T40; Weird LAN problem... UPDATE

[lowie]

The situation: T40-2374 with M$ Windows XP Prof; currently using windows network interface/drivers instead of Access Connections.
Recently disassembled the laptop for cleaning purposes (but I'm quite experienced in thinkpad (dis)assembly, so I don't think this has caused the problem). However, ever since this re-assembly...

All network drivers show up without errors in the device manager; I get a connection with the Local Area Connection (tray icon), valid IP address... but I cannot address the router (via his local IP address 192.168.1.1) nor can I access the internet. Outlook isn't able to fetch emails either.

All internet access is possible with my T42, even when I use the same cable etc...

What could be wrong? Any suggestions/hints?

[GomJabbar]

Take apart and double-check your work. Maybe a cable isn't plugged in properly, or you did some damage with a static discharge. You could turn off any software firewall temporarily, and turn off router security to eliminate those as problems.

I once had one PC card slot go dead, even though the other one still worked. I reinstalled the OS to try and fix it, but to no avail. The diagnostic test in the BIOS showed no problems, and Device Manager looked normal. I just learned to live with one slot. If you can't solve your problem, and you don't want to replace the motherboard, you can always get a PCMCIA ethernet card for not too much money. 3COM X Jack cards are even flush with the side of the laptop when not in use.

It just occurred to me. I believe you can make an ethernet connection from the Rescue and Recovery workspace. Boot into Rescue and Recovery and try to make a connection. If you can, then it would appear to be a Windows problem.

[lowie]

Take apart and double-check your work. Maybe a cable isn't plugged in properly, or you did some damage with a static discharge.
...
It just occurred to me. I believe you can make an ethernet connection from the Rescue and Recovery workspace. Boot into Rescue and Recovery and try to make a connection. If you can, then it would appear to be a Windows problem.

Isn't the Ethernet controller on-board? Because if so, there are no cables involved. I already reinstalled the Modem DC and the WLAN MiniPCI. Wireless internet works, wired doesn't.

I will try your suggested R&R diagnosis, and post results afterwards...

Any other tips?

[lowie]

I am typing this post while I am in Rescue-and-Recovery, so the LAN adapter DOES work. The problem will thus probably be windows-related...

What to do now? I have already updated all drivers, tried uninstalling the driver and rebooting... Nothing has solved the issue yet

[egibbs]

Check the IP address you have assigned - if you ran the microsoft network setup wizard at some point you may have a 163.xxx.xxx address, in which case you won't be able to connect to a router on 192.xxx.xxx.

Ed Gibbs

[GomJabbar]

Isn't the Ethernet controller on-board? Because if so, there are no cables involved. I already reinstalled the Modem DC and the WLAN MiniPCI. Wireless internet works, wired doesn't.

I haven't had a reason to open up my T42 yet, so I wasn't exactly sure how it is put together.

I was going to suggest restoring the Winsock, but I would "think" it would be the same for wired and wireless.

It seems to me it must be a bad driver install, a driver or TCP/IP setting, or configuration setting.

Right-click on the wired lan adapter in Network Connections. Check your settings. I haven't used a wired setup in awhile, so I am not real certain what all the settings should be. On mine, I have the boxes checked on: Client for Microsoft Networks, QoS Packet Scheduler, and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). I have TCP/IP set up with automatic settings. On Configure... > General, I have Use this device (enable). On Authentication I have Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network checked. I have EAP type, Smart Card or other Certificate. I have Authenticate as computer when computer information is available box checked. The remaining box is unchecked.

If changing the settings above doesn't work, try this > Go to: C:\IBMTOOLS\drivers\ETHINTMT\APPS\PROSET\W2KWS03, and double-click on PROSET.EXE. When setup launches, tell setup to do a repair. (It is possible that the directories may be different on your T40, but they should be named something similar I would think.)

I am not a networking expert, but I have figured out some aspects of it. I am sure there are others here with somewhat more experience than myself. Perhaps they have some other ideas.

[lowie]

Check the IP address you have assigned - if you ran the microsoft network setup wizard at some point you may have a 163.xxx.xxx address, in which case you won't be able to connect to a router on 192.xxx.xxx.

Ed Gibbs

Thanks for the input, but that surely isn't the problem. The LAN connection receives a valid ip adress i.e. 192.186.1.101. The router gateway is 192.186.1.254; both this router gateway as all other www-addresses cannot be reached.

Another thing I noticed is that the amount of outgoing packets is about 10 times the amount of incoming packets. The LAN connection "sees" the router, but it seems they don't communicate properly anymore.

[lowie]

Any other tips/ useful inputs? I'm kinda in the dark here. especially because Ethernet works when I'm in R&R but not in Windows, and all drivers have been reinstalled, without success...

[lowie]

Thinking about calling IBM for RMA - laptop is still a cule of months in guarantee, luckily
Will post my experiences asap.

[bfgun]

This happened to me one time - if you're using a linksys router, that's the problem. i remember there was an issue with this. i put a nother router between the linksys and the laptop and it worked without a hitch.

seriously try it on another network. 192.168.1.1 tells me it's either a netgear or linksys router.

[lowie]

A clean instal of WXP fixed the issue... Another 2 hours well-spent

Anyway, i'm not going to keep on wondering what it could have been, most important fact is that it's fixed now.

Thanks for the input, all of you!

Wietse