(Another) local Area Connection Doesn't Have a Valid IP Configuration

Hi, I have a variation (maybe even more bizarre version) of this same problem.

And what problem would that be?

I have a WRT54GC Router with 4 Windows 7 (all Home Verions) PCs. 3 were running hard wire LAN, one notebook I was using wireless.

I logged into the modem to change my security settings. I no sooner tried to save a password change, when the router locked up. I lost all internet connections. Did the normal reset modem, reset router, reboot, etc thing.

Logged into the modem?? Why the modem??
The router may have been setup to supply the PPPoE password to the modem so you could connect, but then you changed it. Now router is lost in cyberspace looking at the modem with no way to connect, so looks like it locked up.

Bottom line, I took out the router, and have just an 4 port switch connected to the modem. One desktop PC off of the switch still connects. On all other 3 PCS, I get the dreaded "Local Area Connection Doesn't Have a Valid IP Configuration."

Yup, first computer (setup to 'obtain an IP address automatically') and to connect will be king of the hill by taking the only IP address available, all others are locked out- you no longer have a DHCP server since the router is gone.


It's not a switch or cable problem. I connected my notebook via LAN to the same cable as the one PC that still connects, no luck. I've tried the ipconfig/release and renew, no luck. On the notebook, I even did a restore to a point about 3 weeks ago, no luck. Then today reinstalled the O/S. No help. And brought the notebook into work, tried it on another network. Same problem.

Is the notebook locked into a static IP address? (and since you have no router and therefore no DHCP server, that static IP is out of range, or disagreeable to the modem)

I'm totally baffled. It's obviously not a hardware problem on 3 PCs at once.

Other things I've tried:


1. Removed the Bonjour Service.

2. IPConfig /release and /renew - got a Media disconnected error.

3. Reset WINSOCK: netsh winsock reset catalog, Reset TCP/IP stack to installation defaults. netsh int ip reset reset.log, Rebooted the machine.


Any ideas where to go?

Yes, put your router back into the picture. Set it up to correctly communicate with the modem, have DHCP 'on'.



Gary