nagging computer error...
 

Periodically I get the following error in a dialog box on my computer (running Windows 2000 and Cox cable):

Anybody experience anything similar? Anyone have any ideas how to fix the problem?

Go to the control panel, find network connections. Click on it and find your LAN icon. Right click on it and disable it. Wait a bit then re-enable it.

Should work then. I get this all the time when on the road and believe it gets a new IP address by doing this.

joeA

Thanks Joe. I'll give that a try.

Sounds like Cox's DHCP servers are screwed up.

Allen,

Do you have a home network set up, or just the single computer connected directly to the cable modem?

Randy

Randy, I've got a linksys wireless access point/router between my cable modem and my desktop computer. I occassionaly use a laptop in wireless mode, which is why I have the linksys. I've had this setup for more than a year and never had a problem until last week.

Allen,

Couple more questions for you...

1.) When you get this error, are both your desktop AND laptop turned on and connected to the network (wired or wireless)?

2.) If they are both connected, check the IP address of both pc's. Open a command prompt and type IPCONFIG and hit Enter.

If the addresses of both computers are the same, change the TCP/IP settings for each computer to have a static IP address. This way your router won't hand out the same one to each computer. (Not sure why it would be doing that, but this should cure it.)

If both PCs have DIFFERENT addresses, you may have a different issue. How close are you to your neighbor's house? It's possible they could be piggy-backing onto your wireless network and picking up an address already assigned to your computer.

You can solve this problem with a few config changes to your router/access point. Turn on MAC filtering and tell the router which MAC addresses to allow onto your network. Also, turn off "broadcasting" of your router/access point's SSID. And third, enable WEP Encryption and assign WEP keys to each PC's network card.

If this all seems too deep, post back and we'll walk you through it. I've got a Linksys wireless router and an access point installed, and they are really pretty simple to configure. Just have to get past all the jargon. ;)

Randy

Gotta wonder if some is wandering onto your access point.

You have this thing locked down with WEP/WPA?

Randy -- the error happens when the laptop is not in use. I've just enabled WEP encryption (I think). Hopefully, this will fix the problem... If not, you may be getting a PM from me for more specifics :) Thanks!

If you've enabled WEP on your router/access point, and entered a WEP key, you'll have to configure the same WEP key on your wireless card on your laptop or you won't be able to connect.

Randy

Yep, I did that on the laptop, and it now works fine. Thanks!

Allen,

Glad to hear you got it fixed.

As an extra precautionary measure, I would still recommend you disable broadcasting of your SSID and enable MAC filtering.

Broadcasting basically sends your SSID (Your network's unique name) out into the airwaves. Anyone within range of your network can see it. While WEP should keep them out, if they somehow manage to crack your key, they would be allowed in. The chances of this happening are very slim, but heck, some people live for this kind of thing....the same mentality as those who write virii.

MAC Filtering is where you specifically add the MAC address of the wireless card in your laptop to the list of authorized MACs. Then configure your router/access point to only allow access to MACs on your list. Only cards that YOU have determined will have access. You can find the MAC address by typing IPCONFIG /ALL at the command prompt.

Now, with all this being said, none of these three methods are 100% foolproof. If someone wants to get in bad enough, and they possess the skills, they'd be able to do it. BUT, with all three of these things working for you, you're pretty close to being invulnerable.

Not trying to scare you or anything, chances are that someone with these kinds of skills would rather spend their time trying to break into a government site, or some sort of financial business. The typical home network is generally not a target for someone like this.

Either way, again, I'm glad you got it worked out. Good on ya!

Randy