Dell Inspiron doesn't see network

**bdj** · March 28th, 2012, 05:16 PM

I have a Dell Inspiron laptop that I purchased from QVC about 2 years ago. It is running Windows 7 64bit. My wife was using it the other day when for some reason, she got disconnected from the internet. I checked the wireless, no connections. I plugged in an Ethernet cable, no connections. I checked with my other wireless computer, connections were available, as well as through the same Ethernet cable. I ran Norton virus scan, nothing detected. I check the device manager, it recognized both the wireless and Ethernet devices, and they were enabled. I changed from DHCP to manual IP addressing, no change.

Any suggestions or ideas?

bdj

**osprey4** · March 28th, 2012, 06:57 PM

Hi bdj,

Welcome to TechIMO.

For troubleshooting purposes, let's keep it plugged in to your router and leave the IP as automatic. Several questions:
1. Do you see "the network cable is unplugged" in the system tray?
2. Open a DOS box ("CMD") and type "ipconfig /all". Tell me what you see.
3. Try accessing the router configuration page. If you can access that, then it's a different problem.
4. Check the lights next to your network port and tell me what you see.

**Taxmancometh** · March 28th, 2012, 07:54 PM

Welcome to TechIMO???? He's only been here sense '01!

**Nude_Lewd_Man** · March 29th, 2012, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by Taxmancometh

Welcome to TechIMO???? He's only been here sense '01!

That's what I was about to say too.... xD

*sInce*

I know that I hate using it as a "troubleshooting" tool, but has that machine been restarted, it could recover itself automagically....

**bdj** · March 29th, 2012, 01:42 PM

Nude Lewd Man,

At least 3 or 4 times.

Osprey4,

In answer to question #4, there are no lights on, on the ethernet port on the laptop when the cable is plugged in.

bdj.

**Nude_Lewd_Man** · March 30th, 2012, 03:02 AM

If there are no lights on the port, then it sounds like the NIC is borked... Not sure whether it should be listed in Device Manager as being okay though, which could be something nasty on there...

Have you tried restoring to an earlier date, to a time when you could still see the network connections as expected..?