Need a networking expert.

[Mavrick]

Had a problem just crop up on my PC running Windows XP. I have a wifi USB adapter that I connect to a hotspot with for my internet connection, I then share my connection to the eithernet card for connection to my receiver. The problem is the nic card keeps flashing..........."A NETWORK CABLE IS UNPLUGGED" but the cable is plugged-in just fine.

Things I have tried........

1 - Ran the same cable to my mac and it works great so I know it's not the cable.
2 - I also tried changing the card on the PC but no difference with a different (but same) card.
3 - Tried manually assigning an IP to the card instead of Auto but no difference with that.
4 - Tried to "Repair" the connection but that does nothing, also tried to disable and enable connection but no-go.
5 - Also tried updating the driver but that made no difference.
6 - Tried IPCONFIG/RELEASE & IPCONFIG/RENEW but that did nothing.
7 - Downloaded the WinsockxpFix and ran it but that didn't help.

In the Network Connections window the LAN Connection flashes between "A network card is unplugged" and "Acquiring network address" so it almost looks like the card is not getting an IP address assigned to it but I'm not sure

Any ideas, I am totally at a loss why this started happening or how to fix it???

[Terryl]

To do this you may need a CAT5 (or CAT 6) cross over cable as the receiver is not a switch or a true network device like a modem, the cross over cables are orange so you can’t get them mixed up with the normal ones.

You could also try a network switch if you have one laying around, go from the NIC to the switch then to the receiver, also the card does not supply IP address’s so you will have to fix the IP address of the receiver.

[Mavrick]

Thanks Terry, but I am using a crossover cable. This is not a new set-up, been running fine for 2 years, it just started doing this and I can't figure out why?

[Terryl]

Didnt download any new drivers or a XP update did you?

And I assume you still have a internet connection on that PC?

[Terryl]

I can also recommend a program called "Network Majic" it's not free but it works, it can diagnose any network problem and help you fix it.

[Mavrick]

Didnt download any new drivers or a XP update did you?

Not that I am aware of.


And I assume you still have a internet connection on that PC?

Yes, my wifi works fine, but it seems that the card is not getting an IP address assigned to it.............I think??

Even when no wifi adapter is connected to the PC the LAN connection still flashes "A network cable is unplugged"

[Terryl]

You have gone to the cards “(TCP/IP) Properties” and assigned the fixed IP address and 255.255.255.0 to the subnet mask, or the same one as the WIFI USB device's subnet mask?

Do the same in the “Alternate Configuration” tab, and select “User configured” then enter the same in all spaces .

Use the IP address of the USB WIFI card as the “Default Gateway” in both.

[Mavrick]

Ok, I will try that.

I'm just trying your Network Majic, they had a free trial.......

[barry_allen]

i was wondering about the downloading too. such as a windows update.

would a system restore to a previous time help?

Terryl has given more technical advice than i could have come up with.

[Terryl]

Cool.

Also try this as your network IP log could be full of junk.

Go to a command prompt and type this (exactly)...After the prompt /

netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt

This will reset the log and start clean.

[Mavrick]

You have gone to the cards “(TCP/IP) Properties” and assigned the fixed IP address and 255.255.255.0 to the subnet mask, or the same one as the WIFI USB device's subnet mask?

Do the same in the “Alternate Configuration” tab, and select “User configured” then enter the same in all spaces .

Use the IP address of the USB WIFI card as the “Default Gateway” in both.

There is no “Alternate Configuration” tab on the card, it disapears when you enter an manual-IP.

[Mavrick]

i was wondering about the downloading too. such as a windows update.

would a system restore to a previous time help?

Terryl has given more technical advice than i could have come up with.

Tried that, even did a new install of windows XP...

[Terryl]

There is no “Alternate Configuration” tab on the card, it's only on the wifi??

??????????????????????

You are looking at the TCP/IP settings on the NIC right????

There should be one if your looking in the right section.

[Terryl]

This may help.

http://www.satfix.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=5632&stc=1&d=1284353691

[Terryl]

There is no “Alternate Configuration” tab on the card, it disapears when you enter an manual-IP.

Ahhh now you tell me, try it in auto.....

[Mavrick]

??????????????????????

You are looking at the TCP/IP settings on the NIC right????

There should be one if your looking in the right section.

It's there when you first open it, but as soon as you start to enter a manual IP the “Alternate Configuration” tab disappears, so I guess you can't enter both?

I did enter the info for a manual IP and the Cable-Unplugged flashing has slowed down but it's still there. Maybe we are getting close?

[Mavrick]

Ahhh now you tell me, try it in auto.....

In Auto I can get there (you can't enter manually in both tabs), what do I put for DNS and WINS?

[Terryl]

Have you tried this yet? At a command prompt?


netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt

[Mavrick]

Have you tried this yet? At a command prompt?


netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt

Yes, didn't seem to do much?

Network Majic didn't help either, it seems to only be for fixing wifi, it does nothing for the card connection :(

[Terryl]

You should see the receiver connected to your PC, the PC will be connected to the router in place, does your NM map look like this?

http://www.satfix.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=5633&stc=1&d=1284354969

If so then look at your PC there should be a connection from it to the receiver.

[Mavrick]

You should see the receiver connected to your PC, the PC will be connected to the router in place, does your NM map look like this?

http://www.satfix.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=5633&stc=1&d=1284354969

If so then look at your PC there should be a connection from it to the receiver.

It looks something like that, only 4 connections. But my receiver is not showing because it's plugged into my LAN-port and the port is what's not getting an IP/connection.

[junkcollector]

I have found that most USB WiFi adapters run very hot, and because of that they don't last as long as a card adaptor. Check the temp of your adaptor, if it's hot and been running 24Hrs a day for 2 years it may be time to replace it.

[Terryl]

You dont have a network switch to try??? It may help...

[Mavrick]

I have found that most USB WiFi adapters run very hot, and because of that they don't last as long as a card adaptor. Check the temp of your adaptor, if it's hot and been running 24Hrs a day for 2 years it may be time to replace it.
The wifi adapter is working great, it's the lan-card that my receiver plugs into that not working.

[Mavrick]

You dont have a network switch to try??? It may help...

Don't know what that is or where it would be?

[Terryl]

Don't know what that is or where it would be?

Looks like one of these hummers...


http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-100-5-Port-Workgroup-Switch/dp/B002N17ZSE

Your PC would plug into it and your receiver would also plug into it, it handles the communication between the them, you would not need the X over cable.

[Mavrick]

Looks like one of these hummers...


http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-100-5-Port-Workgroup-Switch/dp/B002N17ZSE

Your PC would plug into it and your receiver would also plug into it, it handles the communication between the them, you would not need the X over cable.

No, nothing like that.

It's a simple set-up realy........a USB wifi adapter to connect to the internet........then it's shared to the LAN card......then receiver is plugged into the LAN card.......done. This has worked for 2 years but for some reason it started acting up and I can't figure out why, I have replaced everything in the system and still no-go, it has to be a setting somewhere that is not allowing the LAN card to get/keep an IP.

[Mavrick]

Think I might have found the problem, will up-date when I get home and test it out.........

[Terryl]

Cool,

I dropped off line last night due to satellite ISP problems, it happens up here a lot.

Waiting for your report.

[Mavrick]

Sadly.........still no dice :(


Ok, here is something I just realized....... when I just turn my PC on but do not start-up any wifi (don't even plug the wifi adapter in), don't turn on ICS, don't do anything but plug-in the cable that connects to my receiver, I still get the LAN card flashing......"A network cable is unplugged/Accuiring network address" message. So this gets me thinking that it has nothing to do with IP-conflicts or anything like that, maybe a hardware problem like my motherboard is going bad. I tried a different LAN card and got the same thing.......?

[oak]

Just a thought....in the past I've had to make sure I only had one connection enabled in control panel>>>network connections. Sometimes I've had to disable/enable a connection to get it to work.

[JCO]

Sadly.........still no dice :(


Ok, here is something I just realized....... when I just turn my PC on but do not start-up any wifi (don't even plug the wifi adapter in), don't turn on ICS, don't do anything but plug-in the cable that connects to my receiver, I still get the LAN card flashing......"A network cable is unplugged/Accuiring network address" message. So this gets me thinking that it has nothing to do with IP-conflicts or anything like that, maybe a hardware problem like my motherboard is going bad. I tried a different LAN card and got the same thing.......?

Umm whats the status on that lan card in device manager..Could be its disabled or a bad driver..

[Terryl]

Sadly.........still no dice :(


Ok, here is something I just realized....... when I just turn my PC on but do not start-up any wifi (don't even plug the wifi adapter in), don't turn on ICS, don't do anything but plug-in the cable that connects to my receiver, I still get the LAN card flashing......"A network cable is unplugged/Accuiring network address" message. So this gets me thinking that it has nothing to do with IP-conflicts or anything like that, maybe a hardware problem like my motherboard is going bad. I tried a different LAN card and got the same thing.......?

ICK dont think that....Bad MB is a big bummer...

Try this, remove the WIFI device and re-start the PC, then go to control panel and set your NIC to a fixed IP address with out anything connected to it, then re-boot the PC.

See if the NIC's IP address stays, if it does the power down and re-insert the WIFI card, power up and see what happens.

[Mavrick]

ICK dont think that....Bad MB is a big bummer...

Try this, remove the WIFI device and re-start the PC, then go to control panel and set your NIC to a fixed IP address with out anything connected to it, then re-boot the PC.

See if the NIC's IP address stays, if it does the power down and re-insert the WIFI card, power up and see what happens.

If you mean in the network connections, yes it does keep the IP I gave it after re-booting. But that IP does not show up in IPCONFIG/ALL CMD window?
And it still says "A network cable is unplugged" but it's not flashing anymore, the LAN connection is just sitting there with a red X ?

[Terryl]

Soirry,

yes go to network connections and select the NIC, (click once on it, it will turn blue) then on the left top menu look for "change settings of this connection" then select TCP/IP and enter the IP address, subnet group and gateway IP address (use the IP address of the USB interface) exit out and re-boot, go back and see if it is saved.

[Mavrick]

Soirry,

yes go to network connections and select the NIC, (click once on it, it will turn blue) then on the left top menu look for "change settings of this connection" then select TCP/IP and enter the IP address, subnet group and gateway IP address (use the IP address of the USB interface) exit out and re-boot, go back and see if it is saved.

It does save the IP I gave it after the re-boot but as soon as I plug the wifi adapter in it loses the IP and goes back to auto.

[Terryl]

Ahhhh you have them bridged right?

Try it again with out them bridged, it may work out, if the IP address is saved then try re-bridging them again.

[Mavrick]

Ahhhh you have them bridged right?

Try it again with out them bridged, it may work out, if the IP address is saved then try re-bridging them again.

Nope, no bridge. I just turned the PC on and plugged in the wifi adapter, that's it. There was nothing to bridge together until I pluged in the adapter.

I gave the NIC the IP (192.168.0.1) if that matters at-all?

[Terryl]

Try a different one, in the same range as the USB device.

Also what is the sub net mask of the USB device?

The 2 interfaces must be in the same sub net mask.

[Mavrick]

Ok. here is something strange, no matter what IP I give the NIC, when I try to enable the ICS it gives me this message.......

"An error occured while Internet Connection Sharing was being enabled. Internet Connection Sharing cannot be enabled, a LAN connection is already configured with the IP address that is required for automatic IP addressing".

This does not make sense as the IP of the adapter is 192.168.0.103 and I gave the NIC 192.168.0.146 (and they both had the same sub net mask) ?



The info of the adapter in IPCONFIG is......

IP = 192.168.0.103
Sub = 255.255.255.0
Gate = 192.168.0.1
DHCP = 192.168.0.1
DNS Servr = 192.168.0.1

[Terryl]

OK it time for me to go pull out the big book.

Also what version XP are you using and what service pack is in it.

[Mavrick]

XP Professional, Version 2002.

Service Pack 3

[Terryl]

Check this,

Go to control panel, select the "Administative tools" double click on the services tab, then look down the list to see if the "Internet Connection Sharing" service is running, if not then set it to auto and re-start it.

[Mavrick]

Check this,

Go to control panel, select the "Administative tools" double click on the services tab, then look down the list to see if the "Internet Connection Sharing" service is running, if not then set it to auto and re-start it.

There is no "Internet Connection Sharing" on the list?

[Terryl]

Ahhh HAA we found the problem, there has to be an Internet sharing in the list that is why your not getting it to work.

Now we have to find out where it went or how to get it back.

Let me do some reading on this.

[Terryl]

OK you must run the "Network setup wizard" plug in the USB device and run the wizard, follow the steps to enable the shared network connection on your PC.

This should install and start the ICS service.

[Mavrick]

OK you must run the "Network setup wizard" plug in the USB device and run the wizard, follow the steps to enable the shared network connection on your PC.

This should install and start the ICS service.

Lol.......I have tried to run the wizard about 20 times, it gets almost done then gives me an error saying it can't complete the set-up and to contact my network admin.

I'm going to bring a different PC home tomorrow and try that one, that should tell me if it's some kind of hardware failure on my current PC.........I hope.

[Terryl]

Have you checked for Trojans or Malware?

Sounds like a denial of service type thinngy...

[Mavrick]

Have you checked for Trojans or Malware?

Sounds like a denial of service type thinngy...

Yes, that crossed my mind as-well, so I did a System restore to a month ago when all was well and it made no difference. I then did a totaly freash install of the OS and again no difference, that is why I am leaning to some kind of a hardware failure.

I set this up 2 years ago when I knew even less about networks than I do now and it was not this hard. I'm only sharing my wifi connection through my PC to my receiver, it's not that complicated of a set-up but this has me scratching my head...........

[santana007]

Yes, that crossed my mind as-well, so I did a System restore to a month ago when all was well and it made no difference. I then did a totaly freash install of the OS and again no difference, that is why I am leaning to some kind of a hardware failure.

I set this up 2 years ago when I knew even less about networks than I do now and it was not this hard. I'm only sharing my wifi connection through my PC to my receiver, it's not that complicated of a set-up but this has me scratching my head...........

This is the link to Microsoft for ICS using Windows XP, SP3:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306126

Have you tried this procedure? Unless I missed something, you don't need to run a network setup wizard on the host computer, only on the client but that doesn't apply here. I've got 2 or 3 of computers here that have wifi cards and NIC's. One runs XP and a laptop with Vista. If you like, I'll try an ICS setup and see what I can come up with unless you've already fixed it.

[santana007]

Well I got it working with the laptop using Vista. Had to enable the LAN card first. Then right click on the Wireless Network Connection-->Properties-->Sharing (TAB)-->"Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection". ONLY THAT.
The LAN card has an IP address of 192.168.0.1, Subnet of 255.255.255.0, No DHCP or Gateway assignment. This IP address of the LAN card is assigned when ICS is configured on the Wireless Internet Connection. The Nfusion was assigned an IP address of 192.168.000.009 (0's can be omitted) through DCHP, subnet 255.255.255.000, Gateway of 192.168.000.001 (LAN card address).

Hope some of this helps. Will try again later with desktop using XP.

[Mavrick]

This is the link to Microsoft for ICS using Windows XP, SP3:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306126

Have you tried this procedure? Unless I missed something, you don't need to run a network setup wizard on the host computer, only on the client but that doesn't apply here. I've got 2 or 3 of computers here that have wifi cards and NIC's. One runs XP and a laptop with Vista. If you like, I'll try an ICS setup and see what I can come up with unless you've already fixed it.

Yes, I have tried to enable ICS manualy but this is the message I get.......

"An error occured while Internet Connection Sharing was being enabled. Internet Connection Sharing cannot be enabled, a LAN connection is already configured with the IP address that is required for automatic IP addressing".

[Terryl]

Try the "netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt" thing again, it will clear the IP log in your PC and start fresh, then try the ICS manually, you have to have the ICS service running in order to get the ICS to work, with out that you can’t share the connection.

I don’t think its hardware as the ICS service doesn’t show up in the list, that is a must.

One other thing it could be is the WIFI router has already assigned an IP address in that range to something else in the system, thus your getting the conflict, you can try another range of private IP's, something in the 10.0.0.0 range.

[santana007]

The steps in XP are slightly different. Open Network Connections and right click on Wireless Network Connection-->Properties-->ADVANCED tab-->"Allow others network users...etc,etc". A pop up may appear saying "Local Area Connection is now connected". Then right click on Local Area Connection-->Status-->Support tab. IP address will be 192.168.0.1, etc same as previous instructions. The IP address of the Nfusion will be like something before.
In both cases I had to restart the Nfusion with the remote and no Network Setup Wizard on the computer was needed. The LAN (NIC) card needs to be enabled and the WIFI card needs to be connected to the Internet.
Another aspect in all this is that the Windows OS should handle the wireless network card setup and not the software that came with the card. At least that's been my experience for making it work the best. This can be achieved by right click on My Computer-->Manage-->open Services and Applications-->Services-->Wireless Zero Configuration. This service needs to be started and set to Automatic.

[santana007]

Yes, I have tried to enable ICS manualy but this is the message I get.......

"An error occured while Internet Connection Sharing was being enabled. Internet Connection Sharing cannot be enabled, a LAN connection is already configured with the IP address that is required for automatic IP addressing".

There is an IP Address conflict on your system. That is another card or network interface has 192.168.0.1. Check in Network Connections and see what the IP addresses of all connections shown are. If there is a duplicate LAN connection shown, disable it.

[Terryl]

Ahhhh Haaa .......Its a bug in SP3 and MS knows about it, looky at this article..


http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951446

[Mavrick]

Ahhhh Haaa .......Its a bug in SP3 and MS knows about it, looky at this article..


http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951446


Thanks Terry, this sounds like it might help but at what stage are you supose to do it?

Remember, my issues start right after my PC boots-up and all I do is plug in the network cable that goes to the receiver, the flashing message starts "A network cable is unplugged/Accuiring a network address"........I have not plugged in my wifi adapter in yet, connected to the internet yet, or tried to enable ICS yet, but get this message right off the bat?

[santana007]

Ahhhh Haaa .......Its a bug in SP3 and MS knows about it, looky at this article..


http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951446

In my case I disabled the wifi card. Picture froze on Nfusion i.e. lost connectivity to Internet. Enabled wifi card. Nfusion started to work.

Removing and reconnecting the Ethernet cable does not apply since it is the WIFI card that is Enabled for ICS, not the LAN (NIC) card.

Then I allowed the LAN card to get an address automatically. That screwed everything up. Changed the address to 192.168.1.2; Still screwed up. In both cases the Nfusion could not get an IP address. Changed the LAN card back to 192.168.0.1, reboot Computer, reboot Nfusion in that order and Bingo, everything working again. So if the LAN that is connected to the Nfusion does not get an IP address of 192.168.0.1, the Nfusion will not get a valid IP address and will not work.

Does any of this help?

[santana007]

Thanks Terry, this sounds like it might help but when are you supose to do it?

What is the IP address being assigned to the USB WIFI adapter? Does the receiver get an IP address and if so what is it?

[santana007]

Thanks Terry, this sounds like it might help but at what stage are you supose to do it?

Remember, my issues start right after my PC boots-up and all I do is plug in the network cable that goes to the receiver, the flashing message starts "A network cable is unplugged/Accuiring a network address"........I have not plugged in my wifi adapter in yet, connected to the internet yet, or tried to enable ICS yet, but get this message right off the bat?

When I allowed the NIC card to acquire an IP address automatically, I got the same error message. Do you know how to set the IP address manually, that means a fixed IP address of 192.168.0.1?

[Terryl]

OK lets do this, disable the LAN card, the connect the WIFI USB, re-boot, then see if you can enable the ICS for just the WIFI, if you get on the internet and ICS is found under the services then re-enable the LAN card.

This may help, look at it via control panel.

http://www.satfix.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=5649&stc=1&d=1284491455

[Mavrick]

OK lets do this, disable the LAN card, the connect the WIFI USB, re-boot, then see if you can enable the ICS for just the WIFI, if you get on the internet and ICS is found under the services then re-enable the LAN card.

This may help, look at it via control panel.

http://www.satfix.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=5649&stc=1&d=1284491455

It does not allow you to enable ICS with the LAN card disabled (the option is not there)

[Mavrick]

When I allowed the NIC card to acquire an IP address automatically, I got the same error message. Do you know how to set the IP address manually, that means a fixed IP address of 192.168.0.1?

Ok, I gave the NIC card the IP 192.168.0.1 IP manualy, then I tried to enable ICS and got this message..........

"An error occurred while Internet Connection Sharing was being enabled. Internet Connection Sharing cannot be enabled, a LAN connection is already configured with the IP address that is required for automatic IP addressing".

Plus, after I tried to enabe ICS it wiped-out the 192.168.0.1 I manual gave the LAN card and returned it back to auto.

[Terryl]

It does not allow you to enable ICS with the LAN card disabled (the option is not there)

How about with the card enabled?

And try the IP address of 10.122.200.2 for your NIC,(or LAN card) that is another range of private IP address's.

You could have another IP address in the other range (192.168.0.1) used somewhere else by the WIFI router and your getting the error at your end due to an IP conflict.

[Mavrick]

Ok, this is a new one...........

I gave the LAN IP 192.168.0.1
I enabled the ICS.
I connected to the hotspot with my wifi adapter. Wifi adapter got IP 192.168.0.103
My receiver is now getting an IP 192.168.0.199

But neith my receiver (off service) or my PC (server not found) can get online :(

This is where I can run the Winsockxpfix and get my PC back on-line but I will loses everything else.

[Terryl]

Try 192.168.0.254 for grins and giggles....

[Mavrick]

Try 192.168.0.254 for grins and giggles....

On what.........?

[santana007]

Ok, this is a new one...........

I gave the LAN IP 192.168.0.1
I enabled the ICS.
I connected to the hotspot with my wifi adapter. Wifi adapter got IP 192.168.0.103
My receiver is now getting an IP 192.168.0.199

But neith my receiver (off service) or my PC (server not found) can get online :(

This is where I can run the Winsockxpfix and get my PC back on-line but I will loses everything else.

Which adapter or card are you trying to setup ICS on?

[Mavrick]

How about with the card enabled?

And try the IP address of 10.122.200.2 for your NIC,(or LAN card) that is another range of private IP address's.

You could have another IP address in the other range (192.168.0.1) used somewhere else by the WIFI router and your getting the error at your end due to an IP conflict.

Ok, gave the NIC this IP and got back online with PC but receiver lost the ip and will not get it back.

[Mavrick]

Which adapter or card are you trying to setup ICS on?

My receiver is plugged into the LAN card on my PC, so I'm trying to share my LAN card, and connect to the internet via wifi.

[santana007]

My receiver is plugged into the LAN card on my PC, so I'm trying to share my LAN card, and connect to the internet via wifi.

That is incorrect. ICS must be set up on your USB WIFI adapter. Not on the NIC. Disable ICS on the NIC and configure the NIC to get an IP address automatically. Then set up ICS on the USB WIFI adapter.

[Mavrick]

That is incorrect. ICS must be set up on your USB WIFI adapter. Not on the NIC. Disable ICS on the NIC and configure the NIC to get an IP address automatically. Then set up ICS on the USB WIFI adapter.

Sorry, I meant that I am trying to share my wifi connection.

[Mavrick]

Wow, I was getting close there for a second but after I gave the LAN card the 10.122.200.2 IP I lost everything, now I'm back to the flashing "a network cable is unplugged" message.

[sump]

Question what is the Ip address of the wifi ?

also the Router that is feeding the WIFI what is the address of it ?


you must have 2 different "networks" for this to work



In ICS the adapter is assigned the IP automatically ..192.168.0.1 ...because you can also choose to use DHCP and so when ICS gives out IPS the address 192.168.0.1becomes the default gateway and the DNS on the "network" card side.

if the router on the WIFI side is using 192.168.0.anything it will not work

[santana007]

Sorry, I meant that I am trying to share my wifi connection.

Setting up ICS on the USB stick will automatically assign the address 192.168.0.1 to the NIC. You don't have to assign this manually. As I said previous, configure the NIC to get an address automatically. Please go through the set up process again and the NIC will get the above mentioned address. If you get that error message where it says it can't assign the 192.168.0.1 address, then something else, somewhere else already has that address and you need to resolve the conflict. I remember doing this before when ftatalk was up and the person was tapping into a nearby hotspot. If you don't have control of the hotspot then something else in the network may already have the 192.168.0.1 address.

[Terryl]

Go back to the 192.168.0. XXX for the NIC, and use something in the 201 to 254 range at the end.

[Mavrick]

Go back to the 192.168.0. XXX for the NIC, and use something in the 201 to 254 range at the end.

Ok, gave NIC 192.168.0.222, the NIC seems happy now (no more flashing message and it says connected), ICS is enabled on the wifi and seems happy, but now can't get online with the PC and the receiver can't get an IP even tho I am connected to the Hotspot?

[sump]

Question what is the Ip address of the wifi ?

also the Router (hot spot) that is feeding the WIFI what is the address of it ?

[Mavrick]

Question what is the Ip address of the wifi ?

also the Router (hot spot) that is feeding the WIFI what is the address of it ?


The wifi is getting IP 192.168.0.103
NIC is getting IP 192.168.0.222

That's all the info I can get from IPCONFIG/ALL



I downloaded a Winsockxpfix off the web, I know if I run it my PC will re-boot and I will get my PC back online but will lose the NIC IP and ICS and will be back to the flashing "cable unplugged" message again.

[sump]

does u own the router of the "hot spot "

[Mavrick]

No, it's a "Free Public Wifi" connection.

[sump]

i believe the issue is that the HOTSPOT is using the

NETWORK 192.168.0.0 and so THEIR router more than likely is/has IP address 192.168.0.1 and that is the conflict

[Mavrick]

i believe the issue is that the HOTSPOT is using the

NETWORK 192.168.0.0 and so THEIR router more than likely is/has IP address 192.168.0.1 and that is the conflict

Ok, but I don't have anything with the IP 192.168.0.1 , so where is the conflict coming from?

[sump]

you may be able to change the network card

changing the 3rd octtet to a different number


so change the NETWORK card to 192.168.1.1

then the STB would be like 192.168.1.100

the WIFI card would still need to be DHCP as it get its info from the HOTSPOT

[sump]

at some point you must tell your devices where to go if the IP address you are seeking is not "LOCAL" so that is the "default gateway" and "DNS"

PS i must run be back later ..

[Mavrick]

you may be able to change the network card

changing the 3rd octtet to a different number


so change the NETWORK card to 192.168.1.1

then the STB would be like 192.168.1.100

the WIFI card would still need to be DHCP as it get its info from the HOTSPOT

Hmmm, I'm afraid to change anything .....lol.

[Mavrick]

you may be able to change the network card

changing the 3rd octtet to a different number


so change the NETWORK card to 192.168.1.1

then the STB would be like 192.168.1.100

the WIFI card would still need to be DHCP as it get its info from the HOTSPOT

Ok, getting really close now, changed NIC to 192.168.1.1, everything is happy but my receiver's network-info will not populate at-all :frusty:

[sump]

ok .. are u still running ICS ?

[sump]

ok manually set the box
IP
192.168.1.100

sub net mask
255.255.255.0

default gateway
192.168.1.1

[Mavrick]

ok .. are u still running ICS ?

Yes, it still says it's on.....

[Mavrick]

ok manually set the box
IP
192.168.1.100

sub net mask
255.255.255.0

default gateway
192.168.1.1

That did it Sump :thumbsup: So I guess I can't use the AUTO feature anymore to populate the network info? For years my receiver always Auto-populated with.........

IP
192.168.0.XXX

sub net mask
255.255.255.0

default gateway
192.168.0.1

What the heck changed???

[sump]

I do not have an XP machine up right now .. is this a computer or laptop ?


so u are working again ?

[Mavrick]

I do not have an XP machine up right now .. is this a computer or laptop ?


so u are working again ?

Yes I am up again....finally!

I still don't really know what happened but I would like to? I have had this system set-up for a couple of years then all of a sudden things went crazy. I live in the heart of a big city so there are lots of open AP's to connect to and I have been using a number of them over the years with no issues, when I started out I just set-up ICS, connect to the AP and all was good.

I'm just trying to figure out what happened, could connecting to a AP that used a different IP config send my own network into a tail-spin?

Clearly I have some reading to do on IP's, Gateways, DNS....ect, if you know of a good website or tutorial that explains how each relates to each-other (in layman's-terms) I would love to read it so if this ever happens again I will not have to take up 7 pages of forum again to fix it........lol.

[santana007]

Yes I am up again....finally!

I still don't really know what happened but I would like to? I have had this system set-up for a couple of years then all of a sudden things went crazy. I live in the heart of a big city so there are lots of open AP's to connect to and I have been using a number of them over the years with no issues, when I started out I just set-up ICS, connect to the AP and all was good.

I'm just trying to figure out what happened, could connecting to a AP that used a different IP config send my own network into a tail-spin?

Clearly I have some reading to do on IP's, Gateways, DNS....ect, if you know of a good website or tutorial that explains how each relates to each-other (in layman's-terms) I would love to read it so if this ever happens again I will not have to take up 7 pages of forum again to fix it........lol.

I have found this one helpful:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
And within this same site go here:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/

I'm sure you will find others if you Google "wireless networking".

[Mavrick]

Just a BIG thanks to Terry, Sump, Santana and everyone else who helped me with this :)

[tester2]

Just a BIG thanks to Terry, Sump, Santana and everyone else who helped me with this :)

how did you fix your problem, if you describe little more that will help other members.

thank

[Mavrick]

how did you fix your problem, if you describe little more that will help other members.

thank

Well, as far as I can tell I was assigning my LAN card with an IP that was already being used in the network I was connecting to , so as soon as I got connected my LAN card went crazy as a warning that two devises had the same IP (the other networks I connected to in the past were not using that IP anyware so everything was fine up to then). As soon as I changed my LAN card from 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.1.1 everything seem to be fine. One thing I don't understand is why my LAN card would not assign a IP automaticly, there is a setting for that but it would not work for some reason?

As far as the Internet Connection Sharing issue........it seems that it also uses that IP and wants to configure the host computer to 192.168.0.1 when enabling, so it would not work either, but befor you connect to the internet you can enable the ICS then change the host computer's IP (192.168.1.1) so there is no longer a conflict as outlined here.......

hxxp://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=66&topicid=9625

[Terryl]

The router you’re connecting to keeps an IP log of everything it assigns an IP address to, this is done via MAC address of the network interfaces, you or your system changed something some where that conflicted with its IP log so an "IP address error" was generated.

We could have saved a bunch of time if you could have reset the router, but that was out of your hands.

This is also why I was telling you to change to a different IP address to get one that was not being used, we cleared the IP log in the PC but couldn’t in the router.

[Mavrick]

Here is a question for you network guys.......

If I have a device in my system (eg....my NIC card) that has an manually-assigned IP addresss, and I try to connect to a network that also has the same IP address assigned to a device someware, will my wifi still connect to that network?

In other words, if my NIC card is using 192.168.1.1 and I try to connect to a hot-spot and the router at the hot-spot is also using 192.168.1.1, will my wifi adapter still connect to it or will it sence the IP conflick and refuse to connect?

[santana007]

Here is a question for you network guys.......

If I have a device in my system (eg....my NIC card) that has an manually-assigned IP addresss, and I try to connect to a network that also has the same IP address assigned to a device someware, will my wifi still connect to that network?

In other words, if my NIC card is using 192.168.1.1 and I try to connect to a hot-spot and the router at the hot-spot is also using 192.168.1.1, will my wifi adapter still connect to it or will it sence the IP conflick and refuse to connect?

This is a link to another excellent site and if you read the entire article especially the last 2 or 3 paragraphs, I believe your question will be answered.


http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial37.html

And this article from Microsoft, written in plain English, also might be of interest:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Using-ICS-Internet-Connection-Sharing

[Terryl]

Here is a question for you network guys.......

If I have a device in my system (eg....my NIC card) that has an manually-assigned IP addresss, and I try to connect to a network that also has the same IP address assigned to a device someware, will my wifi still connect to that network?

In other words, if my NIC card is using 192.168.1.1 and I try to connect to a hot-spot and the router at the hot-spot is also using 192.168.1.1, will my wifi adapter still connect to it or will it sence the IP conflick and refuse to connect?

The card/adapter doesn't care, its the router that wont connect to it.

First come first served in IP address land as far as the router goes.

[Mavrick]

The card/adapter doesn't care, its the router that wont connect to it.

First come first served in IP address land as far as the router goes.

That's interesting, I have noticed that some of the hot-spots I use to always connect to will not connect anymore, the wifi adapter will not even try to connect to them, I wonder if that 192.168.1.1 address I gave my LAN is stopping those connections now?

[Terryl]

That is the base address for some other brands of routers also.

I always change the routers IP address to something other then what is factory, saves headaches...

You can try 192.168.1.111 or something like that, (anything from .2 to .254) if you had access to the router at that spot you could see what is being used, but most WIFI spots have good security on the router (I hope) to keep them from being taken over.

[sump]

glad you are sorry ..

ok it is not the 4th octtet that is/was the issue .. it is/was the third i.e.

192.168.0.0
192.168.2.0
192.168.10.0
192.168.27.0
192.168.40.0

the above is the"network" .. not valid IP's just how it is named ..

you/we were using NETWORK
192.168.0.0
192.168.1.0


in each example there are 255 addresses to use .. the 4th octet


192.168.2.0 -------
192.168.2.1 to 192.168.2.255

192.168.2.255 is a broadcast address and is not used
192.168.2.1 is commonly used as the default gateway

everything else is valid based on the subnet mask of 255.255.255.0
***********************
the issue is that it appeared to me that there were 2 routers configured with the same "network"
ICS is a software router
your hot spot is a router


the third octet needs to be different



so make your ICS network like 192.168.20.0 ... then default gate way 192.168.20.1
the subnet mask 255.255.255.0

[Mavrick]

glad you are sorry ..

ok it is not the 4th octtet that is/was the issue .. it is/was the third i.e.

192.168.0.0
192.168.2.0
192.168.10.0
192.168.27.0
192.168.40.0

the above is the"network" .. not valid IP's just how it is named ..

you/we were using NETWORK
192.168.0.0
192.168.1.0


in each example there are 255 addresses to use .. the 4th octet


192.168.2.0 -------
192.168.2.1 to 192.168.2.255

192.168.2.255 is a broadcast address and is not used
192.168.2.1 is commonly used as the default gateway

everything else is valid based on the subnet mask of 255.255.255.0
***********************
the issue is that it appeared to me that there were 2 routers configured with the same "network"
ICS is a software router
your hot spot is a router


the third octet needs to be different



so make your ICS network like 192.168.20.0 ... then default gate way 192.168.20.1
the subnet mask 255.255.255.0


But the bigger problem was.....I can't control either the HOTSPOT router or the ICS router, all I can control is my own LAN card.
And what made it worse is that I had no idea what number ICS uses when it enables, all it kept saying was....... "another device has been assigned the number ICS needs to use"?

But regardless, for the LAN card we did end up changing the third octtet to 1 (and the forth to something other than 0 or 1) and that seemed to fix the problem.

I still can't figure out why setting everything to "obtain IP address automatically" does not work anymore?

[sump]

But the bigger problem was.....I can't control either the HOTSPOT router or the ICS router, all I can control is my own LAN card.
And what made it worse is that I had no idea what number ICS uses when it enables, all it kept saying was....... "another device has been assigned the number ICS needs to use"?

But regardless, for the LAN card we did end up changing the third octtet to 1 (and the forth to something other than 0 or 1) and that seemed to fix the problem.

I still can't figure out why setting everything to "obtain IP address automatically" does not work anymore?


which card are you talking about ? or device ? and where exactly do you mean? please be detailed ..