Loosing Internet Connectivity

[Barb Bowman]

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



On Sat, 8 Mar 2008 18:10:00 -0800, Tait Schleisman <Tait

Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month, except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one. After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008 7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

 

[Barb Bowman]

Comcast assigns different scopes on each CMTS. This is not causing
an issue of any kind and is absolutely normal.

But it sure does look strange. OTOH, It also could
be causing the problem you are talking about. ?? Keep an eye on it. You
could go into your command prompt window and type "ipconfig /release"
followed by "ipconfig / renew" (no quotes) and see if you get different
numbers.

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

 

[Tait Schleisman]

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran across it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



On Sat, 8 Mar 2008 18:10:00 -0800, Tait Schleisman <Tait

Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month, except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one. After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008 7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

 

[Tait Schleisman]

Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online for quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous stretch so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed. Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore, even though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran across it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



On Sat, 8 Mar 2008 18:10:00 -0800, Tait Schleisman <Tait

Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month, except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one. After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008 7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

 

[Bob F.]

Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online for
quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous stretch
so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed.
Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the
computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore, even
though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran across
it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you
suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this
thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month, except
that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one.
After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable
and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and
install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began
experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the
problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem
has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will
drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an
exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe
just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and my
ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing
that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think
most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my
ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast
Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008
7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008
3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling
Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . :
2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

Did you try disabling IPv6?

 

[Bob F.]

Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online for
quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous stretch
so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed.
Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the
computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore, even
though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran across
it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you
suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

:

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this
thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month,
except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one.
After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable
and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and
install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began
experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the
problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem
has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will
drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an
exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe
just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and
my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing
that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think
most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my
ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast
Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008
7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008
3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling
Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . :
2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

Did you try disabling IPv6?

What the model# of your Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet. There are a series
of drivers that came out 2/27/08. Do you really have the latest?

 

[Bob F.]

Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online for
quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous stretch
so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed.
Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the
computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore, even
though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran across
it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you
suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

:

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this
thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month,
except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one.
After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable
and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and
install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began
experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the
problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem
has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will
drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an
exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe
just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and
my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing
that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think
most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my
ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast
Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008
7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008
3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling
Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . :
2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

Did you try disabling IPv6?

I hate to do this, maybe just a witch hunt, but can you tell us exactly what
component (model #s) are in your network and exactly how it's all wired
together? I am looking for looping, things plugged into wrong sockets, old
hardware, stubs, things like that.

 

[John Lee Brown]

Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online for
quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous stretch
so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed.
Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the
computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore, even
though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran across
it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you
suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this
thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month, except
that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one.
After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable
and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and
install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began
experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the
problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem
has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will
drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an
exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe
just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and my
ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing
that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think
most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my
ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast
Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008
7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008
3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling
Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . :
2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

do you have a 2.4 g wireless phone in the area. that phone can interfere
with the wireless signal.

 

[Tait Schleisman]

Hi Bob,

I'm running version 10.10.0.0 of the Broadcom drivers, dated 4/19/07, so if
there are new drivers from a couple weeks ago I guess I don't have them.
I'll have to see if I can find them. I have not tried disabling IPv6, either.

As far as my network setup, it's pretty straightforward. My cable modem is
an RCA DCM425, which is connected to my computer w/a standard RJ45 Ethernet
cable and is plugged into the E'net port on the back of the laptop. I don't
have any routers, splitters, etc.

Thanks,
Tait

Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online for
quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous stretch
so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed.
Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the
computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore, even
though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

:

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran across
it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you
suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

:

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this
thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month,
except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one.
After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable
and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and
install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began
experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the
problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem
has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will
drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an
exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe
just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and
my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing
that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think
most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my
ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast
Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008
7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008
3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling
Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . :
2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

Did you try disabling IPv6?

I hate to do this, maybe just a witch hunt, but can you tell us exactly what
component (model #s) are in your network and exactly how it's all wired
together? I am looking for looping, things plugged into wrong sockets, old
hardware, stubs, things like that.

 

[Tait Schleisman]

Hey Bob,

Forgot to mention the actual Broadcom card I have. It's the BCM5906 10/100
Ethernet controller, according to Device Manager, but the Broadcom website
doesn't list any new drivers for this card. In fact, the only place it lists
the 5906 is on the Driver Support page as an option for when you're
contacting their Tech Support. It's not listed on the Driver Download page
at all.

Tait

Hi Bob,

I'm running version 10.10.0.0 of the Broadcom drivers, dated 4/19/07, so if
there are new drivers from a couple weeks ago I guess I don't have them.
I'll have to see if I can find them. I have not tried disabling IPv6, either.

As far as my network setup, it's pretty straightforward. My cable modem is
an RCA DCM425, which is connected to my computer w/a standard RJ45 Ethernet
cable and is plugged into the E'net port on the back of the laptop. I don't
have any routers, splitters, etc.

Thanks,
Tait

message Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online for
quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous stretch
so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed.
Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the
computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore, even
though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

:

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran across
it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you
suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

:

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this
thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month,
except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one.
After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable
and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and
install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began
experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the
problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem
has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will
drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an
exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe
just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and
my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing
that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think
most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my
ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast
Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008
7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008
3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling
Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . :
2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/



Did you try disabling IPv6?

I hate to do this, maybe just a witch hunt, but can you tell us exactly what
component (model #s) are in your network and exactly how it's all wired
together? I am looking for looping, things plugged into wrong sockets, old
hardware, stubs, things like that.

 

[Bob F.]

Looks like this is a later driver ver. 10.62.0.0.B:
http://www.softwaredriverdownload.com/bcm5701_gigabyte_ethernet_driver.html
It seems to apply to your NIC. Consider this and please turn off IPv6.
It's easy to do and we can eliminate that from our possible problem list.
--
BobF.

Hey Bob,

Forgot to mention the actual Broadcom card I have. It's the BCM5906
10/100
Ethernet controller, according to Device Manager, but the Broadcom website
doesn't list any new drivers for this card. In fact, the only place it
lists
the 5906 is on the Driver Support page as an option for when you're
contacting their Tech Support. It's not listed on the Driver Download
page
at all.

Tait

Hi Bob,

I'm running version 10.10.0.0 of the Broadcom drivers, dated 4/19/07, so
if
there are new drivers from a couple weeks ago I guess I don't have them.
I'll have to see if I can find them. I have not tried disabling IPv6,
either.

As far as my network setup, it's pretty straightforward. My cable modem
is
an RCA DCM425, which is connected to my computer w/a standard RJ45
Ethernet
cable and is plugged into the E'net port on the back of the laptop. I
don't
have any routers, splitters, etc.

Thanks,
Tait

message Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online
for
quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous
stretch
so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed.
Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast
or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that
shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the
computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the
computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore,
even
though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

:

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran
across
it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't
made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you
suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

:

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about
that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the
box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running
with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in
this
thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month,
except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless
one.
After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet
cable
and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download
and
install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began
experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be
the
problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the
problem
has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection
will
drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an
exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or
maybe
just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell
and
my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only
thing
that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running
what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the
adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I
think
most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my
ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM)
Fast
Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008
7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008
3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling
Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . :
isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . :
2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/



Did you try disabling IPv6?

--
BobF.


I hate to do this, maybe just a witch hunt, but can you tell us exactly
what
component (model #s) are in your network and exactly how it's all wired
together? I am looking for looping, things plugged into wrong sockets,
old
hardware, stubs, things like that.

 

[Tait Schleisman]

Hi Bob,

More driver issues - I checked the link you provided, and cross-checked it
against the Broadcom site. Your link does state that the 10.62 drivers
should work with my BCM5906, and the Broadcom driver page, while not
specifically listing the 5906 in the Netlink 57xx section, does offer the
same drivers. The only problem is, both pages states that the drivers for
the 5700, 5701 and 5702 are NOT to be used on Vista, which is what I'm
running. The recommendation is to use the XP drivers. I downloaded those
and all I got was a Security Catalog file, a Setup Information file and the
driver; no installer. I don't mind a bit of mucking about in the system
files, but I'm not entirely sure I want to track down all instances of the
old driver and remove them (if the system would even let me).

Also, I did disable IPv6 and I was watching my network status icon and the
status of my local area connection when I did so. The icon quickly switched
to the exclamation point in the yellow triangle, and the connection status
switched to Limited for both IPv4 and IPv6. Then, about 10-15 seconds later,
the triangle icon disappeared and IPv4 went back to Internet connectivity.
My fingers crossed that the issue is fixed b/c of the change. Updating the
driver just sounds like a pain.

Thanks!

Tait

Looks like this is a later driver ver. 10.62.0.0.B:
http://www.softwaredriverdownload.com/bcm5701_gigabyte_ethernet_driver.html
It seems to apply to your NIC. Consider this and please turn off IPv6.
It's easy to do and we can eliminate that from our possible problem list.
--
BobF.

Hey Bob,

Forgot to mention the actual Broadcom card I have. It's the BCM5906
10/100
Ethernet controller, according to Device Manager, but the Broadcom website
doesn't list any new drivers for this card. In fact, the only place it
lists
the 5906 is on the Driver Support page as an option for when you're
contacting their Tech Support. It's not listed on the Driver Download
page
at all.

Tait

Hi Bob,

I'm running version 10.10.0.0 of the Broadcom drivers, dated 4/19/07, so
if
there are new drivers from a couple weeks ago I guess I don't have them.
I'll have to see if I can find them. I have not tried disabling IPv6,
either.

As far as my network setup, it's pretty straightforward. My cable modem
is
an RCA DCM425, which is connected to my computer w/a standard RJ45
Ethernet
cable and is plugged into the E'net port on the back of the laptop. I
don't
have any routers, splitters, etc.

Thanks,
Tait

:

message Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online
for
quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous
stretch
so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed.
Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast
or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that
shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the
computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the
computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore,
even
though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

:

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran
across
it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't
made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you
suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

:

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about
that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the
box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running
with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in
this
thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month,
except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless
one.
After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet
cable
and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download
and
install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began
experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be
the
problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the
problem
has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection
will
drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an
exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or
maybe
just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell
and
my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only
thing
that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running
what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the
adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I
think
most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my
ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM)
Fast
Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008
7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008
3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling
Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . :
isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . :
2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/



Did you try disabling IPv6?

--
BobF.


I hate to do this, maybe just a witch hunt, but can you tell us exactly
what
component (model #s) are in your network and exactly how it's all wired
together? I am looking for looping, things plugged into wrong sockets,
old
hardware, stubs, things like that.

 

[Barb Bowman]

try unbinding IPv6
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com/ipv6-how-to-unbind-from-a-nic-in-windows-vista/

Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online for quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous stretch so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed. Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore, even though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran across it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month, except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one. After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008 7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

 

[Tait Schleisman]

Hi Barb,

Sorry, I should have been clearer in my last post. When I said I disabled
IPv6, I did exactly what your blog post said to do, so I've already "unbound"
it. Sad to say, that didn't solve the problem. I just had to do a restart
after my connection went down yet again. I don't know what other network or
NIC settings to check, at this point. Maybe I just need a brand new network
card?

Tait

try unbinding IPv6
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com/ipv6-how-to-unbind-from-a-nic-in-windows-vista/

Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online for quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous stretch so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed. Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore, even though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran across it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

:

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month, except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one. After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008 7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

 

[Barb Bowman]

before you restart next time this happens, get a new ipconfig /all.
save it in notepad. reboot, open the file and then copy to the
clipboard and paste in here as a reply.

Hi Barb,

Sorry, I should have been clearer in my last post. When I said I disabled
IPv6, I did exactly what your blog post said to do, so I've already "unbound"
it. Sad to say, that didn't solve the problem. I just had to do a restart
after my connection went down yet again. I don't know what other network or
NIC settings to check, at this point. Maybe I just need a brand new network
card?

Tait

try unbinding IPv6
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com/ipv6-how-to-unbind-from-a-nic-in-windows-vista/

Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online for quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous stretch so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed. Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore, even though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

:

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran across it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

:

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month, except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one. After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008 7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

 

[Tait Schleisman]

Ask and you shall receive, Barb. Here it is -

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Tait>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:01:45 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Sunday, March 16, 2008 10:24:42 PM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:1ccf:3c45:bdd6:1cfd(Pref
erred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::1ccf:3c45:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 10:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%18(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 17:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

C:\Users\Tait>

before you restart next time this happens, get a new ipconfig /all.
save it in notepad. reboot, open the file and then copy to the
clipboard and paste in here as a reply.

Hi Barb,

Sorry, I should have been clearer in my last post. When I said I disabled
IPv6, I did exactly what your blog post said to do, so I've already "unbound"
it. Sad to say, that didn't solve the problem. I just had to do a restart
after my connection went down yet again. I don't know what other network or
NIC settings to check, at this point. Maybe I just need a brand new network
card?

Tait

try unbinding IPv6
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com/ipv6-how-to-unbind-from-a-nic-in-windows-vista/

On Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:18:00 -0700, Tait Schleisman

Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online for quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous stretch so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed. Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore, even though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

:

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran across it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

:

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month, except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one. After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008 7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

 

[Barb Bowman]

a couple of things. it's not unusual for the modem lights to blink
even though you aren't actively doing anything but here is questions
one:

does this always happen when you are not using the computer or does
it ever happen when you are doing something (downloading a file,
watching a video, browsing, etc.)?

question two: when you are in this state, from an elevated cmd
prompt, can you tracert to yahoo.com ? do a nslookup ? please report
outcome of this. and if not, does running the command

ipconfig /flushdns

restore connectivity for you?

please confirm that network discovery and file sharing are turned
off in the Network and Sharing Center.

also, are you using any third party AV/firewalls like McAfee/Norton?

Ask and you shall receive, Barb. Here it is -

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Tait>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:01:45 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Sunday, March 16, 2008 10:24:42 PM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:1ccf:3c45:bdd6:1cfd(Pref
erred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::1ccf:3c45:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 10:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%18(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 17:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

C:\Users\Tait>

before you restart next time this happens, get a new ipconfig /all.
save it in notepad. reboot, open the file and then copy to the
clipboard and paste in here as a reply.

Hi Barb,

Sorry, I should have been clearer in my last post. When I said I disabled
IPv6, I did exactly what your blog post said to do, so I've already "unbound"
it. Sad to say, that didn't solve the problem. I just had to do a restart
after my connection went down yet again. I don't know what other network or
NIC settings to check, at this point. Maybe I just need a brand new network
card?

Tait

:

try unbinding IPv6
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com/ipv6-how-to-unbind-from-a-nic-in-windows-vista/

On Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:18:00 -0700, Tait Schleisman

Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online for quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous stretch so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed. Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore, even though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

:

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran across it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

:

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month, except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one. After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008 7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

 

[Tait Schleisman]

Hi Barb,

This happens no matter what I'm doing. I can be cruising along, reading a
blog or any other site, and the connection will just drop.

I'll try the tracert next time it goes down.

File sharing is off, network discovery was on but I turned it off. I am
using Trend Micro PC-Cillin for my AV program and the only firewall I have is
the built-in Vista firewall.

Tait

a couple of things. it's not unusual for the modem lights to blink
even though you aren't actively doing anything but here is questions
one:

does this always happen when you are not using the computer or does
it ever happen when you are doing something (downloading a file,
watching a video, browsing, etc.)?

question two: when you are in this state, from an elevated cmd
prompt, can you tracert to yahoo.com ? do a nslookup ? please report
outcome of this. and if not, does running the command

ipconfig /flushdns

restore connectivity for you?

please confirm that network discovery and file sharing are turned
off in the Network and Sharing Center.

also, are you using any third party AV/firewalls like McAfee/Norton?

Ask and you shall receive, Barb. Here it is -

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Tait>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:01:45 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Sunday, March 16, 2008 10:24:42 PM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:1ccf:3c45:bdd6:1cfd(Pref
erred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::1ccf:3c45:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 10:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%18(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 17:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

C:\Users\Tait>

before you restart next time this happens, get a new ipconfig /all.
save it in notepad. reboot, open the file and then copy to the
clipboard and paste in here as a reply.



On Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:06:01 -0700, Tait Schleisman

Hi Barb,

Sorry, I should have been clearer in my last post. When I said I disabled
IPv6, I did exactly what your blog post said to do, so I've already "unbound"
it. Sad to say, that didn't solve the problem. I just had to do a restart
after my connection went down yet again. I don't know what other network or
NIC settings to check, at this point. Maybe I just need a brand new network
card?

Tait

:

try unbinding IPv6
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com/ipv6-how-to-unbind-from-a-nic-in-windows-vista/

On Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:18:00 -0700, Tait Schleisman

Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online for quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous stretch so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed. Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore, even though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

:

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran across it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

:

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month, except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one. After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008 7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

--

 

[Barb Bowman]

I don't recommend Trend Micro. Would you consider uninstalling it
and trying a different AV like Avast (free versions available) or
NOD32 - $, but the one I always recommend.

Hi Barb,

This happens no matter what I'm doing. I can be cruising along, reading a
blog or any other site, and the connection will just drop.

I'll try the tracert next time it goes down.

File sharing is off, network discovery was on but I turned it off. I am
using Trend Micro PC-Cillin for my AV program and the only firewall I have is
the built-in Vista firewall.

Tait

a couple of things. it's not unusual for the modem lights to blink
even though you aren't actively doing anything but here is questions
one:

does this always happen when you are not using the computer or does
it ever happen when you are doing something (downloading a file,
watching a video, browsing, etc.)?

question two: when you are in this state, from an elevated cmd
prompt, can you tracert to yahoo.com ? do a nslookup ? please report
outcome of this. and if not, does running the command

ipconfig /flushdns

restore connectivity for you?

please confirm that network discovery and file sharing are turned
off in the Network and Sharing Center.

also, are you using any third party AV/firewalls like McAfee/Norton?

Ask and you shall receive, Barb. Here it is -

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Tait>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:01:45 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Sunday, March 16, 2008 10:24:42 PM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:1ccf:3c45:bdd6:1cfd(Pref
erred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::1ccf:3c45:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 10:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%18(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 17:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

C:\Users\Tait>

:

before you restart next time this happens, get a new ipconfig /all.
save it in notepad. reboot, open the file and then copy to the
clipboard and paste in here as a reply.



On Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:06:01 -0700, Tait Schleisman

Hi Barb,

Sorry, I should have been clearer in my last post. When I said I disabled
IPv6, I did exactly what your blog post said to do, so I've already "unbound"
it. Sad to say, that didn't solve the problem. I just had to do a restart
after my connection went down yet again. I don't know what other network or
NIC settings to check, at this point. Maybe I just need a brand new network
card?

Tait

:

try unbinding IPv6
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com/ipv6-how-to-unbind-from-a-nic-in-windows-vista/

On Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:18:00 -0700, Tait Schleisman

Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online for quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous stretch so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed. Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore, even though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

:

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran across it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

:

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month, except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one. After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008 7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

--

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

 

[Tait Schleisman]

Hi Barb,

OK, here are the results of your earlier suggestion. I did a tracert and an
nslookup when the connection was up for a baseline (pasted below above the
line of asterisks), and then did the same thing after the connection went
down (below the line). You can see that neither worked, and trying an
ipconfig/flushdns did nothing b/c I couldn't even get through to the DNS
server. Oh, and I'm not wedded to the idea of using the Trend Micro product.
I had Avast! on my old computer, and never had any problems with it.
Anyway, here it is -

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Tait>tracert yahoo.com

Tracing route to yahoo.com [66.94.234.13]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 * * * Request timed out.
2 * * * Request timed out.
3 * * * Request timed out.
4 * * * Request timed out.
5 * * * Request timed out.
6 * * * Request timed out.
7 * * * Request timed out.
8 * * * Request timed out.
9 * * * Request timed out.
10 * * * Request timed out.
11 * * * Request timed out.
12 * * * Request timed out.
13 * * * Request timed out.
14 * * * Request timed out.
15 * * * Request timed out.
16 * * * Request timed out.
17 * * * Request timed out.
18 * * * Request timed out.
19 79 ms 77 ms 79 ms w2.rc.vip.scd.yahoo.com [66.94.234.13]

Trace complete.

C:\Users\Tait>nslookup
Default Server: cns.westlandrdc.mi.michigan.comcast.net
Address: 68.87.77.130:53

*******************************************

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Tait>tracert yahoo.com
Unable to resolve target system name yahoo.com.

C:\Users\Tait>nslookup
DNS request timed out.
timeout was 2 seconds.
Default Server: UnKnown
Address: 68.87.77.130:53

ipconfig/flushdns

Server: UnKnown
Address: 68.87.77.130:53

DNS request timed out.
timeout was 2 seconds.
*** Request to UnKnown timed-out

I don't recommend Trend Micro. Would you consider uninstalling it
and trying a different AV like Avast (free versions available) or
NOD32 - $, but the one I always recommend.

Hi Barb,

This happens no matter what I'm doing. I can be cruising along, reading a
blog or any other site, and the connection will just drop.

I'll try the tracert next time it goes down.

File sharing is off, network discovery was on but I turned it off. I am
using Trend Micro PC-Cillin for my AV program and the only firewall I have is
the built-in Vista firewall.

Tait

a couple of things. it's not unusual for the modem lights to blink
even though you aren't actively doing anything but here is questions
one:

does this always happen when you are not using the computer or does
it ever happen when you are doing something (downloading a file,
watching a video, browsing, etc.)?

question two: when you are in this state, from an elevated cmd
prompt, can you tracert to yahoo.com ? do a nslookup ? please report
outcome of this. and if not, does running the command

ipconfig /flushdns

restore connectivity for you?

please confirm that network discovery and file sharing are turned
off in the Network and Sharing Center.

also, are you using any third party AV/firewalls like McAfee/Norton?

On Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:20:01 -0700, Tait Schleisman

Ask and you shall receive, Barb. Here it is -

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Tait>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:01:45 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Sunday, March 16, 2008 10:24:42 PM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:1ccf:3c45:bdd6:1cfd(Pref
erred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::1ccf:3c45:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 10:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%18(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 17:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4229:e302::4229:e302(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 2002:c058:6301::c058:6301
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

C:\Users\Tait>

:

before you restart next time this happens, get a new ipconfig /all.
save it in notepad. reboot, open the file and then copy to the
clipboard and paste in here as a reply.



On Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:06:01 -0700, Tait Schleisman

Hi Barb,

Sorry, I should have been clearer in my last post. When I said I disabled
IPv6, I did exactly what your blog post said to do, so I've already "unbound"
it. Sad to say, that didn't solve the problem. I just had to do a restart
after my connection went down yet again. I don't know what other network or
NIC settings to check, at this point. Maybe I just need a brand new network
card?

Tait

:

try unbinding IPv6
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com/ipv6-how-to-unbind-from-a-nic-in-windows-vista/

On Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:18:00 -0700, Tait Schleisman

Hi Barb,

Changing the power plan doesn't seem to have helped. I was online for quite
a while yesterday (a little over 6 hours, the longest continuous stretch so
far, I believe), and hoped that maybe the problem was fixed. Unfortunately,
my connection did eventually drop. The problem isn't with Comcast or my
cable modem, as far as I can tell. The light on the modem that shows my
internet connection stays steady green, so I know that's OK, and the
send/receive lights continue flickering with activity even after the computer
says the connection has been lost. It's like something in the computer
eventually decides it doesn't want to talk to the modem anymore, even though
the info is still coming in. I'm stumped.

Thanks,
Tait

:

Hi Barb,

I unchecked that box in Device Manager a few days ago when I ran across it
as a possible solution on a different website. So far, it hasn't made a
difference. I did change my power plan to High Performace as you suggested;
I'll let you know if the problem persists after the change.

Thanks,

Tait

:

Comcast can assign different subnet masks so don't worry about that
at all.

Check your power management settings. In device manager, is the box
checked to turn off power on the NIC? Can you also try running with
the high power option to rule out any other power management
options?



Hi Barb,

I've been having an issue very much like the ones described in this thread
ever since I purchased my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop last month, except that
my problem occurs when I'm on a wired connection, not a wireless one. After
getting the computer out of the box I plugged in the Ethernet cable and was
able to get online w/o a problem. I let Windows Update download and install
multiple security updates and hotfixes, after which I began experiencing
dropped connectivity. Thinking that one of the updates might be the problem,
I did a clean restore of the OS from the included CD, but the problem has
continued. After (usually) a few hours online, my connection will drop and
the network status icon will show a yellow triangle with an exclamation point
in it. If I do a mouseover, it says my access is Limited (or maybe just
Local - I can check when it happens again). I have called Dell and my ISP,
and nothing they suggested has solved the problem. The only thing that seems
to work is a reboot.

My network adapter is a Broadcom NetLink Fast Ethernet running what I
believe to be the latest drivers. I've tried resetting the adapter,
requesting a new IP address, everything I can think of (and I think most
suggestions made here), but all to no avail. The output of my ipconfig/all
is below; I would appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Thank you!

Tait


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BlueSteel
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Fast Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-C9-00-B5-07
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::645c:f263:1052:680a%9(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.227.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, March 08, 2008 7:02:24 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:41:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 66.41.226.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.10
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 184557257
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . :
2001:0:4137:9e66:c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd(Prefe
rred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c35:1574:bdd6:1cfd%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . :
fe80::200:5efe:66.41.227.2%17(Preferred)

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.87.77.130
68.87.72.130
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1.mn.comcast.net.
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0