Network connectivity lost on startup despite all indicators OK

Ixtila · 21 Sep 2012

I have a frustrating problem with my internet/network adapter. It is an
Atheros AR8151 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (NDIS 6.20) connected to a Netgear DGN 2000 router, with one other computer connected that works fine.

When the computer boots up, the internet connection on my computer appears to be fine, but no websites will load. All troubleshooting finds nothing wrong, all indicators and lights appear to be fine. Everything that can be updated or reset has been done to no avail.

There is one procedure that works to fix this problem, and bear with me because it is very silly and completely illogical, but it works.

I unplug the ethernet cable and replace it with an old, unreliable cable, attempt to connect with it (no connection of course because it's a dud) then reconnect the new cable and all works perfectly - no reboot, no reset, just a magic cable that somehow makes it work. The same procedure but just taking out the existing cable and putting it back in does not work. Resetting the router does not work. Disabling the adapter and then enabling it does not work. Unplugging the other computer does not work.

Edit: Forgot to add - while the old cable is in I run troubleshooter so it realises a dud cable is in...

Please, can anyone help me resolve this madness, because it is driving me insane!

chev65 · 22 Sep 2012

If you can post a screen shot of the ipconfig/all from this machine it would be most helpful. :)

Ixtila · 23 Sep 2012

I tried to post a screen shot, it said it would post when it was approved, but never did so I'll try again. Maybe I'm not allowed? I'll make it smaller... :P

Brink · 23 Sep 2012

Hello Ixtila, and welcome to Seven Forums. :)

Please see: Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums

Ixtila · 24 Sep 2012

Thanks Brink, just put me in a corner in a dunce cap :P lol

Trying again:

chev65 · 24 Sep 2012

Ixtila said:

Thanks Brink, just put me in a corner in a dunce cap :P lol

Trying again:

According to the ipconfig you should be online.

Which A/V software do you have installed?

Have you tried resetting winsock or the TCP/IP stack?

Ixtila · 25 Sep 2012

Thanks Chev65, I'm not surprised. As I said, everything appears to be ok, there should not be a problem. It occurs on startup, but according to all checks it's fine and once I do the silly cable thing it's perfect and doesn't drop out again unless I start playing around with the adapter settings. Right now I just don't shut down.

A/V is Norton 360 (and yes I've heard it can cause problems).

Not sure how to reset winsock or tcp/ip, but will work on it and get back to you. :)

chev65 · 25 Sep 2012

Ixtila said:

Thanks Chev65, I'm not surprised. As I said, everything appears to be ok, there should not be a problem. It occurs on startup, but according to all checks it's fine and once I do the silly cable thing it's perfect and doesn't drop out again unless I start playing around with the adapter settings. Right now I just don't shut down.

A/V is Norton 360 (and yes I've heard it can cause problems).

Not sure how to reset winsock or tcp/ip, but will work on it and get back to you. :)

Fix Winsock Manually on Windows 7

1. Open up the command line utility and enter:
netsh winsock reset catalog (resets winsock entries)
netsh int ip reset reset.log hit (resets TCP/IP stack)
2. Reboot your PC

Besides resetting winsock and TCP/IP you should definitely update the driver for the Atheros AR8151, or you should at least try a different driver version for this adaptor.

It's hard to say if Norton is causing this issue or not but starting up in safe mode with networking might be worth trying.

Ixtila · 26 Sep 2012

chev65 said:

Fix Winsock Manually on Windows 7

1. Open up the command line utility and enter:
netsh winsock reset catalog (resets winsock entries)
netsh int ip reset reset.log hit (resets TCP/IP stack)
2. Reboot your PC

Besides resetting winsock and TCP/IP you should definitely update the driver for the Atheros AR8151, or you should at least try a different driver version for this adaptor.

It's hard to say if Norton is causing this issue or not but starting up in safe mode with networking might be worth trying.

Thanks Chev65,

Tried all of those, no change. It occurs to me that the adapter might not be waking up properly, it's connecting but not working and somehow the cable trick wakes it up? Just pulling things out of the air here... :)

Edit: I have found there is a new driver, but am having trouble finding a download. Will let you know what happens.

Edit: Driver updated - no fix. :P