Thinkpads Forum

Hey group,

After several weeks, I'm still struggling to use the built-in ADSL service of my hotel/apartment. I've managed to install a new USB-ethernet adaptor (for W2000 only - no luck with W98). W2000 tells me it's working, but there's no internet access when I run Internet Explorer.

Via: My Network Places > Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) > Properties

a menu appears asking if I want IP settings to be assigned automatically, or if I want to supply them. I tried asking for automatic IP assignment, but nothing happened. Am I supposed to do something more, e.g., run the "ipconfig" utility in Windows?

Or, if I need to self-assign an IP address, can I just make one up?

I asked the hotel/apartment personnel, but so far they don't know much. This is just an ADSL service that they subscribe to from the local (Belgian) telephone service. I'll ask them again, but meanwhile if anyone here can offer any pointers, they'd be much appreciated.

John (stuck in Brussels)

Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems as they would need to know the IP for you to configure manually. If automatic didn't work, I don't know what to say... Are you sure the cable is good? Maybe you aren't the problem, but the connection they supplied is. See if they can show you the connection works with another laptop.

Joe

I'm not much of a network guru, but here goes... (anybody else out there please correct me if I'm wrong)

I'm assuming that the ADSL line comes into their/your building and is connected to a "modem", which is then in turn connected to an ethernet router. If what you are plugging into in your room is a regular RJ-45, then there can be a several things going on:

- most setups such as yours will use DHCP (dynamic host configuration protocol); it's the easiest to manage
- if so, your system needs to match those settings ("Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically" must be checked)
- Internet Explorer must also be setup properly; Tools/Internet Options/Connections/LAN settings; try "Automatically detect settings" both enabled and disabled. Confirm Proxy Server settings as disabled (unless your local IT personnel says otherwise).
- you can try executing an "ipconfig /all" command and see if your network adapter even shows up as being connected. Look for an "Ethernet adapter Local Connection n" entry. If you get "media disconnected", then you're not on the network. If the IP shows up as all zeros (0.0.0.0), then you have not been assigned one. If you see an IP like 192.168.x.x, a common private network, then you should be connected. If you see a 174.x.x.x (I think), then Windows has assigned one to you since it can't see any network.
- check the ethernet jack of your adapter; there's usually an LED which blinks to indicate network activity. No light = not connected.
- most networking equipment should allow the use of straight-through or crossover cables. Check your adapter's documentation to see if it requires one or the other.
- try another ethernet jack somewhere else in the building. You might have a bum connection.
- you could try making up your own IP address but that can lead to some trouble (conflicts with another system). You would have to match the same subnet that has been established for their network. If you have no idea what they are using, then odds are you won't get it right.

Hi Ray,

Thanks for your clear and comprehensive comments.

1. I followed your suggestions, but without success.
2. The adaptor LED light goes on when I plug the cable into the wall outlet
3. I installed the TCP/IP connection in W2000, and in the Properties menu and asked for automatic IP assignment. Then, running ipconfig got this:

Configuracion IP Windows 2000

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . : portatil-3d6c50
Primary DNS Suffix . . . . . . . . :
Node Type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . : Diffusion(*)
IP Routing Enabled . . . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled . . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Connection de area local 3:

Connection-specific DNS Sufix . . . . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . : DM9601 USB To Fast Ethernet Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 00-60-6E-50-29-D8
DHCP enabled . . . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration enabled . . . . . . : Yes
IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . . . :
Server DHCP . . . . . . . . . . . . . :
Servers DNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . :

*I had to translate this from my Spanish version of Windows!

Does this possibly reveal anything?

I also brought my unit to work and tried connecting to the LAN there, but got the same results (although maybe they have special features to make the LAN secure).

John