Here is a challenge. I am a technician in a small computer store and I have run into multiple systems with this problem, and I currently am dealing with one.

My problem has to do with establising an Internet connection through an Ethernet port, specifically using a cable modem, and the problem is that Windows refuses to see the connection. There are many reasons why Windows won't see a network Internet connection but my problem is very specific and I have seen it on about six systems.

When I run winipcfg, the IP address and subnet mask appear properly but the default gateway is blank. Then, when I press the "More Info>>" button, the Node Type says "Broadcast." If I press the Release button, nothing happens and if I press the Renew button then I get an "error renewing adapter" error after a long pause. The Node Type should say "Mixed" and the default gateway should not be blank.

This error can be caused by the lack of a proper signal coming from the cable modem and I have fixed this error in some systems in the past by getting a proper signal to the ethernet port. But there have been about six systems - and one that I am working on right now, that I can do nothing for. I have tried multiple types of ethernet adapters in different PCI slots including uninstalling all drivers in Safe Mode and reinstalling proper drivers for each in Device Manager, I have completely uninstalled the network and set it back up again, I have made sure the Cable Modem and ethernet cable work by trying them on another system, I have overlaid Windows 98, I have scanned for viruses, I have modified the network card driver type and settings where possible in the properties of the network card in Network Neighborhood, I have tried logging into the initial network logon screen using different user names and passwords, I have stopped all programs from starting when Windows starts using msconfig, and I'm sure that I have tried many other things that I forgot to mention here. On such systems, the only way I have found to solve the problem is a format and reinstall - and then it works great, and this tells me that the problem is a Windows problem and not a hardware problem. The only thing is, the owner of the system I am currently working on does not want to format and reinstall if at all possible.

Something in Windows, usually Windows 98, gets messed up and makes Windows absolutely refuse to see a network Internet connection, and I don't know what it is. If you have any ideas, please help. Thank you very much,

James

Try posting your problem on this networking forum:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/sharing

Dear James,

There is also a dedicated IE6/OE Newsgroup where there are three very knowledgeable gentleman in particular amongst the many members.

Here is a copy of a previous posting on this subject,.....

I have reproduced the text as I am not quite sure where you locate the reference no. for past messages post facto.

Message from W.London Thursday 27th June 00.48am - Regards, Victor.
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Reply:
Dear Herb,
In case it may be of interest to you, there is a dedicated IE/OE Newsgroup where at least three top experts look in to help out.

The one I follow is for IE/OE Version 6 has the reference

microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6_outlookexpress

and it is accessed via msnews.microsoft.com

There is a signing in process to do which someone had to show me how to do and if you need help here, the gentleman who helped me join up was "Noud" in Holland at the following e-mail address
roermund@kabelfoon.nl

I am sure he would assist you in joining up but hopefully you will be able to figure it out.

The three experts are Mr Tom C Koch, Mr Frank Saunders and Mr Jim Pickering.

They also all insist on receiving and answering through the newsgroup so that they can use their time to help many at once.
Mr Koch has won prizes for helping Microsoft users and he has his own Web Site in Amsterdam, mainly to do with Outlook Express saving and restoring e-mails etc.
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James,
When you hook up a new nic, to a cable modem, you have to unplug the cable modem from it's power source, for about five minutes. This is called a hard reset, and allows the modem memory to clear, and when you turn it back on, it will look for a new I.P. address from yopur nic, and then everything will work as it's supposed to.
It also helps to turn the computer off when doing this, and turn the modem on and wait for all lights to come on, before rebooting the computer.
You have to do this, anytime you change network interface cards, because they all have different addresses.

In addition to Bob j.s feedback..which is the achem's razor! all things being equal, the simplest explanation is usually the right one..or something like that..Try having the ISP (cable company) re-provision your connection.