Wired internet connection working with XP, but not Windows 7


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       #1

    Wired internet connection working with XP, but not Windows 7


    Hi, after much reading I can't seem to find an answer to this, so I've had to give in and ask you guys if you can help, hopefully someone can.

    My Dell Dimension C521 died on me maybe 6 months ago. It has Windows XP on it.

    I put it to the side and bought a HP Pavilion G7 laptop to replace it with, which came with Windows 7 Home Premium.

    From what I remember I just plugged my ethernet cable into it at the time, and I was able to use my Virgin Media connection straight away, didn't have any problems.

    So last week I finally repaired the old Dell and I've been using it for about a week now, while the new laptop sat unused in the other room. Now, today when I try to use the laptop again to connect to the internet, it doesn't want to play ball; troubleshooting the connection comes up with 'The default gateway is not available'.

    I didn't change anything or do anything, I just didn't use it for a week and now it won't connect to the internet. The only difference I can see is one machine is XP and one is Windows 7...

    I used the Windows 7 recovery disc to reinstall the OS hoping that would fix it (after a few system restores failed to address it), but no luck.

    When I ping my default gateway as it's shown in ipconfig, it comes back 'Request timed out' 3 times, then 'Destination host unreachable'.

    "Tunnel adaptor 6T04 Adaptor: cable.virginmedia.net" doesn't have a Default Gateway listed, is this somehow relevant?

    Really hoping someone can help, it's really frustrating.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 881
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #2

    Try running on Windows 7
    ipconfig /release
    ipconfig /renew


    If that doesnt work please post your ipconfig /all output for both machines
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #3

    Scott you might want to read these first.
    IP Address - Change Automatically
    ----------------------
    IP Address - Locate and Find for Your Computer
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 983
    7 x64
       #4

    Do you have a Router in between the Modem and your computers? If not BUY one.

    What you have is just a Cable Modem and it will only work with one device at a time. Also you c=are more then likely getting a Public IP on whatever device is connected to it which is VERY Insecure.

    To connect another deivce to the modem power it down for 5 minutes, connect the other device and then power the modem back up.

    But you REALLY Need a Router.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I don't really understand the whole router thing. I don't see why it has to be any more complicated than connecting one computer at a time to the modem. I mean, Virgin didn't give me a router, so why would I need one..?

    Both computers were off all night, and the modem was off too, so I powered up the laptop (Windows 7) this morning and it's still having the same problem. So I switch it off, unplug the modem for a few seconds, just the time it takes me to remove the ethernet cable from the laptop and plug it into the Dell, and it connects to the internet as normal.

    When I try the ipconfig/release or renew commands it tells me I can't perform those actions when the media is disconnected. It shows that there are wireless 'tunnel adaptors' disconnected, but the ethernet details show an IP address and a default gateway. I'm still failing to understand how the connection is failing to work the way it did just last week. If I'd made some kind of hardware or software changes I'd understand a problem could have arisen, you know?

    Also, I can't seem to get ipconfig to work on the XP machine. The little black window flashes up for a split second, too fast to read what it says, then it disappears again. Don't know what's up with that either...
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 983
    7 x64
       #6

    Whether you understand it or not isn't the point. If you want to have both system easy connect to the internet at any time or at the same time you are going to need to buy a router. Not only for that purpose but for security of you your computers.
    Here is how most all cable modems and cable ISPs work.

    The cable company knows what the make and model of modem they gave you and they also know the serial number of it. That is how they send a signal down the wire you your residence as a subscriber to there service. Once that is done it looks for the first device that is connected to the Ethernet port on the modem and reads the MAC address of that device (That is the Media Access Control address, MAC).
    Once it read that MAC address it assigns a Public IP address to it. You are only allowed One IP address from the modem. A Public IP is not what you want assigned to your personal computer. It is PART of the Internet. Meaning that a whole bunch of Nasties can come down the wire and infect or BOT your computer.

    Once the MAC address is read from one device the cable company LOCKS that MAC address as the only one it will hand out an IP address to. To Brake that Lock the cable company put on one of two things need to happen. Normally disconnecting the modem from the power for a period of time, like 5 to 10 minutes, will remove that lock so a different device connected to the modem during the time it was powered off will then be associated and get an IP address.
    Or in some cases you must call the cable company and have them Reset you connection so a different device can get an IP address.
    That is why only one of your computer can get a Valid IP address from the modem/ the cable company has locked in on that One computers MAC address.
    With a Router the cable company modem Locks in on the MAC address of the router, hands out one IP to the router and then the router hands out PRIVATE (Not Internet) IP addresses to all devices connect to the router. Which means you can have up to 253 different devices connected to the router at any one time. Computers, Phones, Printers, whatever uses Ethernet Networking for communicating with other devices whether in your home or over the internet.

    Please do a Google search on Public and Private IP address, Routers and NAT firewalls and how having a Public IP on your home computer is a Bad thing.
      My Computer


 

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