[chris_b]

My home network centres on a LinkSys WAG200G router using WEP encryption and comprises the following wireless connections:

Dell XPS M2010 (Vista Ultimate 32 bit)
Dell Studio 1737 (Vista Home Premium 32 bit)
Sony VAIO (Windows XP)
HP C8180 Printer/Scanner
Nintendo Wii

Everything works correctly except the Dell XPS M2010 which connects to the network but as 'Local Only' and does not see the internet unless the following is followed:

1. Shut down/Log off all computers/printer/wii
2. Log on to Dell XPS M2010
3. Reset router (power off for 10 seconds)

It then connects to the internet and other machines may be started as required. If another PC is already connected when the M2010 is started up then it will not see the internet (still able to use printer and transfer files locally)

All operating systems are fully up to date and disabling Norton 360 or plugging the M2010 into one of the router's ethernet ports make no difference.

I've compared everything I can between the settings on the two Dell machines but can see no obvious reason for the difference in operation - please help!!!

[chris_b]

Thank you but I am happy that the Vista installations are correct, I am wondering if there are some customizable settings that differ between Home Premium and Ultimate?

[JohnWill]

Wireless networking should be the same, given the same patch levels.

Perhaps you could share some details with us?



When you can't connect to the Internet, let's see this.

Try these simple tests.

Hold the Windows key and press R, then type CMD (COMMAND for W98/WME) to open a command prompt:

In the command prompt window that opens, type type the following commands one at a time, followed by the Enter key:

NOTE: For the items below in red surrounded with < >, see comments below for the actual information content, they are value substitutions from the previous IPCONFIG command output! Do NOT type <computer_IP_address> into the command, that won't work. Also, the < and > in the text is to identify the parameters, they are also NOT used in the actual commands.

Do NOT include the <> either, they're just to identify the values for substitution.

IPCONFIG /ALL

nbtstat -n

PING <computer_IP_address>

PING <default_gateway_address>

PING <dns_servers>

PING 74.125.45.100

PING yahoo.com

Right click in the command window and choose Select All, then hit Enter to copy the contents to the clipboard.
Paste the results in a message here.

<computer_IP_address> - The IP Address of your computer, obtained from the IPCONFIG command above. (For Vista/Win7, the IPv4 Address)

<default_gateway_address> - The IP address of the Default Gateway, obtained from the IPCONFIG command above.

<dns_servers> - The IP address of the first (or only) address for DNS Servers, obtained from the IPCONFIG command above.

If you are on a machine with no network connection, use a floppy, USB disk, or a CD-RW disk to transfer a text file with the information to allow pasting it here.

[chris_b]

Ok, here goes. I will start with the problematic Dell XPS M2010:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6002]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Chris>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Bland-XPS_M2010
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Mixed
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection 3:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)
#3
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-37-57-D0-DB
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1F-3B-1E-21-7F
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::ad7d:c89c:5f36:d436%10(Preferred)
Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address. . : 169.254.212.54(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 167780155
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-0F-90-2C-80-00-1C-23-26-EA-5F

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme 57xx Gigabit Controlle
r
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1C-23-26-EA-5F
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 6:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.{8E4E44D3-6995-4A4D-83D9-06616371B
573}
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 14:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.{4848BEC4-062E-4601-9960-C379D6608
94A}
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #3
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #4
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

C:\Users\Chris>nbtstat -n

Local Area Connection:
Node IpAddress: [0.0.0.0] Scope Id: []

No names in cache

Wireless Network Connection:
Node IpAddress: [169.254.212.54] Scope Id: []

NetBIOS Local Name Table

Name Type Status
---------------------------------------------
BLAND-XPS_M2010<00> UNIQUE Registered
BLAND <00> GROUP Registered
BLAND <1E> GROUP Registered
BLAND-XPS_M2010<20> UNIQUE Registered
BLAND <1D> UNIQUE Registered
..__MSBROWSE__.<01> GROUP Registered

Bluetooth Network Connection 3:
Node IpAddress: [0.0.0.0] Scope Id: []

No names in cache

C:\Users\Chris>ping 192.254.212.54 (Dell XPS M2010)

Pinging 192.254.212.54 with 32 bytes of data:
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.

Ping statistics for 192.254.212.54:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss),

C:\Users\Chris>ping 192.168.1.208 (Dell Studio 1737)

Pinging 192.168.1.208 with 32 bytes of data:
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.208:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss),

C:\Users\Chris>ping 192.168.1.1 (Router)

Pinging 192.168.1.1 with 32 bytes of data:
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.1:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss),

C:\Users\Chris>ping 195.10.102.11 (DNS Servers)

Pinging 195.10.102.11 with 32 bytes of data:
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.

Ping statistics for 195.10.102.11:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss),

C:\Users\Chris>ping 74.125.45.100

Pinging 74.125.45.100 with 32 bytes of data:
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.
PING: transmit failed, error code 1231.

Ping statistics for 74.125.45.100:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss),

C:\Users\Chris>ping yahooo.com
Ping request could not find host yahooo.com. Please check the name and try again
.

C:\Users\Chris>

And now to repeat the process from the working Dell Studio 1737:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6002]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Chris>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Bland-Home-PC01
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Mixed
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Dell Wireless 1397 WLAN Mini-Card
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-24-2C-0D-EF-86
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::39bf:ce47:c13a:3a99%12(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.208(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 24 September 2009 17:09:08
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 26 September 2009 05:09:08
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 201335852
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-11-9C-49-52-00-22-19-EE-C9-D1

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 195.10.102.11
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetLink (TM) Gigabit Ethernet
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-22-19-EE-C9-D1
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 7:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 11:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.{DB747520-8C4E-4189-B976-43A812007
BEC}
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 12:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.{CF5D16DC-1F27-4D4A-8EB5-64BB8F41F
49B}
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

C:\Users\Chris>nbstat -n
'nbstat' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

C:\Users\Chris>ping 192.168.1.208 (Dell Studio 1737)

Pinging 192.168.1.208 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.1.208: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.208: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.208: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.208: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.208:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms

C:\Users\Chris>ping 192.254.212.54 (Dell XPS M2010)

Pinging 192.254.212.54 with 32 bytes of data:
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.

Ping statistics for 192.254.212.54:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss),

C:\Users\Chris>ping 192.168.1.1 (Router)

Pinging 192.168.1.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=13ms TTL=255
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=17ms TTL=255
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=9ms TTL=255
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=25ms TTL=255

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.1:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 9ms, Maximum = 25ms, Average = 16ms

C:\Users\Chris>ping 195.10.102.11 (DNS Servers)

Pinging 195.10.102.11 with 32 bytes of data:
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.

Ping statistics for 195.10.102.11:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss),

C:\Users\Chris>ping 74.125.45.100

Pinging 74.125.45.100 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 74.125.45.100: bytes=32 time=120ms TTL=53
Reply from 74.125.45.100: bytes=32 time=121ms TTL=53
Reply from 74.125.45.100: bytes=32 time=139ms TTL=53
Reply from 74.125.45.100: bytes=32 time=125ms TTL=53

Ping statistics for 74.125.45.100:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 120ms, Maximum = 139ms, Average = 126ms

C:\Users\Chris>ping yahoo.com

Pinging yahoo.com [209.191.93.53] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 209.191.93.53: bytes=32 time=178ms TTL=49
Reply from 209.191.93.53: bytes=32 time=167ms TTL=49
Reply from 209.191.93.53: bytes=32 time=191ms TTL=49
Reply from 209.191.93.53: bytes=32 time=181ms TTL=49

Ping statistics for 209.191.93.53:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 167ms, Maximum = 191ms, Average = 179ms

C:\Users\Chris>

Although I am unable to ping the XPS M2010 from the Studio 1737, I can see it on the Windows Network and access the shared folders!?

[JohnWill]

Pretty hard to believe you're seeing that M2010 at all, you never got a good IP address!

Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address. . : 169.254.212.54(Preferred)

No way it's seeing the other computers with that IP address!


Does this work normally with a wired connection?

[chris_b]

The M2010 can see and be seen by the other devices (via Start -- Network) and can read & write data to the shared folders.

It normally connects via a Vodafone dongle while I work away from home and recently was connected via a wired (ethernet) network at a previous workplace (shared public internet connection).

I would be less confused if the M2010 never connected to the internet, howver when I shut down the other networked devices and reset the router then the M2010 connects successfuly (and the other devices can then also be reconnected). Whilst successfully connected the ipconfig /all for the M2010 gives:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6002]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\Users\Chris>ipconfig /all
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Bland-XPS_M2010
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Mixed
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection 3:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)
#3
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-37-57-D0-DB
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1F-3B-1E-21-7F
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::ad7d:c89c:5f36:d436%10(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.206(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 25 September 2009 14:21:10
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 26 September 2009 14:21:10
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 167780155
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-0F-90-2C-80-00-1C-23-26-EA-5F
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 195.10.102.11
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom NetXtreme 57xx Gigabit Controlle
r
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1C-23-26-EA-5F
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 6:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.{8E4E44D3-6995-4A4D-83D9-06616371B
573}
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 14:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.{4848BEC4-062E-4601-9960-C379D6608
94A}
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 15:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #3
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 16:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #4
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
C:\Users\Chris>

[TerryNet]

After trying to digest the anomalies in the above my top suspect is the router. Make sure you have the latest firmware for it. Then reset it to factory default settings and reconfigure it.

Do some testing w/o encryption to see if things are working. And then use WPA(2)-PSK if possible. Vista sometimes struggles with WEP, and that may be another factor here.

Another thing to check is to make sure you have the latest wireless adapter dirver from Dell's web site for the Vista Ultimate machine.

[chris_b]

Ok, have tried without encryption but this makes no difference to the symptoms. I've also upgraded the router firmware to that latest via the LinkSys website (now 1.01.09).

What I don't understand is how the Vista Ultimate (M2010) machine gets a bad IP address when switched on after the router, and yet if the router is then reset once it's logged on then it gets a good IP address and connects with no problems!?

Am now pretty certain it's a setting on the XPS M2010 that's causing the problems as the router works fine with all other computers and peripherals...

Any thoughts please anyone?!?

[JohnWill]

Changes that may help to increase the compatibility of Vista with older networking devices:



Disable the IP Helper service:

1. Hold the Windows key and type R, enter "services.msc" (without the quotes) and press Enter
2. Scroll down to the IP Helper service, right click on it and select Properties
3. In the dropdown box that says "Automatic" or "Manual", set it to Disabled and then click on "Apply"
4. Then click on "Stop" to stop the service from running in the current session
5. Click OK to exit the dialog



Disable IPv6:

1. Hold the Windows key and type R, enter "ncpa.cpl" (without the quotes) and press Enter
2. Right click on each network connection and select "Properties"
3. Remove the checkmark from the box next to "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)
4. Click OK to exit the dialog

NOTE: You should do this for each network connection.



Disable the DHCP Broadcast Flag:

Link: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/928233

1. Hold the Windows key and type R, enter regedit and press Enter.
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
3. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Inter faces\{GUID}
4. In this registry path, click the (GUID) subkey to be updated.
5. If the key DhcpConnForceBroadcastFlag does not exist, use the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value. In the New Value #1 box, type DhcpConnForceBroadcastFlag, and then press ENTER. If the key exists, skip this step.
6. Right-click DhcpConnForceBroadcastFlag, and then click Modify.
7. In the Value data box, type 0, and then click OK.
8. Close Registry Editor.

NOTE: You should do this for each and every GUID subkey.
NOTE2: (GUID) is a mnemonic for the individual subkeys, the actual text "GUID" does not appaer.




The only program I'm aware of that currently relies on IPv6 is the new Windows Meeting Space. The first 2 changes will cause that program not to work - but will leave all of your normal (IPv4) connections unaffected. If it causes problems that you can't overcome, simply revert back to the original settings.

[chris_b]

Ok, time for a sitrep. I've now identified that it doesn't matter what other computers are connected to the router (wired or wireless) when I start the Vista Ultimate machine, I still get Local Only. If I then hard reset the router all machines automatically connect to Local and Internet.

I'm also getting exactly the same results on a router at work (different brand) which pretty conclusively proves that this is a problem with the Dell XPS M2010 (Viista Ultimate x32) settings???

[JohnWill]

You're saying that if you reset the router, the problem machine then connects?

[chris_b]

Yes, as soon as the router is fully reset (power off for 10 secs) all machines, including the problem machine reconnect successfully.

This is now evident on a second router (at the office and nowhere near to my home router) and the problem is not intermittent but recurs every time either router is already running when the problem computer is switched/logged on.

Any suggestions on what settings to look at on the Vista Ultimate machine would be much appreciated!

[JohnWill]

Did you do the compatibility changes I suggested and then reboot the Vista machine?

When you get the Vista machine connected, does it stay connected?

[TerryNet]

Just reviewed the thread and I think you didn't respond to ...

Another thing to check is to make sure you have the latest wireless adapter driver from Dell's web site for the Vista Ultimate machine.

[chris_b]

Once connected, the problem machine runs quite happily for as long as it is logged on (I've run it for almost a week with no issues).

I checked the Dell wireless adapter (Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN) driver and it is the latest version (12.4.3.9) - but to be sure I also rolled it back to the previous version (11.5.0.32) but this had no effect on the symptoms.