Thinkvantage Access Connections - Help

Hi,

I'm having problems connecting to the internet using a cable to my Lenovo 3000 N100 laptop. I have always connected my laptop wirelessly ever since I got it through a router, with no problems (except I'm trying to go direct cable since my internet cuts out often on wirelessly, but it's not like the wireless doesn't work), but it's connecting wired that's giving me trouble.

I figured I could just plug in the ethernet cable and go, but it doesn't work.

I checked the device manager, and it lists 4:
1394 Net Adapter
Bluetooth LAN access server driver
Intel(r) PRO/wireless 3945ABG Network connection
Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC

So I assumed that the last one, Realtek, was the wired connection, and I updated it to the latest version. I also hadn't updated my access connections since I got my laptop (about 4+ years ago), so I updated it as well. With both the driver and program updated, it still doesn't work.

I've also noticed that my "Network Connections" folder is empty -- I thought it's empty because I'm not using the windows services to connect to the internet, I'm using thinkvantage access connections instead... but should I still have something in this folder?

To eliminate any problems with my router or the cable I'm using, I'm plugging in the ethernet cable directly from my cable box... so it can't be a problem with the cable or router.

I'm new here, so please let me know what additional information I can give you guys to help me out...

Thanks for any help you can provide

 

The Realtek is the wired LAN in your case, yes.

Your Network Connections is empty??? Mine has the BT, WLAN, WWAN, and LAN... this is weird. I am currently using wired LAN as well and this is "connected" whereas all the other are "disconnected"

My TV Access Connections has "Other Connections" selected (for connection to the Internet"), meaning other than WLAN and WWAN. Can't you run diagnostics though TV Acc Conn?

Also, you sure you used the correct updated driver for your NIC? And rebooted after? I am just mentioning the obvious...

 

Thanks for the reply fem.

Ahh, in the old version of TV Access Connections I didn't see anything like the Other Connections, so I never knew how to switch between wireless/wired.

Now when I click Other Connections and I click on the ethernet cable one, it still can't connect and gives me the following error code 031:

Cause: DHCP server not responding.
"The DHCP server on this network failed to respond to the request your system made for automatic IP address configuration. To force another request, click Repair. If the problem persists, contact your network administrator"

I tried clicking on repair, but it doesn't help, same error. Can anyone help with a solution to this?

And I guess my network connections folder shouldn't be empty... which is strange cause my wireless still works with it empty. Does any one know a way to fix this/restore the missing icons?

 

Which OS you're running? I guess Win. Is it XP?
The DHCP Client is a Windows Service that is necessary for assigning IP addresses automatically.
Check your Windows services. Is “DHCP client” started and set to Auto?

Edit: Some additional steps to take... If the DHCP Client is not started and you cannot start it manually through services, or set to Auto and restart does not resolve this, check for the dependancies. The most likely to have a problem is TCP/IP NetBIOS helper, which although not necessary for DHCP Client, in some cases it also needs to be up and running. Try to start that first, then the DHCP. If this does not work, try to remove the dependency by editing the registry (regedit): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dhcp... value DependOnService- remove NetBT but leave TCPIP and AFD.

ps: Network Connections & Network Location Awareness (NLA) also need to be up and running, but this applies for nearly all connections, not just wired LAN.

Let us know how it goes.

 

Yeah, I'm running windows XP.

DHCP client is running, started, set to auto.

The TCP/IP NetBIOS helper is also running, started and set to auto... I noticed it's set as "local service" instead of "local system" like the DHCP client is, but I'm not sure if that's how it's suppose to be.

Network Connections & Network Locations Awareness are both running, started, auto, local system.

I tried removing the dependency NetBT, restarted, and it didn't work either.

Looks like this is becoming a lot more difficult than it needs to be, haha...

 

Hm... everything looks fine service-wise. Is it possible that your LAN hardware is faulty? From the cable (tried another one?) or the RJ45 plug?

Regardless, I cannot think of any reason why your Network Connections folder would be empty...

Edit: try to google "network connections folder empty" ... Apparently it's more common that you (and I) would imagine. There are several solutions posted- maybe one will work for you.

 

@OP - do you have the networking drivers installed?

another reason I can think of is that the ISP's often implement MAC based address filtering on their boxes - this happens when the ISP does not want the connection to be shared among multiple computers through a wired/wireless router. This also proably explains why you are not able to obtain an IP address via DHCP.

The correct way to go would be to plug your laptop into the router via a network cable. This is assuming your router MAC is allowed by your ISP.