Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: giomach on January 17, 2018, 09:11:21 AM

Title: Connect XP to router via ethernet cable?
Post by: giomach on January 17, 2018, 09:11:21 AM
My main computer runs Vista, and accesses the internet via broadband (btinternet, with BTHub5 router).  This works fine.

I have an older computer, running XP, which used to have a dial-up connection to a now defunct ISP.  Can I connect this XP machine to my router via an ethernet cable?  I have fitted the cable between the XP machine and the router, but the machine is still not connected.  Is there something I need to do with the software on the XP, or is it not possible to connect like this?

Thanks for any help.
Title: Re: Connect XP to router via ethernet cable?
Post by: patio on January 17, 2018, 09:22:32 AM
Yes...In XP you have to setup the connection from scratch in Control Panel...

Network Setup Wizard i believe it's called.
Title: Re: Connect XP to router via ethernet cable?
Post by: giomach on January 17, 2018, 10:01:23 AM
Thanks, patio.  I need a bit of help to do this, however.

I have tried the Network Setup Wizard, Create a new connection, Connect to the internet, Set up my connection manually, Connect using a broadband connection that requires a username and password, gave it my btinternet username and password, finish.  It invites me to connect to this new connection but clicking "connect" shows "connecting through WAN miniport (PPPOE)", then "Error 678: the remote computer did not respond..."

Where am I going wrong?
Title: Re: Connect XP to router via ethernet cable?
Post by: patio on January 17, 2018, 10:38:33 AM
From the Mothership... (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/892889/windows-xp-sp2-causes-error-678-or-error-769-when-you-try-to-surf-the)
Title: Re: Connect XP to router via ethernet cable?
Post by: giomach on January 17, 2018, 02:05:20 PM
Sadly, no luck.  But thanks anyway.

MS advised:
> Step 1: Make sure that the network cable is connected

It was.

> Step 2: Make sure that the network adapter is enabled

It was.

> Step 3: Reset the modem

I assume "modem" means the router in my case.  The router works fine with my Vista machine, and I'm not prepared to endanger that.

> Step 4: Uninstall and then reinstall the modem and the drivers by using Device Manager

I updated the driver for the network adapter.

> Step 5: Create a new DSL or cable connection

Did so (yet again).

> Step 6: Repair Winsock and TCP/IP

Did so.

> Step 7: Temporarily uninstall third-party firewalls

No third-party firewalls.

> Step 8: Scan for and remove spyware and adware

No thanks.  This computer hasn't had an internet connection or seen a floppy disk for years.

> Step 9: Clear the temporary Internet files

Did so.

> If the problem continues after you follow the steps in this article, try the following procedures. These procedures may help you determine the cause of the problem, or they may resolve the problem.

> Repair the network connection

Did so.

> Renew the IP address

Did so.

> Scan for viruses

No thanks.  This computer hasn't had an internet connection or seen a floppy disk for years.

> Test in Safe Mode

Did so.

> If you are using Microsoft broadband hardware, you may have to install software and firmware updates.

I'm not.

End result — exactly the same as before.  Unless anyone here has further ideas, I intend to ask the ISP what they think is happening.
Title: Re: Connect XP to router via ethernet cable?
Post by: patio on January 17, 2018, 03:30:52 PM
Have you tried a new ethernet cable yet ? ?
Title: Re: Connect XP to router via ethernet cable?
Post by: giomach on January 18, 2018, 08:24:03 AM
Solved it at last.

IE > Tools > Internet Options > Connections > LAN Settings > Proxy Server > Uncheck "Use a proxy server"

(LAN Settings > "Automatically detect settings" was off.)

Got the hint from installing FireFox, which explicitly reported "The proxy server is refusing connections" and showed in Tools > Options > Network > Connection Settings that it was set to "Use system proxy settings".  Changing to "No proxy" fixed it — "Autodetect proxy settings for this network" might do as well — and then I did the same for IE.

Thanks to all who offered help.
Title: Re: Connect XP to router via ethernet cable?
Post by: patio on January 18, 2018, 09:16:09 AM
Glad to hear you are fixed up...

I'd run whatever protection apps you have on the XP unit...when proxy settings get changed by themselves it's usually a sign of infection...