Windows 7 - Internet suddenly stopped working

competitionscafe

Hi,

Recently got a new desktop PC with Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)

Everything has been fine until today when the internet connection suddenly stopped working (I was online at the time and it was fine one minute then down the next). My broadband connection is fine as I can get a connection on my old laptop (wireless) which is what I am using to type this. So I guess the problem is with the PC? The PC is connected via ethernet using homeplug. All 3 lights are green on both plugs so that bit seems okay...


After searching Google I did check my ip address as suggested here:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18203-internet-troubleshooting-guide.html

Under
Ethernet Adapter Local Area Connection.
IPV4 Address. I get 169.254.xxx.xxx - which it says means that I do not have a valid IP address? However while that website has clear steps on what to do if you have anything other than 169.254.xxx.xxx it does not say what to do if you do have 169.254.xxx.xxx - so I am stuck!!

I tried ipcofig/renew and got the message: "unable to contact your dhcp server"

Any help much appreciated as my laptop is very old and slow and the new PC is nice and fast.

competitionscafe

espresso wrote: »

Have you tried using the old laptop when connected to the homeplug? i.e. Ethernet and not wireless.

Hi - thanks for the quick reply. Just tried that now and it doesn't work either - says limited or no connectivity and if I click 'repair local area connection' it says "the following action cannot be completed: Renewing you IP address"

competitionscafe

No nothing came with them - got them a few years ago but just plugged them in and they worked. Forgot to say the ethernet cable to the laptop is direct from the router not via the homeplug - so perhaps the homeplug is not the problem?

Unfortunately the PC does not have a wireless card so I cannot just use the wireless connection instead. I use a homeplug as the router is in one corner of the room and the PC in another so the router has an ethernet cable going to homeplug 1 and then homeplug 2 is next to the PC. Prefer this as it is faster than a wireless connection - has worked fine until today.

Redman30

Pull the power on your router, leave it for 30 secs and then plug it back in - that'll force it to restart and may re-enable to connection.

competitionscafe

Tried the laptop with the homeplug and no joy either but turned the router off and on again as suggested by Redman30 and everything is hunky dory again! :T

Excellent - macho scratchyarse amigo!

alanrowell

1st Law of fixing Computer related products - turn everything off, have a cup of tea then turn them back on again. Fixes most problems

Redman30

alanrowell wrote: »

1st Law of fixing Computer related products - turn everything off, have a cup of tea then turn them back on again. Fixes most problems

Especially with routers, I swear they're designed to defy all logical explanation

sickofusernames

competitionscafe wrote: »

Hi,

Recently got a new desktop PC with Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)

Everything has been fine until today when the internet connection suddenly stopped working (I was online at the time and it was fine one minute then down the next). My broadband connection is fine as I can get a connection on my old laptop (wireless) which is what I am using to type this. So I guess the problem is with the PC? The PC is connected via ethernet using homeplug. All 3 lights are green on both plugs so that bit seems okay...


After searching Google I did check my ip address as suggested here:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18203-internet-troubleshooting-guide.html

Under
Ethernet Adapter Local Area Connection.
IPV4 Address. I get 169.254.xxx.xxx - which it says means that I do not have a valid IP address? However while that website has clear steps on what to do if you have anything other than 169.254.xxx.xxx it does not say what to do if you do have 169.254.xxx.xxx - so I am stuck!!

I tried ipcofig/renew and got the message: "unable to contact your dhcp server"

Any help much appreciated as my laptop is very old and slow and the new PC is nice and fast.

Your PC has assigned itself an APIPA address, something it will do if it can't find a DCHP server, which is your router. You've probably got a dodgy cable, I also had a similar problem with my homeplugs. If you've not got a spare ethernet cable then try plugging in your PC close to your router and try each cable you use with your homeplugs directly into your router, although probably easier to lay your hands on known working cable off a mate...


[Edit] Oops, just realised you've corrected your problem, lol