Resolved Unknown network in Win 7 - no Internet connection

I am attempting to help a friend with an Internet connection issue on Windows 7 Home Premium. Unfortunately Networking is a very grey area for me and he lives too far away to make a house call, plus the fact that he is basically computer illiterate. It has been a gargantuan task to obtain the information posted below.

The basic issue is that, in most cases, when the computer is booted up there is no Internet connection and the Networking and Sharing Centre shows Multiple Networks and the Local Area Connection shows Unidentified network "“ see snips below "¦..

The Windows IP configuration is as shown below "¦..

The workaround "“ in his own words "¦.

Internet access is then enabled and the Networking and Sharing Centre shows a single Network and the Local Area Connection is as expected "“ see snips below. The corresponding Windows IP configuration is as shown below "¦.

Any suggestions as to how to resolve this issue most welcome. I originally set up this PC at home when my friend made a rare visit south to visit family and installed all the software bar the OS which was pre-installed (new computer). Re-installing the OS is a non starter due to my friend’s very limited abilities with computers.

 

AFAIK the router is powered down when the PC is shut down and reboots when the computer boots up. I.e complete system - PC + router is powered down when PC no longer required.

 

I should add that the same router was used on his XP box - and still is occasionally, with no issues.

 

I would make sure the router is up and running before turning on the pc.

 

I'll get him to try that.

 

Friend has confirmed that the router is powered up ~30 mins before booting up PC.

 

Hi Pete. On the machine, open an elevated Command Prompt and type netsh interface show interface and press enter.

Then, after the list of interface names have been generated, type netsh delete profile interface= InterfaceName and replace the text InterfaceName with the name of the network connection that you want removed.

Reboot the computer when finished and see if there is any change.

 

Any desktop computer that uses a wired connection should always have a static IP address. It makes t-shooting easier and makes the connection easier to maintain and manage.

This is what I would do:

1. Open Network & Sharing Center > on left > Change Adapter Settings.

2. Rt click Ethernet adapter > select Properties.

3. Select QoS > uninstall it. (it's not needed for 99.99% of computers)

4. Uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6). (not needed at all yet)

5. Double click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

6. Use the following IP address: 192.168.1.10
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.254

7. Use the following DNS server address: 192.168.1.254

8. Advanced button > WINS Tab > uncheck Enable LMHOSTS
check radio button Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP

9. OK out of all dialogs.

10 Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > double click DHCP Client > set Startup type = Disabled > Stop button > Apply button.

11. Set HomeGroup Listener & HomeGroup Provider to Disabled.

12. Reboot.

If still has issues then the problem will be the router, faulty network adapter drivers, faulty adapter hardware or security software that manages/interferes with the network connection; in that order of importance.

 

Tony - many thanks for the detailed actions!

I will pass these on and talk him through making the changes and also email him details including snips of each dialogue box. Fortunately I maintain a Win 7 box just for situations like this. Could be a painful experience bearing in mind his lack of ability to see what's staring him in the face

It will be a day or so before I can report back.

 

Evan - thanks - I'll leave your suggestion for the moment and stick with Tony's and see what pans out.

 

Sure thing Pete.

 

The issue may have been resolved thanks to Tony's instructions I say maybe because in the past the PC has connected for a few days and then gone wonky again.

In comparing the instructional screen shots I sent him from my Win 7 box he noticed that the following were not showing in LAC properties .....

Client for MS networks
QoS Packet scheduler
File and Printer sharing

Installed all but QoS and rebooted - no connection.

Then proceeded to configure as per Tony's instructions, rebooted and instant Internet connection! Hopefully that will stick and our thanks for the input.

Marking as Resolved,. but may be back.

 

Fingers crossed...

 

Status?

 

So far so good.