Geoff

Hi Ernie, Good tip. Could I just add that typing OSK at a command prompt will also bring up the screen keyboard. Geoff

If you're using Internet explorer 6 you can use CTRL + N to open a new browser window.   (IE7 uses tabs).

Hi Bixy, As Ernie says, Intel(R)82562 v 10/100 is the 'wired' network adaptor.  But as you say your PC is new, could you tell us exactly what it says as regards wireless networking, as you may already have wireless builtin.  Does it mention anything like 802.11g? Geoff

Well spotted that man!!

Hi Sue, Can I assume that you are currently using dial up to access the internet?  If this is the case your settings are fine as the IP address is issued by your ISP. The address lease is renewed every time you make a connection. Hope this helps. Geoff   

Hi, What you have just proved by posting the ipconfig /all, is that the lease time is set to a year (April 2007 to April 2008).  So this is telling us that DHCP is not the cause of your problem.  Sorry to take you down this track - but it needed to be established. Owens88 made good points about location and security, these are important issues in a wireless network.  I can think of some other reasons that may be the cause, but I think you really need to get your guy who configured it initially, back in.  He can look at things like signal strength to your PC's network card. Let us know what the outcome is, I for one would be interested to know. Geoff

Hi, Back at home now, and I've had a look at my router. Firstly to answer your just posted question; you're correct in saying 'cmd in the run box'.  This brings up the command prompt (a black box) or 'dos' as some people may remember it!  "......Then should I type ipconfig/release then press enter then ipconfig/renew"......right again....(don't forget to hit the enter after renew). What we are trying to establish by doing this is whether or not the IP address is being dropped after a certain period.  After checking my own config I think the default setting may be set to 'forever', if this is the case then I think your problem lies elsewhere.  But if it set to anything else it may be the cause.  You can check the setting under Lan settings. Geoff  

Hi, Now that you can see the router config you need to see if there is a dhcp lease time setting; some routers have it and some don't.  I have a similar model belkin at home so I can look it up later, (currently at work).  From what you have described it looks as if this one may not. I suggested this as a possible cause, as I had exactly the same symptoms as you, and it was solved by disabling DHCP and assigning static addresses.  But if you do not have much experience of configuring PC's at this level, I would suggest that you ask the chap who set them up for you initially to help out.   I'm not trying to dip out of helping further (honest!), but configuration assistance through a forum is not the easiest of things to do.  I wouldn't want a minor irritation to end up as a bigger problem.  I'm just thinking of things as I type this out............ when you next experience the failed connection on your PC, could you type the following at a command prompt: ipconfig /release followed by ipconfig /renew and then let us know if this re-connects you.  If it does it will be the DHCP settings. I'll check in later when I've had a look at my own router. Regards Geoff

Without the paperwork; the number you are after for your router address is given as the 'default gateway' that is displayed with ipconfig.

Exactly as bugbear says.  The only thing I would add would be that it would be easier from the laptop, as this dosn't seem to lose its IP adress. If you need to check the IP address on your PC,  Go> start - run - cmd and then type 'ipconfig', the address should be similar to the router address (i.e 192.168.x.x). By the way, if the machine has lost its address due to lease time expiry, you can type 'ipconfig/renew' instead of logging off and back on.

Hi, The symptoms you describe might be related to the DHCP lease time as configured by your router.  You would need to log in to your router to check on the settings. Regards Geoff