Why are my wireless computers working but my computer connected to the router isn’t?

bcsurfclub asked:


I have had a router installed for over two years and my two computers that are wireless work fine. The computer that is directly connected to the router will not enable me to connect to the internet. My internet service provider indicated it was due to my IP address. I’ve powered down my modem multiple times and still no luck. Also, the IP address starts with 169.254 which my internet provider says is the problem. FInally, I connected this computer directly to the modem and it still did not work, leading me to believe this is an IP address issue. Any suggestions?
Can you advise as to how I can check the modem to see if there are still any DHCP address left for it to hand out. Also, how to check if the DHCP server can hand out IP addresses to the wired computers, not just to the wireless computers. Thanks.

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4 Comments so far

  1. pete_can_do on September 21st, 2008

    Check the modem to see if there are still any DHCP address left for it to hand out. Check if the DHCP server can hand out IP addresses to the wired computers, not just to the wireless computers.
    Check if you can have both a wireless and a wired connection at the same time (some modems will only allow one type of connection). Check if your network card is installed properly. Check if the cable is still good, swap it with a different cable if you can.

  2. dewcoons on September 23rd, 2008

    If you are getting a 169.254.xxx.xxx address, that means that the router for some reason is not giving your PC an IP address.

    Check the router to be sure that DHCP (that is the protocol that gives out IP addresses) is enabled, andhas a large enough range of numbers to hold all the computers connected. (You can’t connect 10 PCs with a range of only 9 numbers). Reboot.

    If you still do not get an IP address, you can go in and manual give the PC an IP address. Go into the Network Neighborhood and right click on your network card. Assign it an IP with the first three numbers the same the numbers in your router’s address (not the ISP’s modem). Subnet mask is 255.255.255.0. Default gateway should be your router’s IP address. Also set the DNS server to the router’s IP address.

    It should work after that.

  3. Matthew R on September 24th, 2008

    Make sure you are not plugging in to the WAN port. That port should connect your router to your modem.

  4. Doug H on September 28th, 2008

    If you want it fixed follow these steps IT WiLL WORK

    STEP 1. first download and run winsockXPfix here:

    after the reboot try your internet. If it fails proceed to step 2.

    STEP 2. Go to one of the laptops that have internet connectivity
    and view the ip address settings.
    (StartRuntype cmdEntertype ipconfigenter)
    write down the values for:
    IP Address
    Subnet Mask
    Default Gateway
    Turn off the laptop
    go to the problem computer and assign a static IP address
    using the values that you wrote down. here’s how:
    StartRuntype control panelEnterNetwork
    Connections right clic on the local are connection icon
    clic properties. Highlight Internet Protocol TCP/IP
    clic properties
    enter the values that you wrote down.
    ALSO check the box use the following DNS server address
    enter the sme value that you used for default gateway into
    the Preferred DNS Server box
    Click OK
    wait for a munute and try your internet.
    if it fails proceed to step 3
    STEP 3. replace the CAT 5 network cable
    try the internet
    if it fails proceed to step 4
    STEP 4. replace the network interface device (card)
    try the internet
    if it fails repeat step 2
    If that fails send me an email and we can have a good cry!

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