Colin wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Could someone be so kind as to help point me in the right direction. I have
> a newly configured Windows 98 computer on an internal, private network using
> 192.168.1.x. It's obtaining the proper IP configuration automatically via
> DHCP. From this computer, I can connect to the file server (192.168.1.10),
> web server (192.168.1.11), and I can print to a network printer
> (192.168.1.100). The problem is I can't ping the router (default gateway)
> and therefore can't get to the Internet. Any pointers? Thanks in advance.
Occasionally the broadband modem has a default assignment of
the same IP address as the router. I am going to assume when
you say "router" this is some sort of access point that has
functions, such as assigning DHCP addresses, a firewall, WEP
security, etc., and it is not merely a "dumb" concentrating
hub or switch (which cannot be pinged anyway). I also assume
you can "ping" this "router" from the other computers. If
you can ping from the others, but not the Win98 machine,
turn off the Win98 firewall (if any). Also make sure that
the Win98 is pulled into a regular port on the router and
not the LAN port. In network setup, in the TCP/IP for the
NIC set-up, insure that you are using DHCP, WINS is
disabled, and the Gateway and DNS server settings are empty
and disabled.
If the Win98 NIC is a WiFi, insure that both the Win98
machine and the router/access point are both using or not
using WEP or WPA and if using protection, the coding is all
the same.
I am also assuming the Win98 machine can ping the other
devices, meaning that the cable is good and the router seems
to be 1/2 functional, anyway.
If the above six conditions are OK (ping from others, ping
to others, correct port, no firewall, and pure DHCP, WEP set
proper), disregard my next suggestions, since I have not a clue.
If, after fixing the cable(s), and clearing the firewall,
purifying DHCP, setting WEP and not being able to ping the
router from any computer, try this:
Run WINIPCFG from the DOS prompt, choose the network
interface card (NIC) making the connection, and click on
more info. Confirm that the DNS Servers (the broadband
modem) has a different IP address than the default gateway
(the router). Note those two IP numbers. If they are the
same, change the gateway IP address.
Since you are using DHCP, if you needed to change an IP
sequence you will only need to change the gateway address.
The rest of the DHCP machines will reassociate when each
machine is rebooted after you do the following:
Fire down all your machines.
Direct connect from the Win98 with an Ethernet cable or USB
(what ever) to the hub/router (not broadband modem), fire up
Win98 and use your network browser (IE, Mozilla, Netscape,
what ever) to connect to the router with the existing
gateway IP address.
Figure out how to change the router IP address. I suggest
192.168. Dif#. 1. Power down router for 30 seconds. Fire
down Win98 computer. and then reconnect all machines
normally and fire them up. Record the new IP number assigned
to the router. If you ever have to go back to factory
defaults, push in the router reset button for 30 seconds,
power down the router for 30 seconds, and you will back to
square zero.
Report back for more suggestions if none of this cures things.