Internet connection problem

[DarkStar]

Some of you may recall this topic/post of mine

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=23096.0

I have now been in contact with PCSpecialist and have re-installed the OS twice. They gave me a link to download a driver for the Graphics card which solved one problem (sort of) but I still cannot connect to the internet. I keep getting the following message -
"connecting through WAN miniport (PPPoE) - error 651"
The box that comes up asks for the 'user name and password that your ISP gave you'. To make sure I am submitting the correct details is this the same user name and password that I use to log into the IDNet Portal? (or?)
A trawl of the net last night shows that this is an acknowledged problem with 'some' copies of Windows 7 Pro. Microsoft have also acknowledged that 'some' copies of Win 7 Pro also have user switching bugs 
I now have both of these 'bugs'. Of course, although Microsoft acknowledge 'some' copies of Win 7 Pro have these bugs they have not indicated if there is a workaround or even if they intend to address the problem. Sound familiar?

[Rik]

It should be the same name/password, Ian, but it's an odd request from the driver. I'd be inclined to check with support as to what you should be using, but this sounds like a 'bounce back' to me, the OS sounds to be at fault.

[DarkStar]

Will send them an e-mail Rik.
It is certainly an OS problem, some of the posts on the net I looked at last go back up to a year. I just need to confirm that I am using the right credentials. The sad thing is that MS seem to shrugging there shoulders and hoping it will go away. Am waiting for the computer people to get back to me. I'll keep it updated.

[Gary]

Have you tried

   * Goto Start -Control Panel -Internet Options
   * Under "Connections" tab, check the box, "Never dial a connection",
   * Click "Apply" and then OK.
   * Done

[DarkStar]

Yes, done all that Gary - doesn't make any difference at all.
I nearly bought a Mac instead of this damned machine, certainly wish I had now 

[Rik]

I can imagine how you feel, Ian.

[faircot]

.
[quote

Some of you may recall this topic/post of mine


I have now been in contact with PCSpecialist and have re-installed the OS twice. They gave me a link to download a driver for the Graphics card which solved one problem (sort of) but I still cannot connect to the internet. I keep getting the following message -
"connecting through WAN miniport (PPPoE) - error 651"

I'd be surprised if your connection is through a WAN miniport. This tends to be used for Firewire, some AOL and VPN connections. If you look in device manager what Ethernet devices do you have listed?

[DorsetBoy]

.
I'd be surprised if your connection is through a WAN miniport. This tends to be used for Firewire, some AOL and VPN connections. If you look in device manager what Ethernet devices do you have listed?

I was wondering why (assume there is a router in use) there would be any call for entering details into Windows.

[pctech]

Can you just confirm whether you are just using a modem or router?

If using a router do this:

1. Go to the Orb (start button)
2. Go to All Programs
3. Go to Internet Explorer
4. Go to Tools > Internet Options
5. Click Connections and then click the radio button next to 'Never dial a connection'
6. Click LAN settings and tick 'automatically detect settings'
7. Click OK and then close and re-open IE.

[Glenn]

Ian, not sure if this thread will be of any use, but the fix was a lose antenna http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/82146-cant-connect-internet.html

[DarkStar]

First off, something I should have mentioned in my first post. I have been able to connect to the internet without any problem using Linux on this computer. First I was doing it by simply using a live CD but got fed up with having to keep putting the disc in and taking out again so now have Ubuntu installed and am dual booting. It is simply Win7 that will not connect.

I was wondering why (assume there is a router in use) there would be any call for entering details into Windows.

Yes, I am using a router and I am sure that when I first got this computer I connected it up and it automatically connected the same as Linux does. My previous computer connected automatically as well.

Have written down the other suggestions and will reboot into Win7 and see what happens.
Thanks for the replies 

[DarkStar]

.
I'd be surprised if your connection is through a WAN miniport. This tends to be used for Firewire, some AOL and VPN connections. If you look in device manager what Ethernet devices do you have listed?

Have looked in device manager and cannot find any mention of Ethernet devices at all. Opened all the listed items to view their 'sub-menu' for lack of a correct term and no mention of any. Surely there should be?

[DarkStar]

Can you just confirm whether you are just using a modem or router?

If using a router do this:

1. Go to the Orb (start button)
2. Go to All Programs
3. Go to Internet Explorer
4. Go to Tools > Internet Options
5. Click Connections and then click the radio button next to 'Never dial a connection'
6. Click LAN settings and tick 'automatically detect settings'
7. Click OK and then close and re-open IE.

Re-checked that and all as should be.
Waiting for a reply from IDNet but with the weather as bad as it is in Herts they may be short staffed.

[Rik]

Phone them, Ian, I got through immediately just now. The phones will always get priority over email.

[faircot]

Have looked in device manager and cannot find any mention of Ethernet devices at all. Opened all the listed items to view their 'sub-menu' for lack of a correct term and no mention of any. Surely there should be?

What do you have listed under the network adapters section?

[DarkStar]

With my hearing problems I only use the phone if there is no option Rik. Saves embarrassment all round 

[Rik]

Sorry, Ian, I'd forgotten. I'll give them a call and try to nudge your email.

[Rik]

With my hearing problems I only use the phone if there is no option Rik. Saves embarrassment all round 

They replied at 15:57, Ian.

[DarkStar]

Sorry, Ian, I'd forgotten. I'll give them a call and try to nudge your email.

Had a reply from Brian waiting when I looked after my last post. Basically he said that if I'm using a configured broadband router then there is a problem with the OS if it's asking for the user name/password.
Much as suspected, a bit more ammo to fire at the computer people.
They actually told me yesterday it must be my router and to to reset the router and change the cable between th router and the computer. I pointed out to them that Linux connects OK, it's just Win7 that has a problem.

[Rik]

It has to be Ian. They are short-staffed today, Maz was sent home with 'flu-like symptoms and poor James skidded and burst a tyre. I hear they're locking Brian in the office tonight.

[pctech]

Bear with me about 5 minutes Ian, I can't remember off the top of my head how to get into the networking options in Win 7, just looking now.

[davej99]

Notes from a novice.

I once accidentally got a non functioning miniport connection by wrongly using one of the connection wizards from the network and sharing centre. You do not need to use ISP logon on a LAN connection to a router, only in the router, so there is a set up problem. My advice is avoid wizards.

Go to the "network and sharing centre." You should see PC==== Router====Internet. If you get PC==X==Router you have a LAN connection problem. Go to "manage network connections" and see what is connected and what is not. If no connections, and you are wireless, connect wireless connection manually, (right click/properties/enable & connect). If it connects you should see PC==== Router. If not disable wireless (right click/properties/disable) and try a cable. If you have other connections first disable all but LAN (right click/properties/disable). When you plug in cable, LAN should connect automatically, if not connect manually (right click/properties/enable & connect). If still PC==X==Router, I am beat.

If you then get PC==== Router==X==Internet, log into your router and check ISP setup. If all details are correct, instruct router to connect from router login pages. If no joy call ISP.

Finally when you get PC==== Router====Internet, try internet explorer and check settings as mentioned in earlier post. If still no joy I am beat again.

Good luck.

[Glenn]

When the PC/Laptop was rebuilt, were the chipset drivers loaded?

Do you see something like the attachment, if you open the 'network' link?

[pctech]

Here goes:

1. Go to the Orb > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Manage Network Connections
2. If you have a connection under dial-up right click and left click Delete.
3. Look for Local Area connection and right-click and then left click Properties
4. Click Networking and click Internet Protocol Version 4
5. Make sure that Obtain an IP address automatically is selected and that Obtain DNS server address automatically' is selected.
6. Click OK and close all Windows.
Reboot and you should be in business.

[DarkStar]

When the PC/Laptop was rebuilt, were the chipset drivers loaded?

Do you see something like the attachment, if you open the 'network' link?

Will check that again when I re-boot back to Win7 Glenn. Gives me a better idea what I should be looking for.

[DarkStar]

Here goes:

1. Go to the Orb > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Manage Network Connections
2. If you have a connection under dial-up right click and left click Delete.
3. Look for Local Area connection and right-click and then left click Properties
4. Click Networking and click Internet Protocol Version 4
5. Make sure that Obtain an IP address automatically is selected and that Obtain DNS server address automatically' is selected.
6. Click OK and close all Windows.
Reboot and you should be in business.

Thanks for that Mich, will have a look at that and davej99 suggestion when I switch back to Win7.

I'm so slow at typing that there are new posts every time I go back 

[pctech]

 

[DarkStar]

It has to be Ian. They are short-staffed today, Maz was sent home with 'flu-like symptoms and poor James skidded and burst a tyre. I hear they're locking Brian in the office tonight.

Off topic my daughter is with PlusNet and she phoned them yesterday and the support staff were nearly all working from home. Cameron would be proud of them.

Be back in a little while, need a shower and then it's Spag Bol time 

[pctech]

I found Plusnet very slow when the snow hit which is partly why I left although I was using their dirt cheap package which is heavily traffic managed, so much so that it became rather unusable at times.

[Rik]

Be back in a little while, need a shower and then it's Spag Bol time 

I need to introduce you to Nifeislife, Ian. 

[DarkStar]

I need to introduce you to Nifeislife, Ian. 

Had to google that one Rik, nice site. Have bookmarked it for further reading 

[Rik]

Well worth it, Ian. Their produce is not cheap, but it's way and above supermarket fodder. If you like Gorgonzola, try their Piedmont, it's of the dolce class and a stunning flavour. Let me know what other recommendations you would like, we found the wild boar and spicy spianata salamies worked really well together in pizza.

[Glenn]

It's not my fault, Ian. 

I need to introduce you to Nifeislife, Ian. 

[Rik]

This time. 

[DarkStar]

Have now been through all the suggestions posted and got precisely nowhere. Have gathered a bit of knowledge on my travels around the internals of Win7  and am still of the same opinion as Brian at IDNet - namely a corrupt OS.
Have had no communication from the computer people today in reply to my message this morning.
If no progress tomorrow I'm going to contact consumeractive@computeractive and get their opinion on this and perhaps also contact someone like Trading Standards. Enough is enough.

[pctech]

Hmmmm I was thinking about buying a system from them but not so sure now.

TBH images preloaded by system builders don't tend to be that great, on my current system which was built by Mesh the OS (XP) started to regularly crash within about a week.

I got nowhere using the recovery partition as it said the disk was full but they included the OS CD so I backed up the drivers folder and completely formatted the hard disk and did a clean install of XP followed by drivers and it was great after that.

[Rik]

Scan, in my experience, do a first-rate job in installing the OS. It's probably the only machine I haven't had to patch on arrival. Neat build too.

[DarkStar]

Hmmmm I was thinking about buying a system from them but not so sure now.

TBH images preloaded by system builders don't tend to be that great, on my current system which was built by Mesh the OS (XP) started to regularly crash within about a week.

I got nowhere using the recovery partition as it said the disk was full but they included the OS CD so I backed up the drivers folder and completely formatted the hard disk and did a clean install of XP followed by drivers and it was great after that.

For all the problems I'm having with Windows I must say that Linux Ubuntu is running like a charm now. If Win7 was as reliable and stable as this - on this machine - I would be like a dog with two tails 
When I only have Linux installed the computer itself is OK, it seems that all the problems are spin offs from a corrupt Windows installation. I like Linux a lot and could use it full time if I had to but there are reasons why I want to be able to use Windows. There are some functions that are way better than the Linux alternatives (unfortunately)

I still have not heard back from PCSpecialist but they are based in Holmfirth I think so they could be having staffing problems.

[Rik]

Compo didn't get in to work then?

[DarkStar]

Scan, in my experience, do a first-rate job in installing the OS. It's probably the only machine I haven't had to patch on arrival. Neat build too.

You recommended Scan to me when I first asked for recommendations for a new computer Rik. Should have listened to you   

[Rik]

I keep telling people that.

[DarkStar]

 

Sitting here yesterday, late afternoon logged in to my unconnected Windows 7 looking at some photos and video I have on there when a little message pops up near the clock from the network icon that MS is validating my installation of Win7  Then another message to inform me that my internet connection is now active 
As IE was the only browser installed I started that up and presto - I'm on the net. So, after getting over the shock I had to get security installed before I dare do anything else. Spent most of yesterday evening installing FF, Words, PDFXchange and all the other little things that Windows needs.

So, how does MS get to do this? or could the Windows installation have repaired itself in the background. Don't anyone suggest looking in Windows OS at anything, I'm not pushing my luck 

I have been out nearly all day and switched on tea time quite expecting to find it didn't work and I had been been dreaming it all along. So its  that it behaves itself from now on. 

[Steve]

Good news

[Glenn]

Windows move in mysterious ways 

[Lance]

Looks like an open and shut case to me!

[Rik]

It sounds to me like a poorly handled installation, Ian, with the requisite validation not performed.

[pctech]

Sounds likes it been waiting to do activation and perhaps slipped into reduced functionality mode.

[Simon]

If it wanted to activate, you wouldn't think it would block network access though, would you?

[Rik]

It does seem a bit self-defeating.

[pctech]

Probably blocks all access spart from the activation system.

I've tried to find a list of what reduced functionality knocks out but I can't find one.

[Rik]

When you get to my age, Mitch, the list is endless. 

[pctech]

 

[DarkStar]

A bit late on the scene again, been shopping and got totally frozen.

Had a message from computer people this morning. Suggesting a total format of the C HD, they think there may be remnants of the bad install of Windows they did still interfering with the re-installs I have done. Sounds plausible. When I re-installed I went for the option to wipe the existing install but I suspect MS do not have it clean up like a proper format would do. If it plays up again I will use Dariks Boot and Nuke first, that should do the job 

One thing I have noticed now I am dual booting with Linux is how much slower Windows is, a couple of games I play are like greased lightning on Linux but much slower on Windows. Could be due to the security software which doesn't exist on Linux.
Whatever the cause, Windows certainly seems to be much better behaved and stable now than it was when I got the computer so 

[Steve]

Windows is more memory hungry than Linux , compare the swap files after normal usage.

[DarkStar]

Thread resurrection:
Since my last post I have still been getting problems, the most serious one is that the computer periodically crashes when I insert any type of USB device, be it a memory stick or the connection lead from my camera etc. Probably something like once in five tries. I also had this happen a couple of times when inserting a memory card into the built in card reader. Upon first reboot I get a hung ASUS screen, get out of that and when I eventually manage to get the desktop up there is invariably no keyboard or mouse functions requiring a hard reboot to get things back to normal.
Contacted PCSpecialist again. They said that an external device may be causing a short circuit and that that has probably been the cause of all the problems I've had with this computer. Seeing as the only things connected are the monitor ,wireless keyboard and mouse, and router which all work perfectly.

So, is their answer feasible?
There may be a short circuit problem but I would have thought it more likely it involves the motherboard or something else inside the computer.

Answers on a postcard please 

[Rik]

To my mind, Ian, it's a motherboard problem, either with the external socket connections or the USB controller - most card readers are USB devices.

[DarkStar]

Thanks Rik. What I am worried about now is that all the crashes and associated problems could have had a knock on affect on other components in the computer. I am not very keen on the idea of a replacement motherboard being fitted if there is a possibility of problems surfacing later on with other components that have been indirectly affected.
Will wait and see what other opinions are voiced first and will then decide what to do tomorrow.

[Rik]

Understood.

[pctech]

Sounds like a dud motherboard to me Ian but as the machine is very new I'd be tempted to ask for a replacement or my money back TBH.

[DarkStar]

Sounds like a dud motherboard to me Ian but as the machine is very new I'd be tempted to ask for a replacement or my money back TBH.

I'm tempted to go down the money back line to be honest. I don't think I'm going to be happy with a repair - I'll be waiting for something else to go wrong.

[Rik]

I know just how you feel, Ian.

[pctech]

Think I'm going with Scan when I upgrade.