Problems with modem and router after reinstalling Windows XP PRofessional

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paulc

New Member
My desktop had been running slower and slower so I have just reinstalled Windows and all went well until I tried to get on the internet.

My computer (a Dell Dimension) doesn't seem to want to talk to my Belkin Router to which it is connected to by an ethernet cable. It keeps asking me to connect the phone line to the modem.

If I do connect the phone line to the phone (modem) socket on the computer the modem helper says all is well. The drivers etc seem to be OK.

I know that the ISP and Belkin Router are working fine because my kids computers are working great wirelessly.

I guess that in resetting my desktop I have failed to establish something in the desktop which tells the computer to connect to the ISP through the Belkin via a USB connection.

Does it still keep looking for the link down the phone socket modem connection because something is missing?

Normally I would connect to the Belkin throught the web page using the address 192.168.2.1 but this problem means that that link is not there. Again suggests that the computer settings need adjusting to allow it to connect with the Belkin G router (an F5D7633x4)

I suspect it is a simple restting of soemthing but not sure what, so any help will save my hair going even grayer and will be very welcome
 
Chances are if you just reformatted your computer you need the driver for the lan connection. How did you normally connect to the router? Was it usb or ethernet cable? Look in device manager for any items that need drivers and come back tell me what is needed. You'll see unknown devices or yellow exlcamation points in device manager which means drivers are needed.
 
Router connection

Thanks for the feedback. The router îs connected to the computer via a USB. Certainly the solution you suggest sounds like it could do the trick. Unfortunately I have had to travel today and won`t get back to the PC til Thrusday but any detials (suitable for a non-expert) on how to fix it would be great.
 
If your computer has an ethernet port and if you are close to the router, why don't you just use the ethernet port with a cable from the router instead of using the USB connection. If however, your computer don't have an ethernet port then you will need the usb driver to connect to the internet.
 
Back to the computer and Device manager an issue

Thanks again for the tips. I got back from my travel last night and first noticed that the router is connected by an ethernet cable not a USB (sorry for misleading).

I went into Device Manager and there are indeed big yellow question marks next ot the "Other Devices" area, including "Ehternet Controller", "Multimedia Audio Controller" and "PC Input Device".

Despite right clicking on each and trying to update, using every CD I have with "Devices" on it the computer says it failed to install because it can't find the software.

I am pretty sure I have every disk the computer came with so I am a bit stumped.

Is there any other advice on how to do this? I get the feeling I am >90% of the way there thanks to your help.

If I had a way of connecting the router via a USB I would try that but don't seem to have such a cable
 
You really don't want to use a usb connection if you have an ethernet port, which you do. You need to know the specific model of Dell Dimension you have or the service tag and download the correct drivers via there website. If you give me the service tag, I can give you the links for the correct drivers to download.
 
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