one machine attaches quickly to network, the other does not

[AddRAM]

It seems like the key is that no matter what I do (use several startup programs, normal mode) as long as I set the dns server to be static there is no delay at all. Also safe mode no delay at all.

Well then I guess we did find a solution that`s working.
Yaaa! Sleep Tight

 

[lehnerus2000]

Hopefully that fix will solve your problem.

I suggest setting static addresses for all of your devices (except the laptop).

 

[johnhoh]

Since its a brand new build I'm gonna reload win7 anyway. The plan is for me to mail this system to my son and without knowing exactly whats wrong, I'd rather give it another shot. After loading windows I made a bunch of tweaks to the machine and I bet some service, driver or setting is mucked up that may manifest itself down the road. Thanks for all the help guys......

 

[johnhoh]

Win7 is now reloaded and it gets an internet connection immediately. Now lets see if I can customize the hell out of this thing without screwing it up again....

 

[johnhoh]

dang! Ran windows update (many updates) and now the delay is back. There are too many updates to remove them one-by-one, so I'm now doing this...

Is there a simple way to uninstall ALL Windows updates for the purpose - Microsoft Answers

and will install updates more slowly this time in order to catch the culprit...

 

[johnhoh]

Sone progress here. Turns out that kb976902 makes some changes to the system that cause this delay.

I did a clean install and ran ms update, got the delay, then started uninstalling the updates. I uninstalled them all (except kb976902, because it would not uninstall) and there was still the delay. Then for good measure I reinstalled windows (zero delay after that) and then only installed kb976902, and the delay reappeared. In the link below you see that others have had this problem, and worse due to kb976902. At the bottom of the thread someone figured out


KB976902 has removed internet connection, 'unidentified - Microsoft Answers

they say that the trick is to install zonealarm, then uninstall it. When I installed it the delay went away, then uninstalled it and the delay came back. Then reinstalled it again, figuring well I'll just use it, but the free version pesters you with pop ups so I decided to do another clean install and see if I can avoid kb976902 altogether this time. Good thing this machine is right next to my main one, so all this work is not really a bother.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Interesting discovery.

 

[johnhoh]

I decided to do another clean install and see if I can avoid kb976902 altogether this time. Good thing this machine is right next to my main one, so all this work is not really a bother.

I just clean installed again using a win7 sp1 dvd, and went into control panel > programs and it was empty (as you'd think) and also control panel > programs > view installed updates and kb976902 is the only thing there. It is packaged with sp1 apparently, despite the problems that some people have with it. I don't like zonealarm, so I'm going to live with the delay and hope that no further issues happen.