WiFi connection needs reboot

I'm using a Compaq nc8230 wireless-equipped laptop to access a
SpeedTouch 585 wireless modem/router. The laptop run Windows XP
professional.

Whenever I bring the laptop home and bring it out of hibernation, it
connects to the SpeedTouch, but my Firefox browser claims that it can't
access any pages e.g. www.google.ca. Prior to coming home, it is
typically connected to a LAN via wired ethernet. At home, howeve, it
can't even access the modem via speedtouch.lan. It can access the modem
and the web, however, after I reboot. I also seem to need a reboot
before the laptop can pick up wireless hotspots. Is there a way to
avoid having to reboot? I lose all my context.

Here is what I've done to troubleshoot. I've captured the following at
some point in the troubleshooting process (I might have used Windows's
"Wireless Network Connection" application to explicitly disconnect and
reconnect to my speedtouch and/or used ipconfig to release and renew a
few times).

PROMPT> ipconfig /all
|
| Windows IP Configuration
|
| Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
| Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
| Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
| IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
| WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
|
| Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
|
| Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
|
| Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
|
| Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
|
| Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
| Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
+- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

At this point, explicitly connect to wireless modem via Windows's
"Wireless Network Connection" application. Wait until it acquires
network address.

PROMPT> ipconfig /all
|
| Windows IP Configuration
|
| Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
| Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
| Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
| IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
| WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
|
| Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
| Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
| Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
| Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
| Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
|
| Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
|
| Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
|
| Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
| Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
+- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Still no connection e.g. to www.google.ca.

I accessed the modem/router via another machine connected via ethernet
cable. The modem/router shows the wireless laptop IP address to be way
different from "Autoconfiguration IP Address" above. So I do a release
and renew on the wireless laptop:

PROMPT> ipconfig /release
|
| Windows IP Configuration
|
| No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection while it
| has its media disconnected.
|
| Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
|
| Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
|
| Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
|
| Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
+- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

PROMPT> ipconfig /renew
|
| Windows IP Configuration
|
| An error occurred while renewing interface Wireless Network Connection :
| unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out. No operation
| can be performed on Local Area Connection while it has its media
+- disconnected.

Rebooted wireless laptop. Browser can now access www.google.ca. The IP
Address has changed, and matches the IP Address shown by the
router/modem for the wireless laptop. The Default Gateway, DHCP Server,
and DNS Server all have the same IP address; they match the address
shown for these services on the ethernet wired laptop.

PROMPT> ipconfig /all
|
| Windows IP Configuration
|
| Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
| Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
| Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
| IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
| WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
| DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
| lan
| of-words.dot.ca
| dot.ca
|
| Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : lan
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
| Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
| Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XX
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
| Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
| DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
| DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
| Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, January 29, 2007 12:14:05 AM
| Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, January 30, 2007 12:14:05 AM
|
| Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
|
| Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
|
| Ethernet adapter {2E8647AB-FA09-44E3-9C61-C8409D345541}:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
| Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
+- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Thanks for any pointers on how to proceed.

Well congratulations you've edited all useful information right out of your
IP configuration information. In all likely hood you've got an IP address
that begins 192.168.xxx.xxx just like thousands of other people do. Don't
hibernate, turn your laptop off.

--
David Hettel

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group for everyone
to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions addressed directly to me in
E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

DISCLAIMER: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied, made in relation to the accuracy, reliability
or content of this post. The author shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of, or
inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this post and confers
no rights.



"M$ User" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> I'm using a Compaq nc8230 wireless-equipped laptop to access a
> SpeedTouch 585 wireless modem/router. The laptop run Windows XP
> professional.
>
> Whenever I bring the laptop home and bring it out of hibernation, it
> connects to the SpeedTouch, but my Firefox browser claims that it can't
> access any pages e.g. www.google.ca. Prior to coming home, it is
> typically connected to a LAN via wired ethernet. At home, howeve, it
> can't even access the modem via speedtouch.lan. It can access the modem
> and the web, however, after I reboot. I also seem to need a reboot
> before the laptop can pick up wireless hotspots. Is there a way to
> avoid having to reboot? I lose all my context.
>
> Here is what I've done to troubleshoot. I've captured the following at
> some point in the troubleshooting process (I might have used Windows's
> "Wireless Network Connection" application to explicitly disconnect and
> reconnect to my speedtouch and/or used ipconfig to release and renew a
> few times).
>
> PROMPT> ipconfig /all
> |
> | Windows IP Configuration
> |
> | Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
> | Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
> | Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
> | IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> | WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
> |
> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless
> 2915ABG Network Connection
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
> |
> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme
> Gigabit Ethernet
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> |
> | Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM
> Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> +- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>
> At this point, explicitly connect to wireless modem via Windows's
> "Wireless Network Connection" application. Wait until it acquires
> network address.
>
> PROMPT> ipconfig /all
> |
> | Windows IP Configuration
> |
> | Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
> | Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
> | Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
> | IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> | WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless
> 2915ABG Network Connection
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
> | Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
> | Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
> | Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
> |
> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme
> Gigabit Ethernet
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> |
> | Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM
> Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> +- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>
> Still no connection e.g. to www.google.ca.
>
> I accessed the modem/router via another machine connected via ethernet
> cable. The modem/router shows the wireless laptop IP address to be way
> different from "Autoconfiguration IP Address" above. So I do a release
> and renew on the wireless laptop:
>
> PROMPT> ipconfig /release
> |
> | Windows IP Configuration
> |
> | No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection while it
> | has its media disconnected.
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
> |
> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
> |
> | Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> +- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>
> PROMPT> ipconfig /renew
> |
> | Windows IP Configuration
> |
> | An error occurred while renewing interface Wireless Network
> Connection :
> | unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out. No
> operation
> | can be performed on Local Area Connection while it has its media
> +- disconnected.
>
> Rebooted wireless laptop. Browser can now access www.google.ca. The IP
> Address has changed, and matches the IP Address shown by the
> router/modem for the wireless laptop. The Default Gateway, DHCP Server,
> and DNS Server all have the same IP address; they match the address
> shown for these services on the ethernet wired laptop.
>
> PROMPT> ipconfig /all
> |
> | Windows IP Configuration
> |
> | Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
> | Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
> | Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
> | IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> | WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> | DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
> | lan
> | of-words.dot.ca
> | dot.ca
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : lan
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless
> 2915ABG Network Connection
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
> | Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XX
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
> | Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
> | DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
> | DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
> | Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, January 29, 2007
> 12:14:05 AM
> | Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, January 30, 2007
> 12:14:05 AM
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
> |
> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme
> Gigabit Ethernet
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> |
> | Ethernet adapter {2E8647AB-FA09-44E3-9C61-C8409D345541}:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM
> Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> +- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>
> Thanks for any pointers on how to proceed.

Hi

While there are standards that define, what Standby is, what Hibernation is,
and what is On/Off that needs full reboots. Many Laptop manufacturers are
very creative in trying to conserve battery life and develop propriety Power
saving system that deviate from the standard. The Wireless aspect of a
computer is much more dependent on the OS and software than a wired
connection. As a result, it is not uncommon to find Laptops that behave the
way you describe it.

I addition it is not clear what are you trying to connect, modem is usually
not a Device that need to be connected to. You need to give real
description of what is that you have as a system (names, models, etc.). If
your Laptop's Wireless is pre installed, try to contact the manufacturer.
If you installed it yourself, what did you installed?

Jack (MVP-Networking).



"M$ User" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> I'm using a Compaq nc8230 wireless-equipped laptop to access a
> SpeedTouch 585 wireless modem/router. The laptop run Windows XP
> professional.
>
> Whenever I bring the laptop home and bring it out of hibernation, it
> connects to the SpeedTouch, but my Firefox browser claims that it can't
> access any pages e.g. www.google.ca. Prior to coming home, it is
> typically connected to a LAN via wired ethernet. At home, howeve, it
> can't even access the modem via speedtouch.lan. It can access the modem
> and the web, however, after I reboot. I also seem to need a reboot
> before the laptop can pick up wireless hotspots. Is there a way to
> avoid having to reboot? I lose all my context.
>
> Here is what I've done to troubleshoot. I've captured the following at
> some point in the troubleshooting process (I might have used Windows's
> "Wireless Network Connection" application to explicitly disconnect and
> reconnect to my speedtouch and/or used ipconfig to release and renew a
> few times).
>
> PROMPT> ipconfig /all
> |
> | Windows IP Configuration
> |
> | Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
> | Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
> | Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
> | IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> | WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
> |
> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless
> 2915ABG Network Connection
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
> |
> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme
> Gigabit Ethernet
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> |
> | Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM
> Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> +- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>
> At this point, explicitly connect to wireless modem via Windows's
> "Wireless Network Connection" application. Wait until it acquires
> network address.
>
> PROMPT> ipconfig /all
> |
> | Windows IP Configuration
> |
> | Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
> | Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
> | Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
> | IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> | WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless
> 2915ABG Network Connection
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
> | Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
> | Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
> | Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
> |
> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme
> Gigabit Ethernet
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> |
> | Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM
> Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> +- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>
> Still no connection e.g. to www.google.ca.
>
> I accessed the modem/router via another machine connected via ethernet
> cable. The modem/router shows the wireless laptop IP address to be way
> different from "Autoconfiguration IP Address" above. So I do a release
> and renew on the wireless laptop:
>
> PROMPT> ipconfig /release
> |
> | Windows IP Configuration
> |
> | No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection while it
> | has its media disconnected.
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
> |
> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
> |
> | Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> +- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>
> PROMPT> ipconfig /renew
> |
> | Windows IP Configuration
> |
> | An error occurred while renewing interface Wireless Network
> Connection :
> | unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out. No
> operation
> | can be performed on Local Area Connection while it has its media
> +- disconnected.
>
> Rebooted wireless laptop. Browser can now access www.google.ca. The IP
> Address has changed, and matches the IP Address shown by the
> router/modem for the wireless laptop. The Default Gateway, DHCP Server,
> and DNS Server all have the same IP address; they match the address
> shown for these services on the ethernet wired laptop.
>
> PROMPT> ipconfig /all
> |
> | Windows IP Configuration
> |
> | Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
> | Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
> | Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
> | IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> | WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> | DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
> | lan
> | of-words.dot.ca
> | dot.ca
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : lan
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless
> 2915ABG Network Connection
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
> | Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XX
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
> | Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
> | DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
> | DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
> | Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, January 29, 2007
> 12:14:05 AM
> | Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, January 30, 2007
> 12:14:05 AM
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
> |
> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme
> Gigabit Ethernet
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> |
> | Ethernet adapter {2E8647AB-FA09-44E3-9C61-C8409D345541}:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM
> Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> +- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>
> Thanks for any pointers on how to proceed.

David Hettel wrote:
> Well congratulations

You're welcome.

> you've edited all useful information right out of your IP
> configuration information.

I realize that much was removed, but wasn't sure which of the
information was crucial. If you could suggest specific fields to
uncensor, I'd be happy look at it.

> In all likely hood you've got an IP address that begins
> 192.168.xxx.xxx just like thousands of other people do.

The original post shows no IP address field for any of the "things"
reported on by "ipconfig /all", with the exception of the "Ethernet
adapter Wireless Network Connection" (IP address 0.0.0.0). As can be
seen from the captured info, after explicitly connecting to the
wireless modem via Windows's "Wireless Network Connection"
application, there is no longer a field called "IP Address", but there
is a field called "Autoconfiguration IP Address. It is *not*
192.168.xxx.xxx. It is 169.254.xxx.xxx. According to DNSstuff.com,
this is related to RFC 3330, which describes it as "communication
between hosts on a single link", and "hosts may obtain these addresses
by auto-configuration, such as when a DHCP server may not be found."
As I mentioned in the original post, however, the DHCP Server, DNS
Server, and Default gateway all have the same IP address (which
coincides with the IP address that speedtouch.lan resolves to,
coincidentally). The wireless laptop simply didn't have this info.

The originally posted log from troubleshooting also shows that after
an "ipconfig /release", IP Addresses and Subnet Masks for "Ethernet
adapter Wireless Network Connection" and "Ethernet adapter" are all
zeros. Both have blank for Default Gateway, and the "Ethernet adapter
Local Area Connection" shows "Media State" as disconnected. To me,
this seems to be a sanity check. However, it seems that "ipconfig
/renew" did not succeed.

Note that after the reboot, the "Ethernet adapter Wireless Network
Connection" did have IP Addresses 192.168.xxx.xxx, as per your
speculation above. If that is a check of sanity, then the posted data
shows that the adapter was not sane prior to reboot.

It may be worthwhile noting (or not) that even when interent
connectivity was fine after rebooting, the "Ethernet adapter Local
Area connecitivity" still had a Media State "disconnected".

> Don't hibernate, turn your laptop off.

As I mentioned, I am doing that. I was trying to find a a way to
avoid that in order to avoid losing context.

Thanks!


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: WiFi connection needs reboot
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 01:19:53 -0500
From: M$ User <(E-Mail Removed)>
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless

I'm using a Compaq nc8230 wireless-equipped laptop to access a
SpeedTouch 585 wireless modem/router. The laptop run Windows XP
professional.

Whenever I bring the laptop home and bring it out of hibernation, it
connects to the SpeedTouch, but my Firefox browser claims that it can't
access any pages e.g. www.google.ca. Prior to coming home, it is
typically connected to a LAN via wired ethernet. At home, howeve, it
can't even access the modem via speedtouch.lan. It can access the modem
and the web, however, after I reboot. I also seem to need a reboot
before the laptop can pick up wireless hotspots. Is there a way to
avoid having to reboot? I lose all my context.

Here is what I've done to troubleshoot. I've captured the following at
some point in the troubleshooting process (I might have used Windows's
"Wireless Network Connection" application to explicitly disconnect and
reconnect to my speedtouch and/or used ipconfig to release and renew a
few times).

PROMPT> ipconfig /all
|
| Windows IP Configuration
|
| Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
| Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
| Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
| IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
| WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
|
| Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
|
| Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
|
| Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
|
| Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
|
| Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
| Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
+- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

At this point, explicitly connect to wireless modem via Windows's
"Wireless Network Connection" application. Wait until it acquires
network address.

PROMPT> ipconfig /all
|
| Windows IP Configuration
|
| Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
| Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
| Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
| IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
| WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
|
| Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
| Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
| Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
| Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
| Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
|
| Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
|
| Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
|
| Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
| Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
+- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Still no connection e.g. to www.google.ca.

I accessed the modem/router via another machine connected via ethernet
cable. The modem/router shows the wireless laptop IP address to be way
different from "Autoconfiguration IP Address" above. So I do a release
and renew on the wireless laptop:

PROMPT> ipconfig /release
|
| Windows IP Configuration
|
| No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection while it
| has its media disconnected.
|
| Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
|
| Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
|
| Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
|
| Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
+- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

PROMPT> ipconfig /renew
|
| Windows IP Configuration
|
| An error occurred while renewing interface Wireless Network Connection :
| unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out. No operation
| can be performed on Local Area Connection while it has its media
+- disconnected.

Rebooted wireless laptop. Browser can now access www.google.ca. The IP
Address has changed, and matches the IP Address shown by the
router/modem for the wireless laptop. The Default Gateway, DHCP Server,
and DNS Server all have the same IP address; they match the address
shown for these services on the ethernet wired laptop.

PROMPT> ipconfig /all
|
| Windows IP Configuration
|
| Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
| Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
| Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
| IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
| WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
| DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
| lan
| of-words.dot.ca
| dot.ca
|
| Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : lan
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
| Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
| Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XX
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
| Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
| DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
| DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
| Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, January 29, 2007 12:14:05 AM
| Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, January 30, 2007 12:14:05 AM
|
| Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
|
| Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
|
| Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
| Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
+- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Thanks for any pointers on how to proceed.

Jack (MVP-Networking). wrote:
> Hi
>
> While there are standards that define, what Standby is, what
> Hibernation is, and what is On/Off that needs full reboots. Many
> Laptop manufacturers are very creative in trying to conserve battery
> life and develop propriety Power saving system that deviate from the
> standard. The Wireless aspect of a computer is much more dependent
> on the OS and software than a wired connection. As a result, it is
> not uncommon to find Laptops that behave the way you describe it.

It is possible that the problem is not related to hibernation. I
mentioned hibernation simply to provide a scenario in which one
encounters the problem. However, it also happens when I disconnect
form one access point and connect to another one (where the 1st one
might be your own modem, and the 2nd one may be a neighbours -- for
troubleshooting only, of course). The Windows icons show that the
network address is acquiring, then completed. However, you can't
actually connect to any website via that access point unless you
reboot.

Similarly, when you switch back to your own modem, it can't access any
website, not even the one maintained by the modem for administration
purposes. You can only do so after rebooting.

Same with cafe hotspots. You can connect to the local one after
rebooting, but not the one across the road (until you reboot). (By
"you" here, I mean me).

> I addition it is not clear what are you trying to connect, modem is
> usually not a Device that need to be connected to. You need to give
> real description of what is that you have as a system (names,
> models, etc.). If your Laptop's Wireless is pre installed, try to
> contact the manufacturer. If you installed it yourself, what did
> you installed?
>
> Jack (MVP-Networking).

I'm using the HP Compaq nc8230, which has built-in wireless. The
SpeedTouch 585 modem supports WiFi. I will eventually contact HP, but
my experience in the past with their driver software has been hopeless
and literally disasterous. So I was hoping to get an idea of the
bounds of the problem by seeing if it is just me, or also other people
with this laptop and/or modem. If I was lucky, people would recognize
the problem and perhaps have a solution. All I can say is that I do
not consider going to the vendor a viable solution.


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: WiFi connection needs reboot
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 01:19:53 -0500
From: M$ User <(E-Mail Removed)>
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless

I'm using a Compaq nc8230 wireless-equipped laptop to access a
SpeedTouch 585 wireless modem/router. The laptop run Windows XP
professional.

Whenever I bring the laptop home and bring it out of hibernation, it
connects to the SpeedTouch, but my Firefox browser claims that it can't
access any pages e.g. www.google.ca. Prior to coming home, it is
typically connected to a LAN via wired ethernet. At home, howeve, it
can't even access the modem via speedtouch.lan. It can access the modem
and the web, however, after I reboot. I also seem to need a reboot
before the laptop can pick up wireless hotspots. Is there a way to
avoid having to reboot? I lose all my context.

Here is what I've done to troubleshoot. I've captured the following at
some point in the troubleshooting process (I might have used Windows's
"Wireless Network Connection" application to explicitly disconnect and
reconnect to my speedtouch and/or used ipconfig to release and renew a
few times).

PROMPT> ipconfig /all
|
| Windows IP Configuration
|
| Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
| Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
| Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
| IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
| WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
|
| Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
|
| Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
|
| Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
|
| Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
|
| Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
| Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
+- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

At this point, explicitly connect to wireless modem via Windows's
"Wireless Network Connection" application. Wait until it acquires
network address.

PROMPT> ipconfig /all
|
| Windows IP Configuration
|
| Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
| Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
| Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
| IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
| WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
|
| Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
| Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
| Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
| Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
| Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
|
| Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
|
| Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
|
| Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
| Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
+- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Still no connection e.g. to www.google.ca.

I accessed the modem/router via another machine connected via ethernet
cable. The modem/router shows the wireless laptop IP address to be way
different from "Autoconfiguration IP Address" above. So I do a release
and renew on the wireless laptop:

PROMPT> ipconfig /release
|
| Windows IP Configuration
|
| No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection while it
| has its media disconnected.
|
| Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
|
| Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
|
| Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
|
| Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
+- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

PROMPT> ipconfig /renew
|
| Windows IP Configuration
|
| An error occurred while renewing interface Wireless Network Connection :
| unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out. No operation
| can be performed on Local Area Connection while it has its media
+- disconnected.

Rebooted wireless laptop. Browser can now access www.google.ca. The IP
Address has changed, and matches the IP Address shown by the
router/modem for the wireless laptop. The Default Gateway, DHCP Server,
and DNS Server all have the same IP address; they match the address
shown for these services on the ethernet wired laptop.

PROMPT> ipconfig /all
|
| Windows IP Configuration
|
| Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
| Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
| Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
| IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
| WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
| DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
| lan
| of-words.dot.ca
| dot.ca
|
| Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : lan
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
| Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
| Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XX
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
| Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
| DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
| DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
| Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, January 29, 2007 12:14:05 AM
| Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, January 30, 2007 12:14:05 AM
|
| Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
|
| Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
|
| Ethernet adapter {2E8647AB-FA09-44E3-9C61-C8409D345541}:
|
| Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
| Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
| Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
| Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
| IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
| Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
+- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Thanks for any pointers on how to proceed.

M$ User wrote:
> David Hettel wrote:
>> Well congratulations
>
> You're welcome.
>
>> you've edited all useful information right out of your IP
>> configuration information.
>
> I realize that much was removed, but wasn't sure which of the
> information was crucial. If you could suggest specific fields to
> uncensor, I'd be happy look at it.
>
>> In all likely hood you've got an IP address that begins
>> 192.168.xxx.xxx just like thousands of other people do.
>
> The original post shows no IP address field for any of the "things"
> reported on by "ipconfig /all", with the exception of the "Ethernet
> adapter Wireless Network Connection" (IP address 0.0.0.0). As can be
> seen from the captured info, after explicitly connecting to the
> wireless modem via Windows's "Wireless Network Connection"
> application, there is no longer a field called "IP Address", but there
> is a field called "Autoconfiguration IP Address. It is *not*
> 192.168.xxx.xxx. It is 169.254.xxx.xxx. According to DNSstuff.com,
> this is related to RFC 3330, which describes it as "communication
> between hosts on a single link", and "hosts may obtain these addresses
> by auto-configuration, such as when a DHCP server may not be found."
> As I mentioned in the original post, however, the DHCP Server, DNS
> Server, and Default gateway all have the same IP address (which
> coincides with the IP address that speedtouch.lan resolves to,
> coincidentally). The wireless laptop simply didn't have this info.
>
> The originally posted log from troubleshooting also shows that after
> an "ipconfig /release", IP Addresses and Subnet Masks for "Ethernet
> adapter Wireless Network Connection" and "Ethernet adapter" are all
> zeros. Both have blank for Default Gateway, and the "Ethernet adapter
> Local Area Connection" shows "Media State" as disconnected. To me,
> this seems to be a sanity check. However, it seems that "ipconfig
> /renew" did not succeed.
>
> Note that after the reboot, the "Ethernet adapter Wireless Network
> Connection" did have IP Addresses 192.168.xxx.xxx, as per your
> speculation above. If that is a check of sanity, then the posted data
> shows that the adapter was not sane prior to reboot.
>
> It may be worthwhile noting (or not) that even when interent
> connectivity was fine after rebooting, the "Ethernet adapter Local
> Area connecitivity" still had a Media State "disconnected".
>
>> Don't hibernate, turn your laptop off.
>
> As I mentioned, I am doing that. I was trying to find a a way to
> avoid that in order to avoid losing context.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: WiFi connection needs reboot
> Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 01:19:53 -0500
> From: M$ User <(E-Mail Removed)>
> Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless
>
> I'm using a Compaq nc8230 wireless-equipped laptop to access a
> SpeedTouch 585 wireless modem/router. The laptop run Windows XP
> professional.
>
> Whenever I bring the laptop home and bring it out of hibernation, it
> connects to the SpeedTouch, but my Firefox browser claims that it can't
> access any pages e.g. www.google.ca. Prior to coming home, it is
> typically connected to a LAN via wired ethernet. At home, howeve, it
> can't even access the modem via speedtouch.lan. It can access the modem
> and the web, however, after I reboot. I also seem to need a reboot
> before the laptop can pick up wireless hotspots. Is there a way to
> avoid having to reboot? I lose all my context.
>
> Here is what I've done to troubleshoot. I've captured the following at
> some point in the troubleshooting process (I might have used Windows's
> "Wireless Network Connection" application to explicitly disconnect and
> reconnect to my speedtouch and/or used ipconfig to release and renew a
> few times).
>
> PROMPT> ipconfig /all
> |
> | Windows IP Configuration
> |
> | Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
> | Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
> | Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
> | IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> | WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
> |
> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
> |
> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> |
> | Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> +- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>
> At this point, explicitly connect to wireless modem via Windows's
> "Wireless Network Connection" application. Wait until it acquires
> network address.
>
> PROMPT> ipconfig /all
> |
> | Windows IP Configuration
> |
> | Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
> | Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
> | Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
> | IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> | WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
> | Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
> | Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
> | Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
> |
> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> |
> | Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> +- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>
> Still no connection e.g. to www.google.ca.
>
> I accessed the modem/router via another machine connected via ethernet
> cable. The modem/router shows the wireless laptop IP address to be way
> different from "Autoconfiguration IP Address" above. So I do a release
> and renew on the wireless laptop:
>
> PROMPT> ipconfig /release
> |
> | Windows IP Configuration
> |
> | No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection while it
> | has its media disconnected.
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
> |
> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
> |
> | Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> +- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>
> PROMPT> ipconfig /renew
> |
> | Windows IP Configuration
> |
> | An error occurred while renewing interface Wireless Network Connection :
> | unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out. No operation
> | can be performed on Local Area Connection while it has its media
> +- disconnected.
>
> Rebooted wireless laptop. Browser can now access www.google.ca. The IP
> Address has changed, and matches the IP Address shown by the
> router/modem for the wireless laptop. The Default Gateway, DHCP Server,
> and DNS Server all have the same IP address; they match the address
> shown for these services on the ethernet wired laptop.
>
> PROMPT> ipconfig /all
> |
> | Windows IP Configuration
> |
> | Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
> | Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
> | Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
> | IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> | WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
> | DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
> | lan
> | of-words.dot.ca
> | dot.ca
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : lan
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
> | Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XX
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
> | Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
> | DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
> | DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
> | Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, January 29, 2007 12:14:05 AM
> | Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, January 30, 2007 12:14:05 AM
> |
> | Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
> |
> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> |
> | Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
> |
> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
> +- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>
> Thanks for any pointers on how to proceed.

The "autoconfiguration IP address," also known as APIPA (automatic
private IP addressing), in the range 169.254.0.1 through
169.254.255.254, is an IP address Windows XP assigns when a network
adapter has been configured to automatically obtain an IP address (from
a DHCP server) but no DHCP server is detected. This primarily is useful
for ad hoc connections between PCs.

In the first set of ipconfig info that you posted (prior to reboot),
there is a message "Media State: Media disconnected." This suggests
that the radio in your wifi adapter is turned off -- and then gets
turned back on with a reboot. If the wifi radio is off, there is
certainly no way the laptop can reach the DHCP server in your router to
get an IP address.

There are a couple of ways that laptop wifi radios get turned on/off: a
physical switch, a key press combination (usually Fn + Fx, where Fx is
one of the F keys), or -- and I think this is your issue -- some power
save configuration.

Go into the properties of your wireless adapter and make sure that all
power saving features are disabled. If your typical usage pattern is to
use the laptop at work, close the lid without explicitly shutting down,
and carry it home, it's likely that the wifi NIC is going into power
save, whether or not you have enabled hibernation.

--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

Lem wrote:
> M$ User wrote:
>> David Hettel wrote:
>>> Well congratulations
>> You're welcome.
>>
>>> you've edited all useful information right out of your IP
>>> configuration information.
>> I realize that much was removed, but wasn't sure which of the
>> information was crucial. If you could suggest specific fields to
>> uncensor, I'd be happy look at it.
>>
>>> In all likely hood you've got an IP address that begins
>>> 192.168.xxx.xxx just like thousands of other people do.
>> The original post shows no IP address field for any of the "things"
>> reported on by "ipconfig /all", with the exception of the "Ethernet
>> adapter Wireless Network Connection" (IP address 0.0.0.0). As can be
>> seen from the captured info, after explicitly connecting to the
>> wireless modem via Windows's "Wireless Network Connection"
>> application, there is no longer a field called "IP Address", but there
>> is a field called "Autoconfiguration IP Address. It is *not*
>> 192.168.xxx.xxx. It is 169.254.xxx.xxx. According to DNSstuff.com,
>> this is related to RFC 3330, which describes it as "communication
>> between hosts on a single link", and "hosts may obtain these addresses
>> by auto-configuration, such as when a DHCP server may not be found."
>> As I mentioned in the original post, however, the DHCP Server, DNS
>> Server, and Default gateway all have the same IP address (which
>> coincides with the IP address that speedtouch.lan resolves to,
>> coincidentally). The wireless laptop simply didn't have this info.
>>
>> The originally posted log from troubleshooting also shows that after
>> an "ipconfig /release", IP Addresses and Subnet Masks for "Ethernet
>> adapter Wireless Network Connection" and "Ethernet adapter" are all
>> zeros. Both have blank for Default Gateway, and the "Ethernet adapter
>> Local Area Connection" shows "Media State" as disconnected. To me,
>> this seems to be a sanity check. However, it seems that "ipconfig
>> /renew" did not succeed.
>>
>> Note that after the reboot, the "Ethernet adapter Wireless Network
>> Connection" did have IP Addresses 192.168.xxx.xxx, as per your
>> speculation above. If that is a check of sanity, then the posted data
>> shows that the adapter was not sane prior to reboot.
>>
>> It may be worthwhile noting (or not) that even when interent
>> connectivity was fine after rebooting, the "Ethernet adapter Local
>> Area connecitivity" still had a Media State "disconnected".
>>
>>> Don't hibernate, turn your laptop off.
>> As I mentioned, I am doing that. I was trying to find a a way to
>> avoid that in order to avoid losing context.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>>
>> -------- Original Message --------
>> Subject: WiFi connection needs reboot
>> Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 01:19:53 -0500
>> From: M$ User <(E-Mail Removed)>
>> Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless
>>
>> I'm using a Compaq nc8230 wireless-equipped laptop to access a
>> SpeedTouch 585 wireless modem/router. The laptop run Windows XP
>> professional.
>>
>> Whenever I bring the laptop home and bring it out of hibernation, it
>> connects to the SpeedTouch, but my Firefox browser claims that it can't
>> access any pages e.g. www.google.ca. Prior to coming home, it is
>> typically connected to a LAN via wired ethernet. At home, howeve, it
>> can't even access the modem via speedtouch.lan. It can access the modem
>> and the web, however, after I reboot. I also seem to need a reboot
>> before the laptop can pick up wireless hotspots. Is there a way to
>> avoid having to reboot? I lose all my context.
>>
>> Here is what I've done to troubleshoot. I've captured the following at
>> some point in the troubleshooting process (I might have used Windows's
>> "Wireless Network Connection" application to explicitly disconnect and
>> reconnect to my speedtouch and/or used ipconfig to release and renew a
>> few times).
>>
>> PROMPT> ipconfig /all
>> |
>> | Windows IP Configuration
>> |
>> | Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
>> | Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
>> | Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
>> | IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
>> | WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
>> |
>> | Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
>> |
>> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
>> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
>> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
>> |
>> | Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
>> |
>> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
>> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
>> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
>> |
>> | Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
>> |
>> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
>> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
>> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
>> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
>> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
>> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
>> +- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>>
>> At this point, explicitly connect to wireless modem via Windows's
>> "Wireless Network Connection" application. Wait until it acquires
>> network address.
>>
>> PROMPT> ipconfig /all
>> |
>> | Windows IP Configuration
>> |
>> | Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
>> | Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
>> | Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
>> | IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
>> | WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
>> |
>> | Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
>> |
>> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
>> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
>> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
>> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
>> | Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
>> | Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX
>> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
>> | Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>> |
>> | Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
>> |
>> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
>> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
>> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
>> |
>> | Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
>> |
>> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
>> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
>> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
>> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
>> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
>> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
>> +- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>>
>> Still no connection e.g. to www.google.ca.
>>
>> I accessed the modem/router via another machine connected via ethernet
>> cable. The modem/router shows the wireless laptop IP address to be way
>> different from "Autoconfiguration IP Address" above. So I do a release
>> and renew on the wireless laptop:
>>
>> PROMPT> ipconfig /release
>> |
>> | Windows IP Configuration
>> |
>> | No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection while it
>> | has its media disconnected.
>> |
>> | Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
>> |
>> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
>> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
>> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
>> | Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>> |
>> | Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
>> |
>> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
>> |
>> | Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
>> |
>> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
>> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
>> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
>> +- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>>
>> PROMPT> ipconfig /renew
>> |
>> | Windows IP Configuration
>> |
>> | An error occurred while renewing interface Wireless Network Connection :
>> | unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out. No operation
>> | can be performed on Local Area Connection while it has its media
>> +- disconnected.
>>
>> Rebooted wireless laptop. Browser can now access www.google.ca. The IP
>> Address has changed, and matches the IP Address shown by the
>> router/modem for the wireless laptop. The Default Gateway, DHCP Server,
>> and DNS Server all have the same IP address; they match the address
>> shown for these services on the ethernet wired laptop.
>>
>> PROMPT> ipconfig /all
>> |
>> | Windows IP Configuration
>> |
>> | Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : LAPTOP-NAME
>> | Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
>> | Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
>> | IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
>> | WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
>> | DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : Bunch.of-words.dot.ca
>> | lan
>> | of-words.dot.ca
>> | dot.ca
>> |
>> | Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
>> |
>> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : lan
>> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
>> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
>> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
>> | Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
>> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XX
>> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
>> | Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
>> | DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
>> | DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : XXX.XXX.X.XXX
>> | Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, January 29, 2007 12:14:05 AM
>> | Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, January 30, 2007 12:14:05 AM
>> |
>> | Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
>> |
>> | Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
>> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
>> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
>> |
>> | Ethernet adapter {XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}:
>> |
>> | Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
>> | Description . . . . . . . . . . . : SomeCompany IPSECSHM Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport
>> | Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX
>> | Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
>> | IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
>> | Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
>> +- Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
>>
>> Thanks for any pointers on how to proceed.
>
> The "autoconfiguration IP address," also known as APIPA (automatic
> private IP addressing), in the range 169.254.0.1 through
> 169.254.255.254, is an IP address Windows XP assigns when a network
> adapter has been configured to automatically obtain an IP address (from
> a DHCP server) but no DHCP server is detected. This primarily is useful
> for ad hoc connections between PCs.
>
> In the first set of ipconfig info that you posted (prior to reboot),
> there is a message "Media State: Media disconnected." This suggests
> that the radio in your wifi adapter is turned off -- and then gets
> turned back on with a reboot. If the wifi radio is off, there is
> certainly no way the laptop can reach the DHCP server in your router to
> get an IP address.
>
> There are a couple of ways that laptop wifi radios get turned on/off: a
> physical switch, a key press combination (usually Fn + Fx, where Fx is
> one of the F keys), or -- and I think this is your issue -- some power
> save configuration.
>
> Go into the properties of your wireless adapter and make sure that all
> power saving features are disabled. If your typical usage pattern is to
> use the laptop at work, close the lid without explicitly shutting down,
> and carry it home, it's likely that the wifi NIC is going into power
> save, whether or not you have enabled hibernation.

Hello, Lem,

There is indeed a button above the F-keys that enable or disable WiFi.
It is lit up blue when enabled. But I'm prtty confident that it is
not the problem, because it never gets turned off when I switch from
my working WiFi modem to a neighbours, after which it doesn't work
until after a reboot. If I don't reboot, and simply switch back to my
modem, I get connectivity again (this is the major reason why I don't
think the radio is off).

The "Media disconnected" in my first posting might be due to my
mucking around with ipconfig before starting more methodical
troubleshooting.

The problem seems to be software, in that the new info about the new
access point isn't being gotten. The pattern seems to be that only
the first access point connected to after a reboot will work, even if
you switch to another (thus losing internet connectivity) and switch
back (thus regaining connectivity). In both switchings, I disconnect
from the Wireless Network Connection panel before reconnecting to the
next access point. In all cases, the Wireless Network Connection
panel shows a 1-2 second delay before showing that the network address
is being acquired. After a few seconds, the new access point is
(apparently) "connected". I tend to expect that the connection
process would not get to the stage of acquiring a network address if
the radio was off.

I did search, however, for any switches that might affect the power
saving of the wireless adapter. In the Wireless Network Connection
panel, I looked under "Change advanced settings", as well as browsing
the wireless adapter properties in the device manager. Haven't
happened upon a candidate looking setting yet.

I appreciate your suggestions though. If you have any further
suggestions, I certainly welcome them.