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Strange network problem

Last post 06-21-2005, 10:13 AM by bradenmikael. 5 replies.
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  •  03-05-2005, 8:41 AM 15

    Strange network problem

    Ok, so this isn't about a deskopt, but rather my Dell Precision M60 laptop. I hope that's ok :)

    The machine is about 14 months old, and for the last 6 or 7 I've had some quite annoying problems where the network adapters, both the wired and wireless, have just stopped responding.
    This seems to happen completely randomly and requries me to boot to safe-mode and uninstall the hardware (either one of the adapters will do), let it reinstall on the next boot, and finally booting an additional time. The adapter just completely locks up, so if I try to uninstall it in normal-mode, or even just try to disable it, the machine won't snap out of it again (i.e the operation never finishes, and I can't cancel it).

    This has happened a lot of times over the past 7 months, with anything from a week to several months intervals, and I can't figure out any pattern to the behavior. I've reinstalled Windows from scratch several time (usually do that every other month). It may very well be some trashed hardware, but with the machine running nigh on 24x7 it's strange that no other problems arise, and that it happens that _rarely_ (often enough though).

    So, what I'm asking is; does anyone here have a clue as to what might be going on, or have any ideas on what to check?

    Thanks a bunch!

    Christian Nordbakk
    http://www.anothereon.net
  •  03-07-2005, 11:17 PM 16 in reply to 15

    Re: Strange network problem

    Certainly sounds like some unreliable hardware since you have reinstalled Windows several times; have you contacted Dell to look into it? Assuming you are running the OEM Windows XP, they are supposed to support that.

    The melody of logic will always play out the truth. ~ Narumi Ayumu, Spiral
  •  03-08-2005, 3:09 PM 18 in reply to 16

    Re: Strange network problem

    It does doesn't it :( It happened again yesterday, under a week after last time.

    I haven't had Dell look at it yet as I'm pretty sure I won't be able to reproduce it for them. Besides, I don't like anyone else touching my hardware <g>. The company has a next day on-site support agreement though, so I guess I'd better just bite the grass and have done with it before it falls completely apart.

    Thanks

    Christian Nordbakk
    http://www.anothereon.net
  •  03-11-2005, 4:31 AM 19 in reply to 18

    Re: Strange network problem

    [quote user="cnordbakk"]I don't like anyone else touching my hardware[/quote]Should not hurt too much if they are replacing with new pieces. [:)]

    The melody of logic will always play out the truth. ~ Narumi Ayumu, Spiral
  •  03-15-2005, 4:30 PM 36 in reply to 15

    • owsteve is not online. Last active: 10-15-2006, 10:37 PM owsteve
    • Top 10 Contributor
    • Joined on 02-24-2005
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    Re: Strange network problem

    test email.
  •  06-21-2005, 10:13 AM 984 in reply to 15

    Re: Strange network problem

    I am sorry to hear that you're having problems with your laptop.  Laptops are definitely more "touchy" than their desktop counterparts, that's for sure.  We've had a lot of problems with the IBM Thinkpad line (all the way back to the old T-21 days) where the memory sockets themselves would work themselves loose.  The reason(s) for this is on account of the fact that IBM, as well as the rest of the industry, insist on using surface mount technology -- we've found that if a user picks up his or her laptop up by a corner, it causes the case to flex somewhat.  What happens when the case flexes? The moutherboard will flex somewhat with it.  Well, the memory sockets can only take so much of that before they work themselves loose.  I've seen this firsthand.  

    Also, it's a good idea to open your screen with both your hands, one on each side of the screen, and open it slowly.  Never open up a laptop screen by one corner, you'll put strain on the hinges which will eventually lead to a problem - this tip is especially good for those who use the older IBM Thinkpad models.  It seems as if the newer models (T40 and upwards) don't suffer from this issue as much.


    www.bradenmikael.com
    Cry Havoc! And Let Slip The Dogs Of War!
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