Solved!
Go to SolutionTwo Dell laptops "Media Disconnected" simultaneously
Time-Warner upgraded our system, and that meant replacing their modem and my wireless router with their modem/router -- a Motorola that support b/g/n. We went from 15 Mb/sec to 50, but not without one problem. My wife's new Inspiron laptop running Win 7 connects without problem, and initially a Studio laptop running Vista SP2 and an Inspiron notebook running XP Pro SP3 did as well, although data speeds were not too good because the internal antenna in the Motorola do not have the range that the external ones on my Linksys does. Suddenly, both stopped connecting. They see the wireless nework, but can't connect (security is WPA2-PSK).
The only problem I've found is both respond with Media Disconnected when using ipconfig in Command box. I've tried all the fixes I can find, but nothing seems to work. It has to be related to the new modem...both have the same issue at the same time? I've unplugged the modem but that doesn't help, and I find no settings that account for any issue. Both the laptop and notebook have always connected reliably. They are both (as far as I know) 802.11g, not 8012.11n.
Of course, Time-Warner wants to fix the issue, but in the week since upgrading, the one tech who came out to fix the issue was mystified. I'm going to have someone with more experience with wi-fi out from them next, but this seems like something I should (and must) fix.
Here's the best part. Every mobile device (Galaxy S, Galaxy S3, Droid Razor, Nexus 7, iPad, iPod) all connect..
Any and all suggestions welcomed.
Eduardo_b,
Try power cyclying your routers. A power flicker or an electrical storm sometimes causes problems for some wireless devices.
Power off your ISP modem/router and your wireless router(if any) for 30 seconds. Then power on the ISP modem/router. Wait 15 seconds, then power on the wireless router(if any)
Restart the computer and try to connect.
Places to look to see if your Connection is enabled
When you first got the computer9s) ws McAfee installed? If yes, did you use the McAfee Removal Tool to remove it? If not, maybe there is something left from McAfee that caused the problem.
Start, control panel, device manager, network adapter, Dell Wireless 1397 WLAN Mini-Card, advanced.
Look for Antenna Diversity. Change it from Auto to Aux.
Restart our computer.
XP, try running WinSock XP Fix
Rick
Eduardo_b,
Try reading...
Software Updates Causes Wireless Connectivity Issue Or Unable to Connect to Internet
If the article does not help solve the problem, Can you run Finding System Information REMOVE YOUR PRODUCT ID, if using XP, run an ipconfig /all log and post it back here.
Also include the virus program and firewall you're using.
Rick
The first link won't help because the issue isn't about getting on the Internet but simply connecting to AP (modem/router). The second looks more promising. I'll run it tomorrow morning. The firewall is in Zone Alarm Extreme (Windows firewall is off on every computer) and the modem/router DHCP IP is a trusted zone. I've used this software firewall (many versions) for so many years I can't remember when i didn't use it. Anti-virus is Zone Alarm and Super Anti-Spyware. I've used many otheers, but these two are compatible and more reliable than any I've tried, and have been on both laptop and notebook (and desktop) from the beginning.
Not sure the final suggestion will work. A common aspect to Media Disconnected is that ipconfig commands cannot be processed because of the issue itself. I've looked at dozens of threads on this, and the solutions are numerous depending on the specific circumstances. I've tried many of the suggested remedies, but nothing worked. Even uninstalling and reinstalling WLAN card drivers didn't have any effect. Updating Dell drivers didn't help either.
I'll get back with additional information. Thanks for your reply.
Ed
Ed,
We recently had problems with McAfee. The first article also included an update from Windows at the same time.
Zone Alarm your ip addresses need to be added to the safe zone. There is a feature that will stop all internet activity in the settings of zone alarm. I haven't used zone alarn for a while, since one of their updates disabled my wireless adapter.
Rick
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6002]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\Users\Eduardo>systeminfo
Host Name: EDUARDO-PC
OS Name: Microsoftr Windows VistaT Home Premium
OS Version: 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2 Build 6002
OS Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation
OS Configuration: Standalone Workstation
OS Build Type: Multiprocessor Free
Registered Owner: Eduardo
Registered Organization:
Product ID:
Original Install Date: 8/20/2008, 15:14:13
System Boot Time: 8/30/2012, 05:57:44
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Studio 1735
System Type: X86-based PC
Processor(s): 1 Processor(s) Installed.
[01]: x64 Family 6 Model 23 Stepping 6 GenuineIntel ~
2500 Mhz
BIOS Version: Dell Inc. A04, 8/1/2008
Windows Directory: C:\Windows
System Directory: C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device: \Device\HarddiskVolume3
System Locale: en-us;English (United States)
Input Locale: en-us;English (United States)
Time Zone: (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Total Physical Memory: 3,581 MB
Available Physical Memory: 2,381 MB
Page File: Max Size: 7,347 MB
Page File: Available: 5,874 MB
Page File: In Use: 1,473 MB
Page File Location(s): C:\pagefile.sys
Domain: WORKGROUP
Logon Server: \\EDUARDO-PC
Hotfix(s): 33 Hotfix(s) Installed.
[01]: {AC76BA86-A440-0000-A440-7A8C400A1014} -
[02]: {AC76BA86-7AD7-0000-2550-7A8C400A1014} -
[03]: {3B45CBBB-5CA1-44FB-9885-ACC81F76521E}
[04]: KB939772
[05]: KB905866
[06]: KB935509
[07]: KB937287
[08]: KB938371
[09]: KB941693
[10]: KB945518
[11]: KB945533
[12]: KB946776
[13]: KB946927
[14]: KB947562
[15]: KB947864
[16]: KB948278
[17]: KB948590
[18]: KB948643
[19]: KB948881
[20]: KB950126
[21]: KB950186
[22]: KB950759
[23]: KB950760
[24]: KB950762
[25]: KB951376
[26]: KB951698
[27]: KB952714
[28]: KB955430
[29]: KB970158
[30]: KB970159
[31]: KB973442
[32]: KB981889
[33]: KB948465
Network Card(s): 3 NIC(s) Installed.
[01]: Broadcom NetLink (TM) Gigabit Ethernet
Connection Name: Local Area Connection
Status: Media disconnected
[02]: TAP-Win32 Adapter V9
Connection Name: Local Area Connection 2
Status: Media disconnected
[03]: Dell Wireless 1397 WLAN Mini-Card
Connection Name: Wireless Network Connection
Status: Media disconnected
C:\Users\Eduardo>Already unplugged and restarted router. Plus we live where all utilities are underground and thunderstorms are very rare.
If you mean are wi-fi symbols illuminated, the answer is yes on both computers, and I've tried the switches on both.
About winsock fix: Zone Alarm says there's a virus in it (Super AntiSpyware finds nothing) -- not-a-virus:HEUR:WebToolbar.Win32.InstallCore.gen
You ever used this utility? Is this not actually a virus?
Changed antenna setting for 1397 WLAN but it didn't make a difference.
Windows Mobility shows not connected (what else) and all settings appear correct including advanced.
Ed
Ed,
Try...
Start, all programs, accessories, right click on command prompt, left click run as administrator. Type
netsh winsock reset catalog
This will reset the winsock catalog
or
Rick
Well, for Vista "fixing" winsock had no effect. I've tried disabling and reenabling the WLAN adapter to no effect as well.
I'm comfortable editing registry -- been doing it for years -- and am wondering if there are keys for media disconnect that can be reset from 1 to 0.
Eduardo_b
9 Posts
3062
0
Posted August 30th, 2012 07:00
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.
C:\Documents and Settings\Eduardo B>ipconfig /all
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : eduardo
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcast
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 3:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network
Connection
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-13-CE-62-9F-49
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : TAP-Win32 Adapter V9
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-FF-A4-83-5A-68
C:\Documents and Settings\Eduardo B>