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Post by MartinT on Jul 26, 2021 19:26:46 GMT
If you haven't changed any settings, the likelihood is that the router is set for DHCP (auto IP) so a power cycle of both may well fix things.
Make sure you use a known good cable and chuck any that don't behave once you've identified one. Deal with WiFi only when you've got cable connection going, which is one step less complex.
Have you inspected the ethernet sockets with a torch to ensure that nothing has got stuck in there. Dog bone, for instance...
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 26, 2021 19:37:57 GMT
Thanks, will do that tomorrow
All the help I have seen lists what to do but subtly different
I guess I have what I need.
Checked all cables from boss's laptop direct into the router on Friday.
They all work, from the oldest to the newest
Boss's laptop also works fine here in the other room via cable. This one won't anymore
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Post by ajski2fly on Jul 27, 2021 6:10:27 GMT
Checked all cables from boss's laptop direct into the router on Friday. They all work, from the oldest to the newest Boss's laptop also works fine here in the other room via cable. This one won't anymore So it sounds that the issue is with your laptop. I would suggest you take it to a friends or friendly neighbours and see if it connects there using a cable. Is it a PC or MAC? I seem to remember you had WiFi issue with it as well? If it’s an Apple then they have an Airport card mounted on the logic board, these can fail, and can also cause connection issues using cable. If you purely have Ethernet connection issues then if I recall correctly all Apple laptops that had Ethernet ports had these mounted on the logic board so not an easy fix if damaged. The MacBooks that don’t have them you use a USB to Ethernet adapter, if this it what your using then you need to check this with another MacBook. Also inspect the USB sockets, once again if they or the logic board is damaged then it’s not a cheap fix. If it’s a PC then I can advise based on working on them in IT test/support roles for 15 years. You need to go through a logical process to clearly determine whether it is software or hardware causing the issues. On the surface it may appear to be straight forward but it certainly is not. Software issues can look like hardware, and hardware issues can cause all sorts of operating system errors which can confuse the end user or IT technicians into not identifying the root cause. Firstly identify a known good Ethernet cable and only use that one for testing, mark it as Known good. You need to do the same if using a usb to Ethernet adapter for a MacBook. Whether PC or MacBook as others said carefully examine the Ethernet socket(or usb if being used for a MacBook) for any signed of physical damage, use a torch and magnifying glass, carefully clean any dirt/debris out with a small plastic stick. If any signs of bent connectors that is the issue. Next ensure that Microsoft OS or MAC OS is fully up to date with all updates/patches. If it needs updating BACK IT UP and then run the OS updates. Now try the Ethernet connection with the known good cables. If it is still not working you now have reached the point where you can determine whether it is software or hardware causing the issue. At this point the standard practice is to fully back up the data on the machine, wipe it clean and do a fresh installation of the operating system, however from experience this may work and then you get others issues. This because there is an underlying issue with with hard drive which has causing Ethernet/network corruptions when loading the drivers etc for the operating system. So having backed up the data on the machine run hard drive integrity checkers(run verify on a Mac)to ensure you do not have SMART errors or data block errors/sectors, if you have the former the hard drive is toast, the later indicates it’s on its way out. NOTE BACK UP FIRST, if you run hard disk checker and the drive is failing it can become unusable! If the hard drive is good then it is possible the network drivers and/settings have become corrupted during an OS update. So now it’s time to fully erase the machine and do a full re-install of the operating system. Obviously if you have no network connection with the machine it is not possible unless you have the OS install on an external hard drive and the knowledge of how to install using it, time for an IT engineer. If after a clean install of the OS it still does not connect using Ethernet then it is most likely internally damaged hardware. Time for repair or replace if un-economic. I hope this is of some help, if you are going to diagnose the problem yourself then as I have indicated above you need to be very methodical and focused, it is very easy to get confused or mislead by red herrings. For example one day a machine boots up and the Ethernet/WiFi works then it’s starts failing. You reboot it and it then does not work. So you assume it’s a dodgy Ethernet cable, you replace it and still the same occurs. Actually the problem is more likely to be a failing hard drive which is causing network issues when loading the drivers on boot up, believe me I have seen it many times. Alternatively a failing component on logic board or WiFi card that works for a while and the goes out of operating criteria. Cheers Adrian |
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Post by MartinT on Jul 27, 2021 7:18:49 GMT
Yep - you can often get ethernet or wi-fi working again by uninstalling their drivers and forcing a reinstall. In other cases, I have repaired wi-fi by replacing the plug-in board that they nearly all have. Replacements are usually easy to find. Remember, though, that Mike is not technical so will find this information hard to follow. It's a pity that it's networking that is failing otherwise I could help Mike with a remote Quick Assist session. Mike: can you right-click This PC, select Manage, then Device Manager and see if you have any red crosses or down arrows next to anything in Network adapters?  |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 27, 2021 12:54:29 GMT
Thanks Martin "This device is working properly" - In Intel Ethernet Connection Properties - it said Turned Router and Laptop off for an hour Came back with the same I see a few options, Update Driver Uninstall (and auto reinstall on boot up ?) there may be many more. Vast amount in Advanced Wishing to fix this but not make it worse (a speciality) I await your kind attention  |
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Post by MartinT on Jul 27, 2021 13:08:50 GMT
Ok, from the above screen right-click the Intel driver and uninstall. DO NOT SELECT TO DELETE THE FILES. Then go to Action and Scan for Hardware changes. This will reinstall the network driver with default settings.
Then try connecting the laptop again.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 27, 2021 15:05:43 GMT
Thanks
Uninstalled.
Intel Ethernet off the list
Right clicked on Network adapters and
Scan for hardware changes
Intel Ethernet is back but no connection after I plugged the cable back
Went to router and plugged in direct.
Still no connection
Will now reboot laptop on the off chance ......
.... nope
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Post by MartinT on Jul 27, 2021 18:02:03 GMT
Hmm, I think your laptop may be an ex-laptop.
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Post by petea on Jul 27, 2021 18:08:44 GMT
But it has such lovely plumage!  |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 27, 2021 19:17:11 GMT
It tops my lap and has wifi
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Post by ajski2fly on Jul 27, 2021 19:30:05 GMT
Back the data up and run a hard disk checker. I have seen corrupt Hard drives cause a variety of issues like this many times, if it fails you have the answer.
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Post by julesd68 on Jul 27, 2021 22:15:04 GMT
Gents, I'm trying to help my mother who isn't really satisfied with her Plusnet wifi.
One of her IT worker neighbours is very keen on BT - I hope their customer service is better than it used to be! She's in a three floor house so I'm thinking a mesh solution would be most sensible. Would it make sense to buy the BT discs and keep the whole system BT or is there anything else I should be considering.
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Post by julesd68 on Jul 27, 2021 22:31:57 GMT
My other idea is to stick with Plusnet as she is mid contract and just buy a mesh system to improve things. Maybe we should try that first as she could of course use the new mesh hardware with future broadband providers ...
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Post by MartinT on Jul 28, 2021 5:25:02 GMT
BT owns Plusnet so you're not really buying a different service. You could buy BT Wholehome mesh discs and add them to the Plusnet router, exactly as I have done. You connect the master disc to the router and turn its own WiFi off. Then you add the others around the house. It works very well and much better than using extenders.
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Post by robin5 on Jul 28, 2021 7:39:13 GMT
Left Plusnet years ago once their customer service went downhill - hardly surprising once BT beancounters take over. With Zen now - top drawer.
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Post by julesd68 on Jul 28, 2021 9:07:58 GMT
Thanks chaps.
I'm going to buy the BT discs. Zen is available in her area so that's a great option once her contract with Plusnet expires.
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Post by petea on Jul 28, 2021 11:13:01 GMT
Another very impressed Zen customer here (home and business). I like the Ubiqiti mesh system, and there are some good packages out there from them.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 28, 2021 14:42:15 GMT
Back the data up and run a hard disk checker. I have seen corrupt Hard drives cause a variety of issues like this many times, if it fails you have the answer. This is an SSD, around 1 year old Run Chkdsk ? |
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Post by ajski2fly on Jul 28, 2021 14:58:57 GMT
Back the data up and run a hard disk checker. I have seen corrupt Hard drives cause a variety of issues like this many times, if it fails you have the answer. This is an SSD, around 1 year old Run Chkdsk ? Back up data first!!! Running hard drive diagnostics on a failing SSD can make it become unusable, I have seen this several times, it can also occur with spinning disk drives. |
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Post by julesd68 on Jul 29, 2021 21:42:14 GMT
Today I got the three BT discs and installed this evening for my mum.
Set up was simplicity itself. You just need to be sensible where you place the discs but the BT app advises you if you have chosen a good location in terms of signal strength.
So far delighted with the results based on strength and depth of WiFi signal. For example, my phone was losing WiFi completely in furthest parts of the kitchen but now have max signal. Very impressive. We'll just need to test it with Zoom calls at some point.
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