A little background - I have a desktop computer with Windows ME that can't connect to the internet. Before we went on vacation everything was fine. I know we had some storms while we were gone, and when we returned home, the computer seemed like it was responding funny, so I removed some spyware and adware using Spybot and Adaware. Since then I can't get on the internet - I usually use Firefox(and it doesn't work either), but IE was giving me the error - cannot find server or DNS error. I have 2 laptops that I connect to the internet using the same modem - wirelessly - and they are working fine. My wife has used the modem to connect to her work laptop with an ethernet cable, so I think the cable and the modem are working ok.

I've searched the net for solutions and have tried quite a few already including attempting to edit the registry and I ran some Winsock fixes. No luck so far.

If anyone could help I'd really appreciate it. I don't know if my network card is bad, or if I have something configured wrong, or if I removed something that I still need when I removed the spyware. I've tried so many things already, I don't really know where to start again.

Thanks !

I know that Zone Alarm recently broke many internet connections for Windows XP and if you are using an old version of that software that may be the source of your problem.

I already disabled and then uninstalled ZonePro in some previous recovery attempts. Thanks, tho.

This may be a dumb question, but when I plug an ethernet cable into my laptop, I see some lights on the cable connector. When I plug the cable into my desktop, there are no lights lit. Is that an indicator something is not working ? When I choose My Computer->Properties->Device Manager and check the Network Adapters, it says the device is working properly. ???????????

try this and tell us what the output is.

open command prompt
type: ipconfig
press enter

that'll display

Windows IP Configuration

the network adapter

Connection-specific DNS Suffix

IP Address

Subnet Mask

Default Gateway

Ethernet adapter:

Media Status....................Disconnected

IP Address.......................0.0.0.0

Subnet Mask....................0.0.0.0

Default Gateway..............

I've tried quite a few things, but can't get an IP Address.

first thing is to look in device manager and see if the network adapter is installed and working.

When I choose My Computer->Properties->Device Manager and check the Network Adapters, it says the device is working properly.

is the network cable your wife to connected her laptop the same as the one you're using to connect? if not then please try a different cable.

are y'all connected to the modem or to a router?

I'm currently trying with the same cable my wife used, just to be sure.

Modem - Westell Versalink 327W

Your network card may be damaged; try to open the case, take it out, look for any visible defects, and if not, then reseat it properly and see what happens.

I took the case off the computer and found a lot of dust, but nothing obvious to me as far as damage goes. I tried to reseat the card to make sure it was in the slot. Put it all back together and rebooted, but still not working.

Question - when I uncheck the box for Detect Connection to Network Media in the IP Address tab of the TCP/IP properties, I get an IP address, but it's 169.254.141.248. Does that mean anything to anyone ?

Would I be having these type of problems if I somehow messed up setting up a network ? I attempted at one time to set up a network so the computers could share a printer. I decided that I didn't have the proper equipment to complete the network, so I never set it up. Prior to that, each computer - the 2 laptops and 1 desktop were just sharing the same ISP - they were not on a network. Could it be as easy as just having some wrong configurations somewhere ? Or is it more likely I have hardware problems ?

Thanks.

that ip is an internal ip that windows sets when no automatic routine (DHCP) has been able to assign a routable ip address. it should mean that the network adapter is functioning but can't connect to any network like your isp.

try this.
command prompt
type:
ipconfig /release
press enter
when that finishes type:
ipconfig /renew
press enter

see if that gives an ip other than 169.xxx.xxx

When I tried the renew command, I got DHCP server not available. Keep in mind I unchecked the box for Detect Connection to Network Media in the IP Address tab of the TCP/IP properties. If I check that box and reboot, I get media disconnected for the IP address.

i used to have to do this.

in network properties uncheck:
Client for Microsoft Networks
File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks (if there)
TCP/IP

Restart Windows

back into network Properties
click the install button
click Client, choose Client for Microsoft Networks, click ok
if you want to network your computers it's Services, File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
do the same for Protocol, TCP/IP

OK out of network properties and windows should ask to restart. do that and see if that works.

Tried all those steps, but still the same result. Thanks for trying to help.

at this point i'd say to change yout network card. first remove the exixting one from device manager.

I'll give it a shot. Thanks.

Anybody out there still want to help solve this problem ?

I ended up taking the desktop in and replaced the network card. The guy who fixed it said it was now working and he was able to get on the internet with it. But here at home, I still can't get a web page to load. It tries for a while, but I eventually get the same error - cannot find server or DNS error.

At least now when I do an IPCONFIG or WINIPCFG, I see a valid IP address: 192.168.1.43.

One other strange thing. If my ethernet cable is connected to the E2 slot on the modem, but not connected to the desktop itself, my 2 laptops can access the network wirelessly. Once I connect the cable to the desktop, I lose my wireless connection - it goes to local only - no internet. Makes no sense to me, but maybe someone out there recognizes what's going on ? Do I have a network that's messed up and doesn't recognize the desktop ? This seems very strange to me.

Thanks.

are you connected with network cable and usb cable?

i'm rusty with winme. right click the network neighborhood, click properties. how many network connections are listed?

hi just a hunch, if you go to control panel then network conections are the relevent conections abbled, have a look as i said just a hunch mike

I've got a Client for Microsoft Network, my Realtek Ethernet Adapter and a TCP/IP.

I'm connected with an ethernet cable only.

start from scratch

power is connected
phone line is connected
pots filters are in place
ethernet cable is connected
been through the setup/configuration in the connection software.

Not sure what you mean by that last statement. Is that going to the website for the modem ? I'm suspicious that may be where the problem lies. Someone from Verizon set it up through my laptop.

it may be setup but you may need to login and that's done thru the pppoe connection software. i don't know what pppoe software verizon uses but as long as one computer is connected (logged in) the connection should be good for all on your network.

have you run the installation cd from verizon?

this is dsl?

i had dsl a few years back but never winme but winme is the same as win98se in features. maybe the problem is i'm trying to dance with the stars with miss piggy as a partner.

I hear ya.

This computer(the desktop) was connected to Verizon DSL before and was working fine. Then all of a sudden I couldn't get a webpage to load. And now I can't find the Verizon installation CD.

I can try checking with Verizon support to see if they can help. I got very frustrated with them a month or so back, so I haven't called them again.

I am not acquainted with ME at all, but try this:

In command mode type:
PING 127.0.0.1

If properly configured computer will return an immediate response.

What do you get?

I'll give it a shot here in a little bit. Like I said before - once I hook up the desktop, the laptops quit working and the wife is online right now... :-)

Interesting. You say this all started when you booted up immediately after returning from vacation, and the desktop was the only computer directly plugged in to the electric service of the house? Suspicious. BTW - when you took the unit in to the repair service, did you actually see the computer running the interntet, or did the technician only TELL you that it worked for him?

He only told me he had been on the internet with it.

Just wanted to post one final note. FINALLY got someone from Verizon to send me a new modem and everything is working well now. Makes me wonder if I really needed a new NIC, but oh well. At least I'm back online with all the computers.

Thanks to everyone who tried to help and made suggestions.

Glad that you sorted it out, and thanks for the feedback.