Re: Unable to Connect. What Now?

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

pixsnap@xxxxxxxx wrote:
Came back from trip to discover that Dell C610 laptop could no longer
access the web on my home network.
Tried wireless; tried ethernet...no luck! (Network is otherwise OK--
even supplying hotspot to next door neighbor.)
Phoned ISP (Comcast) and after various attempts at ipconfig (yielding
169.etc.) they concluded that the network card (built-on MB) was shot.
Cost to replace MB exceeds value of machine.

Is there such a thing as a portable network card (perhaps card bus or
USB) that allows the machine to bypass its own card and gain a valid
IP address?


Absolutely. In answer to your actual question, you can buy a USB wireless adapter for very little money. However, the fact that you can't connect with ethernet OR wireless makes me think something else is wrong since the ethernet adapter and the wireless adapter are separate devices. Both are on the motherboard of course, and if the motherboard itself is going just buying a new wireless adapter isn't going to help. You might want to see if your computer will connect to anyone else's network (via ethernet or wireless) to see if the issue is on your laptop or on your home network equipment.

I question the information you got from Comcast. They aren't really authoritative when it comes to computer troubleshooting. I'd take the machine to a local computer shop/person (not a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place) and have them look at it for you. It might be something really simple that will be apparent to someone skilled who can see the machine.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
.

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