Windows Update works, but no other Internet connectivity...

[Guest]

I have a Dell Inspiron laptop connected to a NetGear router, and then to a
cable modem. The computer suddenly began dropping the internet connection at
random; sometimes for a few minutes, other times for hours. The cable folks
have been out to repplace the cable modem, checked the line, and found no
problems. The computer is visible on the LAN, and I can log into the router,
but the computer will not access anything on the internet; not even the
router configuration pages. I have checked the TCP/IP settings, everything is
normal there.

Strange thing is...Windows Update works perfectly. Even while it is
downloading an update, I can't access e-mail, the web, or even the router
configuration.

Anyone seen this before?

(e-mail address removed)

 

[Jeffrey Randow [MVP]]

Clarification question:

If you can log on to the router, then how are you not accessing the
router config page? Describe the two different scenarios.

Also check the router. Do you have other computers on the network
that also use the same router? Do these machines have any problems?

Have a pleasant day.

 

[Guest]

I could log on to the main page of the router, but the rest of the
configuration pages were apparently HTML-based, and inaccessible.

We sent the laptop to a shop for some network diagnostics. It worked fine
for them, but they rebuilt the TCP/IP stack and did some other housekeeping
just in case.
Back home we had the same problem, and the Comcast fellow spending two more
hours trying to diagnose the line and equipment. We eventually tried
disconnecting the laptop from it's docking station, and it worked perfectly.
There must be a problem either with the docking station itself, or with the
connectors between the dock and the laptop.

Still...awfully strange that Windows Update would work with no other
internet connectivity available. We downloaded/installed the entire SP2
update, even while we couldn't access e-mail or the web.

Thanks anyway...

Kemp Hiatt