Network problems with new Vista machine
I bought a new Dell 530S Inspiration to replace an older Dell laptop in my network. The laptop was running on XP pro and hooked in to my network and runs fine, I even hooked in another laptop into that Ethernet connection and it also works fine. I received the new machine yesterday and set it up correctly but the NIC interface was not working. So I called Dell and spoke with India for an hour and they had me reinstall everything and still the NIC would not respond. Previous to calling I tried everything I know to check the new computer everything seems to work except the NIC, so I bought a new USB NIC and installed it and it still would not work. After running through all Dell's BS they asked me to hook the computer directly into the router which is in a whole different part of my house, and when I did the thing works without a problem. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]-->My question is how can this be, 2 XP laptops have worked fine from this Ethernet plug in my wall (house is wired) but this new Vista computer will not, the light on the NIC do not light up and it tells me the LAN cable is missing, but if I unplug that cable and put it into my laptop it works fine? Is it a power issue with this new computer, the wiring is about 70 feet from my router to this Ethernet plug in the wall is that dropping the power so the new computer doesn't notice it. If the problem was the NIC then the new one I bought should have fixed the problem, I even bought a new cable to make sure that wasn't the problem, but both the new and old cable work in the laptop not in the desktop. This new computer needs to be where the laptop was, not in the basement where it works. I'm at a loss; any help would be greatly appreciated!
June 21st, 2008 6:51am

Hi, From your description, I understand that the network topology in this environment should be: Windows Vista machine the network port on the wall (certain network device, such as Switch) the Router Internet The issue is that the network connectivity status appears as Not Connected on the Windows Vista when it is plugged in the network port on the wall. However, if you hook the Windows Vista machine directly into the Router, everything comes normal. Please let me know if there is anything I misunderstood. In this case, I would like to confirm whether there is any network device such as Switch between the network port on the wall and the Router. If it has, please let me know the model of the network device, you can update the firmware to check the result. I suspect that certain network device may not be fully compatible with Windows Vista which results in this issue.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
June 23rd, 2008 11:44am

When the new Vista machine was not working I brought it to the site of my main computer which I'll call my server, I shut down the server and unplugged the LAN cable from it and hooked it into the new vista machine. The cable runs from the cable modem to the router then to the server, the other lines in my house run from the router to a cable which is hard wired into the house to specific rooms in the house were there is a ethernet jack, in those rooms I run a other cable from the ethernet jack to the computer for that room just like an office type setting (so cables are not all over the place). Like I said the new Vista machine will not connect (when plugged in were I want it) from the ethernet jack but will run directly off the router (once plugged in the lights lit up and the internet worked great) the only thing that I noticed when checking this again is that the plug on the router were my server runs from has the letters "WAN" listed on tha plug but the others do not they are only numbered 1-4. When the Vista machine is plugged into this cable with "WAN" it works I do not try any of the other jacks to see if they worked. Could this be the issue?
June 24th, 2008 5:25am

Hi, I understand the network topology is: Server WAN port of the Router Modem Internet Vsita number (1 4) port of the Router Please let me know if there is anything I have misunderstood, as it is important for us to troubleshoot this issue. Generally, the WAN port of the Router should connect to the WAN/Internet (the modem in this environment), and the numbered ports of the Router are supposed to connect to the Local Network (LAN) such as the Server and Windows Vista machine. As a result, I suggest that you correct the connection. In addition, please enable DHCP on the Router and configure the Windows Vista to obtain IP configuration automatically. If you need further assistance about confirguring the Router, you could contact the Router manufacturer. Hope this helps.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
June 26th, 2008 11:01am

I fixed the problem for some reason the new Vista machine did not like the D-Link router when hooked up via a long cable, it would work off a 6 ft cable but not the 50+ ft cable to the ethernet plug in the wall then another 6 ft cable to the computer. I bought a new Net Gear router and it works fine, so I guess this one has a stronger signal or something, thanks for the help.
July 1st, 2008 6:06am

This topic is archived. No further replies will be accepted.

Other recent topics Other recent topics