I am sure this is simple really!!!!!

[Siggy]

Hi guys,
As some of you may know I have a cyber cafe in Australia, now I thought that i had a little knowledge - but it is turning out to be not enough.

I will be taking extra training but I need a little help straight away.

I have 20 computers networked, Internet is through a Netgear 24 Port Fast Ethernet Switch and Netgear Modem.

I have just had to reformat one of my pcs - and now it cant / wont access the net.

I have 2 connections on the other computers - a LAN connection and an Internet Gateway.

On the reformated computer I cant get the Internet Gateway, I have no idea what I am doing {wrong}!

Now the PC can access the internet, Intermittantly and extremely slowly, but that is useless to me. I have configured the tcp/ip protocol to be exactly the same as the others, (except for the IP address - which is different for each PC)

PCs are all using Windows XP,
Server is Windows 2003

Please shout out if you need any further info!!

Thanks guys!

Siggy

[FormFactor]

What are the specs of the machines? Check the machines that work fine to what their NIC speeds are set to. Make sure the machine in questions NIC is set up the same. You might even try installing the same NIC drivers as the working machines. You might also try a different LAN cable, and a different switch port. I would recommend swapping it places with a working machine to determine weather the problem is with the machine itself, or its you network hardware.

Are you using static IPs or DHCP?

Is your network NATed?

And how stable is the LAN connection... can you copy files over the LAN ok?

Maybe even cycle the power on your switch and router.

Good luck man! :thumbsup:

[FormFactor]

Also is it just http trafic that does'nt seem to be working consistantly? Can you try FTP or something to see if it is ok?

[profdlp]

Check the Windows Firewall stuff, too.

The stuff FormFactor gave you is an excellent idea. :)

[Siggy]

ok guys,

Many thnaks for the info,

I will get the answers and get back to you!

cheers all

Siggy

[deicist]

The 'internet gateway' thing is a UPNP (universal plug n' play) feature.... try switching upnp on the pc that isn't working properly. upnp will automatically configure your firewall and open ports depending on what's required. It's an inherent security risk (as client software can open ports on your firewall) but it makes things a lot easier.

edit: to switch upnp on, goto control panel -> add / remove programs. Select 'windows components' . scroll down the list til you find 'networking services' and
hit the details button. Now tick the top item (internet gateway...) and the bottom one (UPnP user interface) and click okay. Your internet gateway hould now show up in network connections and windows will automatically configure your firewall and router to allow internet access when required.

[kanezfan]

Update? I'm curious if you solved it with any of FormFactor's ideas, which were excellent by the way. I think the easiest way to diagnose this problem is to move the PC to another station and see if the problem is still there, as FormFactor suggested. That'll tell you if it's the computer or the router/cabling that's at fault. If it's the computer, probably the easiest thing to do to try to fix it is re-format the thing and re-install Windows. You might also try a Linux LiveCD to see if the computer still has these connection issues, then you'd know it's Windows and not some hardware problem with the router or cabling.

[Siggy]

OK Update Here

I told you it was something simple!!!

replaced the cable from the desk to the PC and it now works!

Followed FormFactors suggestion and put it on a different station and it worked a treat, so replaced the cable and put it back and it now works!

Thanks Guys - I really appreciate the time you put in here!!

Cheers

Siggy

PS If admin could please mark this solved! thanks

[tcith]

Siggy,

came in late on this thread ..

I really should get over to your setup sometime and have a peek.
been meaning to but rarely get to the North Shore.
I'm a CIO and network engineer by trade as well at Mail admin and various mostly intel server admin.

Am happy to PM my number etc and give you any techie advice if you want it.

glad your problem is fixed


cheers

Ian