I can't hook my laptop up to my LAN?!?

Question

I have comcast internet and have a desk top running on it without a problem. I am trying to use the same connection to access the internet via a NETGEAR fast ethernet switch (model fs605 v2 to be exact).

When I plug my LAN cable in recognizes it, searches for the IP address and than the yellow exclamation point pops up and says limited or no connectivity. When I go to repair the connection it cannot renew the IP address.

My TCP/IP properties are set to obtain IP address auto.
Obtain DNS server auto.
DHCP enabled
The advanced TCP/IP settings mirror my desk top which everything is at its default state.

I disabled the firewall on my desk top and lap top and still no dice. I also uninstalled my NIC from the device manager and than reinstalled it from actions menu and scanned for network changes. It reinstalled successfully and still the same thing.

I tried the cable on my desk top and it worked fine.

Is there anyone who can help.. also I am using XP on both machines.

Answer 1

Do you have DHCP enabled on the Desktop machine.
The netgear is a Switch so I doubt will have DHCP running on it.

There has to be a DHCP server somewhere on your LAN or the Laptop will not get an IP.

You could set the IP address on the Laptop manually to the same as the desktop + 1 and leave all other settings the same. This will at least get your laptop connected whilst you work out if the desktop has DHCP enabled.

Answer 2

swap cables from the working PC to the broken one, and do a DHCP refresh. You can force it to refresh by typing IPCONFIG /RENEW at a DOS prompt. The cable may be faulty or a crossover type.

Also plug into a different port on the router, and retry.

Answer 3

you have to give DNS IP ADDRESS &Alternative DNS. u have to give ip add or obtain auto its your choice