Ach!!!!!!

[Harka]

:mad: So i am downloading the CoH Test server stuff and it seems to finish ok, I left and came back to my PC and it had finished but My network connection is gone.

I have tried everything from releaseing and renew with ipconfig to deleting the hardware card and reinstalling but it still errors out saying it cant contact my DHCP.

Funny thing is that my work laptop, hooked up to the same network still works. Only difference is that it is connected to a router that is piggy backed off my wireless one which is what the cable modem is hooked up to.

I cant figure out what happened or how to fix it. me unhappy. :mad:

[jackrabbit]

Can you post the error text? We may be able to help. Operating system is XP? Do you have Norton or anything like that installed? Is the PC getting a correct IP range when you renew or failing to get an IP? Can you think of anything else that may have changed on either the PC or the router? Can you put in the appropriate gateway and IP info into the TCP/IP settings manually? Check your internet options for information in the proxy tab, too.

[Tai]

a tin foil hat (v1.0) or a wet towel (v2.0) migth do the trick!

--
insert empty six packs here, our hero can't figure out the URL

[Tai]

check your phone too - mine interferes with the wirless every one in a hile, might want to switch channels...

[jackrabbit]

Our hero should bookmark: http://www.martiancartel.com/img/0pack.gif

[Creole Ned]

Check the CoH technical support forums (http://boards.cityofheroes.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=technical) and their support database (http://support.cityofheroes.com/cgi-bin/cityofheroes.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_sid=1-XXS5Ph), too.

I've had the test server installed for quite awhile but my connection is a pretty vanilla wired router/DSL setup. I'll see if I can dig up some specifics on this.

[Harka]

The error i get is: An error occured while renewing interface Local Area Connection 4: unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out.


Operating system is XP Pro, I have Norton System Works installed and have run it to determine if I have a virus as well as running Spybot S&D, Spyblaster and Adaware.

No Ip range as it fails on the renew. The Wireless router is a netgear WGT634U and i updated the firm ware yesterday morning. It worked fine until last evening.

I have not tried putting in the appropriate gateway and IP info into the TCP/Ip settings nor checked the internet options as I am somewhat of a neophyte when it comes to networking, routers, ethernet cards etc...

Thanks for the offer to help!

[Q]

1) Did you powercycle the router? I find that sometimes my wireless router pukes on me and only a powercycle fixes it.

2) Are you trying to connect via a wire or wireless? If you're trying to connect over wireless, then you may want to try just plugging in a network cable and see if that works.

3) Try using a static IP. That should let you boot up without needing to contact the DHCP server. Once that's up, you can do more troubleshooting (like trying to ping the router's IP).

[Harka]

i did try the power cycle and I was using the hard wired conection. I didnt even try the wireless.

I just replaced the wireless router with the old one I used before I bought the wireless one and i am back in business. So, something hosed my wireless router that a power cycle will not correct.

Hmmmm, am I better off just going and buying a new wireless router?

[Orion]

I ordered this router:

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?edc=788533

its a bit more advanced, but cool.

[jackrabbit]

I'd start by disabling Norton and trying again. I can't tell you how many hours I've wasted troubleshooting configurations, cables, routers, etc only to find that Norton had decided to "protect" the computer by blocking ports or access. I personally wouldn't install anything "Norton" on a dare.

Powercycling the router is also a good idea. While you're at it, powercycle the modem for 30 seconds, also.

* To set a static IP, go into Control Panel/ Network Connections.
* Right click on your appropriate network connection (typically Local Area Network, but may be your wireless) and choose "Properties".
* From the General tab, select "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" and click "Properties".
* Put a check in "Use the following IP Address" and give it a number DHCP wouldn't normally hand out (generally between 5-99, or between 200-254) like 192.168.1.50
* Subnet mask will probably populate automatically, if not, standard mask for a small home network is 255.255.255.0
* Gateway will be your router's IP address, typically 192.168.1.1, but some model routers use 192.168.0.1 so you may need to run an IPCONFIG /all on a working PC to get the gateway. Do this anyhow as you'll need the DNS numbers for the next step.
* Put a check in "Use the following DNS address" and type in the two DNS numbers from the IPCONFIG /all on a working PC.
* Click OK, then reboot to allow the new info to go into use.
* When the PC comes back up, ping the IP of another PC on your network.

Let us know how it goes. If you can think of anything else, ICQ me or jump in IRC.

[jackrabbit]

FUCK! Host went down just long enough to eat my last post. >>>:(

Sorry I missed your reply before I posted my last message, Harka.

If you have a Linksys wireless, there was a few models with horrible firmware, one wireless B model had more than 4 versions of firmware depending on the model variation of the router. The thing is complete crap, as is most of Linksys' firmware. If you have a Linksys router and installed the wrong version of firmware, you may be screwed as You can't reset the firmware to defaults. You CAN reset to factory settings by powercycling while holding in the reset button. You could try that.

If you bought a Linksys wireless and you're having problems, I'd recommend returning it and getting something else. Orion's suggestion is something far North of overkill, and gives new meaning to the term. You don't need a router anything like that. Your best bet is probably a Netgear.

[jackrabbit]

The only Linksys router I would recommend is the WRT54G (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRT54G) using HyperWRT (http://www.hyperwrt.org/) firmware.

I haven't used it myself, but every time I say "Linksys sucks" someone always says "Then you've never used a WRT54G with HyperWRT!" then they take a swing at me. Someday I'll buy this router, I guess.

[Harka]

JR, the wireless router i was using was a Netgear WGT634U .

I have had bad experiences with Linksys so I have gone with Netgear and have not been disappointed yet.

[Orion]

you dont *need* a router like the one I'm getting. I'm currently in the middle of my CCNA, so a cisco is something I am using for teaching myself.


but it sure would be nice, wouldn't it?

[Tai]

The only Linksys router I would recommend is the WRT54G (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRT54G) using HyperWRT (http://www.hyperwrt.org/) firmware.

I haven't used it myself, but every time I say "Linksys sucks" someone always says "Then you've never used a WRT54G with HyperWRT!" then they take a swing at me. Someday I'll buy this router, I guess.

I have 3 of these running the SveaSoft (http://www.sveasoft.com /) firmware, with the power boosted up, and two 4 foot omni antennas on my roof. I've got a 2 mile radius and the things have worked flawlessly since day one. :)

[Harka]

Final update, and yes it was one those "Well Duh" moments.

I called Netgear support and they walked me through a few things. Most I had already tried but then they got to this key pivotal exercise.

TAKE A PIN AND PRESS AND HOLD DOWN THE FACTORY RESET BUTTON FOR 30 SECONDS.

This reset it back to factory settings and all started to function again. Yes I was kicking myself.

Anyway, thanks for the help and your willingness to lend a hand!

[Circuit]

I'm guessing you didn't see JR's suggestion to try that a few posts ago. :)

[Harka]

Was that the one about power cycling? If so I thought that meant unplugging it for a few secs/minute then powering it back up. I did that part along with the Cable modem. Oh well. Im just happy it works now! whoo hooo!

[Tai]

Wooo hoo! welcome back to the wonderful world of the internet!