Member Avatar for cmecn50

I’m using a Dell Dimension 3000 PC with Windows XP, SP2. I used to have a Belkin router but disconnected it about a month ago since it wasn’t needed. I recently renewed my subscription to Norton Internet Security. A few days ago, I lost my internet connection and despite taking the usual series of steps with my service provider (including checking that the network adapter is set to obtain IP addresses automatically and doing an IP reset command prompt), no IP address appears at all and I still can’t connect to the internet. My provider said my modem looks fine from their end but they “can’t see my computer.” The told me to call Dell, but Dell wants $100 to fix my problem. Is there anything else I might try that isn’t too tech-y?

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A few focused checks will quickly narrow this to either a hardware/modem issue, a Windows/driver problem, or something Norton added when you renewed the subscription.

Start with simple hardware isolation: power the modem off for 30–60 seconds, then power it back on and only after it is fully ready boot the PC. Swap the Ethernet cable and try the same modem port with a laptop or a phone (via a USB-Ethernet adapter or by tethering) to confirm the modem actually passes a DHCP lease to another device. Look at the NIC link/activity LEDs on the PC — no lights usually means no physical link or a disabled NIC.

On the Windows side, collect the facts before changing settings. Run ipconfig /all and note the IP shown. If you get a 169.254.x.x address, DHCP did not answer. Try ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew to force a new lease. Boot once into Safe Mode with Networking: if networking works there, a third-party filter or driver is the likely culprit.

Because the Norton renewal preceded the failure, temporarily disable or uninstall Norton (use Symantec/Norton removal tool if needed) to test whether its firewall/filter driver is blocking DHCP or the adapter. If the NIC seems dead in Windows but the modem works for other devices, try a cheap USB Ethernet adapter or boot from a Linux live USB — if those work, reinstall the NIC driver you download from Dell or the NIC vendor on another machine and transfer it via USB.

Several replies noted driver and ISP checks; and were pointing in the right direction, and is correct to consider both PC and provider sides. If the ISP still "cant see the PC" after the modem power-cycle, ask them to re-provision the modem or clear any MAC binding on their end.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

check device manager,make sure that the network adapter drivers are installed.,device manager ,right click on mycomputer /properties /hardware /device manager, look for red or yellow x or ! next to network adapters

Member Avatar for carlyse_09

You have to check where the problem is coming from.Your computer with all its features including the drivers for your internet.Then,your internet provider side,double check if you are active in their system.

Member Avatar for Web Peak

you have to check device manager and make sure that the network adapter drivers are installed

Member Avatar for caperjack

you have to check device manager and make sure that the network adapter drivers are installed

there a echo in here ,
see post #2

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