New
#1
Local Area Connection doesn't have valid IP configuration
Guys, I really need your help.
I got a new laptop a couple days ago. It was for work so I brought it to the office. We have an open network in the office, you just need to plug into it with a regular cable. We've had it for years and it always worked. Not this time.
When I'd first plugged it, it came online, but the connection had been lost in a couple minutes. When nothing obvious worked, I tried to diagnose and got the infamous "Local Area Connection doesn't have valid IP configuration" error. I've been googling it ever since, trying to do everything possible to fix this.
The network adapter is Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller.
I've tried using different cable, restarting the router, all the ipconfig stuff, resetting winstock etc. I've formatted the hard drive and installed Win 7 from scratch. I've checked the BIOS - it only has one LAN-related setting and it's enabled. I've been to Realtek website and downloaded their latest drivers. The latest one is from Jan
Finally I've seen a few thread suggesting that this whole issue is router-related. So I brought the laptop home to try it there without any router in the way. It was pretty much the same - got connection, working for half a minute, gone. Diagnosing got me the same error. I've tried disabling ipV6 and playing with adapter configuration, but it didn't change much.
Nothing. Sometimes diagnosing makes the laptop recognise the network, but it's only for a short time.
I live in a small town in Russia and we only got one authorized Samsung service which has a reputation of snatching hardware parts (yep, insert your fave Soviet Russia joke here). I am concerned that if I bring it over there they'll just give it back to me with the same problem after 45 days or will make it even worse. So I would like to exhaust every possible "software" solution before giving up. The feedback on their warranty service is horrifying.