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I'm setting up the network for a company, and facing a weird issue. The network is very simple: An xDSL modem/router, a switch, a bunch of windows clients (XP, vista, 7). The room is wired and provides RJ45 plugs in the walls, which are all converging to the switch, which is uplinked to the router. The DSL router also serve IP addresses via DHCP.

Here is my problem: - One of the clients (Vista), does not work if it's plugged into the wall, but works when I connect it directly to the switch. My first guess was that the wall plug was the culprit, BUT when I connect my linux laptop on this plug, it works perfectly. On the Vista machine, when I look to the network adapter with a plugged in cable, the LEDS of the NIC are green but DHCP fails, and putting a static IP does not help.

I'm running out of ideas... Can you help me ? Thanks in advance!

MatthieuP
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2 Answers2

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I'd venture a guess that this laptop has an extremely cheap NIC chipset, realtek or something similar; and it's very sensitive to noise or poor quality cabling. If you have a tool to check line quality, test the wall outlet; I'll bet it's less than optimal. It's picking up the link, hence the green lights; but data is getting corrupted bad enough that it doesn't actually work.

Chris S
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Usual Q, is the pc fully upto date with latest drivers?

It sounds to me like driver cant negotiate the right connection when running through the wall cabling. Have you eliminated the cable between wall plug and card as a potential problem? if those are eliminated its likely to be a faulty network card

anthonysomerset
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