Please help, blinking

[pX]

Alright. After a few days of hassling the ethernet service at my apartment complex they came to fix my connection up. After a few hours,, he had many problems (things were wired wrong), he said he thought it worked now. I picked up my GF's laptop plugged it in and I had service yes, albeit very slow. it was fast a couple seconds then wouldnt move,,, slow for a 100baseT connection at any rate.

Here is where the problem is:
I plug in my 2000 machine. on the back the "ACT" and "100" lights come on and off kinda of sporadically. In windows it says the cable is unplugged, then it goes away, then it comes back, and so on and so on. I never get a valid IP address even in the seconds that it is supposedly connected.

I have tried 5 different NICs a couple different 3com models and some cheapo intel one i got at a computer show. All do the same thing, exactly the same... So i think, it must be the computer. I install 2000 on my dual 366. It does the exact same thing!!! with another totally different card in it!

Anyone know what could be going on? I will call the provider back tomorrow, but I'm afraid theyll say "well if it works in 98 use 98", i dont want to use 98 and frankly the connection is waaaay slower than what I wanted (for example I downloaded a file from microsoft at 10kbs, my brother at a college nearby downloaded it on his 10baseT at 145kbs,,, i got the short end of the stick...

any help?

 

[Nightfall]

Did you happen to replace the cable? I have had this problem once at home and once at work and a replacement of the cable from the PC to the switch/hub fixed the problem. If you still have a issue, you can also try to connect the cable to another port in the switch.

 

[pX]

i have tried 3 seperate cables

 

[Tallgeese]

You've troubleshot this error out to a logical conclusion, which is: the wiring. Have them come out and check it/fix it.

Here's the troubleshooting logic:

Fact: Both machine seeing disconnects
Proof: For W2K, obvious. For Win98, slow performance is the key.

Fact: Same behavior with different NICs
Proof: You tested this.

Fact: Same behavior with different computer
Proof: GF's laptop, 366 machine prove this

Fact: Patch cables OK
Proof: Swapped, with no change in behavior

I'm betting that wiring "tech" for your complex doesn't know his you-know-what from a punchdown block

 

[Tallgeese]

Something was fubar with my post, but it's cleaned up now.

 

[pX]

yeah i totally think thats it too.

wierd thing is it works in 98. however, could this because 98 sends a dhcp request only at startup? for example if i disconnect a win 98 computer from ethernet winipcfg still reveals an IP address. however in 2000 at every disconnect(?) a dhcp request is sent, or even continuosly, i have no idea. but it seems that way at least with the connected, not connected, connected, not connected, and so on. i just hope they dont hassle me over it saying i should just use 98 and that if it works on his "tech laptop" then his job is done,,, im just paranoid that i am not going to get what i thought i was paying for.

 

[Tallgeese]

<< i just hope they dont hassle me over it saying i should just use 98 and that if it works on his &quot;tech laptop&quot; then his job is done,,, im just paranoid that i am not going to get what i thought i was paying for. >>

The best way to make sure you get what you should is PROVE it to them.

For your issue, I recommend downloading a copy of Lucent's excellent MyVitalAgent. This is a free version of the groundbreaking Net.Medic suite that Lucent bought a few years ago, and is basically a stripped-down version of the client piece of Lucent's VitalIT monitoring package.

It will graphically show you how your Internet connection is performing. Its automated troubleshooting features may also point out &quot;issues&quot; with your wiring.

One thing tho: When it installs, it puts an icon in your &quot;Startup Items&quot; folder. Move that icon out to the desktop, and only run it when you need it for troubleshooting purposes.

I would install it on both your GF's lappy and your W2K box, show/tell the tech what MVA says, then point to your drop and say &quot;Fixie!&quot;