Re: Windows XP: 100 mbit connection gives no connectivity; 10 mbit ok



In article <1161872159.247604.286530@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
"Paul" <pflammertsma@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
The following problem has had me stumped for the past few days. I have
two Windows XP SP2 machines hooked up to a 10/100 mbit router to the
internet. The machine I'm writing this from is hooked up just fine with
a 100 mbit connection.

The other machine, however, has some problems. The on-board 10/100 mbit
NIC has worked previously, but no longer works since I reinstalled the
computer for my father. I have a completely new installation of Windows
-- as fresh as you can imagine -- but the network would not work. I
first tried acquiring an IP address automatically, which, after about 5
long minutes of acquiring, returned the following:

IP: 169.254.158.74
Gateway: 255.255.0.0

This seems to be in the domain of the standard settings if Windows uses
when it can't reach the DHCP server. But as we know, the server is
working fine since I'm using it as I type this message. I believe that
connecting to the DHCP fails for some reason, perhaps because of the
line speed (?).

The router is set up such that it *should* be:

Gateway (router's IP): 10.0.0.2
Subnet mask: 255.0.0.0
DNS (router's IP): 10.0.0.2

Just to be sure, I checked the status of the LAN here, and these are
indeed the settings we should be using.

Using the incorrectly appointed IP address above of course results in
XP telling me I have 'limited or no connectivity', I can only send
packets while no packets are received, and the network connection does
zilch, i.e.: the computer cannot be seen nor can it see others.

If I configure the network manually, using the proper settings, a
network connection is made and Windows says everything is hunky-dory.
However, once again, no packets are received from the router and the
network connection still does zilch; Windows just doesn't know it.

To my surprise, if I *only* change the line speed from 100 mbits to 10
mbits (either full or half, neither makes a difference) everything
works like a charm, even getting an IP via DHCP.

I've also tested the cable using a laptop; 100 mbits full-duplex works
perfectly fine.

The NIC device used uses the Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet
chipset with driver version 5.649.615.2006 (most recent as of this
message). It may be worth mentioning that I've tried resetting WinSock
2 (which wouldn't have been necessary anyway, since I just reinstalled
XP) and IPv6 is *not* installed.

You've done some good troubleshooting to isolate the problem, Paul.

Connecting successfully at 10 mbit but not at 100 mbit usually means
that something in the network hardware is substandard. An improperly
wired cable is the most common problem that I've seen.

If the same cable and router port work OK with another computer, that
points to the Realtek NIC as the likely culprit. Try connecting that
NIC using a different cable and different router port.

If nothing else works, consider installing a second network adapter.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
.



Relevant Pages

  • Re: Trying (Unsuccessfully) to Network Two Computers Together
    ... Connected to the DSL modem is a Linksys router that ... >which is a Windows XP Pro desktop computer. ... for Microsoft Networks (Local Area Connection - Properties), ... On XP Home, and on XP Pro with Simple File Sharing enabled, make sure that the ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Work Offline Error Message Even When Im Online
    ... cable modem connected to a Linksys Wireless G Router. ... You don't mention the version of Windows you are using, ... Power Management adjustments to stop connection loss: ... The usual explanation is that the DSL software is PPPoE which only provides ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: [SLE] Home network problem
    ... > I have one PC running Windows 2k. ... This then connects to a D-Link 504 modem router via ... > via my broadband connection from the router. ... router it is quite safe to dissable the SuSE firewall. ...
    (SuSE)
  • Re: OT: ADSL safe practices and setting up a home network
    ... Can anyone give me some good novice references for what is required for a safe connection in the way of cable modems, routers, hardware firewalls, and how this is all connected? ... get you a modem and wired and wireless router for about $50. ... It is either MacOS or some version of Windows. ... The router I was able to configure simply using my browser. ...
    (Fedora)
  • Re: dial-up and wireless networking
    ... We are not able to get a high speed internet connection in my rural ... If you have a dial-up ... >>is currently available in Windows XP, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows ... > router with WiFi, or a dial-up router plus a wireless access point. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)