Hi Bob,

It doesn't look like there is a problem with the jack on the laptop, because 
that is sometimes a cause of this problem as well.
Try the following: Disable the wireless adapter and then make sure that you 
use
the "wired" adapter (NIC) in the laptop.
Set it up using DHCP ,it should automatically acquire an IP address from the 
router.

Network connections folder - r-c on the LAN connection > Properties >
(BTW, the LAN connection should already show the adapter used in the Device 
column)

Under the General tab ,make sure the correct adapter is selected.
In the list below ,make sure Internet Protocol is ticked and then select it.
Then select Properties and in the resulting panel ,tick "Obtain an IP 
address automatically"
which means that you're using the DHCP server.
This is all standard IP config

In Services ,make sure that DHCP Client is started and set to auto.
In Device Manager ,make sure that the adapter is present and enabled.

Showing LAN4 only means that there have been 3 previous LAN setups.
Windows has the peculiar notion that a new LAN number should be assigned
each time you change the settings.
Just rename it (take the 4 off )

You could also try this free Network Manager:
http://www.netsetman.com/index.php?s=nsm

Hope this helped .
Peter E.


--------------------------------------------------
From: "lswpubrw"
Sent: Saturday, 30 July, 2011 8:27 AM
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [PCBUILD] LAN problem

I'm trying to help out a friend return a laptop to usefulness. It's an ~5 
year old DELL Inspiron 2200, running Windows XP that I have upgraded through 
SP 3, that she hadn't used since her husband passed away ~ 4 years ago. 
We've reactivated her Internet connection provided by the local cable 
company and when I plug my computer into the connection it works fine. When 
I plug her laptop in we get a "cannot acquire IP address error message". So 
I took it home and tried it on my system. It connects to my wireless router, 
but does not connect to my hardwire line providing the same error message. I 
ran ipconfig and it showed addresses for the wireless connection but no 
gateway address for the hardwire. This hardwire works when I test desktops 
down there so I'm sure the wire is OK. In fact when I unplug it from the 
laptop, it gives me a LAN unplugged message. As an aside it's telling me 
this is LAN 4 although when I look at networks under control panel I only 
see one LAN listed, why the 4? I suspect there's something wrong with the 
software setup but not sure what. BTW I uninstalled the drivers for the NIC 
and restarted. It recognized the NIC and reinstalled the drivers.
Thanks,

Bob Warasila

 

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