Yesterday I used both my desktop and Notebook PC to access the Internet. Later in the day I couldn’t get the Internet from either PC. I tried several things. I tried ipconfig and got the correct IP address. I unplugged the cable for a minute to let it reset itself. I disconnected the router and connected the cable modem directly to the PC. Running ipconfig with it set this way errors out – says it cannot contact my DHCP server. I called the cable company to see if they were having problems. They said they weren’t and that my modem looked fine from their end. They set up a service call for early next week. Hmmmm. Today I checked to make sure the ethernet card was solidly in place (and cleaned inside – sheesh where does all the dust come from?). After I put it all back together I retried connecting directly to the internet without the router – no luck. Got the same error message in ipconfig. And also no luck after reconnecting the router. Gave up and sat down with my notebook and lo and behold I’m online! This is 10 minutes after last trying on the desktop. I have had blips before but none that lasted so long. I went right back and tried the desktop and sure enough, I could connect.
So, the question is why? Why am I able to connect now and only with the router? Should I suspect the cable company’s connection? Maybe they were having issues and the technician I talked to didn’t know. I really don’t want to wait for a service technician (on a work day at that!) but I think I should find out why the direct cable connection doesn’t work. It just seems to me that such “flaky” reception means it must be them!?
