Router not recognised

[JesseJ1935]

For the past three days I have been trying to install this router, firstly by using AOL's installer then from Netgear's CD. Ive been going nowhere with it. The message received on the AOL installer is "Connection could not be established with the remote host. The router has not been detected". If I just click on to AOL the message comes back "The communication port is invalid or busy". Using the Netgear CD, I type the IP address in Internet Explorer, that comes back as "C\WINDOWS\system32\shdoclc/dnserror.htm". Windows doen't recognise it's existance either, there are no messages to say it has detected a new piece of hardware. So now I'm stymied and don't know where to go from here.

It should be added that before getting the router I had 2 computers networked by cable via a Zonet 5 port 10/100 ethernet switch, which was not very satisfactory, sometimes it worked, more often than not it didn't. I was told, on the AOL message boards, that I did not need to uninstall the old network before installing the router so I haven't, I can't figure out how anyhow.

Besides linking 2 computers together, there is another reason for wanting to install the router, which may posibly be connected, the main computer started crashing everytime I started up, part way through Windows loading. Suspecting the modem, I disconnected it, evrything fine so I uninstalled the BT Voyager 105 modem, then tried to reinstall it, part way through the installation I ended up with a black screen. What the problem is I have no idea as the modem is now connected to the second computer and is working fine.

[cozofdeath]

I'm not a certified expert but I'll tell you what I would do. Uninstall anything not needed. Make sure if its needed to install the NIC card/ISP software. If you installed your ISPs internet software you should'nt have to do the rest of this. You shouldn't have to install a router at all either. Its only purpose is to route packets that can't find a local computer. The next thing to check would be your TCP/IP settings. You can do that by going through the Control Panel, Network Connections, right click on your internet connection and choose properties. In properties find tcp/ip and hit the properties button for that. If your router is to automatically assign you an ip and other info click Obtain an IP Address Automatically. Thats probably what you want. If you don't uncheck it and type the static ip, mask, gateway(router) and dns info. Did anything here help?

Also have you configured the router settings? If you haven't the routers manual should show you how, but if it doesn't say so.

[JesseJ1935]

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I have already tried all that without getting anywhere. The routers settings can't be changed until I can get it installed and I can't do that as the installer can't even detect it. Back to the drawing board, I'll try again this morning, if I still can't get it up and running then it can go back.

[djohn]

It sounds as though your using the USB connection of the router if you need to install drivers for it. Have you tried connecting the router by cable using the LAN connection? Using eithernet connection is the best of the two options and if you choose this then no need to install drivers.

Try a factory reset of the router then connect the router only to your ADSL line, it should auto find your ISP. If it does and this can verified by the lights on the router its only a matter of plugging the router into your PC, tapping in your username and password and you should be connected. Sorry if I've given basic ideas that you have already tried, but best to check what you have and haven't tried.

[JesseJ1935]

Thank you djohn.

I am not using a USB connection, it is plugged into the ethernet socket. As I said, all the lights that should be on are on, its just not being recognised. Even when I use the Netgear install instructions by typing the IP address in to Internet Explore, the message comes back dnserror.htm.

Thanks for trying, afterall it could quite easily be something very simple that I have missed.

[djohn]

Network is not my strong point JesseJ1935. If you had not been able to make a connection at all then I would think the DNS error is telling you AOL does not recognise you. You say its been working prior to this but not with the Netgear router. I think you probably do need to remove your previous settings before tring to connect with the Netgear but please wait for advice from one of our experts in this field. It may be the small hours of the morning before they log in and see this topic then advise you further. :)

[Scarecrow Man]

Router set-up is quite simple.

Plug the modem directly into the computer. Ensure connectivity.

Unplug the modem from the computer, and plug the modem into the WAN port on the router.

Take another ethernet cable and plug one end into the LAN port on the router and the other into the ethernet port on the computer.

This setup may not work for DSL, as it requires a username and password.

Are you using Cable or DSL?

[JesseJ1935]

Thanks to both of you.

I've already tried what scarecrowman says. In fact not long ago I installed one of these routers, exactly the same make & model, on a son-in-laws computer. No trouble at all, which was my main reason for choossing this for myself.

To djohn, I live in hopes an expert will pick this up and come up with the solution. Apologies to scarecrowman if he is a wi-fi expert.

[-pops-]

Have you considered it might be a fault with either the ethernet port on the computer or the router itself?

Are the correct ethernet drivers installed and operative?

[JesseJ1935]

Hi Pops

To the best of my knowledge, the ethernet drivers are up to date, but I will check. As for the router, it has now been returned to the supplier and a replacement is on its way.

Doing a Google search, from AOL, brought up 2 entries for the dnserror. 1 was mine on this board, the other in Dutch. When translated it appears as though the problem could be with I.E. Google, btw, could not find anything. There were 2 small programmes mentioned that should fix the problem, 1 at www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm, and the other at www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.html. Let you know how I get on

[Scarecrow Man]

Those two files are to repair hijacked Internet connections. Unless you have been a victim of CoolWebShredder or some other internet trojan, you do not need these programs.

[JesseJ1935]

Hi scarecrowman

Maybe that has been part of the trouble, perhaps I had been hijacked or picked up some nasty. As I said in my original post, the BT Voyager 105 modem was playing up. It started off with me getting a black screen while Windows was loading. Suspecting the modem, can't remember why now, I uninstalled it and everything was fine. When I tried to reinstall it part way through the process I got a black screen again. (I've been using another computer for the internet since) I downloaded both this afternoon then ran both, lspfix reported no problems found, the other, Winsockxpfix, found something, didn't say what, and corrected them. Afterwards I was able to reinstall the modem. Hopefully the new router will install when I get it. Fingers, & legs, crossed.

[Scarecrow Man]

The LSPFix program will list entries, some of which are not bad. The WinsockFix program will delete and replace Windows files that can be corrupted. It replaces them with original copies.

If neither of these fixed your internet problem, would you be able to post a HijackThis log? We will need the log from the non-internet computer, so just transfer the log via a floppy disk or USB flash drive to a computer with internet.

http://forums.windowsforum.org/index.php?showtopic=6901

[JesseJ1935]

hi scarecrowman

Thank you for your reply.

All I can say just now is that, after running both programmes, I was able to reinstall the modem and am back online so maybe the problem is fixed. Lspfix said no problems found, the other managed to find 1 or more registry entries that needed fixing and got on and done it. (Did not say what ones)

Hijack log below as requested:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1

Scan saved at 00:44:22, on 09/09/2006

Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)

MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:

C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\winlogon.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe

C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe

C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe

C:\Program Files\Ahead\InCD\InCDsrv.exe

C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE

C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE

C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE

C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe

C:\PROGRA~1\BILLPS~1\WINPAT~1\WinPatrol.exe

C:\Program Files\Acronis\TrueImage\TrueImageMonitor.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\1132918867\ee\AOLSoftware.exe

C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe

C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe

C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe

C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe

C:\Program Files\BT Voyager 105 ADSL Modem\dslstat.exe

C:\Program Files\BT Voyager 105 ADSL Modem\dslagent.exe

C:\Program Files\VoyagerTest\fts.exe

C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboTaskBarIcon.exe

C:\Program Files\Innovative Solutions\Advanced Uninstaller PRO 2006 version 7\monitor.exe

C:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\KEM.exe

C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Yahoo! Desktop Search\YDSsystray.exe

C:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\KHALMNPR.EXE

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedul2.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\ACS\AOLAcsd.exe

C:\Program Files\Executive Software\Diskeeper\DkService.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe

c:\program files\common files\aol\1132918867\ee\services\antiSpywareApp\ver2_0_12\AOLSP

Scheduler.exe

C:\WINDOWS\System32\tcpsvcs.exe

C:\WINDOWS\System32\snmp.exe

C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

c:\program files\common files\aol\1132918867\ee\aolsoftware.exe

C:\Program Files\AOL 9.0\waol.exe

C:\Program Files\AOL 9.0\shellmon.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\aoltpspd.exe

C:\PROGRAM FILES\VIROBOTXP\VRRES.EXE

C:\PROGRAM FILES\VIROBOTXP\VRMONNT.EXE

C:\Program Files\ViRobotXP\vrmonsvc.exe

C:\Documents and Settings\Brian Lewis\My Documents\Programmes\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =

http://www.bbc.co.uk/breakfast

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.bbc.co.uk/

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =

C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\System\panels\blank.htm

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =

"C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\System\panels\blank.htm

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {089FD14D-132B-48FC-8861-0048AE113215} - C:\Program

Files\SiteAdvisor\saIE.dll

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1

\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {724d43a9-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - C:\Program Files\Siber

Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboForm.dll

O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program

Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll

O2 - BHO: SpoofStick BHO - {CBA74CDA-DF78-4AD9-954E-3B15D0A993DE} - C:\Program

Files\CoreStreet\SpoofStick\SpoofStickBHO.dll

O3 - Toolbar: SpoofStick - {4D46ED77-1429-4CF6-8F63-C84B5D710BAF} - C:\Program

Files\CoreStreet\SpoofStick\SpoofStick.dll

O3 - Toolbar: &RoboForm - {724d43a0-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - C:\Program Files\Siber

Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboForm.dll

O3 - Toolbar: SiteAdvisor - {0BF43445-2F28-4351-9252-17FE6E806AA0} - C:\Program

Files\SiteAdvisor\saIE.dll

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinPatrol] "C:\PROGRA~1\BILLPS~1\WINPAT~1\WinPatrol.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VrSchedule] C:\Program Files\ViRobotXP\Vrres.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Vrmon] C:\Program Files\ViRobotXP\vrmonnt.exe Main

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acronis True Image Monitor] "C:\Program

Files\Acronis\TrueImage\TrueImageMonitor.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HostManager] C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\1132918867

\ee\AOLSoftware.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -

hide

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software

Update\HPWuSchd2.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VrBootScan] C:\Program Files\ViRobotXP\VRBScan.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iPHSend] C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\IPHSend\IPHSend.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [REGSHAVE] C:\Program Files\REGSHAVE\REGSHAVE.EXE /AUTORUN

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DSLSTATEXE] C:\Program Files\BT Voyager 105 ADSL Modem\dslstat.exe

icon

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DSLAGENTEXE] C:\Program Files\BT Voyager 105 ADSL

Modem\dslagent.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [%FP%Friendly fts.exe] "C:\Program Files\VoyagerTest\fts.exe"

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TransTask] "C:\Program Files\Tweak-XP Pro 4\transtask.exe"

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RoboForm] "C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI

RoboForm\RoboTaskBarIcon.exe"

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Advanced Uninstaller PRO Installation Monitor] "C:\Program Files\Innovative

Solutions\Advanced Uninstaller PRO 2006 version 7\monitor.exe"

O4 - Startup: ERUNT AutoBackup.lnk = C:\Program Files\ERUNT\AUTOBACK.EXE

O4 - Startup: Yahoo! Desktop Search System Tray.lnk = C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Yahoo!

Desktop Search\YDSsystray.exe

O4 - Global Startup: AOL Broadband Assistant.lnk = C:\Program Files\AOL\Broadband

Assistant\bin\matcli.exe

O4 - Global Startup: Logitech SetPoint.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\KEM.exe

O8 - Extra context menu item: &eBay Search - res://C:\Program Files\eBay\eBay Toolbar2

\eBayTb.dll/RCSearch.html

O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\Program

Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html

O8 - Extra context menu item: &Translate English Word - res://C:\Program

Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmwordtrans.html

O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://C:\Program

Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html

O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://C:\Program

Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html

O8 - Extra context menu item: Customize Menu - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI

RoboForm\RoboFormComCustomizeIEMenu.html

O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4

\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000

O8 - Extra context menu item: Fill Forms - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI

RoboForm\RoboFormComFillForms.html

O8 - Extra context menu item: Save Forms - file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI

RoboForm\RoboFormComSavePass.html

O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://C:\Program

Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html

O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page into English - res://C:\Program

Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html

O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program

Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll

O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} -

C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll

O9 - Extra button: Fill Forms - {320AF880-6646-11D3-ABEE-C5DBF3571F46} - file://C:\Program

Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComFillForms.html

O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Fill Forms - {320AF880-6646-11D3-ABEE-C5DBF3571F46} -

file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComFillForms.html

O9 - Extra button: Save - {320AF880-6646-11D3-ABEE-C5DBF3571F49} - file://C:\Program

Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComSavePass.html

O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Save Forms - {320AF880-6646-11D3-ABEE-C5DBF3571F49} -

file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComSavePass.html

O9 - Extra button: RoboForm - {724d43aa-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - file://C:\Program

Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComShowToolbar.html

O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: RoboForm Toolbar - {724d43aa-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} -

file://C:\Program Files\Siber Systems\AI RoboForm\RoboFormComShowToolbar.html

O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Program

Files\AIM\aim.exe

O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} -

C:\WINDOWS\system32\Shdocvw.dll

O16 - DPF: {38D63471-E630-4492-A986-B8C48B79F2F8} (CVideoEgg_ActiveXCtl Object) -

http://update.videoegg.com/wintel/VideoEggPublisher.exe

O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) -

http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdat.../muweb_site.cab?

1122836488187

O16 - DPF: {EB387D2F-E27B-4D36-979E-847D1036C65D} (QDiagHUpdateObj Class) -

http://h30043.www3.hp.com/aio/en/check/qdiagh.cab?326

O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{532C0B21-6CB0-424E-943F-B6E897FEDC6A}:

NameServer = 205.188.146.145

O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll

O23 - Service: Acronis Scheduler2 Service (AcrSch2Svc) - Acronis - C:\Program Files\Common

Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedul2.exe

O23 - Service: AOL Connectivity Service (AOL ACS) - America Online, Inc. - C:\Program

Files\Common Files\AOL\ACS\AOLAcsd.exe

O23 - Service: AOL Spyware Protection Service (AOLService) - Unknown owner - C:\PROGRA~1

\COMMON~1\AOL\AOLSPY~1\\aolserv.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: Diskeeper - Executive Software International, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Executive

Software\Diskeeper\DkService.exe

O23 - Service: InCD Helper (InCDsrv) - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Ahead\InCD\InCDsrv.exe

O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32

\LEXBCES.EXE

O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe

O23 - Service: ViRobot Expert Monitoring (vrmonsvc) - HAURI - C:\Program

Files\ViRobotXP\vrmonsvc.exe

O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32

\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

The replacement router came today but I'll leave it until I gey a reply about this log.

[cozofdeath]

You HJ log looks clean to me. If this next router doesn't work, check the NIC in the device manager and make sure its functioning correctly.

[JesseJ1935]

Thank you cozofdeath for checking the log. Put it down to my ignorance, but I could not find anything in Device Manager with the name NIC, but nothing had a yellow box with an exclamation mark in it.

Today I have, at last, managed to install the router. What a job I've had, it has taken me close on 3 1/2 hours. The ethernet adaptor, just for starters, would not acquire an IP address automatically. Using Command Prompt wasn't any help, typing in IPconfig brought up no info. at all. I went back to the ethernet connection and typed in an IP address I knew and the router started to install but only went partway. So back to the adaptor and clicked on find the address automatically and, bingo, it finally completed the installation and I'm up and running. There is, of course, a lot more to it than that but I won't bore you with it, I just hope that I never have to go through that again.

Many thanks to all who helped.

[CurlyWhirly]

Put it down to my ignorance, but I could not find anything in Device Manager with the name NIC, but nothing had a yellow box with an exclamation mark in it.

You don't get an entry like mine then?

[JesseJ1935]

No. All that shows up in mine under Network Adaptors are just two entries:

PPPoEWin Miniport

VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adaptor

It's not even showing the Netgear Router for reasons unknown.

Click on My Network Places and it shows there, in fact its the only one showing.

Click on Network Options in Control Panel and it is not there either.

But its working for which I am very grateful.

[JesseJ1935]

It seems I was a little premature with my last message. As I said, it wwas showing in My Network Places but nowhere else.

Start up this morning and it had disappeared completely and I was unable to connect to the Internet. The only thing that I could find was that the security light on the router was not lit. Anyhow I had to reinstall it again. This time though it is not showing up anywhere at all, its not in My Network Places; Network Options; Device Manager, etc. but its working. What bothers me now is am I going to have this problem every time I start the computer, will I need to install it over and over again? Also, if I can't find it, how do I go about changing any settings should it be necessary?

I'm beginning to wish I hadn't bothered with it but, all the same, I'm determined now not to let it beat me.

[-pops-]

On the off chance, change the cable between computer and router and ensure both connectors are full pushed home.

[JesseJ1935]

I'll certainly give it a try. It will have to wait until tomorrow though, I've loads of spare cables but, as usual, not one of those.

Incidentally, I've just had to have numerous goes to get connected again, I kept getting the message "DNS Server unreachable or unavailable"

[cozofdeath]

It sounds like your having a hard time getting an ip address. If it cant talk to the router then you will probably get an ip of 169.254.xxx.xxx, which is an automatic assigned ip address you get when the routers dhcp can't hand you an address. Typing ip config will show you if you have that address. If so, make sure AOL/Windows or whatever wireless software your using to connect to the router is in infrastructure mode not ad-hoc, radio is turned on and no other networks are interfering. As soon as you connect to the router make sure you set/change the login to something different then the default. People scan ip ranges looking default passwords not to mention war drivers/neighbors. If your using AOL their software could be the problem. Heres what they recommend for some solutions.

http://info.aol.co.uk/help/broadband/

[-pops-]

Another slight possibility is that you're using a crossover cable instead of straight through.

[JesseJ1935]

Many thanks to you both for your help. Regretfully I am unable to follow anything up at present due, I may as well be honest, health reasons but I will do so asap.

I have picked up 1 or 2 points though.

!st. pops. I don't know what difference, if any, it makes but the ethernet cable that came with the kit is coloured blue whereas the one shown in the list of parts in the AOL installer is yellow.

2nd. cozofdeath. My next door neighbour, a son-in-law, is also on AOL and uses a Neatgear router identical to mine. Being a terraced house, there is only a wall seperating us. The BT Voyager 105 moden uses that ip address, 169, etc. but when I type ipconfig into a command prompt I don't get any results. When I type the ipaddress shown in the instructions, 192.168.0.1, into Internet Explore all I get is web page not available offline.

>

If so, make sure AOL/Windows or whatever wireless software your using to connect to the router is in infrastructure mode not ad-hoc, radio is turned on and no other networks are interfering. As soon as you connect to the router make sure you set/change the login to something different then the default.

<

As to that I am not at all sure how to do that other than to ask him to turn his off.

[JesseJ1935]

Since my last posting, I have had the ethernet cable checked and it was found to be OK, just a chance pops, wouldn't be the first time a new item was faulty. won't be the last either.

What has been suggested elsewhere, namely my local, friendly computer shop, is that the problem is in Windows XP Home and the only cure is a reinstall. Naturally, this is something I'm not too happy with doing if I can help it, though having said that, I've had an idea from the start that it was something to do with Windows (XP Home with SP2 BTW) Last time I done a reinstall it took mme 4 days to get things back to how I wanted them, then, of course, there are all the activation codes if I can still find them all, so I am hoping that it doesn't come to that. One thing that has come to mind, when it was a wired network, which never did work satisfactorly, it was through a VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet adaptor. This is still showing up as in use, except for a cable not connected. Could this have anything to do with the problems?

One other small thing, I am back on a BT Voyager 105 modem temporarily, I keep getting the message 'limited or no connectivity' though it is working alright, also, in Network Options it is showing as 'acquiring address', click on repair and I get the message that Windows is unable to do so.