Windows XP seems to have some switches crossed!

[JAWS1]

At first glance you will be thinking this is in the wrong Forum, but read on please. I posted this in the Networking Forum and received no answers. I figure it's either a dumb question or an old one, (didn't show up in my search thru faq's and forum answers). Maybe I just didn't make it clear what the problem is. Anyway, it could be no one knew, whatever, I kinda think it must be a Registry problem and this is probably the Forum I should have used to begin with.

When I shut down my computer, two things happen that I don't want to happen. One, which I can live with, is my MS optical (wired) USB mouse stays on. The only time I've seen it even flicker is during re-boot, but not off. Two, which I would dearly love to stop, is my Routers Lan is turned off. Not the power to the router or status light, or Wan, just the Lan. Then the Lan comes back on. Then, when I start the computer back up the Lan is shut off again. After awhile the Lan comes back on. However, the time it takes the Lan to come back on in both senerios can be anywhere from a few minuites to an hour and a half. Sometimes, It seems as though I can speed up the process by enabling and disabling the Local Area Connection. I have no idea if that is really what does it but it makes me feel better doing something!

Thought I had it figured out and made a couple of Registry changes. Then I spent the next three hours sweating bullets trying to get my machine to boot back to Windows. So now, I'm hoping someone can help me, so I don't get desperate and mess things up permanant.

If it helps, I am on Comcast cable. The cable modem is wired to a US Robotics 8054 router which is wired via 3com Gigabit NIC to a ABIT ls7 MOBO with a Pent. 4, and Win XP Pro OS, that is wireless to one client. I use TCP/IP, NetBEUI protocal w/DHCP enabled for my Dynamic IP's. Also, I have made sure the box is NOT checked that enables the device to be turned off to save power, under 3com properties.

Thanks to anyone who may have an idea in advance. JAWS

 

[pyrojunkie]

First off, when you connect any optical mouse to your computer through the PS2 port, the light on the mouse stays lit when the computer is turned off. The PS2 port continues to supply power when the computer is turned off.

Secondly, this doesn't sound like a problem with Windows XP, or with any software on the computer, to me. Honestly, it sounds like a bad cable. I would recommend trying to replace it.

 

[acemcmac]

Just like PS2 ports keep power to repond to "wake on PS2" calls, I think you'll find that several other of your onboard devices do this as well. If you have "wake on lan" enabled... lan will keep power when the computer is off too...

It's got nothing to to with the operating system if it's going on when the operating system isn't loaded...

I hope that was of some help.

 

[Kappo]

My first guess was the Wake On Lan thing too...

Does this happen (the LAN thing) only when you shut down? Or just when you restart? Or both. Make sure ICS is not enabled. Also make sure you PC isnt acting as a DHCP server.

Lastly, I would try different cables and ports on your router.

[edit] Oh yeah, why do you use NETBUI? If it is not for anything in particular, I would just let TCP handle what you need done with it.

 

[JAWS1]

Thanks all of you. So the Mouse stays on, oh well.!

The router is turned off both times, on shut down and startup. I'm not real sure about my computer acting as DHCP, but I don't think so because every list I have seen lists the router IP as the DHCP, IP. Don't know how else to check it out tho.
I doubt it's a cable, it is brand new as of Aug.. But I will give it a try, you never know. I will try the other things too. I believe my Wake On is currently disabled, but I'll check. I have tried not to have ICS be part of my Network and I don't think it is. It seems I read in my USR manual that if it is set up using ICS the 256 key WEP won't work, and it does. But I'll disable it in services to be sure. I tried to set the Network up so TCP/IP handled the Internet part of things while NetBEUI handled the local connection. I read several times in AnandTech Network Forum that this is a little more secure and stable. I really don't know if it is or not but it sounded good, so that is the way I set it up. Thanks again, I'll let you know. JAWS

Just to update this, the ICS is and was disabled, DHCP is my Router, and all three of my Wakeup options were disabled. I enabled the Wakeup with the on board Lan but it made no difference. One thing I noticed tho, that I didn't mention before, is when I shut down the computer the Lan and Wan lights both go out, right as the computer screen goes to black, and the computer shuts off, then they come right back on. When I boot up, the Wan and Lan lights always go out during the time when the windows screen, with the blue light that goes back and forth in the little bar is up, I guess that is windows booting up. Just before it (the windows screen) disappears the Lan and Wan lights go out. Something May not be turning them off, but is certainly interupting the signal. So, I guess I'm left with trying the new cable thing or hoping something else can be tried. Hint, Hint...

 

[JAWS1]

OOPS!!

 

[JAWS1]

Well I guess everyone is stumped. Or maybe Anandtech Forums aren't what they once were. Anyway, thanks pyrojunkie, acemcmac, and Kappo for trying to help me. I appreciate it. By the way the wire didn't work either. JAWS

 

[kursplat]

The cable modem is wired to a US Robotics 8054 router which is wired via 3com Gigabit NIC to a ABIT ls7 MOBO with a Pent. 4, and Win XP Pro OS, that is wireless to one client.

Two, which I would dearly love to stop, is my Routers Lan is turned off.

just trying to picture this , the p4 w\ the abit ls7 is wired and when it shuts down the router loses ALL the lan connections (wireless included ) for awhile ?
what happens if you restart the router ? will it reaquire the wireless connections right away ?
seems that the router might be the problem

 

[JAWS1]

kursplat, yes I believe you're right. The Lan does get cut temporarily, more like an interuption, and yes it does come back on and establish the connection, sometimes right away, and sometimes not. I was just hoping that the 3com or the 3com port A, like a USB, could be left hot at shutdown or startup, with a change in the Registry, or BIOS or, somethiing. But I guess not. Thanks for your input tho. JAWS

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"there is a limited class of problems for which threads are a good solution, your problem is almost certainly not among them -- no matter what your problem is."
''Anandtech.com subscriber : An endangered species".

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I believe you're right here too. To bad too, because Forums are really a good thing. I don't think I would have ventured into all the stuff I have on my "own" with computers etc. ect., without knowing there was somewhere I could turn for help and not go broke in the process.

 

[kursplat]

have you writen us robotics about this ? can't hurt.
good luck