ipconfig Problem

MikeE_3

I have a Belkin Pre N Wireless Router and two PCs with Belkin Pre N cards installed. One PC (XP) works fine but the other (XP Pro) cannot connect.

It is receiving a strong signal and identifies the Network every time I do a scan but won't connect - so pretty sure not a wireless issue.

I've; disabled Zonealarm and Symantec; updated firmware and drivers; re-installed, manually input the ip address 192.168.2.x, uninstalled the cable PCI card and tried WinsocFix, all to no joy!

However, when i run ipconfig i just get the following message:
"Ethernet adapter wireless network connection. Media state..disconnected"

No ip/gateway addresses. Any ideas, spent hours so far

mondayuk

A couple of things to try:

1) Check that you have entered any encryption keys required. If it's a secured network XP will normall prompt you to enter it when you try and connect.

2) Check your router for MAC address filtering. It's possible to restrict access to your router to a select group of network cards. If this is switched on check both computers are on the list of allowed cards.

3) Check that your laptop is using the Windows XP wireless zero config, and not the manufacturers own software. This differs wildly between wireless vendors and products so i'm afraid I cant be more specific.

Lawbag_2

Belkin in my experience isnt always the best choice for hardware.

MikeE_3

Thanks for those tips;

Have checked no MAC filtering.
Configured by Windows Zero Configuration Tool
and WPA security keys matches.

Have also swapped Wireless cards between machines and they both work suggesting PC issue.....any further thoughts welcome.

wolfman

Lawbag wrote:

Belkin in my experience isnt always the best choice for hardware.

How does that help solve the problem? From the sound of things there's nothing wrong with the Belkin hardware. The router he's talking about is actually very well regarded, has one a few lab tests from what I've seen, would be the router I'd recommend.

I'd go right back to basics. Start with an "open" wireless setup, and try connecting to that. Do so using DHCP too rather than statically setting your ip.

If you can connect at this basic level, switch on the protection (WPA, Mac filtering, Hidden SSID) in steps checking each time. Then finally if you want statically set your ip address.

If you can't connect to an "open" network though, you may want to look at the pc more closely. Maybe disable or uninstall ZoneAlarm (temporarily) to see if it's causing the problem (I prefer using Kerio). Also remove the wireless card and uninstall any drivers, reboot, put it back, reboot and in re-install.

If one PC can connect, one would guess there's something not setup correctly, or blocking the other pc.

mondayuk

What cards are in the two machines? I've had some problems on Windows 2000 before with the Dell Truemobile cards whereby even though the wireless network was recognised it didnt connect. I had to install some Softex software to get it to work. Perhaps check with the card manufacturers. Other suggestion perhaps uninstall the manufacturers software entirely (if you have it loaded) to prevent any chance of it interfering.

Agree with wolfman. Telling someone to buy or use something else is not a solution to the problem. In my experience Belkin sell cost effective stuff, not the best, but if you're on a budget then well worth going for.

Toxteth_OGrady

Check that the Wireless Zero Configuration Sevice is not disabled.

Start --> All Programs --> Administrative Tools --> Services.

Scroll down the list to the bottom (it's in alphabetical order) and check the service status is 'Started.' If it isn't, right click on it and select 'Automatic' and then 'Start the Service.'



TOG

scotty

I recall reading about problems associated with mixed XP & XP Pro network. From memory, solution involved a setting in XP Pro for something like simple networking. Sorry I cannot be more specific but perhaps a Google search will throw up a solution.

mondayuk

I'm pretty sure this is just related to stuff like File and Printer Sharing etc. I guess the simple answer is turn off the other computer. If your other machine still does not work then you're not using a mixed network anymore so it can't be the problem.

scotty

May be simple file sharing that needs to be enabled.

scotty

The other thing to try is the XP wireless networking wizard. I have found this to be fairly good. Use a USB memory stick to transfer the settings to each computer.