Need help ASAP - Computer can no longer access the internet.

[TheVrolok]

I'm currently posting from my linux box, but I had left my primary system (A Windows XP Pro machine) on all night DL'ing a new Slackware ISO to update this machine, but when I awoke this morning and turned on its monitor, I noticed that the DL had ceased and that I had gotten DC'd from AIM. I tried reconnecting, nada, I turned both my cable modem and router on and off with no change, I rebooted the machine, and nothing. Originally, the computer could still browse the local network, but not get out to the Internet, after rebooting the computer again, it can no longer browse the local network. None of the other computers on the network (including this one) seem to be having a problem. My primary system also dual boots Slackware 10 and I booted into Linux and couldn't access the net then either. Is this ahardware problem? Seems like it, but can my on board LAN just die?

Ok, I rebooted, disabled my onboard LAN in the BIOS, booted up, then rebooted and re-enabled it. Now I'm in Windows and I can access my router and the local network, but still no Internet. What's somewhat bizarre is that Zone Alarm is displaying consistant data coming in - the little green bar is spiking and the log is reporting data from external IP addreses coming in and being blocked. Also, my LAN status does report data out and in (although this is most likely my connecting to my router and local network). Anyone know what could be going on?

 

[Gustavus]

Try pinging the computer that isn't going on net from one of the others on the LAN. click on run, cmd and then type ping (space) and either the name or IP of the affected computer.

You and I were typing at exactly the same time. Since you are now able to get on the LAN, the ping test will pass and not tell you anything new

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: Gustavus
Try pinging the computer that isn't going on net from one of the others on the LAN. click on run, cmd and then type ping (space) and either the name or IP of the affected computer.

Ah, forgot to mention, the DHCP is not enabled on my router and we're all using static IPs (college apartment, 7 computers). I can both ping FROM the affected computer (I get a response when pinging my linux box from my Windows machine) and TO the affected computer (I get a response when pinging my Windows machine from my Linux box).

I've also shutdown Zone Alarm completely, and my windows firewall is also off. In addition, I notice no out of the ordinary processes showing (no rogue programs) .. still nada.

 

[TheVrolok]

Ok, if I disable the firewall on my router (Linksys WRT54G - Typical Wireless G router) my computer operates normally. But I feel that this fix isn't actually solving the problem because I don't recall having this setting changed at all either way in the past, I don't see why it should be changed now. But perhaps this leads me somewhere?

For those of you without Linksys routers, the "help" on this firewall reads:

"Block WAN Request


By enabling the Block WAN Request feature, you can prevent your network from being "pinged," or detected, by other Internet users. The Block WAN Request feature also reinforces your network security by hiding your network ports. Both functions of the Block WAN Request feature make it more difficult for outside users to work their way into your network. This feature is enabled by default. Select Disable to disable this feature."

 

[Gustavus]

From what you said it appears you are operating behind two firewalls -- the hardware one in your Linsys router and the software one in Zone Alarm. You might try leaving the router firewall turned off and re-enabling the one in Zone Alarm -- making sure that the internet security is set to high and that only the LAN is in the trusted zone. If you can go on net then, that would suggest a conflict between the two firewalls.

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: Gustavus
From what you said it appears you are operating behind two firewalls -- the hardware one in your Linsys router and the software one in Zone Alarm. You might try leaving the router firewall turned off and re-enabling the one in Zone Alarm -- making sure that the internet security is set to high and that only the LAN is in the trusted zone. If you can go on net then, that would suggest a conflict between the two firewalls.

I can indeed access the net with the linksys firewall off and ZAP on, it still does bother me a bit because I don't ever recall turning off the router's hardware firewall. However, I'm wondering if cutting power to the router reset it - this is a longshot though, because all the port forwarding settings have remained.

 

[TheVrolok]

bump for any info on the router firewall issue