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DNS Issue - Laptop can't connect to Internet
I have a small network with two laptops connected to the Internet. The building has a T1 for access and the two laptops are connected through a Linksys router. One of the laptops can connect to the Internet from both the classroom and the office ethernet drops. The other laptop can connect only from the office drop. It can not connect from the classroom drop. I've been to the site and my laptop can connect from both the classroom and the office drop. I also had a local wiring contractor out to test the drops and cables. Everythings fine there. I did a DNS flush on the laptop that can connect only from the office drop. That didn't work. Any suggestions? I'm getting ready to rebuild the laptop just to get this thing working again.
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kalav
Compare both laptops' ip configuration..mainly ip address, subnet, getway and dns server/host files.
Check the DNS setup on the laptop. It could be having a DNS server configured that is not reachable from classroom.
ASKER
The laptop is receiving the correct IP address range, subnet and gateway from the router. I've done a /release and/renew to verify that the router is issuing the correct numbers.
ASKER
DNS settings of TCP/IP properties are set correctly. DNS server is "obtain automatically" from the router. The DNS tab is also set correctly with no specific entries.
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ASKER
The DNS server IP address is the same as the routers gateway number. I should also comment that any laptop on the network can ping the computer that can't reach the Internet.
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ASKER
The "bad" laptop can ping the gateway. I'm going to have to try the second suggestion to type the IP address on the IE address toolbar this afternoon. The teacher and kids have left for a field trip. No one is there to work on this until this afternoon. I'll keep everyone posted.
ASKER
I'll have the teacher check the IE LAN connections this afternoon. Sorry for the delay, but I don't have anyone at the site at this time. I'll post later this afternoon or first thing in the morning.
ASKER
I would assume that the IE LAN connections settings of the "bad" laptop have to be set properly since it can reach the Internet in the office. Just not the classroom.
That's the whole mystery to this issue. The "bad" laptop can perform all Internet and email functions from the office, but not the classroom. How can the ethernet drop affect DNS settings, etc. from room to room?
I'll keep checking anyone's suggestions because this one is a mystery to many network techies I'm talking to.
That's the whole mystery to this issue. The "bad" laptop can perform all Internet and email functions from the office, but not the classroom. How can the ethernet drop affect DNS settings, etc. from room to room?
I'll keep checking anyone's suggestions because this one is a mystery to many network techies I'm talking to.
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It's a mistery for me also at this momemt. But if that laptop was configured to automatically detect proxy defenitions, for example, instead of already having IP addresses configured, some switch could be causing some problems to that detection.
ASKER
I'll check the laptop firewall settings. By default I have the laptops to have Windows XP firewall software turned off. I didn't check that setting so I guess it's possible that software somehow got turned on. I'll reply after checking all these suggstions this afternoon.
ASKER
This laptop is a "clone" of 60 other identical laptops and has been working all year since September when the staff returned. For some reason, this issue poped up after the weekend. I asked the staff if anyone had the laptop at home trying to connect to the Internet outside of our network. The answer I got was no. If push comes to shove, I'm assuming the only way to correct this would be a rebuild.
I will get back to everyone helping with answers to your suggestions.
I will get back to everyone helping with answers to your suggestions.
ASKER
I've had to go to this site and reverify all the troubleshooting that we've done over the phone. Everything is set and testing ok. The laptop did actually start working for 1 1/2 days last week and then quit working again. I'm not going to spend any futher time on this issue. I'm going to try and rebuild the laptop and go from there. I appreciate anyone who helped me with this situation.
I need to contact Expert Exchange support because I don't know how to aware points or accept answers on this issue. It's technically still unsolved, but everyone has been a tremendous help with advise and suggestions.
I need to contact Expert Exchange support because I don't know how to aware points or accept answers on this issue. It's technically still unsolved, but everyone has been a tremendous help with advise and suggestions.
ASKER
All solutions were excellent suggestions and were technically accurate. However, none of the solutions fixed the issue. It is an issue that even local networking specialists are baffled on. Everyone did an excellent job at trying to help me out. Thank you!