Geek Quiz ptXIV...

[matgb]

OK, not a quiz, more a WTF? um, help! Post.

I'm at home, sat typing this on my work laptop. IT's connected to the internet and going everywhere I want it to go.

My home PC/desktop? Connected tot he Wireless network fine. But can't find anywehre. I've tried pinging out, nothing. It's been like this since I got home on Sunday, but it normally will connect to something for a bit--I've tried both WiFi network dongles, DLd new drivers, rebooted and it's told me that the DNS is flushed (using the Zero Config 'repair' option).

I'm stuck, and it makes no sense--if neither could connect, fine, but it's not, it's just my home PC--TCP/IP settings are fine, nothing weird creeped in, and there's nothing in the hosts file.

This is beyond me, and I can't for the life of me figure out what to even Google for--suggestions/assistance? Danke.

Comments

[miss-s-b.livejournal.com]

I have no really helpful suggestions, but I just wanted to say that that is the most appropriate use of that icon ever!

I'm guessing you already tried the network troubleshooter thing?

In which case... Google for "help, my computer is fucked"?

[matgb]

Troubleshooter starts with "are you a moron" questions, goes through "have you tried turning it off and on again" questions, then asks me to check the drivers (I DL'd one from the Netgear website BTW) then goes off on weird tangents that make no sense, because it's just a generic Windows thing.

I suspect there's something wrong with my hosts or DNS, and TalkTalk are being really cranky anyway, I might set it to override their DNS and give me a proper service, but that shouldn't be the issue. IT's just weird.

And yeah, the icon did scream out as the most appropriate ever.

[miss-s-b.livejournal.com]

* snuggle pet comfort *

...

* grope *

* molest *

>:D

[eldar.livejournal.com]

I managed to get myself into exactly that kind of trouble doing some performance tuning a while back....

Are the following Services running and starting automatically?
- DHCP Client
- Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
- Remote Access Connection Manager
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
- Routing and Remote Access
- Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

All of the above must be running and set to 'Automatic' in order to use a network. (You can safely disable some of them if you're connecting directly from your PC. The reason I know this is because I did it and discovered the hard way what you can and can't disable on a networked PC. All in the name of eeking out that little bit extra performance!)

[eldar.livejournal.com]

P.S. I'm assuming Windows XP Pro or Home. And probably covers Win2K as well.

[matgb]

OK, according to MSCONFIG
- DHCP Client
Yes
- Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
Is set to run, but is showing as 'stopped'

- Remote Access Connection Manager
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Both show as running, but the RPC locator is showing as stopped.

- Routing and Remote Access
Can't find this listed anywhere, searching the support files isn't getting me anything either.

- Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
Running.

So it's possibly something to do with the remote access connection manager, etc? OK, I'll start googling, any suggestions greatfully received though.

[pmoodie.livejournal.com]

Sorry mate, I can be of no help to you whatsoever. :(

Good luck with it!

[draich-goch.livejournal.com]

Computer repair 101

1. Take computer and place on concrete
2. Get large and heavy hammer
3. Hit computer many many times
4. Have a cup of tea/coffee/beverage of your choice
5. Hit computer many many times
6. Ring insurance company and say "It fell down the stairs, honest it did"
7. Hit computer many many times
8. Read a book instead of browsing the internet


If you were a bit closer I may have been able to help, but I'm more of a "fix the hardware" guy than a "fix the connections" guy. Sorry.

[paulatpingu.livejournal.com]

Sounds like there's something up with the DNS.

Check/change your TCP/IP Settings from auto to specific or the other way around. Same for DNS. See if that helps.

Do an ipconfig /all from the command line, see if you have an IP. If you do, try an ipconfig /release, ipconfig /renew to see if the IP changes and if that helps.

Possibly, check on your router to check that the IP lease for the laptop isn't the same as the desktop, so that only the first one on gets an IP.

After that, chuck it :-)

[matgb]

Unfortunately, I don't really have admin access to the router, but pretty sure that's not the problem because it happens even without the laptop booted up.

I have an IP, renewing it hasn't helped, but yeah, pretty sure it's the DNS—guess I'd better go look up some decent local DNS servers I can force it onto.

[raggedhalo.livejournal.com]

My desktop does exactly the same thing, except when I'm logged in as a guest. If you work it out, let me know!