internet access

[north star]

ave been unable to access the internet since last Saturday. Virgin say that it is not a problem their end but lies with my PC. They talked me through doing a 'ipconfig /renew' but that didn't help. It appears my PC is not sending the correct IPv4 address (?).

Virgin tell me I need to reinstall DHCP. I dont know what this is or how to do it. I am running Vista home premium.

I thought I had posted this question yesterday. My apologies if the same question appears eleswhere.

[vehelpfulguy]

Lets ask a few basic questions.

Is this a "Cable" connection or phone line connection. I assume it is broadband.

Has it ever worked ?

Did you change anything about the time it stopped working (new hardware or software)?

Is your PC plugged straight into the modem or are using using a Router?

Do you have a spare PC that you can test it with ?

[vehelpfulguy]

>Virgin tell me I need to reinstall DHCP

This may get a bit technical but I hope it gives you some background.

I may be wrong but I don think your can reinstall DHCP.

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol and it is a network setting.

Basically when you connect to the interent you need an IP (Internet Protocol) address. This is four sets of numbers like: 192.168.4.27

Some people have a FIXED IP address, meaning that their IP address is always the same when they connect to the internet.

But most people set their PC up with DHCP meaning that when you connect to the internet your PC goes out and asks you ISP for an IP address.

So this IP address is taken from a pool of IP addresses which are shared by many users.

So basically your PC should have a network setting of DHCP that goes out and asks for an IP address.

[vehelpfulguy]

I have XP not Vista but this is how I would check if I had DHCP set up.

On the Start menu select Settings then Network Connection. A Window open called Network Connections.

I have one icon in there called LAN. If you have an icon like that double click on it. A window called Local Area Connection Status opens.

Press on the Properties button. A Local Area Connection Properties window opens.

In the centre is the list of network options, and one should be Internet Protocol. Click on it and select Properties button.

On the General tab make sure the option "Obtain an IP address automatically" is selected.

Also the option "Obtain DNS server address automatically" is selected.

Here is a picture of the window as it is in XP.

http://www.it.northwestern.edu/images/support/ winxptcpipdhcp.gif

It may be different in Vista but the basic principle should be the same.

[vehelpfulguy]

You have already done ipconfig renew so here are some commands that may help.

Open a Command Prompt window (assuming you can do that in Vista) or find a place where you can issue these type of commands.

The first command to type is "hostname". This will return the hostname of your computer. Make a note of it.

Now type "ping hostname" (replace hostname with your actual hostname). This is testing ip is working on your PC.

You should get a Reply of so many bytes and a certain length of time (in miliseconds). It should look something like this:

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/788/AVVID/pin g-3.gif

If you dont get a Reply then tcp/ip is not set up on your PC correctly.

more....

[vehelpfulguy]

Now type "ipconfig /all".

This should tell you your various network settings. You should have a DHCP Server listed, two DNS servers listed, and a default gateway.

It should look like this different numbers of course):

http://blog.tc.dk/media/deb-ipconfig-all.png

To clear all these settings and start again issue "ipconfig /release"

This flushes out your existing network settings.

If you do a "ipconfig /all" again most of the fields should be blank.

Now issue "ipconfig /renew". This should use DHCP to go out and find you a new IP address.

If it cannot find one then for some reason it is not getting out to the virgin network.

One good way to test your network connect is to type "ping www.google.com" (or other web site). If your connection is good you should get a reply.

Let me know if any of that works and if not we will try some more things.

[vehelpfulguy]

These may help

http://www.pctipsbox.com/resolve-tcpip-network -configuration-issues-in-windows-vista/

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928233

[north star]

My thanks for your answers. In responseto your questions

it is a broadband cable connection.

I have had internet access since I bought the PC just after christmas

No I havent changed anything or added new hardware or software.

From the modem it plugs straight into the back of the PC

I have no spare PC

[ACtheTROLL]

Phew ... lot of writing vhg!!

northstar
sorry to possibly confuse .... do what you can .... shout if you need

I hope you have the book of words for the modem/router....
(it would be nice to know the brand/model and exactly how you are connected to it - ie wire, wireless or USB)
also need to know what your ip address is (if any)
as vhg says .... it should probably start
192.168.
the next two sets are the important ones.
open a comand prompt .....
in "start search" type cmd
cmd.exe should appear at the top of the list (with a black icon next to it) - click on it
in the window
type ipconfig /all

the display will give you lots of info
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.73(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 27 February 2008 23:47:31
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 29 February 2008 16:17:52
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

the bold bits are important.

now for the good news (maybe)
you don't need DHCP at all .... you can enter a fixed ip address (unless you use a cable modem)

(ignore the explanation ... just follow the steps)
the address to enter will be as follows
if gateway = 192.168.254.1
use 192.168.254.200
subnet 255.255.255.0
gateway 192.168.254.1
dns 192.168.254.1
http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/ 27129/how-do-i-use-the-windows-xp-alternate-tc pip-c

[ACtheTROLL]

should read
http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/ 27129/how-do-i-use-the-windows-xp-alternate-tc pip-configuration.html

oh ... and if you want to try to reinstall dhcp follow these simple steps (ha!!)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/169229

you could also try deleting your network adapter ... rebooting and windows should redetect and re-install the drivers

most importantly ... if you get stuck .... shout

[north star]

Guys, came home after a weekend away, and prepared myself to try your answers. Turned the computer on, and I can access the web. I haven't done a thing and its working again????? Do I assume that it was Virgin all along that was to blame or whaT?

My thanks once again for your concern and effort. I have taken a hard copy of your answers as I have a feeling that it might happen again. Thank you.