Connection problem to Net
 

Right well I hope someone can help me out on this one as I've tried many things.

System:
Windows 98 SE
AMD 500mhz
248mb Ram
150k Broadband through Cable modem Ethernet.


Basically I switch on my cable modem as per normal, wait, then turn on my PC.
Everything loads up and I get to my Windows logon and I press enter and it all loads up.
Anyway heres the problem.... On some occasions I'l go and load up the net and the pages will load fine. on other occasions it will just halt and load maybe one picture or just sit there.

Naturally, I have tried using different browsers, re-installing them, using Mozilla, etc, all the same.
Same thing goes with Outlook and MSN. If it works, it works, if it doesnt, it sits there and will do nothing, except a few little movements that its downloading, very very slowly.

So the solution to this is for me to reboot my PC (Not the Cable modem) so the problem is not with NTL).
I get back into windows and it might work, or maybe I have to reset again and go round a second or third time before it works, yet sometimes it will work straight away.

So something isnt being loaded properly or only when it wants to it seems to me.


I've done ping tests when there has beeen nothing working and that has timed out due to nothing happening.
So is something not right with my ethernet card maybe ?

This has been going on for many months and I loose much time rebooting 2 or 3 or even 5 times sometimes before I get on the net, whilst on occasions, I'm on straight away.

If anyone can work out this mysterious problem, I'l be very happy.

By the way I noticed this in my devices window .
Could this be part of it ? Dont know.

Thankyou.

Re: Connection problem to Net
 

Have you tried removing all of the ethernet adapters and getting windows to redetect them again?

Re: Connection problem to Net
 

It looks like the drivers haven't loaded for your Ethernet card. What's the message when you double-click on the faulty device?

When everything is working, do you still get the yellow exclamation mark on the Ethernet card?

Re: Connection problem to Net
 

that would be a good place to start , go into device manager and remove it from your system , reboot and it should pick it up straight away :)

Re: Connection problem to Net
 

You could try opening a DOS prompt window and typing
IPCONFIG /RELEASE
and then
IPCONFIG /RENEW
to check if IP address is being set OK by DHCP.

OOPs, didn't see your attachment, as others say, looks like a problem with drivers or NIC. NICs only cost about a tenner, why not just change it?

Re: Connection problem to Net
 

Isn't that only for Windows 2000 and XP :confused:

I remember I had Windows 98 I to use a program called winipcfg which was a GUI version of the ipconfig command line tool.

Re: Connection problem to Net
 

You could be correct, winipconfig as you say is GUI version, now you have set me wondering if ipconfig was available in Win 98.

Re: Connection problem to Net
 

ipconfig is not available in W9x machines - use winipcfg. :D

Re: Connection problem to Net
 

Have you tried changing the nic?

Re: Connection problem to Net
 

Thanks for all the replies.

Yes, I do still get the exclamation mark when all is working fine.
If the driver has not loaded for my card, then how am I able to be on the net right now then ?

When I double click the exclamation marked device, It says:
"The drivers for this version are not installed. (code 28) To re-install the drivers for this device, click Re-install."


I havent tried a new card in it as yet as want to see if I can sort it out any other way first.

You suggest deleting the network driver then ? Is that OK ?
Will windows 98 re-find it ? or do I need a CD as I dont think I have my CD to hand. I'l go and have a look.

Thanks.

Re: Connection problem to Net
 

don't mean to undermine your authority... but ipconfig IS available on win9x machines, it is just that winipcfg is the preferred method.

To release/renew an ip address in win9x using ipconfig, unlike 2k and xp you you need to use ipconfig /release_all and ipconfig /renew_all, otherwise it will give you an error.

:D

Re: Connection problem to Net
 

It may be that the wrong drivers have loaded, or one of the files is corrupt, or even that there's a hardware problem.

Yes, try deleting the card from the list, then re-booting. Windows should see the card as it boots and install the drivers.

*EDIT* - You may need the Windows CD, but as long as the files are okay, I think it will work without requiring the CD.

If this fails, try deleting the card from the list. Then shut down, and remove and replace the card. Try putting it in another slot if one is free. Boot up and let Windows detect it again.

Re: Connection problem to Net
 

Actually, upon checking it seems we are both right & wrong. It is available on W98 but not W95.

Re: Connection problem to Net
 

Thank you for making me realise im not mad, When mixing between NT and win2k boxes always wonderered if I had dreamed using release_all but it did exsist YAY lol