Can't Renew IP Address

[piratesteve83]

My computer was messed by a virus several months ago, so I just barely reformatted the whole thing.  I have installed all of the drivers and everything for both Wireless and LAN.  My wireless signal is not strong in the room I'm using, so I ran a LAN line, and am trying to get connection on it.  Unfortunately, it says it is unable to obtain an IP address.  Help anyone?

My stats are as follows:

Dell Dimension 2400
Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.80GHz
2.79GHz, 1.50 GB of RAM

Windows XP Home Edition (Yes, I have original installation CDs)
Version 2002
Service Pack 3

Graphics Card
Radeon 9250

Sound Card
Creative SB Live! Series (WDM)

I have and use regularly the following spy/adware programs:
SuperAntiSpyware
Malwarebytes AntiMalware
AVG

LAN Software
Broadcom 440x Driver

[Allan]

Sorry to change the subject, but just out of curiosity - how do you keep getting viruses?

[piratesteve83]

i have a wife that is not computer/internet savvy.

[Allan]

So do I, so I make sure her computer is properly protected. You don't have to be "computer/internet savvy" to be safe. Just saying.

[piratesteve83]

fair enough.  what do you suggest?  btw, i just noticed that i accidentally copied and pasted a paragraph before my stats that wasn't supposed to be there.  i modified it accordingly.  any help on the LAN connection issue?

[Allan]

Sorry, I'm not trying to be difficult - and I'm not ignoring your problem. Networking isn't my strength so you'll have to wait for someone more knowledgeable than I to jump in. But for your other question:

1) All systems with which I am involved have a GOOD anti virus utility installed (I use Kaspersky, but that's a personal choice). It is always resident and definitions are updated every few hours (that's Kaspersky's default).

2) I also use Spyware Blaster on all systems (definitions downloaded weekly). Ditto Malware Bytes (full scan every few weeks).

3) My browsers (Firefox and IE) are set for maximum protection (anti phishing enabled, pop-ups blocked, etc).

4) Neither I nor my wife (nor anyone who uses a system with which I'm involved) EVER open a link or an attachment in an email unless we are 100% certain we know who sent it or that it is absolutely safe. Nor do we download anything unless we know what it is and that it comes from a reliable source. On the rare occasions I break this last rule, I immediately scan the file with Kaspersky after the download.

5) All system partitions are imaged twice a week (to a second hd on the systems or to an external hd). In the event of ANY kind of catastrophe I always have a safe haven to which I can return. All other partitions are imaged every couple of months (or as needed).

6) All critical data is replicated on multiple systems or external drives. My music collection (700 cd's I ripped a few years ago + whatever I've downloaded or otherwise added since) exists on 3 computers and 3 external drives. There are also 3 images of the drive containing that music. Overkill? Maybe. But I'm never worried about losing it.

Those are the basics. Sound complicated? It's not. Especially the part about never opening unknown links or attachments and not visiting potentially dangerous websites.

[piratesteve83]

alright, duly noted.  we are pretty good about not visiting unsafe websites (we use WOT), but that's not always 100% correct.  we also do not open attachments or visit external links from email unless we know who sent it.  but you definitely gave me some good things to think about, so thank you!

again, anyone with networking expertise, please help!  thank you in advance!

[rthompson80819]

Are any other computers connected to the router working OK?  Was the cat 5 cable pre-made or did you put the connectors on yourself?  Does the port you are plugged into light up on the front panel?  Have you unplugged power from the router for a minute or two and then plugged it back in?

[piratesteve83]

we have a blu-ray player plugged into the router, and it works fine.  we use it for netflix.  we also have a laptop that connects to the router via WiFi, with no problem.  the cable came pre-made.  the port i'm plugged into on the router does light up in the front.  and yes, i have tried unplugging power and plugging it back in, with no result.

[Geek-9pm]

With Windows networking, sometimes it is best to start over.

But first, check for any hardware conflict in the device manager. A common problem is failure to use the right drivers for the motherboard hardware. Do not depend on Windows to do this for you, even when the CD you have is the  OEM version of Windows. Get the drivers off the PC maker's web site.

If that is alright, time to do the Network Setup Wizard from the start. Answer all the questions best as you can. Then reset and try again.

Last resort is to use Network Magic. To date, there is no Open-Source equal. It is a Crisco product with a limited trial  time. When it works, it really works. But this is not an endorsement. That product is needed only if you have a very odd network. IMO.

http://www.purenetworks.com/NetworkMagic