DHCP Problem

Mrwurm · Jun 17, 2003

Well, I am going to wait on doing the ip / release till I do some more testing.
Tomorrow, I am going to have the hub tested at the computer shop. I may also pick up a cross-over cable so that I can check my machines two at a time without the hub.
So far, I have disconnected the hub and I can now boot all three machines with no DHCP error. (DHCP is still turned on). Two of the machines WILL ping the ip loopback address 127.0.0.1 but when I plug back into the hub they can't ping each other. I actually hope it is the hub, that's an easy fix. I'll post tomorow night if I have any luck.

looch · Jun 18, 2003

Jerry,

It can get very confusing to troubleshoot if you are dealing with more than one problem at a time. You must address the most basic of the problems before continuing on to the next. All machines must be able to ping the localhost (127.0.0.1). They do not need to be connected to anything for this to work. Remove the card from one machine and uninstall the device from your device manager. Reinstall the card and turn the computer on. If you still can't ping the localhost, your card may be fried. Any thunderstorms in your area lately?

Mrwurm · Jun 18, 2003

( You do not need to be connected to a network to ping 127.0.0.1. That is the address of the localhost. I suspect you have a configuration/corruption issue. Do a find for a file called hosts.sam. It should contain a line like this:

127.0.0.1 localhost

If it doesn't, or 127.0.0.1 points elsewhere, or something else points to localhost, then you have probably been corrupted somehow.
)

1) Cannot find this file on the computer that will not ping 127.0.0.1 /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
This machine also produces IPC and DHCP errors regardless of connection to the hub.

2) The two other machines can ping 127.0.0.1 but cannot ping each other. They produce no errors when disconnected from the hub. I have acquired a 25ft crossover cable so I can independently test these two machines and possible rule them out as a source of the trouble.

3) I have realized that the hub (d link 5 port switch) may have been exposed to alot of heat. The hub sits on top of my sattellite transmit modem which runs (estimate) at about 150 deg F. 24 hrs a day.

4) Starting to think that there is two problems. One with the main computer (Audrie) and the other with the hub (sorry, no name for the hub).

5) I have bought a simple switch hub from the computer store at their suggestion. ""Try it, if it does'nt solve your problem, bring it back"" They are nice people.

So, I'll be doing some testing about 7 hours from now.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 18, 2003

( 2) The two other machines can ping 127.0.0.1 but cannot ping each other. They produce no errors when disconnected from the hub. I have acquired a 25ft crossover cable so I can independently test these two machines and possible rule them out as a source of the trouble. )

I would not expect these two machines to be able to ping each other if ICS is down on the third machine, even with a crossover cable. I'm not 100% sure of this, but it is my expectation.

SnowRidge

WVBill · Jun 18, 2003

( One with the main computer (Audrie) and the other with the hub (sorry, no name for the hub). )

Made me think of the Dilbert cartoon from my desk calendar:

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Anonymous Poster · Jun 18, 2003

Thanks WVBill, you just made my day.

SnowRidge

Mrwurm · Jun 18, 2003

Yep, ICS was causing the trouble. With Internet Connection Sharing enabled on the Direcway Sattellite connection, ICS doles out a IP that matches Direcway. Couple this with the fact that I use TCP/IP and not Netbeui you can easily see that forgetting to turn on ICS when I last reinstalled the sattellite software left me with no LAN connection of any type. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

SnowRidge's comment about the futility of my experiment with the cross-over cable is what finally prompted me to start thinking about the types of protocols and how and why they work. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

As I understand it, NETBEUI protocol is used for simple file and printer sharing networks. TCP/IP is used for both file and printer sharing as well as shared internet connections. With ICS turned off (oops) I could not even get file sharing because NETBEUI is not installed.

I think I know just enough about this stuff to really screw things up. Well, at least I can return the new hub I bought today.

Thanks to all for offering their ideas, comments, and support. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif