internet suddenly stopped working

[wfbberzerker]

i turn off my computer every night when i go to bed, and this morning when i turned it back on i started having some internet trouble. first off, the computer took a much longer time to load then normal. it loaded fine at first, but after it loaded the desktop and icons, while it was loading the system tray programs, it started getting weird. it kind of just hung there for a few minutes, after loading only 3 programs (antivir, daemon tools, and object dock). but, after antivir loaded, the little umbrella closed up again (when it signifies that its inactive), although right clicking on the icon shows its activated.

also during this long pause in loading icons, i cant use the entire taskbar (hovering my mouse over it just shows the loading cursos). i noticed that after the long pause, if i go to the task manager, one instance of svchost.exe is at 99-100% cpu and just stays there. the computer also failed to load one or more system tray programs (one that i can think of is the utility for my razer mouse).

the big issue, however, is that i can't load anything on the internet. i tried both firefox and ie, and cant get to any sites (i didn't try other online things like games). my cable modem shows that i'm connected and transmitting data, and i do have an ip address, but haven't received any packets, and i cant use the internet.

any clue as to what the hell is going on? both anti-spyware (microsoft) and my anti-virus scan came up with nothing. my system specs are in profile (my main computer).

thanks,
wfbberzerker

 

[1N0V471V]

Run... -> cmd -> ipconfig

 

[1N0V471V]

(this verifys connectivity to the network or in your case just the internet)

 

[aniruddha23]

Originally posted by: 1N0V471V
(this verifys connectivity to the network or in your case just the internet)

No it doesnt. It just provides you with IP information.

try Start > Run > Type CMD > ping www.yahoo.com

If you get a response your internet is working.

Did you try restarting your computer?

 

[1N0V471V]

Yeah, you're right. I had to go replace a computer here at work and was in a hurry, lol.

 

[Paperlantern]

Originally posted by: 1N0V471V
Yeah, you're right. I had to go replace a computer here at work and was in a hurry, lol.

then dont reply?

 

[InlineFour]

teh intarbweb is working for me.

Do you have another computer that's connected to the network that can go on the internet? If other computers can go on the net, then we know it's your problem and not the ISP. If other computers also can't go on the net, read below.

Usually when your ISP is performing maintenance in your area, a power cycle on your modem is required.

 

[Markbnj]

Originally posted by: Paperlantern

Originally posted by: 1N0V471V
Yeah, you're right. I had to go replace a computer here at work and was in a hurry, lol.

then dont reply?

At least he tried to help. Way to be a dick.

OP, that long delay on restart is probably your computer trying to acquire an IP address from the DHCP server in either your cable modem or your router, which brings me to a quick thought: when asking for networking help a) always post the complete configuration; and b) post in the networking forum.

Open up start->run->cmd. Now type ipconfig and read the info that appears. If you are correctly configured the IP address of your system should be 192.168.0.xxx or 192.168.1.xxx. If you see anything else then the system failed to obtain an IP address and set itself to a default IP.

If you see any other IP address do the following: run ipconfig /release, followed by ipconfig /renew. If the renew takes a long time and produces an error, then that is the problem. In that case I would suggest powering everything down, including the cable modem and router if you have one. Now bring the modem up and let it settle, then bring the router up (if any) and let it settle, lastly bring up your computer and see what happens.

If none of this works and you are connected directly to a cable modem, I would call the provider. If none of this works and you are connected to a router, then connect directly to the cable modem and try it again. If that works the router is the problem.

Going back to the first step: if you run ipconfig and see the proper IP address, then DHCP config isn't the problem. Running through the power-down sequential start-up scenario I outlined may still solve the problem, but it is always possible that your cable provider is having issues.

 

[wfbberzerker]

i'm connected right now using my mom's laptop on the same connection, and its working fine.
ipconfig returns this:

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix :
Autoconfiguration IP Address : 169.254.50.219
Subnet Mask : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway :

pinging www.google.com returns this:
Ping request could not find host www.google.com. Please check the name and try again.


i've tried restarting several times, including in safe mode, still no dice.

for comparison, using ipconfig on this laptop on the same connection returns this:

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix : wi.rr.com
Autoconfiguration IP Address : 65.30.184.152
Subnet Mask : 255.255.240.0
Default Gateway :

 

[corkyg]

This happens every now and then with cable Internet access. Step 1 is to call your provider and they will ping you to see if the problem is at your end or somewhere in their system.

If you have a router - just unplug the power connector and plug it back in. Sometimes the cable changes the IP and the router doesn't - but unplugging makes it refresh.

That happens to me more or less routinely every 10 days or so - whenever Comcast changes the IP address.

A few months ago it was a bonafide problem for Comcast - a contractor was digging and cut a cable. And sometimes they are simply doing maintenance. A phone call will tell you that quickly.

 

[wfbberzerker]

i'm almost positive the problem lies with my computer. i dont have a router (i've been switching back and forth with the ethernet cord), but both my pc and the laptop i'm using have no problem acquiring an ip address (once i've restarted the cable modem), and only the laptop's internet actually works.

 

[InlineFour]

Do a ipconfig/release and then ipconfig/renew in command prompt.

If you still get a 169.x.x.x IP address, power cycle the modem. Unplug the power cord, wait one minute, and plug the power cord back.

 

[wfbberzerker]

Originally posted by: InlineFour

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
i'm almost positive the problem lies with my computer. i dont have a router (i've been switching back and forth with the ethernet cord), but both my pc and the laptop i'm using have no problem acquiring an ip address (once i've restarted the cable modem), and only the laptop's internet actually works.

How are you sharing your internet access without a router? Windows XP ICS?

i unplug the cord and plug it into the laptop to type, and plug it back into the pc to try stuff.

 

[InlineFour]

Also, the problem may be with the fact that you're plugging your cable back and forth between your laptop and desktop. When you lease an IP address from your ISP, the ISP marks down your NIC's mac address. When you change over to a different NIC (swap pc), the ISP's DHCP server has to lease you a new IP to a different MAC address. You should spend the $20 and get a router. Security and simplicity wise, it's one of the best investments for your network.

 

[wfbberzerker]

Originally posted by: InlineFour
Also, the problem may be with the fact that you're plugging your cable back and forth between your laptop and desktop. When you lease an IP address from your ISP, the ISP marks down your NIC's mac address. When you change over to a different NIC (swap pc), the ISP's DHCP server has to lease you a new IP to a different MAC address. You should spend the $20 and get a router. Security and simplicity wise, it's one of the best investments for your network.

i'm pretty sure thats not the problem, every time i plug it back into the laptop, the internet works just fine. i'm trying to figure out what could cause the internet not to work only for the pc - i'm almost certain that its just the computer.

as far as router, i dont have one because i live by myself and i didn't think it was necessary to get one. its a moot point anyways, since i'm moving out soon and will have one in a week or so.

 

[InlineFour]

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker

Originally posted by: InlineFour
Also, the problem may be with the fact that you're plugging your cable back and forth between your laptop and desktop. When you lease an IP address from your ISP, the ISP marks down your NIC's mac address. When you change over to a different NIC (swap pc), the ISP's DHCP server has to lease you a new IP to a different MAC address. You should spend the $20 and get a router. Security and simplicity wise, it's one of the best investments for your network.

i'm pretty sure thats not the problem, every time i plug it back into the laptop, the internet works just fine. i'm trying to figure out what could cause the internet not to work only for the pc - i'm almost certain that its just the computer.

as far as router, i dont have one because i live by myself and i didn't think it was necessary to get one. its a moot point anyways, since i'm moving out soon and will have one in a week or so.

Have you powercycled the modem yet?

Routers aren't just for sharing internet access. They create a security barrier between you and the internet aka firewall. No one should ever have a computer directly connected to the cable modem, especially with all the Windows security holes.

 

[Tweak155]

I had a similar issue to this, only with a router. The router would only obtain 169.xxx.xxx.xxx addresses. Solution? New router. Try another NIC card.

 

[wfbberzerker]

Originally posted by: InlineFour

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker

Originally posted by: InlineFour
Also, the problem may be with the fact that you're plugging your cable back and forth between your laptop and desktop. When you lease an IP address from your ISP, the ISP marks down your NIC's mac address. When you change over to a different NIC (swap pc), the ISP's DHCP server has to lease you a new IP to a different MAC address. You should spend the $20 and get a router. Security and simplicity wise, it's one of the best investments for your network.

i'm pretty sure thats not the problem, every time i plug it back into the laptop, the internet works just fine. i'm trying to figure out what could cause the internet not to work only for the pc - i'm almost certain that its just the computer.

as far as router, i dont have one because i live by myself and i didn't think it was necessary to get one. its a moot point anyways, since i'm moving out soon and will have one in a week or so.

Have you powercycled the modem yet?

Routers aren't just for sharing internet access. They create a security barrier between you and the internet aka firewall. No one should ever have a computer directly connected to the cable modem, especially with all the Windows security holes.

yeah, i powercycled the modem.

i didn't get a router because i was only living here a short time, and i figured the windows firewall, along with my motherboards firewall was going to be sufficient for the time being.

 

[wfbberzerker]

bingo! i think i figured it out, i had a virus (W32.SDbot.TQ). i was looking at the msconfig to see what startup programs may be causing the slowdown, and one of them was windowsSP2.exe, which doesn't belong. so, i googled it and it says its a virus. so, i took it out of the startup, restarted the computer, and its back to normal!

 

[Markbnj]

Yeah, that IP address is the default. Your computer is not able to secure a lease, and it may very well be due to swapping machines at the port. I'm not sure.

You can get a router for $30-40, and I would suggest it.

Edit: just saw your last reply. Definitely get a router/firewall