Solved PC will not connect to the internet all of a sudden

[martinlest]

I was having a problem with very slow booting, but this morning, when trying to connect to the internet, I got a message that Adobe Flash had crashed. I rebooted and to my surprise, it took only 20 seconds instead of the 2-3 minutes that I had been getting.

However, I cannot now connect to the internet (all sites say 'cannot find server'). I connect via wi-fi: my laptop uses the same wi-fi connection and has no problems. I have reinstalled Flash (latest x64) but that hasn't helped. I have run ipconfig /release then ipconfig/renew and ipconfig/all. The results are below. Can anyone please help? Is it a hardware problem? Seems a bit odd that the USB device I use on the PC (D-Link) should fail at the same time!

I disconnected my router for 15 seconds and reconnected - no change. No change with firewall disabled either.

Well the results of the IPCONFIG are below. What is 'Media Disconnected'?

Many thanks,

Martin

-----------------------

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
 
C:\Users\Martin>ipconfig /release
 
Windows IP Configuration
 
An error occurred while releasing interface Wireless Network Connection : An add
ress has not yet been associated with the network endpoint.
 
No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection while it has its media di
sconnected.
 
C:\Users\Martin>ipconfig /renew
 
Windows IP Configuration
 
An error occurred while renewing interface Wireless Network Connection : unable
to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out.
No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection while it has its media di
sconnected.
 
C:\Users\Martin>ipconfig /all
 
Windows IP Configuration
 
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Martin-PC
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
 
Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:
 
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : D-Link DWA-140 RangeBooster N USB Adapter
(rev.B2)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 84-C9-B2-6F-50-56
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::4c32:568:8f18:ae98%12(Preferred)
Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address. . : 169.254.174.152(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 344246706
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-14-9E-3F-57-BC-AE-C5-02-8E-85
 
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled
 
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
 
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Marvell Yukon 88E8056 PCI-E Gigabit Ether
net Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : BC-AE-C5-02-8E-85
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
 
Tunnel adapter isatap.{CCF89C87-B7C9-44B6-BDC6-DB40BC20E2E2}:
 
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
 
Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:
 
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
 
Tunnel adapter isatap.{5182FF81-02DF-487F-853A-5B40FEABBEA3}:
 
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #2
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
 
C:\Users\Martin>

 

[F5ing]

Didn't read the linked thread, but the release/renew didn't work, and you're not getting a valid IP address.

Did you shutdown and restart?

And your media disconnected refers to your wired adapter (which I assume really is not connected).

 

[martinlest]

Yes, I have rebooted. The D-Link is connected - the light is flashing orange (which it did before I think) - I'll have to recheck the manual to see what it means. But I have no wired adapter connected, you are right.

Thanks,

Martin

 

[martinlest]

In my wifi Wireless network Connection Status window, Ipv4 and IPv6 show as 'No internet access'. 'Media State' shows Enabled.

In Device Manager, the D-Link USB wifi adapter is shown as working properly. )The whole thing was working properly this morning!)...

Hope someone can advise as I am totally stuck.

Martin

 

[gregrocker]

Try turning off any WiFi Manager bloatware to default to Win7's superior version. The connection will be through the five-bar icon in bottom right System tray. An HP requires selecting "Use Independent WiFi" first.

If you know for sure your Wireless button is enabled on laptop, an orange light sounds wrong. I would read the Manual on your model's Support Downloads webpage to see what that means exactly. Try pressing the button a few times to see if it changes.

 

[martinlest]

Not sure what the 'bloatware' would be: I installed the software for the D-<Link USB and that's all I think.

An HP requires selecting "Use Independent WiFi" first. Sorry - no idea what that means.

The laptop has no 'wireless button' (well, it's a Dell M1730 - I suppose it does on the side) - it is an internal WiFi card and it connects automatically when I turn on the laptop.

The pC didn't have WiFi so I bought the external D-Link USB, which until today worked just fine. The orange light shows that it is working OK - it doesn't change to green or whatever. It was always orange and the manual says it should be. I've unplugged it & rebooted .. but I don't think it's the hardware that is at fault.

The Windows 7 Network & Sharing Centre shows this (as I say, all seems fine in Device Manager), don't know if this helps.

Martin

 

[gregrocker]

You only want the D Link driver to have a clean install. The DLink software is an add-on which may override Win7's superior wireless manager. Disable it and then connect directly in System tray.

Since you have a Dell you wouldn't need to know about an extra step to turn off HP's wireless software.

If this fails I would reinstall the card, check for a newer driver in optional Updates or on DLink website.

 

[chev65]

From what the ipconfig shows you aren't getting anything from your router at all.

I believe that resetting the router might fix this problem.

 

[Jerryg50]

I was having a problem with very slow booting, but this morning, when trying to connect to the internet, I got a message that Adobe Flash had crashed. I rebooted and to my surprise, it took only 20 seconds instead of the 2-3 minutes that I had been getting.

However, I cannot now connect to the internet (all sites say 'cannot find server'). I connect via wi-fi: my laptop uses the same wi-fi connection and has no problems. I have reinstalled Flash (latest x64) but that hasn't helped. I have run ipconfig /release then ipconfig/renew and ipconfig/all. The results are below. Can anyone please help? Is it a hardware problem? Seems a bit odd that the USB device I use on the PC (D-Link) should fail at the same time!

I disconnected my router for 15 seconds and reconnected - no change. No change with firewall disabled either.

Well the results of the IPCONFIG are below. What is 'Media Disconnected'?

Many thanks,

Martin

-----------------------

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
 
C:\Users\Martin>ipconfig /release
 
Windows IP Configuration
 
An error occurred while releasing interface Wireless Network Connection : An add
ress has not yet been associated with the network endpoint.
 
No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection while it has its media di
sconnected.
 
C:\Users\Martin>ipconfig /renew
 
Windows IP Configuration
 
An error occurred while renewing interface Wireless Network Connection : unable
to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out.
No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection while it has its media di
sconnected.
 
C:\Users\Martin>ipconfig /all
 
Windows IP Configuration
 
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Martin-PC
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
 
Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:
 
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : D-Link DWA-140 RangeBooster N USB Adapter
(rev.B2)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 84-C9-B2-6F-50-56
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::4c32:568:8f18:ae98%12(Preferred)
Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address. . : 169.254.174.152(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 344246706
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-14-9E-3F-57-BC-AE-C5-02-8E-85
 
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled
 
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
 
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Marvell Yukon 88E8056 PCI-E Gigabit Ether
net Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : BC-AE-C5-02-8E-85
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
 
Tunnel adapter isatap.{CCF89C87-B7C9-44B6-BDC6-DB40BC20E2E2}:
 
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
 
Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:
 
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
 
Tunnel adapter isatap.{5182FF81-02DF-487F-853A-5B40FEABBEA3}:
 
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #2
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
 
C:\Users\Martin>

_________



The first thing I would try to do is reboot (hard reset) the router and then the DSL modem. After a hard reset you will have to go in to them and re-setup all the necessary parameters.

If after the router reboot does not work, try connecting the DSL modem directly to the computer to see if the router is having a fault.

Can you do a ping to the router from the command prompt? You will need to know the IP address of the router.

Can you ping the DSL modem from the command prompt? You will need to know the IP address of the DSL modem.

If you can get the ping responses, this means your network and DSL modem is functioning, but Windows itself cannot see the network.

If you have other computers in your network, at the command prompt you should be able to type "net view" without the quotation marks. You should be able to see the names of the other computers in your network.

If you can ping the DSL modem and there is no connection to the net, log in to the DSL modem and run the modem's diagnostics. See the modem documentation for diagnostics information.

If IE cannot see the net, go in to Tools, Options, and Connections. Check that the LAN settings are on Automatic, unless you have other requirements. If this does not work for you, for your version of IE check the Help section about how to reset the IE internet connection.

I have seen a NIC card (LAN card) fail in the computer. If your computer has its card built in to the mother board as most do and it is defective, you can get a USB to Ethernet adapter.

I have had instances where I had a computer that would not see the network after going through a lot of investigating. I uninstalled the NIC card, and let the OS P&P re-install it on the next re-start.

I have seen a few rare circumstances where the OS had some corruption in the registry. I saw to fix it I would have to do an OS re-install to make it work again. Fortunately, I keep at least 4 previous image backup sets for each of my computers. I re-called an older image backup, and then re-installed all the necessary updates.


Jerry G.

 

[martinlest]

Thanks for the replies..

Firstly, I am in a rented apartment in the middle of Bangkok. The apartment comes with a router but I don't have access to any of the setup details. I did disconnect the router, wait and then reconnect - but no change there. If there were a problem with the router itself, surely I would also get a problem with the Dell laptop (which has a wifi card). I can access the internet normally via the apartment's wifi on the Dell. The PC, as I say, had no WiFi card so I bought the D-Link USB device. It was working fine until yesterday. Then, if you see the other thread..

http://www.sevenforums.com/performa...oot-times-how-best-analyse-3.html#post1853131

.. my Adobe Flash crashed, and with it my internet access. I reinstalled the Adobe afresh - but the internet connection has gone..

I uninstalled the D-Link software and reinstalled it - there is only an option to install the drivers on the setup menu. This installs all the D-Link software. If I don't install this (my only other option) the D-Link stick does not flash orange, which is the indication that it is working.I don't have a cable anywhere near long enough to connect the PC to the router via the LAN port.

I could try pinging the DSL modem but how do I find the IP address?
The Dell and the PC are not linked together, on a network.

My LAN settings in IE are already set to automatically detect...

If the problem had been in the registry, wouldn't my having done a system restore to a time all was OK have fixed the problem (it didn't of course)?

There are a number of areas in which I consider myself 'expert' when it comes to PCs, but WiFi is definitely not one of them (so help much appreciated!).

Thanks again,

Martin

 

[martinlest]

Update: OK, I bit the bullet and restored the C drive form an image I made last month. But I still can't connect to the internet! Is there any other explanation for this other than that the D-Link USB has failed? Device manager shows no problems and it is behaving as it always has done as far as I can see. I can get a laptop from work maybe and test it on that...

Otherwise, the PC boots more slowly than before... sometimes feel like wiping the whole drive and starting again..

Martin

 

[Jerryg50]

Thanks for the replies..

Firstly, I am in a rented apartment in the middle of Bangkok. The apartment comes with a router but I don't have access to any of the setup details. I did disconnect the router, wait and then reconnect - but no change there. If there were a problem with the router itself, surely I would also get a problem with the Dell laptop (which has a wifi card). I can access the internet normally via the apartment's wifi on the Dell. The PC, as I say, had no WiFi card so I bought the D-Link USB device. It was working fine until yesterday. Then, if you see the other thread..

http://www.sevenforums.com/performa...oot-times-how-best-analyse-3.html#post1853131

.. my Adobe Flash crashed, and with it my internet access. I reinstalled the Adobe afresh - but the internet connection has gone..

I uninstalled the D-Link software and reinstalled it - there is only an option to install the drivers on the setup menu. This installs all the D-Link software. If I don't install this (my only other option) the D-Link stick does not flash orange, which is the indication that it is working.I don't have a cable anywhere near long enough to connect the PC to the router via the LAN port.

I could try pinging the DSL modem but how do I find the IP address?
The Dell and the PC are not linked together, on a network.

My LAN settings in IE are already set to automatically detect...

If the problem had been in the registry, wouldn't my having done a system restore to a time all was OK have fixed the problem (it didn't of course)?

There are a number of areas in which I consider myself 'expert' when it comes to PCs, but WiFi is definitely not one of them (so help much appreciated!).

Thanks again,

Martin

_________

I have seen WiFi adapters become defective. You should see if you can have your adapter tested, or try another one to verify it.

I have never seen a program like Adobe or others like it cause such an issue with the networking of a system.

A very good test to verify the computer's setup for networking would be to try a direct connection to a known working router port that has access to the internet.

If you have a cell phone that can be tethered, an interesting test would be to see if you can log on to the net using your cell phone and cell data service as a modem connection. The cell phone would normally be connected through the USB port, and thus would be making a similar type connection as that of a USB WiFi adapter. This would be an excellent test to verify the computer and its networking capability.

As for using a simple restore point process, care has to be taken that the restore point was not updated with a previous error.

The best process is to keep making full image backups of the system. I keep four full previous images of each of the systems I maintain. This way, if I have a complicated fault, I can easily take back an older image. After that I can easily make the necessary updates. Before restoring any full image, I make sure I backup the user files separately.

Investing in a number of large USB external drives is a very cheap solution in comparison to the loss of time and cost for restoring a system from zero.

At the system command prompt in the command window, if you type ipconfig /all you should see the IP of the DSL modem. It should be seen on the line called DNS Servers. In most of the systems I work on the IP for the DSL modem is 10.0.0.2

Also, look at the line DHCP server. You should see the IP of the router. Typically this could be 192.168.1.1 You can then ping the addresses shown to see if you get a return. An example is: ping 192.168.1.1

You can also do a loop back test by using: ping 127.0.0.1 This tests the actual NIC ports to see if they and the system are responding. This is a standard NIC loop back test.

Beyond this, you may require direct assistance from someone who is knowledgeable in networking, or simply re-install the OS, and including all the necessary drivers. Then rebuild the system from zero, and then copy back your user files. This would probably be your cheapest solution. If everything is done properly and there are no hardware faults, your system should work as normal.

 

[martinlest]

Thanks a lot for taking the trouble to reply in detail.

Before I look closely at the information you give, I have a bit more information. I got an extension LAN cable and linked the PC's LAN port to the router with it. Then, when I still couldn't get online I used the IE diagnostic. Windows Network Diagnostics says that "Local Area Connection does not have a valid IP configuration."

Meanwhile, when I plug the WiFi back in, the Dell laptop connects immediately. I guess there is a problem with the PC software rather than the hardware?? At the moment the PC is set to find the IP address automatically: I could add manual settings: I will try the settings you suggest - and those I got from my ping, but as I say, I am no expert in this, so do appreciate your time and help...

Will post back when I have had time to troubleshoot further.

Martin

LATER: Not really getting very far. My IPConfig /all gave this:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Martin>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Martin-PC
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : D-Link DWA-140 RangeBooster N USB Adapter
(rev.B2)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 84-C9-B2-6F-50-56
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::e19a:1297:d4d5:cbae%14(Preferred)
Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address. . : 169.254.203.174(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 344246706
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-14-9E-3F-57-BC-AE-C5-02-8E-85

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Marvell Yukon 88E8056 PCI-E Gigabit Ether
net Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : BC-AE-C5-02-8E-85
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.{5182FF81-02DF-487F-853A-5B40FEABBEA3}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.{B19237B8-2A3E-4614-990A-CE54973A1302}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #2
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

C:\Users\Martin>

 

[gregrocker]

I've asked for more help from a networking expert.

I would probably run at least a Repair Install as a last resort before Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. You could even shrink your current install, boot to test install Win7 in 20 minutes, provide your LAN driver to see if it connects. If so you can transfer your install over and we will help you delete and recover the HD space from your old one, or just reinstall to entire HD.

 

[A Guy]

Try this, it is simple, and has worked in the past. Unplug the pc, and hold the power button for 30 seconds. Now leave the PC unplugged for 30 minutes. Plug it back in and boot up and see if you can get connected. this sounds too simplistic, but I have had it work for me personally, as well as having it work for others. It is certainly worth the attempt, and if, like me, it works, it's a "well I'll be damned" moment. A Guy

 

[chev65]

Thanks a lot for taking the trouble to reply in detail.

Before I look closely at the information you give, I have a bit more information. I got an extension LAN cable and linked the PC's LAN port to the router with it. Then, when I still couldn't get online I used the IE diagnostic. Windows Network Diagnostics says that "Local Area Connection does not have a valid IP configuration."

Meanwhile, when I plug the WiFi back in, the Dell laptop connects immediately. I guess there is a problem with the PC software rather than the hardware?? At the moment the PC is set to find the IP address automatically: I could add manual settings: I will try the settings you suggest - and those I got from my ping, but as I say, I am no expert in this, so do appreciate your time and help...

Will post back when I have had time to troubleshoot further.

Martin

LATER: Not really getting very far. My IPConfig /all gave this:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Martin>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Martin-PC
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : D-Link DWA-140 RangeBooster N USB Adapter
(rev.B2)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 84-C9-B2-6F-50-56
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::e19a:1297:d4d5:cbae%14(Preferred)
Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address. . : 169.254.203.174(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 344246706
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-14-9E-3F-57-BC-AE-C5-02-8E-85

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Marvell Yukon 88E8056 PCI-E Gigabit Ether
net Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : BC-AE-C5-02-8E-85
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.{5182FF81-02DF-487F-853A-5B40FEABBEA3}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.{B19237B8-2A3E-4614-990A-CE54973A1302}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #2
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

C:\Users\Martin>

Sorry I missed the part about Adobe flash wrecking havoc on your machine so this may be an internal problem, possibly TCP/IP was corrupted when the flash went crazy.

Lets try flushing DNS cache and renewing your IP.

Flush the DNS cache and restore MS's Hosts file ...
Copy and paste these lines in Note pad.

@Echo on
pushd\windows\system32\drivers\etc
attrib -h -s -r hosts
echo 127.0.0.1 localhost>HOSTS
attrib +r +h +s hosts
popd
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset all
netsh int ip reset all
shutdown -r -t 1
del %0

Save as flush.bat to your desktop. Right click on the flush.bat file to run it as Administrator.

Your computer will reboot itself.

 

[Jerryg50]

This section below is not right. Your computer is not able to see any DNS server! Maybe in your location the router is encorpated with the modem. I did not see any line indicating DHCP Server. I highlighted the errors in RED See your list below in the

where this error is indicated.

In the area where I believe your WiFi adapter is, it does not appear to have a proper or legitimate MAC address indicated. I highlighted these in BLUE.

What is also interesting, is in your list I don't see any default gateway. This normally should be the base address of the router, or the DSL router/modem device.


In Win7 you should see the network connection setup access in the path listed below.
Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections

If you double click on your active network connection icon, you should be able to access its setup in detail. There are a number of levels of properties and setups involved. You can look through this for curiosity. You really have to know what you are doing and you will require the detailed information about your network to go through the setup and make changes manually, and apply the appropriate parameters. The complexity of this area in detail would be too deep to go in to over emails.


If I understand correctly, you tried a direct connection and it still did not work. This points to a problem with the drivers or setup of the NIC card. I have a strong feeling it is not defective.

Do the same list with the laptop that works and compare. This would be the best test to see the differences.

From the listing below, I can see that you will not have internet access. It looks like the networking of the computer cannot properly see the router and the DNS server.

If in the case where you would like to check the OS of your system, log in as administrator. You must run the command window as system administrator. If you have default admin rights, you can right keyclick on the CMD Processor icon, and select, Run as Administrator.

At the command prompt, type SFC/ SCANNOW Windows may display a warning, if you have the security set to high. Just click on OK to allow.

The Windows OS will make a system scan and correct any of the OS files that it finds to be defective. It will prompt you as it finds any that must be corrected, you have to be present to approve any of the corrections it finds.

You may need the Windows OS installation disk in the DVD/CD drive to use as a reference for the SFC program. If required the system will prompt you to insert the disk.

With some systems, you may have to create a super administrator account to run SFC. Read this site to have instructions about creating a super administrator account for Win7 or Vista: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/507-built-administrator-account-enable-disable.html

Another thing you can try is to go to Device Manager. Open Network Adapters. Right click on the network adapter. Select Uninstall, and approve it. Then re-start the computer. It should automatically re-install itself on the re-start.

If it does not re-install you will require the drivers for it. Before uninstalling it, take note of its name and type. If you require a driver for it, use the other working computer and see if you can visit the manufacture site and download the driver.

If the network adapter (NIC) instals back and the error is the same, you can try to see if you can get a new copy of the drivers for the adapter. Maybe the original driver is corrupted.

I have a feeling that SFC /SCANNOW has a good chance to fix this problem. I also feel at this point that re-installing a new copy of the driver has even a better chance. Then the strongest chance which I am most sure about is to re-install the OS with the original installation disks and drivers for your computer.

I have my doubts the NIC part of your computer is defective! To me this is a driver, and or an OS issue.




__________

Thanks a lot for taking the trouble to reply in detail.

Before I look closely at the information you give, I have a bit more information. I got an extension LAN cable and linked the PC's LAN port to the router with it. Then, when I still couldn't get online I used the IE diagnostic. Windows Network Diagnostics says that "Local Area Connection does not have a valid IP configuration."

Meanwhile, when I plug the WiFi back in, the Dell laptop connects immediately. I guess there is a problem with the PC software rather than the hardware?? At the moment the PC is set to find the IP address automatically: I could add manual settings: I will try the settings you suggest - and those I got from my ping, but as I say, I am no expert in this, so do appreciate your time and help...

Will post back when I have had time to troubleshoot further.

Martin

LATER: Not really getting very far. My IPConfig /all gave this:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Martin>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Martin-PC
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : D-Link DWA-140 RangeBooster N USB Adapter
(rev.B2)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 84-C9-B2-6F-50-56
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::e19a:1297:d4d5:cbae%14(Preferred)
Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address. . : 169.254.203.174(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 344246706
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-14-9E-3F-57-BC-AE-C5-02-8E-85

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Marvell Yukon 88E8056 PCI-E Gigabit Ether
net Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : BC-AE-C5-02-8E-85
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.{5182FF81-02DF-487F-853A-5B40FEABBEA3}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.{B19237B8-2A3E-4614-990A-CE54973A1302}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #2
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

C:\Users\Martin>

 

[gregrocker]

SFC -SCANNOW Command

 

[F5ing]

Did you try using the flush.bat step that chev65 posted? Forgive me for asking if you did, I scanned thru the recent posts rather quickly....

You mention that you have no access to the router, so that rules out being able to check out how it's set up. But you did say you can connect via wifi with a laptop. When you initially did that did you have to enter anything special? Or simply find the access point in the list and click connect.

It might be helpful to compare the results of the ipconfig/all command from both machines. Maybe even post them here.

 

[martinlest]

OMG .. you know what? My laptop lost connection too this morning - the WiFi was connected but there was no connectivity. Then, an hour later, BOTH the laptop AND the PC came back online. Maybe, in spite of the laptop working, this was a fault with the building's WiFi and they've just fixed it (there are no office staff here at weekends, just security). If that is the case I am REALLY sorry to have caused you kind folks to rather waste your time on a wild goose chase like this - although all the information is very useful. The fact that the laptop was fine lead me to believe that the fault was with the PC, not the WiFi system itself. I also did compare the ipconfig results, PC and laptop. The laptop was fine, with all components, DNS etc., as they should be. The PC was, well, as posted.

Well, early days: I have only tried connecting the PC to the internet once, so will report back again later to say whether all is OK. I am going top do a repair ('upgrade') install on the PC anyway, as the boot time is still way too long and red error messages, Event 100, are showing in Event Manager - doing a repair fixed this problem before, (odd though that restoring an image of the C drive made when booting was fine does not fix the problem???).

Will post again later today. Thanks again.

Martin