PC cannot communicate with network

KrunkMcGrunk

On my desktop PC, I cannot access any files (or printers) on my network. I haven't changed any settings whatsoever, or even so much as installed any new programs or plugins for several months. Up until this morning, I haven't had a single problem with this computer, now I suddenly can't access the network its on.

I checked the workgroup, I've restarted the computer several times, I tried a different port on the router, I've run MSSE to check for anything that may have been picked up, and ran the Win XP network setup wizard, but I still cannot access anything on my network. The truly strange thing is, I'm still able to use the internet without any problems (no noticeable slow down, no disconnects).

Any ideas?

e: just tried disabling Windows Firewall, didn't help.

spool32

Not enough information. Please describe your network in slightly more detail, and I'll see what I can come up with.

When you say "anything on my network" what devices do you mean?
When you say "I can get to the internet", how does that data travel?

KrunkMcGrunk

spool32 wrote:

Not enough information. Please describe your network in slightly more detail, and I'll see what I can come up with.

When you say "anything on my network" what devices do you mean?
When you say "I can get to the internet", how does that data travel?

1. Tried accessing shared folders on other computers, as well as a network printer (hooked directly into the router). I can see the shared folers under My Network Places, but I cannot open them (this results in a timeout error).
2. Data goes through a single router, to my PC.

Ruckus

Did you try restarting the computer you're trying to connect to?

spool32

KrunkMcGrunk wrote:

spool32 wrote:

Not enough information. Please describe your network in slightly more detail, and I'll see what I can come up with.

When you say "anything on my network" what devices do you mean?
When you say "I can get to the internet", how does that data travel?

1. Tried accessing shared folders on other computers, as well as a network printer (hooked directly into the router). I can see the shared folers under My Network Places, but I cannot open them (this results in a timeout error).
2. Data goes through a single router, to my PC.

1: Can the target PCs access data on yours? Can they get to the internet? Can they access data between themselves?
2: Are the network switch and the internet router the same device?

spool32

Derp double post

KrunkMcGrunk

spool32 wrote:

KrunkMcGrunk wrote:

spool32 wrote:

Not enough information. Please describe your network in slightly more detail, and I'll see what I can come up with.

When you say "anything on my network" what devices do you mean?
When you say "I can get to the internet", how does that data travel?

1. Tried accessing shared folders on other computers, as well as a network printer (hooked directly into the router). I can see the shared folers under My Network Places, but I cannot open them (this results in a timeout error).
2. Data goes through a single router, to my PC.

1: Can the target PCs access data on yours? Can they get to the internet? Can they access data between themselves?
2: Are the network switch and the internet router the same device?

I should note that I am suddenly able to access the shared folders/network printers. Again, this does not seems to be a result of any of the fixes I tried in the OP. It just sorta started working again.

Other PCs on the network can now access data on my PC. They have had no problems with internet access when I wasn't able to access the network resources. They could access data between themselves when I wasn't able to access network resources.

Yeah, the router and the switch are the same device. It's a Netgear FVS318.

spool32

Hmm.

My first guess, given that it's started working again: bad cable or bad contact in the network jack, either on the PC or router side. Replace the cable and throw that one out, see if it happens again.

KrunkMcGrunk

Yeah, that's the one thing I haven't done. I'll replace it and let you know!

Thanks for the help, by the way!

KrunkMcGrunk

Well, I replaced the cable. Then I wasn't able to get onto the network again. But, now I am on the network, and have been for a couple hours.

I'm pretty much stumped here. Can't figure out if the problem is solved or not. If I run into it again, I think I'll install another NIC, and see what happens.

spool32

Loose contact, most likely. Next thing to try: swap ports on the router between your device and some other one. See if the problem migrates to the other device. You said you tried this once, so it probably won't matter.

After that, it's time to look at your NIC, and if it's a riser card, the slot it's in. Try a new slot, then a new NIC.