Please Wait message on XP start up

[emcee47]

Right ... (have had a little bit of help at home to try and interpret this!) :
Have processed your second paragraph and configured it as suggested.
For para.3, I have copied this:-

Models:

Router - Netgear WGR614 v6
Cable Modem - (VirginMedia) NTL250 (Model Number - 0E08C007)

Notes: Router is setup to assign by DHCP and so is LAN.

I have consigned para.4 to be my next step!

 

[anoddball]

FAO emcee47

Have been wrestling with Windoze since 3.1 and the one thing I know to be constant: you will never know it all.

If you can log into your router the problem becomes more interesting. Try to ping 127.0.0.1 as this will test your Ethernet card through the default loopback settings. Four replies means at least something is working. If you disable (right click the icon in Network Connections > 'Disable') or remove any second Ethernet card (not the onboard one); or have another machine, perhaps a wirelessly connected laptop, try to ping by computer name (I assume 'Home', from a previous post). This will show an address, if it is NOT within the range 192.168.1.x, then there is a clash between DHCP assignments.

You could try a hard reset of the router (a small inset button near the aerial, you may need to unfold a paperclip). Then log into it through your browser and reconfigure your internet access and DHCP settings, ensure that the range you set for assignment is all within the same subnet - if your router is 192.168.1.1, ensure the range is 192.168.1.x, would suggest you use 192.168.1.9 - 192.168.1.254 as this leaves 192.168.1.2 - 8 free for manual assignment if necessary.

If you can log into the router before a hard reset, check the DHCP assignment settings or, turn off DHCP and manually assign an IP address to your Ethernet card, again ensuring it falls within the correct range, as above.

Your default router login details: type '.routerlogin.net' after the usual first 10 characters of a URL in your address bar; the Username is: admin, Password: password (would suggest you change these).

Let me know the results and will see what else we can try.

With regard to the beeps and the long pause at boot, if your RAM passes the test, it's probably a graphics issue, I believe your monitor is connected to your nVidea GeForce2 MX card? The horizontal blue 15 pin connection on the back of your rig? If memory serves, this is an AGP card, it's worth checking the BIOS settings are set to use this card before the onboard VGA. You could remove the card from your motherboard and connect to the onboard VGA, see if that makes a difference. Before you try this, visit Gigabyte's website, find and install the latest onboard VGA drivers for your board. If you need, can provide brief instructions for safe removal of the card.

Let me know how it goes, eventually we'll crack it & you'll have learned something new.

 

[anoddball]

Meant to say, "Thanks kimsland", I've had untold help from various forums over the years & I try to give back when I can: what goes around...

A further thought or two for emcee47: if you have 2 NICs, ensure they're not both set to use the same subnet - if one is assigned an address in the range 192.168.1.x, the other must be assigned a different address range such as 192.168.0.x or 192.168.2.x. Also, check that your router is actually assigned an IP of its own; if not, give it 192.168.1.1 for the sake of simplicity.

If you need translations or an expanded 'how to', just post the request. Kinda wanna see how this resolves - it all adds to the knowledge base.

Reading through your router manual now so I'll be able to construct any walkthroughs for DHCP or IP assignment, if you need them.

 

[emcee47]

!!!!
Sorry fellas - gotta come completely clean and say I haven't got a clue what you're talking about here or how to go about checking any of this! I know I said I was a dummy from the offset but I don't think any of us (including me) realised how much of a dummy 'til now. I feel embarrassed for wasting your time through sheer ignorance - but if any of you would be kind enough to point me in the direction of anyone or any site who could be patient enough to speak a language I understand, I'd be very grateful! (... and I mean a 'step-by-step' guide to what they suggest I do and where they want me to look for it).

 

[CCT]

OK - one component at least on your comp is in trouble - I would bet on video card ram problems but that's a guess.

Since you are NOT a Geek BUT are an aspiring geek I suggest you seek hands-on help that will help you learn.

Is there a way to check locally for a computer club or Library Club that works on comps etc?

Great way to meet people that like the technology AND you get help.

OR, just take it to a shop and say 'FIX THIS!'. (which I have done with internal combustion engines but Never a comp).

 

[anoddball]

Apologies emcee47

Sorry mate, sometimes get carried away; let's see if I can break this down a bit.

In my last post, when I say "if you have 2 NICs", that's Network Interface Cards, the card your broadband router is plugged into. Your post on page 1 shows you have a 'Network Adapter TE100-PCBUSR 32-Bit Cardbus PC Card' which, if memory serves, is a PCMCIA card and should be easy to remove by pressing the button next to it. If your router is connected to this card, disconnect it and plug it into the other Ethernet socket (near the USB ports). Click Start > Control Panel > Network Connections and right click on the LAN connection, you should only have 1 now. Choose properties and configure the settings as detailed in my first post. This should set your card to send and receive.

Then click Start > Run and type "cmd" (without the quotes), press return. When the command prompt appears, type "ping 192.168.1.1" (again, without the quotation marks). If you receive 'Request timed out' responses four times let me know; if not, open Firefox (or your browser of choice) and type "192.168.1.1" (again, without the quote marks) in the address bar & press return. You should be asked for a username and password which are: "admin" and "password" respectively (again, without...).

Let me know how you get on up to this point and then I'll walk through the next few steps.

Tend to agree with CCT about the graphics RAM issue, if your system RAM passed Memtest86 then it is worth considering the removal of the card; post if you want a walkthrough.

Have had a complete novice read this through and he reports it's not entirely incomprehensible.