Long story short, I unplugged and replugged a CAT6 cable and something happened to my computer. I can no longer connect to DHCP and keep coming up with a dreaded 169. APIPA IP address. I've tried connecting physically to other networks and directly to modems. I've run everything I can find relating to cmd ipconfig and system restores etc. Nothing seems to work.
The only thing I haven't done yet is reinstall Windows from scratch because well...it sucks and takes forever. Anyone have any advice? I hate being stuck on this tiny ass phone.
Can you actually see the network adapter? I.e. is Windows saying that it's unplugged, or that it's missing, or is it actually connected but you just can't get an IP address?
If you can see the network adapter, you could try swapping over the patch cable, in case that's the problem. You could also try configuring a static IP address.
If you can't see the network adapter, try reinstalling the device driver.
Did all of those and no luck. I thought if I wiped and reinstalled the OS that I'd be ok... Nope, still doesn't work and most of my hardware isn't recognized anymore. I think something in the motherboard just had enough and quit.
You may be right - it could be a hardware failure. In that case, rather than re-installing Windows (which won't help), see whether you can buy a new network adaptor. You can get a USB/Ethernet adaptor for about £10 in the UK; maybe $15 in the USA?
As a more general point, it makes IT troubleshooting easier if you can give a detailed report. So, rather than saying "No luck" or "It didn't work", say "This is the command I ran and here's the output. I'd normally see X but in this case I see Y."
Is it a direct attached cable? Or to a wall socket? If it's a wall socket, have you tried a different cable (ideally one you know is working from another machine)? Similarly, is there any damage inside the port? I've seen it where stuff on the end of the network cable can stop a proper connection. Similarly, check that none of the cables are bent or stuck out of place.
In regards to hardware not being picked up - try driver booster (if you can get an internet connection through WiFi) and it will let you download all the missing drivers - and there is a free version!
Ok, so I got it working again, but here's a list of all the stuff tried.
Connecting physically to other networks, and modems directly Network adapter drivers from downloaded and saved on a USB stick. Using two different wireless network adapters. Reset and reconfigured all DHCP, QoS, and MTU settings, including DHCP lease time Change DNS servers ipconfig/flushdns Force static IP Reset TCP/IP stack - netsh winsock reset catalog Connecting physically to other networks, and modems directly Reinstalling Windows from scratch.
None of that worked.
Ask a friend, first thing he says "Have you nuked and flashed your BIOS?" Problem solved...
Love you, too
