Need help with Verizon DSL & Windows XP

[quilt191]

Hello All,

I am personally running Verizon FIOS without any problems. However, my father-in-law still has Verizon DSL, which he has been using without any problems for the last 4 years until now.

To make the long story short, it seems that the LAN card that came with his old Dell PC died. I pulled it (there is no LAN NIC on the motherboard), and installed a new LAN card, which supports 10/100 MBps and is RoHS complient. However, for some unknown still to us reason, he is getting the LAN "Limited Connection" error.

I have tried everything I could think of, and spent over 6 hours with 3 different Verizon DSL tech support folks. However, we cannot even get to 192.168.1.1 (which is the address of the Westell 6100). I have tried even slowing the LAN card to 10 Mbps / Half-Duplex (or Full). TCP/IPv4 is set to obtain IP / DNS automatically and etc...  It's also set to DHCP.

We know fo sure that his Verizon DSL connection does work. Why? Because when I plugged in the same Ethernet cable into a laptop that I brought with me, we had an instant Internet connection (running Windows 7).

So it must be something within Windows XP that is blocking access. I am trying to do everything to not having for him to buy a new computer at this time and save the current system.

I have deleted any and all Network cards drivers in the Control Panel / System / Devices. I have NOT messed with any registry tricks, but am now willing.

Any and all help with suggestions is greately appreciated.

[walt178]

Best guess is that you need a WindowsXP compatible driver for your new LAN card.   You definitely need a driver, so if you "deleted any and all Network cards drivers" it isn't going to work.  Go to the company website for the new LAN card and they should have a suitable driver.

There should not be any need to mess with the registry.

[armond_in_nj1]

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@walt178 wrote:

Best guess is that you need a WindowsXP compatible driver for your new LAN card ... if you "deleted any and all Network cards drivers" it isn't going to work.  Go to the company website for the new LAN card and they should have a suitable driver ... 

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Following up on Walt's suggestions, what shows up in the XP Device Manager window for the network card?  Also, most network cards including newer models will automatically find a suitable generic driver in the XP install system32 folder, because network cards are pretty much "vanilla."  However this isn't always the case with AMD motherboards and processors.

[quilt191]

The LAN card is using the default Windows XP driver, which is working.  There are no any custom or newer drivers from the maker, as I checked (it's Tenda Tenda L8139D 10/100 Network Adapter)

http://www.tenda.cn/tendacn/product/show.aspx?productid=213

I even downloaded the driver, and inside the ZIP I found the Windows XP driver, dated 2002.  So I am sure that Windows is providing a much better driver.

Back to step 1...

Thanks for the suggestions but this did not solve it.

[armond_in_nj1]

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@quilt191 wrote:

The LAN card is using the default Windows XP driver, which is working.  There are no any custom or newer drivers from the maker, as I checked (it's Tenda Tenda L8139D 10/100 Network Adapter) ... I am sure that Windows is providing a much better driver ...

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As I'm sure you know, there's nothing exotic about network card drivers.  Assuming all's well within the box and that there are no software firewall issues or similar anomalies, the remaining first tier possibility is the physical connection between the box and the router.  IOW try plugging the box directly into a LAN port on the router with known good cables.  This will eliminate any cable faults between the box and the router. 

Otherwise, I haven't much else to add at this juncture.  Please let Walt and me know what happens.

[quilt191]

Hi again.

The Westell 6100 is connected directly to the PC.  There is nothing in between.  No routers, no splitters, nothing.

[armond_in_nj1]

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@quilt191 wrote:

The Westell 6100 is connected directly to the PC.  There is nothing in between.  No routers, no splitters, nothing.

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Did you change the RJ45 network cable (just a thought)?

If so, that leaves software, specifically firewall software.  If that's not the root of the problem then you need a pro, not a total amateur like me (smile).

Keep us posted.

[dslr595148]

Be adviced, dup posting over at

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r28327257-connectivity-Need-help-with-Verizon-DSL-Windows-XP

[smith6612]

Just out of curiosity, did you guys try plugging in the USB portion of the modem at some point? You have to reboot the modem if you haven't already after using USB, or else you won't be able to connect anyways, even if Windows recognizes the network adapter and a link is seen. The modem only accepts one or the other.

[quilt191]

Yes. I am the same poster and no Kudos yet for anyone, as this has not been solved on either board.