Windows XP Home General Connectivity issues

[Sid]

Hey guys...

I'm trying to help an old friend out with his machine...

It's:

P4
256MB RAM
XP Home SP 2

The problem seems to be connecting to any network.

Be it wireless, Ethernet, and even the modem doesn't seem to want to work properly.

I've got the machine at my house for the next week or so, and would like to return it working.

The problem is:

When trying to connect to a network it "connects" but you can't use the inet, and it drops the connection seconds later.

That was with WiFi, and with ethernet, it came up "limited or no connectivity" and again, no Inet access, couldn't even get to the router page.

The router he uses is one from Sky, which is also his ISP, I don't know what brand it is.

My plan is to rig it up in my house, and try to get it connected via my Router, something AOL sent me, a NetGear DG834G with an ethernet cable.

I'll probably set it up either later tonight or on Wednesday.

Any ideas as to where to start when it's all plugged in?

I could do a format reinstall, but since they moved they can't find the MS Office disks, and his kid seems to worship Powerpoint...so I'd prefer not to fmat, reinstall.  (I know openoffice supports it, but it's meant to be about "the clients needs" isn't it...)

Cheers in advanced.

If you need more info, or want me to post the out comes of anything, just tell me, bluntly.

Cheers!

[Sid]

Ok guys, just set it up at my house and here's what happens:

I booted it up, and waited till it was finished, then plugged the Ethernet cable into my router, and then the port (which was "hidden" by a blanking plate...) on the computer and while it's acquiring a network address a pop up comes up:

Title: jusched.exe - Bad image
Body: The application or DLL C:\windows\system32\mswsock.dll is not a valid Windows image.  Please check this against your installation diskette.
Button: Ok.

So I clicked Ok, and it comes up 3 or 4 times, and then stops coming up...and the connection is left "acquiring network address".

Is that at all related?

Ok, just checked the IP settings, as DHCP is enabled on the router, changed over the IP settings to allow it to be configured by DHCP, and now it's coming up "Limited or no connectivity".

Oh, there is still no Link light at the back of the machine...

After changing the IP settings back to DHCP, I re-booted just to see if it might have an affect...

Still the same, limited or no connectivity, and when you click repair, a window pops up saying it can't complete the repair process because it can't renew the IP address.

You guys got any ideas?

[Sid]

Sorry to keep posting so much...

I popped an Ubuntu 7.10 Live CD in, and got on-line without a problem.

So I guess I've written off a hardware failure.

Is that all I've done or is there some huge clue in that sentence?

[Soviet_Genius]

Try that "sfc /scannow" thing?

[viking]

I popped an Ubuntu 7.10 Live CD in, and got on-line without a problem.

So I guess I've written off a hardware failure.

You're right, it's a windows software failure. Maybe you should try to repair windows or (worse) reinstall Windows. Be careful with back-up (REALLY REALLY important if it is not your computer).

[Sid]

Try that "sfc /scannow" thing?

Brings up a box:

Title: Windows File Protection
Body: Please wait while windows verifies that all protected Windows files are intact and in their original versions
-Progress bar-
Button - Cancel

Then up comes another one:

Same title,
Body "Files that are required for Windows to run properly must be copied to the DLL Cache." ... "Insert your Windows XP Home Edition CD-ROM now."
butons: Retry, More info, Cancel.

I haven't got his CD on me, or else I'd continue...all I've got here with me is an XP Pro cd...

[Sid]

Ok, he dropped off his collection of CD's a little while ago, and I've run "sfc /scannow".

Here's the results:

WINNER!!!

It's repaired the issue!

WOOT!!2

Now just to sort out his router when I go up on Sunday...