talk talk won't talk to me anymore
I put Ubuntu 6.10 (from a Dummies book) live in a Compaq Deskpro P111 with 287 Mb ram and no hard drive.
Using
System/Administration/Networking/Wired Connection/Properties/DHCP
the ACTIVATING NETWORK INTERFACE window appeared and it's bar graph filled and emptied several times.
It surfed the net using a LAN connection from a Talk Talk router, for a few days (without having to repeat the above each time) then Firefox could not access the servers e.g. google or bbc.
Suspecting a virus on the motherboard I then
1) Removed the coin battery for several hours and replaced with new
2) Pressed the CMOS push switch on the motherboard
Both 1) and 2) resulted in the message
CMOS CHECKSUM INVALID. DEFAULT VALUES LOADED.
but did not get it working.
3) Used the software to load the default values
still nothing
4) used
System/Administration/Networking/Wired Connection/Properties/DHCP
and the ACTIVATING NETWORK INTERFACE window appeared for a few seconds but remained inactive.
still dead.
All this time the router lights flashed as if it was working correctly.
Try downloading the latest version 9.10 (karmic Koala) from here:
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
as 6.10 (edgy) is a quite old version.
If there is a reason you NEED 6.10 (edgy) post back and I'll try to help
Also...
what do you mean by: 3) Used the software to load the default values
the 'Default' values were already loaded by the BIOS after the reset.
Ooops...just noticed the 'NO HARD DRIVE' bit...
if no settings are being saved to the hard drive (obviously)...and it worked before...it must be a hardware or router settings problem, as you've already worked out.
I'm still a bit baffled by the "3) Used the software to load the default values" bit
You are going to have to go through the BIOS settings...try changing the 'do you have a PnP Operating System' setting.
also see if there is a 'Reset Configuration Data' option in the BIOS
and...if your system uses an onboard grahics card, try reducing the amount of memory the BIOS is allowing it to use, as you are very close to the minimum memory requirement for an Ubuntu LiveCD
How many addresses are available in the routers DHCP server?
Could the router be holding on to the leases, so they are all used now?
Have you tried resetting the router?
Have you tried another ethernet cable?
If you enter the IP address of your router into firefox, can it see your router?
First, 6.x is long dead, use 9.10
Depending on your hardware, you need to be looking at;
- Your router
- Your network card
- The cable that connect them
Sounds like one of them is faulty.
Previously Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec) wrote:
Try downloading the latest version 9.10 (karmic Koala) from here:
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
as 6.10 (edgy) is a quite old version.
If there is a reason you NEED 6.10 (edgy) post back and I'll try to help
This is being done at the local library, downloads can be done via usb but I don't yet have a stick, or by floppy with its obvious limits.
I assume 6.10 would require less ram, also the DUMMIES version should be virus free, otherwise I don't actually NEED 6.10.
Previously Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec) wrote:
Also...
what do you mean by: 3) Used the software to load the default values
the 'Default' values were already loaded by the BIOS after the reset.
Sorry for any ambiguity,
1) 2) 3) and 4) were all separate attemps to start the machine, some on different days.
For 3) my word 'software' meant the Bios (I think I had to press F10 or similar to jump in before the machine looked in the CD drive for Linux)
Previously Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec) wrote:
Ooops...just noticed the 'NO HARD DRIVE' bit...
if no settings are being saved to the hard drive (obviously)...and it worked before...it must be a hardware or router settings problem, as you've already worked out.
I'm still a bit baffled by the "3) Used the software to load the default values" bit
You are going to have to go through the BIOS settings...try changing the 'do you have a PnP Operating System' setting.
also see if there is a 'Reset Configuration Data' option in the BIOS
You are over my head now.
I know what NPN and PNP transistors are, but not a PnP Operating System.
Are you talking about using a text(?) word processor to edit the BIOS?
Previously Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec) wrote:
and...if your system uses an onboard grahics card, try reducing the amount of memory the BIOS is allowing it to use, as you are very close to the minimum memory requirement for an Ubuntu LiveCD
I did wonder about this, well, not in such detail as graphics cards. My idea was to strip out of 6.10 things which were not required to surf the net, e.g. word processor (available on another machine even more ancient than a P111), games, etc.
Previously Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec) wrote:
How many addresses are available in the routers DHCP server?
Could the router be holding on to the leases, so they are all used now?
Have you tried resetting the router?
Have you tried another ethernet cable?
If you enter the IP address of your router into firefox, can it see your router?
1) From memory, I think about 6.
2) I don't understand 'leases'.
3) How does one resett a router?
4) No, I havn't tried another ethernet cable, but when I ask Firefox to searce for www.google.com or www.bbc.co.uk the indicator lights on the router flash in respose (as if it has received the request and is really trying).
5) Talk talk didn't give me an IP address
1) doesn't really matter...was just a pointer to question 2
2) Leases...when your PC is given a IP address by the routers DHCP server...this IP is leased for an amount of time, but when you drop the connection (eg. turn off the PC) the DHCP server 'SHOULD' drop the lease, and put that IP back into the pool of 'availabe' addresses...sometimes this doesn't happen, so very quickly ALL availabe addresses are used up.
3) Turning the router off (unplug), then on again should reset the DHCP server.
4) Doesn't mean the cable is 'good'...may be that the PC can send data to the router, but the router can't send data back
5) I mean the IP address of the router on the internal LAN...
to find this out...open a terminal, and type:
route and hit enter
you should see something lie this:
Kernel IP routing table
Destination Gateway Genmask Flags Metric Ref Use Iface
link-local * 255.255.0.0 U 1000 0 0 wlan0
172.16.0.0 * 255.255.0.0 U 2 0 0 wlan0
default 172.16.0.1 0.0.0.0 UG 0 0 0 wlan0
The bold figure (172.16.0.1 yours will prob be different) is my routers IP address.
Now if I open my web browser and enter:
http://172.16.0.1 and hit enter
I should be able to see my routers web interface, or at least be asked for a login and password
if you do, its a problem with the internet connection from the router
if you don't, the router is 'probably' (but not definately) OK.
Can you do the route thing and post back your results
PnP stands for Plug 'n' Play...there should be setting in the BIOS called something like 'do you have a PnP Operating System'
also there should be a setting 'Reset Configuration Data'
accessing the BIOS is 'usually' done by hitting the 'DELete' key immediately after turning the PC on...it ay NOT be the 'Del' key, it could be any of the following:
'Esc' 'F1' 'F2' 'F10' 'F11' 'F12'...these are the 'usual' keys
you said "software after hitting F10"...was this the BIOS settings screen?...or just an option to select the 'Boot' device?
Previously brian bradley wrote:
Previously Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec) wrote:
Ooops...just noticed the 'NO HARD DRIVE' bit...
if no settings are being saved to the hard drive (obviously)...and it worked before...it must be a hardware or router settings problem, as you've already worked out.
I'm still a bit baffled by the "3) Used the software to load the default values" bit
You are going to have to go through the BIOS settings...try changing the 'do you have a PnP Operating System' setting.
also see if there is a 'Reset Configuration Data' option in the BIOS
You are over my head now.
I know what NPN and PNP transistors are, but not a PnP Operating System.
Are you talking about using a text(?) word processor to edit the BIOS?
Don't worry about 'stripping stuff out'...if it booted to the CD before the CMOS reset, it should boot again.
BUT, after the CMOS reset...the BIOS defaults 'may' have given the onboard graphics chip more memory than it had before..this doesn't apply if you have a separate graphics card.
Again (if onboard) this can be changed in the BIOS settings.
Previously brian bradley wrote:
Previously Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec) wrote:
and...if your system uses an onboard grahics card, try reducing the amount of memory the BIOS is allowing it to use, as you are very close to the minimum memory requirement for an Ubuntu LiveCD
I did wonder about this, well, not in such detail as graphics cards. My idea was to strip out of 6.10 things which were not required to surf the net, e.g. word processor (available on another machine even more ancient than a P111), games, etc.
BTW...the BIOS settings are changed 'Directly' through its own interface...not with a text editor or word processor
After switching on there are usually two beeps and then the screen:-
---------
163-Time and Date not set
F1:Boot <F10=setup> <F12=Network Service Boot>
--------
Iv'e omitted 3 lines of text about Time and Date, which I currently ignore.
F10 gives first a selection of language then the screen
--------
System Information
About
Set Time and Date
Save to Diskette
Restore from Diskette
Set defaults and Exit
Ignore Changes and Exit
Save Changes and Exit
---------------------
The SET DEFAULTS AND EXIT is highlighted and chosen, which gives a confirmation window
------------
F10=yes ESC=no
--------------
F10 restarts the machine (back to the beeps)
This time F1:Boot
More text scrolls by then a request for an operating system, e.g. the LINUX disc in the CD drive.
After loading Linux I did the 'route' thing as you suggested and my defaults were
192.168.1.1 eth0
I put the number into Firefox and was asked for Username and Password.
You say that this means a problem with the internet connection from the router.
Do you mean from the router back to the Talk Talk server or from the router forward to my machine (i.e. the LAN cable)?
I also put http://routerIP into firefox as you suggested. Firefox tried for nearly two mins before giving up and displaying the message SERVER NOT FOUND.
If firefox CAN see the router, which it must be able to if you are being asked for a Username and password...the problem lies in the fact that the router isn't connecting to the internet...this can be caused by a few things
1) (most probable) the router has 'lost' its stored settings, and will need the the Login Username
and Password provided by your Internet Service Provider re-entering.
How was the router set up in the first place?
2) a bad connection from the router to the phone line...cable or ADSL filter
3) a Dead router (least likely if firefox can talk to router...which it is)
"I also put http://routerIP into firefox as you suggested"
I meant http://192.168.1.1 into firefox
(your routerIP)
Do you have the information sent by your ISP...Login Name and password?...(just answer yes or no)
Is there a 'sticker' on your router with a login and password (yes or no)
Who is your ISP (BT, Orange, Tiscali etc)
What is the make and model of your router?
Who set up your router in the first place and how?
"Do you mean from the router back to the Talk Talk server or from the router forward to my machine (i.e. the LAN cable)?"
I mean from the router...to the Internet...PC to router is OK
See this page for talk talk router settings:
http://www.talktalk.co.uk/help/broadband/connecting-your-router-to-talktalk-broadband.html
you access the router setting by opening firefox and entering:
http://192.168.1.1
username and password are probably admin (but see the list on the talk talk page)
check the settings are as stated on the above link
hth
BEFORE trying any of the above...
just turning the router off, and on again...'might' solve the connection problem...have you tried this?
Ignore the "Who is your ISP (BT, Orange, Tiscali etc)" question...I had a dumb moment there :-)
obviously TalkTalk.
Sorry about this, Iv'e found 'stuff' which I must have seen before but it just didn't register:-
I P 192.168.1.1
(as discovered)
Router Username
Router Password
(as you correctly guessed)
Broadband Username
Broadband Password
(which I had completely forgotten about)
Router
make D-Link
model DSL-2640R Broadband Wireless G ADSL 2+
P/N
S/N
MAC ID
Hardware
Firmware
(which you probably no longer need).
There is also a RESET button ....(CLEAR?)
The router was delivered by courier, already set up.
Switching it ON/OFF does nothing.
I assume that I can now put the IP address into firefox and enter the Broadband name and password, but will await your reply.
yes...enter http://192.168.1.1 into firefox...enter admin twice when asked...click OK
then slowly go through the settings and make sure the are as stated at:
http://www.talktalk.co.uk/help/broadband/connecting-your-router-to-talktalk-broadband.html
when you first log in to the router interface... it should tell you if it's connected to the internet.
if it is...post back...if not, these are the settings you need to enter:
Username: yourtelephonenumber@talktalk.net
Password: your password
Encapsulation: PPP over ATM (PPPoA) using VC-MUX
VPI: 0
VCI: 38
MTU: 1432
Modulation Type: G.DMT or Auto
DNS settings: Leave these blank or enter 0.0.0.0. This will ensure that these settings are provided automatically by the network (or somewhere there will be something about 'get DNS automatically)
On the front of your router, is the 'Internet' light ON? and is the 'Status' light flashing?
It should be flashing...if it's permanently on or off, the dlink support page (below) says perform a 'factory reset'.
You can find the factory reset procedure in the FAQs on this page (you will have to hit the 'view all FAQs' button.
don't bother with the click'n'connect utility...it wont work in linux, and for now don't bother with the firmware update... we will worry about the firmware later if we need to.
Useful links:
TalkTalk Dlink 2640R setup page:
http://www.talktalk.co.uk/help/broadband/setting-up-your-d-link-dsl-2640r.html
Dlink 2640R user manual (not just the quick setup guide, but the FULL manual):
ftp://ftp.dlink.co.uk/dsl_routers_modems/dsl-2640b/DSL-2640B_Manual_v1.pdf
IGNORE the advice about the flashing 'status' light, until you have seen page 7 of the manual...it explains it slightly differently to their own website
Previously Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec) wrote:
Useful links:
TalkTalk Dlink 2640R setup page:
http://www.talktalk.co.uk/help/broadband/setting-up-your-d-link-dsl-2640r.html
Dlink 2640R user manual (not just the quick setup guide, but the FULL manual):
ftp://ftp.dlink.co.uk/dsl_routers_modems/dsl-2640b/DSL-2640B_Manual_v1.pdf
IGNORE the advice about the flashing 'status' light, until you have seen page 7 of the manual...it explains it slightly differently to their own website
It works, it works!
However there seems to be some slight confusion about a status light, my router is the R model which does not have a status light, your last link above is for the B model which does. We've all made such mistakes in the middle of the night!
I put http://192.168.1. into firefox and 2 x admin, and got a quick setup menu which did not work.
I went to advanced and followed the wizard which did work.
However a security warning appeared several times:-
THE INFORMATION YOU HAVE ENTERED IS TO BE SENT OVER AN UNENCRYPTED CONNECTION AND COULD EASILY BE READ BY A THIRD PARTY.
Is it difficult to encrypt?
On a similar theme, are there any known virusses which could attack a motherboard? In particular, how secure is the default CMOS?
Many many thanks for your help.
The "UNENCRYPTED CONNECTION" warning is just a default firefox warning to say the website you are on is 'http' and not 'https'(the s stands for Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)) so don't enter 'sensitive' information such a credit details.
Any page that asks for 'sensitive ' information 'should use SSL and begin with https:// not http://
In other words don't worry about that warning UNLESS you are about to enter something you DON'T want others to be able to see... the warning can be turned off, but then you MUST check that any page you enter sensitive info into starts with https, and there will be a little 'closed' padlock icon in firefox bottom right.
There are viruses that can 'modify' CMOS settings, on older motherboards but these are very rare, as for viruses that 'hide' themselves inside CMOS...the short answer is NO, but see here:
http://stason.org/TULARC/security/computer-virus-l/49-Can-a-virus-hide-in-a-PC-s-CMOS-memory.html
What makes you think you have a virus... If you think you got this virus whilst running LINUX from a LiveCD and with NO hard drive... YOU DIDN'T... you probably have the most secure system possible :-)
Help and Advice (Reg)
