Network headache.

[Tool Man]

What is the deal with this 'limited or no conectivity'?

I just spent 2 hours at my uncles trying to sort it out for him. I can't get the computer to obtain an IP from the cable modem. I thought it might be SP2 or something he had installed. I tried everything, and even resorted to using the factory restore option. (It's one of those XP restores on the HD, no CD).
But it still won't obtain an IP.

Could it be a hardware fault?

[simonko]

You should call the cable company.

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Guess?

Cable Internet not installed? Service not activated and running? Wrong settings in TCP/IP with network card? Physical hardware problem ie. network cable or power?

[Tool Man]

I did call the cable company. They were about as usefull as an ashtray on a motorbike.
The guy asked what the IP was, as soon as I said it started 169 he said , ahh theres you problem. So I did an IP renew and it changed to 0.0.0.0.
But even after a reformat, when I use the cable companys set-up CD, if fails at 'aquiring IP'.

[Soopafresh]

A few Things to Try:

1) Replace the patch cable from PC to the Cable Modem

2) Ensure the network card shows up in his list of hardware

3) Turn off the firewall if he has SP2 installed for testing purposes.

4) See if the Cable company will swap out his cable modem

5) You can determine where the fault lies by getting a cheap D-Link, Linksys, Netgear, etc router. The router will provide an ip of 192.168.x.x to his PC if his network card is good. You should then be able to Http:// to the local router and see if it picked up an IP address from the cable modem. If it didn't, then the problem is between the cable modem and the cable company.
Not a bad idea to do regardless, as this will provide additional firewall protection for his PC.

[glockjs]

i had an issue kinda like yours. tried everything under the sun...come to find out it was a shotty cat5 cable

[Tool Man]

Thanks, I didn't really have much time to do any serious testing, I just called in to say hi
I'm gonna go back tomorrow with my laptop, to see if I can connect to his cable modem. I would just like to be armed with as many possibilities as possible.

I think I have a spare Cat5 cable lying around too, I'll take that. I can't believe I didn't think of that anyway.

[p_l]

http://www.pchell.com/support/limitedconnectivity.shtml

[Soopafresh]

Nice website ! Thanks.