Old XP PC has lost internet connection

Tinky · 08-08-2011, 10:58

Thought today I would try and ressurect my old PC before my sis-in-law comes down on holiday. For some reason I can't connect to the internet (used to before) via cable to rueter, it says cable not connected. Also I find the mouse keeps starting and stopping don't know if the two are connected. Any ideas or is it a lost cause?

Hom3r · 08-08-2011, 12:37

did you reboot the router?

If not give it ago.

DaiNasty · 08-08-2011, 12:40

If that doesn't work. if you have a different cable try that. Also try a different port on the router, I've know individual ports to die.

Tinky · 08-08-2011, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hom3r

did you reboot the router?

If not give it ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaiNasty

If that doesn't work. if you have a different cable try that. Also try a different port on the router, I've know individual ports to die.

Thank you both for the above suggestions, I have tried both, and tried switching cables, as well as trying different ports on the router (I know how to spell that now lol). It is also making life very difficult when the mouse keeps freezing every 2 seconds.
I did however find a 'Connection Status' which told me 'Limited or no connectivity' You might not be able to access the internet or some network resources. This problem occurred because the network did not assign a network address to the computer. Maybe some of my settings are wrong?

Anything else I can try please?

budwieser · 08-08-2011, 19:38

Reboot the PC first.
If its a wireless keyboard and mouse, try changing the batteries and resetting it. Failing that, just plug in a corded keyboard and mouse.

Tinky · 08-08-2011, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by budwieser

Reboot the PC first.
If its a wireless keyboard and mouse, try changing the batteries and resetting it. Failing that, just plug in a corded keyboard and mouse.

Thanks for that Bud, it is not a wireless keyboard or mouse. I've tried taking the lead out for the mouse and reinserting it, but the problem still persists. I may be flogging a dead horse here, but I thought I would just give it a go.

DaiNasty · 08-08-2011, 20:09

So are you still stuck with 'limited or no connectivity' after the reboot?

budwieser · 08-08-2011, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinky

Thanks for that Bud, it is not a wireless keyboard or mouse. I've tried taking the lead out for the mouse and reinserting it, but the problem still persists. I may be flogging a dead horse here, but I thought I would just give it a go.

You did turn the PC off before unplugging/Reinserting the mouse lead didn`t you?

If you still have no joy.
1: Turn the Router and PC both off.
2: Turn on the Router and give it a couple of minutes to settle down, THEN turn the PC back on and see what you`ve got Internet wise.

ZrByte · 08-08-2011, 23:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by budwieser

You did turn the PC off before unplugging/Reinserting the mouse lead didn`t you?

If you still have no joy.
1: Turn the Router and PC both off.
2: Turn on the Router and give it a couple of minutes to settle down, THEN turn the PC back on and see what you`ve got Internet wise.

Given the issues with the mouse I think the problem may be elsewhere.
Personally I would disconnect the ethernet and see if the mouse starts behaving. If it does it could just be as simple as a faulty cable. Or as big as a failed ethernet controller.
If that doesn't work you clearly have bigger issues. Next stop would be to make sure there's nothing else faulty, maybe try unplugging the keyboard or eject any discs in the CD/DVDROM. Also make sure any other peripherals are unplugged. Or try a different mouse if you have one.

qasdfdsaq · 09-08-2011, 00:03

Interrupt moderation anyone?

Tinky · 09-08-2011, 08:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by budwieser

You did turn the PC off before unplugging/Reinserting the mouse lead didn`t you?

If you still have no joy.
1: Turn the Router and PC both off.
2: Turn on the Router and give it a couple of minutes to settle down, THEN turn the PC back on and see what you`ve got Internet wise.

Yes but still no internet Bud.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZrByte

Given the issues with the mouse I think the problem may be elsewhere.
Personally I would disconnect the ethernet and see if the mouse starts behaving. If it does it could just be as simple as a faulty cable. Or as big as a failed ethernet controller.
If that doesn't work you clearly have bigger issues. Next stop would be to make sure there's nothing else faulty, maybe try unplugging the keyboard or eject any discs in the CD/DVDROM. Also make sure any other peripherals are unplugged. Or try a different mouse if you have one.

I tried disconnecting the ethernet cable, and the mouse is back to normal. I don't think it is the ethernet cable because I have switched that to this PC which works fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

Interrupt moderation anyone?

Eh?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaiNasty

So are you still stuck with 'limited or no connectivity' after the reboot?

Yes Dai still stuck. I have managed to find this report, don't know if it helps. Could it be something to do with the internet settings?

ZrByte · 09-08-2011, 08:55

Could do with a little more info about this computer before I can say more really. How old is it? (ish) Is the Ethernet on-board or a separate card? If its on-board do you know what motherboard you have?

DaiNasty · 09-08-2011, 09:54

From your screenshot it appears the system is not finding a network card. Since you had one when the machine was last used it may have died.
Have a look in Device Manager.
Press the windows + break keys to get system properties.
Under the hardware tab select device manager
see if there's an entry in device manager for 'network adaptors'.
If it's there, expand it by clicking on the + and report what it is showing.

Tinky · 09-08-2011, 10:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZrByte

Could do with a little more info about this computer before I can say more really. How old is it? (ish) Is the Ethernet on-board or a separate card? If its on-board do you know what motherboard you have?

Hmm I would guess it's around 5 years old Zr.......I know, I know, but I'm from the old school where you don't throw things away if you can make em work. As for the motherboard, I wouldn't know where to start looking for this information on this XP machine. To access the internet I connect the ethernet cable to the port on the back of the PC (don't know if this means on-board) and then to the router. Sorry to be so vague, does this answer your questions?

**Kymmy** · 09-08-2011, 10:28

If both peripherals and NIC is effected then somethings not quite right with the Southbridge.

Firstly I'd reset the bios (just in case it's a irq conflict) then I'd remove and re-install the NIC driver.

Failing that Tinky grab an ISO of puppy linux, burn to CD, boot the PC from the CD and see if that works OK.. If yes then install to HDD and that'll give you a working internet ready PC for the length of the holiday