integrated network interface) and was assigned an arbitrary IP address with no DNS servers. Only after many reboots and playing around with the network settings would it configure correctly. One time the network was so slow that the internet connections would time out. All the time, my laptop with a wireless connection has not had a single problem. My old Dell system was connected for three years without any problems. I've tried several ports and cables with the same results. I have to believe that the problem is with the integrated network connection.
After spending several hours one day trying to connect to the network, I gave up and went out and bought a network card. Before installing the new card, I figured I would boot up the computer and make sure it was still not working. Of course it was now connected, and had worked for over a week before recently starting to have problems again.
This is my first experience with using XP, but I can't imagine that it is supposed to keep disconnecting from the network. I'm going to install the network card and see if I continue to have problems. I only have another week left while I can still send the system back.
I, too, played around with my network settings initially. I did succeed in messing up the original DNS configuration which allowed me to connect when I first installed the router software. After getting all of that straightened out, I found out that the problem was my ZoneAlarm firewall. I happened to have the firewall dialogue open to monitor internet activity and noticed that I was getting an intrusion attempt every couple of minutes. I shut down the firewall, and, without rebooting the computer, was able to connect readily to the internet and have stayed connected since.
I had a similar problem sending e-mail attachments from this machine when I purchased it initially. I used Sygate Personal Firewall, but still had problems with my e-mail client timing out, no matter which client I used. I did not have XP's firewall enabled either time. For lack of technical expertise, I concluded that the XP software, the router software, and the firewall software simply cannot exist in a harmonious environment. In fact, I am finding that XP does not get along well with plenty of other software for reasons unknown.
I guess that the drivers for your new network card are acceptable, even though Dell approved of the drivers shipped with your machine.
fdefulvio
17 Posts
0
February 17th, 2004 13:00
After spending several hours one day trying to connect to the network, I gave up and went out and bought a network card. Before installing the new card, I figured I would boot up the computer and make sure it was still not working. Of course it was now connected, and had worked for over a week before recently starting to have problems again.
This is my first experience with using XP, but I can't imagine that it is supposed to keep disconnecting from the network. I'm going to install the network card and see if I continue to have problems. I only have another week left while I can still send the system back.
Frank D.
Troylus
3 Posts
0
February 17th, 2004 23:00
Thanks for the response.
I, too, played around with my network settings initially. I did succeed in messing up the original DNS configuration which allowed me to connect when I first installed the router software. After getting all of that straightened out, I found out that the problem was my ZoneAlarm firewall. I happened to have the firewall dialogue open to monitor internet activity and noticed that I was getting an intrusion attempt every couple of minutes. I shut down the firewall, and, without rebooting the computer, was able to connect readily to the internet and have stayed connected since.
I had a similar problem sending e-mail attachments from this machine when I purchased it initially. I used Sygate Personal Firewall, but still had problems with my e-mail client timing out, no matter which client I used. I did not have XP's firewall enabled either time. For lack of technical expertise, I concluded that the XP software, the router software, and the firewall software simply cannot exist in a harmonious environment. In fact, I am finding that XP does not get along well with plenty of other software for reasons unknown.
I guess that the drivers for your new network card are acceptable, even though Dell approved of the drivers shipped with your machine.