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Older Dell - not connecting to internet

post #1 of 20
6/12/12 at 7:05pm
Thread Starter 
We were gifted with a hardly used Dell Inspiron e1750
It is in great shape, looks good, and has a lot of preinstalled high end hardware for the time.
However,
it will not connect to the internet.
The wireless networking is perpetually trying to acquire a network address.
I've gone into settings to be sure the computer is "automatically acquiring an address".
We've tried to install a Wireless-N USB 2.0 adapter from medialink.
The same.

When a cable from the modem is plugged in, we get the same response from the Local Area Connection "acquiring network address".

I've taken it to Geek Squad. They say their diagnostics show that the hardware and drivers all check out. They too couldn't connect to the internet.
Their solution is to strip the computer down and start over with a clean slate on the OS.

Is their anyone with knowledge about what I'm dealing with, what a solution could/would be and how to go about optimizing this gift?

Thanks in advance
Michael
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post #2 of 20
6/13/12 at 1:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mijale View Post

We were gifted with a hardly used Dell Inspiron e1750
It is in great shape, looks good, and has a lot of preinstalled high end hardware for the time.
However,
it will not connect to the internet.
The wireless networking is perpetually trying to acquire a network address.
I've gone into settings to be sure the computer is "automatically acquiring an address".
We've tried to install a Wireless-N USB 2.0 adapter from medialink.
The same.
When a cable from the modem is plugged in, we get the same response from the Local Area Connection "acquiring network address".
I've taken it to Geek Squad. They say their diagnostics show that the hardware and drivers all check out. They too couldn't connect to the internet.
Their solution is to strip the computer down and start over with a clean slate on the OS.
Is their anyone with knowledge about what I'm dealing with, what a solution could/would be and how to go about optimizing this gift?
Thanks in advance
Michael

Since it's coming from another party, I would go with the Geeks recommendation and to install the OS anew first.

cheers ...
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post #3 of 20
6/15/12 at 8:31am

Hi Michael,

 

Let me try and help you enjoy your gift.

 

Before you reinstall the OS I would suggest you to please try these steps:

 

1. Unplug the cable/DSL modem.


2. Unplug the wireless router.


3. Wait 60 seconds, then plug in the modem.


4. When the modem is completely online, plug in the wireless router.
   
5. Start the system and open a Command prompt.
   
6. Once you have a command prompt, first type “ipconfig /flushdns”.
   
7. Next, type “ipconfig /release”.
 
8. Then, type “ipconfig /renew”.

 

Exit command prompt. If you get an error during this process stating 'unable to contact DHCP server', check if the DHCP service is enabled and set to Automatic in Services. (click on start and type services.msc in the search box to enable/disable DHCP)

 

Now check if you are able to go online.

 

You can also try to change the Wireless Manager from Intel to Windows.

 

To switch from Intel to Windows, right-click on the Intel Wireless icon in the “System Tray” and look for an option to switch to Windows as the wireless manager. You can also try to disable the windows firewall to see if that helps.

 

Your system settings may be different based on the operating system installed but the process should be similar.

 

Reinstalling the operating system should fix this unless there is an issue with the system hardware. I have checked other threads and these steps have seemed to fix the issue on few systems.

 

Glad to be of help.

 

Satya

Certified Dell Community Professional

You can also reach us at : http://en.community.dell.com/

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post #4 of 20
6/30/12 at 11:13am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the lead.
I've tried what you've suggested.
I get the message "Could not flush the DNS Resolver Cache: Function failed during execution" following step six of your suggestion.

I then checked the DHCP as you suggested. It is on automatic already.

Any insight as to what's going on?

Thanks,
Michael
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post #5 of 20
6/30/12 at 11:18am
want to check out the DNS Client?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919746

cheers ...
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post #6 of 20
6/30/12 at 11:37am
Thread Starter 
qhn,
This worked to get me past step six.
However, at step seven, when I type in the command, I get "No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection while it has its media disconnected" (twice) and "IP address for adapter has already been released"
This with the Local Area Connection unplugged, the internal wireless adapter disconnected, and the wireless adapter in the USB.

When I take out the wireless adapter and plug in the Local Area Connection, I get the "IP address for Local Area Connection has already been released"

When I type in step 8, I get the statement "An error occurred while renewing interface Local Area Connection: the RPC server is unavailable.

Any insights?
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post #7 of 20
6/30/12 at 11:48am
Thread Starter 
Okay,
I just noted another thing. This is to go back a bit.
When I go into services.msc and try to configure the DHCP by clicking start, an error window pops up and says "Error 1068: The dependency service or group failed to start"

Anyone got any insights?

Thanks
Michael
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post #8 of 20
6/30/12 at 11:57am
Try this

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810606

and check the firewall settings.

If this fails you might have to perform a Windows repair

cheers ...
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post #9 of 20
6/30/12 at 12:24pm
Thread Starter 
This failed.
When you say Windows repair, you mean what exactly?
Strip it down and re install the BIOS?
What if I don't have a backup disk?
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post #10 of 20
6/30/12 at 12:28pm
What you need is to find a Windows installation disk, same version that you currently have. Boot up with the disk and at the screen of installation, it will ask you if you want to repair the current installation. Choose that option. This will keep all your current personal data and apps intact.

cheers ...
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post #11 of 20
6/30/12 at 12:34pm
Thread Starter 
Ok.
I have Windows XP Media Center Edition Version 2002.
Where do I find such a disc? The windows website doesn't seem to offer a solution.

Thanks,
Michael
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post #12 of 20
6/30/12 at 12:37pm
ouch. Can you get a hand on a Windows XP Pro? This could work as well

cheers ...
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post #13 of 20
6/30/12 at 12:47pm
Thread Starter 
The computer I am using now is run by Windows XP Pro 2002.
I have not found the backup disc as of yet. Can I make one from this computer and use for the other?
I will look for the backup regardless.

If not, can I buy a BIOS and strip out the existing system and reinstall?
We did something similar with this here Lenovo 5 years ago when it came preinstalled with Vista.

Thanks,
Michael
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post #14 of 20
6/30/12 at 12:50pm
Yes you can (try) with an installation from another system. It should work, rarely that it fails winknudge.gif

Why would you need to get a BIOS for? Just a clean installation (if needed be) is your last resource.

cheers ...
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post #15 of 20
6/30/12 at 12:56pm
Thread Starter 
I don't care to keep anything on this computer. My partner's dad used it minimally and installed some programs we can install later if we reset the entire computer.
As for making a backup disc from this computer to use on the other, I don't know how to do that.
I don't even know how the repairs would work using the disc.

Any pointers?
Thanks,
Michael
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post #16 of 20
6/30/12 at 12:59pm
I see. What is the Windows COA key underneath this current notebook? Which version?

Then you can search the net for "Windows ISO Download" - pick up the same version as your COA key, burn it to a disk then clean-install the system. For drivers etc .. you can go direct to Dell Support Site and get them for your model. Quite simple and straightforward, really.

cheers ...
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post #17 of 20
6/30/12 at 1:05pm
Thread Starter 
Ok.
We actually "borrowed" the current XP software. It came with Vista and I can see that key, but it wouldn't help, would it?
What then?

Thanks,
Michael
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post #18 of 20
6/30/12 at 1:06pm
Thread Starter 
I do have the 25 character key for the existing xp software on this laptop.
IDK if that helps.

Michael
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post #19 of 20
6/30/12 at 1:12pm
You can always re-install Vista and using the same key. Or you need to get a licence for the XP version if you want it. Your decision.

cheers ...
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post #20 of 20
7/1/12 at 2:15pm

When booting up, as soon as you see the "set up" statement, tap the F12 key. There you will have a choice to do a repair or a complete install. There is a small sector in the hard drive that stores the re install files internally. 

 

Good Luck

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