Why isn't my computer connecting to my router?

Question

The secondary computer is connecting fine to the same router

Answer 1

The router, if it is set up correctly will assign a private IP address to each computer on the LAN. The router has its own IP address and you can PING these IP address's to test the connection.

You computer has to be set up to "Obtain IP address automatically" from the router.

To check this go to Control Panel and click on NETWORK Connections.
Look at the status on the LAN Connection. This will provide some information as to what is going on. Is it connected, Cable unplugged or what?

Double click on LAN -
Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click on properties.
Make sure Obtain IP Address Automatically is selected.

After you do that close all the windows and go back to START
click on RUN and in the text box type CMD and press ok.

When the DOS window opens type IPCONFIG /ALL

Look at the IP address line. That is the IP address of your PC.

Look at the Gateway IP address - that is the IP address of your router.

type PING and the IP address and press enter.

This will send a test to the router. If the tests fails there is a problem with the cable or your NIC.

Answer 2

Could be many different things....The first thing i would check is the Port on the router. If it is bad then any further troubleshooting would be in vain. A simple way to do this would be to simply plug the Ethernet cord from Computer 1, into the port that computer 2 is using and vice versa. If the port is bad...computer 2 will not be able to connect anymore while Computer 1 will be able to. Solution....use a different port on the router.

Another common problem is the Network Connection is disabled. To check this simply go into the control panel under the network connections, and ensure that the Local Area Connection for the ethernet card is Present and is Enabled. If it is missing altogether windows is no longer recognizing your ethernet card. Solution Install Drivers, if still no dice....Replace Ethernet Card (<$15). If connection is disabled, simply doubleclick on it to enable it (Win XP)

Firewall Software preventing connection. If you have a software firewall on your computer....Try disabling it. (you will not be open to any more attacks than you currently are already) If it works, great. If not...Well...at least we are absolutly sure that there is not a firewall in the way...

Spyware/Malware Another possibility is a Spyware/Malware infestation. Severe cases of spyware/malware will cause this issue as well. there are many programs that claim to remove spyware, but if it came to you as a pop-up....dont use it. I recommend AdAware 2007 and/or Spybot: Search and Destroy. Both work quite well..and both are available for download from www.download.com. Download them on computer 2 and put them on a disk and bring them to computer 1 if you do not already have them.

Hope this information helps you out some.


In response to Bill....

Your computer does not have to have automatically specified IP address. You can manually set your IP address as long as it fits within the subnet that the router would Automatically specify. (In fact this is particularly important for port forwarding, Networked Printers etc.) I have mine manually specified for my linksys router. I manually specified 192.168.1.102 for my IP address, 255.255.255.0 as a subnet....and since the router IP is 192.168.1.1 that is my Default Gateway. My router would automatically supply an IP address of 192.168.1.XXX so i know it fits. The only thing about doing it this way is you also have to have Manually specified DNS servers. But you can get them from the inside of the router interface.

Answer 3

Could be many different reasons. These reasons below are common.

1) The computer may not be set to obtain an IP address automatically. You can check this in the computer's TCP / IP settings.

2) Could be a bad cable.

3) The network card on that computer may be bad

Answer 4

Do the computers have different network names?

Often, it helps to turn off the computers and routers and let them reboot so the computers are recognized.

Answer 5

You need to call your router manufacturer. They usually have tech support, free. I have 24/7 support w/Linksys and they are great. Go to website to get their phone number.

Answer 6

Insufficient information provided to answer this question.

Answer 7

We need more info, what sort of error do you get, wired or wireless?