Limited Internet Connectivity

Alright, I'm having a weird issue with my friends computer.

The internet went out last week and she was on the phone with the ISP for a good 4 hours troubleshooting and the ISP finally determining that she 'probably needs a new computer' (good service). Basic troubleshooting steps like, rebooting router, modem, disabling the LAN/re-enabling, blah blah blah.

I work at a computer repair shop so she asked me to help.

One of the first things I tried was the Resort to Last Known Good Configuration at the boot menu. Didn't help.

The computer has the same issue at my place and my work. I have tried uninstalling and installing the network driver multiple times and still the same problem, can't connect to the internet. Going into safe mode I notice I can get a connection for about a minute before it shuts down and says unidentified network.

Initially I was thinking maybe a virus/spyware, so I run multiple programs such as malwarebytes, spybot, super antispyware, tdsskiller which all found minor spyware and a few trojans that I removed. Problem still persisted. Even ran ComboFix, still nothing. I ran a few commands for resetting the TCP/IP stack, flushing the dns, still nothing. I noticed that sometimes I could see the gateway with ipconfig and other times I would just get a 169... address.

I installed a new NIC card into her motherboard and at first the motherboard wouldn't even recognize it there. I tried installing the driver for it and still didn't work. I then wanted to try a test to see if maybe it really was a virus or something to do with the system services. I installed Windows 7 onto a different HDD, after I got to the desktop I saw that I still did not have an internet connection even after installing the network drivers and the new NIC card I installed still wasn't showing up in device manager.

I then think, the motherboard is hooped. Last resort, I pulled out the battery on the motherboard for 5 mins and reinserted. I booted back up the old HDD for vista and now it see's the new NIC card and I got an internet connection. I was ecstatic gave it back.

Now, after a week later, I get a message from my friend saying the internet doesn't work again... does anyone else have any ideas before I say.. it's time for a new computer?

Sorry for the long post and thanks to anyone who can help!

Hello Mike and welcome to Vista Forums!

In my experience both Vista and 7 do not like to have their network/internet connection changed around. Not mobile at all. They both become alarmed and assume the worst and block all connection to prevent some "Unknown Connection" from compromising the computer and simply will not listen when you tell the "computer" it is OK! That said, the usual culprit is the Anti-virus software or Firewall. An easy check is to turn them both off (temporarily) and see if connection is restored.

If that doesn't do it, you do the steps you described in flushing and resetting in hopes of convincing Vista it is OK to connect and use the internet. I seem to recall an update for Vista to help this problem ... you should try googling that.

Here is the best MS has to offer: Chapter 16 – Troubleshooting TCP/IP

Hope this has been of some help? I recall the frustration I felt spending hours setting up a client's computer at my place and taking it to their place and not being able to connect the computer to their service provider. ARGH!

Cheers!
Robert

I am a newbie but I have encountered that problem already Well my problem was limited connection, Unidentified connection and somewhat like that so once I tried to see my Windows Update then I spotted an update for my Wifi adapter then I updated it and it fixed the problem have you tried doing it? here is what to do

1. Open windows update
2. View available updates (If you haven't updated your computer recently update them all)
3. Go to the optional one's
4. If you see your Wifi adapter there it needs update


Hope this helps sorry for my bad english I am a filipino not my local language.