Lockups-up when connecting network cable...

[adlergroup]

The inspiron locks-up when I connect a network cable or will lock-up during booting if the cable is connected. I called dell and we tried several things. Since the clock was running and something was flashing on the 2nd page of the bios in safe mode he said it was a software issue and need to reload.

Any advice?

Thanks

 

[Hondy]

I can't see how it can be software related if the bios is indicating a problem, I'm not sure what you mean by bios in safe mode - do you mean windows safe mode or does the bios have some sort of safe mode?

I would try a new cable, make sure it's a normal patch cable not a cross-over if patching into a router (cross over for PC to PC). I have seen them stall badly if they can't get an IP address from the DHCP server. Try the cable on another PC if you can.

You could try reinstalling the network services or network card drivers. Make sure it's patched up to date too with the latest service packs etc.

Just a few ideas, it may help to say what you have tried already.

Hope that helps in some way.

 

[adlergroup]

thanks for the advice. I forgot to say we did unistall a network driver broadcom 440x 10/100 and let it reinstall itself when rebooting.

We rebooted several times. Several into safe mode and we did not find anything. When we booted into the bios, that's when the clock was clicking.

I tried several different cables that were working with other computers.

Should I go to the Dell website to get the drivers to reinstall? or just uninstall and let windows do it?

Thanks

 

[linney]

Did Dell suggest the Winsock Fix or the SP2 equivalent?

WinXP Connectivity Issues
faq779-4625

 

[Hondy]

The clock in the bios was clicking? That doesn't sound to good... I would phone dell again and see if you get someone else. Possible the bios needs flashing or perhaps some hardware was installed that Dell didn't install?

You could try the recovery disk if you don't mind losing your current installation, if it still hangs then it has to be a Dell issue.

 

[allteltec]

I have had a couple Dells that the DHCP would not work on them, ran winsock fix uninstalled and reinstalled no help. I was not being payed to fix the PC only to get the DSL working so I set them up static ip and thay worked find. You could try seting up static ip and see if that helps.

 

[adlergroup]

Solved,

I ran the winsock fix and it didn't help immediately. I started to unload some data files and scanned and defraged 4-5 times and I can now plug a network cable in and it doesn't freeze.

It still seems slow to start and respond during normal activity. I'm still debating on whether to reload. Is there value to this or are there a couple utilities I can run and then back-up the application? I've run some reg cleaners, but I'm still unsure about them.

Thank you very much

 

[linney]

If it is slow in Safe Mode, and slow in Normal Mode, then the Windows installation is the common denominator.

A registry cleaner may be your last hope before more drastic action. If the speed in Safe Mode is noticeably quicker then these might help. They might help anyway.

FAQ779-4784 may help.

windows XP running very slow
thread779-796508

310353 - How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

316434 - HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[adlergroup]

thank you