Strange problem with router/internet access.

[ddeder]

Here are the details:

Two computers are networked together with ethernet and a router. One computer is running Windows ME and the other Windows 98. There is a broadband connection (wireless modem). The windows 98 machine is running just fine and has internet access. The windows Me machine appears to be running fine but cannot access the internet. At first I suspect the router, so I unplug the Windows ME computer from the router and plug the ethernet cable from the modem directly into the nic in this computer. Internet access immediately starts working for this computer. So I say to myself that it must be a problem with the router or more specifically - one of the router ports, since the other computer works fine on the router. So I unplug the working computer from the router and plug the Windows ME computer into the port which I know works (after plugging the modem back into the WAN port on the router). Internet access still does not work on this computer. Works fine without the router, won't work with the router. I reset the router - makes no difference. I try a brand new router - makes no difference. I remove and reinstall all of the networking files - client for Microsoft Networks, TCP/IP, etc... - makes no difference. Check for a firewall - there is none. Look for the other computer on the network - doesn't see it. This computer just does not like routers... As a last resort I run a virus scan from Trendmicro. There are two files infected with the PE.MAGISTR virus. According to TrendMicro, this virus can trash a hard drive and delete files. Is it possible that this virus deleted some files that would be necessary for the computer to work with a router? It is blowing my mind that the internet access works when connected directly to the modem but not through the router. Oh, and one last thing, I unplugged the ethernet cable connected to the computer and plugged it into my laptop running Windows XP and it immediately had internet access - so that proves the cable and the router are working.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Lord Evermore]

Unlikely that it's an issue due to the router. To the computer, the direct connection to the wireless modem and the connection to the router are the exact same thing, just a network connection.

I assume that when you had the laptop plugged in, you also had the working Win98 machine plugged in and verified both had access at the same time? And that having the WinME machine plugged into the router without the Win98 or WinXP machines and rebooting everything still doesn't give the WinME machine access?

Verify that the ME machine is completely configured for automatically retrieving IP information. When plugged into the router, reboot it, then open the Run dialog and type "winipcfg" and hit OK. Then select the network card from the dropdown if there is one, and hit the More Info button. Check all the settings, make sure it has an IP address in the same network as the one the other computer has, and the same DNS server information. See if you can ping the internal IP of the router from a DOS prompt, then try pinging some web server's IP that you can ping from the Win98 machine.

What sort of router is this? Was it provided by your Internet service provider, or one you bought yourself? Do you lease one IP from your provider and use NAT?

 

[Bacinator]

Maybe also, plug in the laptop, then unplug/replug the router. This forces the router to re-establish connections.

Sometimes if a device is not on a network when some devices establish connections, they will not get it. 2 examples from experience:

If my ISP changes something on my modem, and my modem reboots, I must unplug my router, then modem, plug in modem (wait for bit/test/flashing lights) to stop), THEN plug in router, and all my connections are good once again.

Without a router, 1 computer acting as an internet gateway on a switched network, ANY computer that was not online when the gateway computer was brought online, will not be able to access the net. Client computers can/must stay online while gateway/host computer reboots/re-assigns network perimissions/ip's/etc.

 

[ddeder]

Thanks a lot for the input. It will be Monday or Tuesday before I get a chance to play with this network again. I will report back what I find...