I suddenly have a problem with my new laptop (XP Pro)and my Home network.
So far I connected two desktops Win 95 and Win ME and a laptop (XP Pro) via Netgear router to a broadband connection. All was working fine. When I recently connected a new laptop (XP Pro again) via cable the network breaks down. Not only the connection to the internet but also any attempt to connect to the router fails. I tried to ping the connection to the router from any terminal but it fails. As if the router is not connected to any of the 4 computers anymore although all lights and indicators on the router are flashing as normal. The only way to get it going again is to unplug the router and plug it back in. As long as the new laptop is connected via cable at the time the router powers up all starts working fine including the new laptop. The problem only occurs first time the laptop is connected to the router via cable. It does not happen if i connect via the wireless conection.
Sorry a longwinded description but this is what I worked out in (many) hours of troubleshooting.