[Ham-Computers] Can't Connect to Internet

[Jim Hill]

All of a sudden, I no longer have an internet 
connection on one computer, a Dell OptiPlex 
running Win XP Pro. Another computer, connected 
to the same Linksys router, works fine.

Switched router output ports between the computers. – no help.

Used another RJ5 cable – no help.

Reverted to an earlier Ghost image – no help.

Linksys BEFSR41 Router has three indicator 
lights, marked Link/Act, Full/col, and 100.  The 
full/col indicator is off at the port connected to the problem computer.

Orange led at the computer next to the RJ5 cable connector is illuminated.

LAN icon on system tray has an explanation point 
warning indicator.  Status is “limited or no connectivity".

Checking Control Panel Network connections:
A Local Area Connection Icon is displayed, saying 
Limited or No Connectivity.  It should say Enabled, Firewalled

Double clicking this icon brings up the Local 
Area Connection Status screen, which says Limited 
or No Connectivity.  Status should be Connected.

Selecting the support tab and checking Details 
gives the following address: 169.254.20.250, 
which I think is the IP address seen when there is a problem.
Address should be 192.168.1.100, assigned by DHCP.

Subnet mask differs too, being 255.255.0.0 instead of 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway, DHCP server, DNS Server, and 
Wins Server are blank, and no lease is listed.

Clicking “Repair” to renew the IP address isn’t 
successful. Disabling and enabling doesn’t fix the problem, either.

Returning the Local Area Connection, double left 
clicking and selecting Properties, then Internet 
Protocol TCP/IP, then properties has Obtain an IP 
Address Automatically and obtain DNS Server 
Automatically. These settings are correct.

Using Norton Ghost to return to an earlier image 
should revert to correct settings, so I’m 
assuming the internal modem is bad.  It’s an 
integrated modem.  I have a US Robotics 
networking card, which I could install, but is 
there any problem with the computer not 
recognizing this card and continuing to use the 
defective integrated modem? When I “smoked” my 
printer port and installed my parallel port card, 
I needed to go to Start>Printers and Faxes to set up the correct port.

Thanks, Jim