I have run into an unusual problem with Vista. I've seen it now on three different Vista computers, where they simply will not connect to the internet unless they sit behind a router. If they are just a straight connection to the internet, they will not connect, and ping streams are extremely erratic. All 3 instances are using the same ISP. Turned off the IPv6, etc settings, there is no Symantec/McAfee/TM firewall active, in fact, shut the Windows firewall off as well. Other Vista machines on the same ISP can connect just fine. I don't know all the different versions of Vista, but I do know that one of the Vista machines that can't connect is running Vista Home Premium. If I use an XP pro computer on the SAME connection, it connects just fine, browsing the web without a problem, but as soon as you put that same connection back on the Vista machine (a new Vista sp1, right out of the Dell box I might add) you cannot browse until you place a router between it and the internet connection. Again, I don't know the other versions of Vista, but my suspicion is that the "working" connections are Vista Business or Ultimate, and the ones that can't connect are the Home Basic/Premium. Anyone got a clue?

Hi,Are you connecting thru a cable modem? If yes make sure you reset the modem after plugging in the Vista machine. Also make sure your Vista system is set to automatically receive IP information.

Actually, the ISP is a wireless provider, and its a statically assigned IP. (Assign it to the PC, or if there's a router, assign it to the router, and router acts as DHCP) And yes, after running through the router, powercycled the POE box to the radio/antenna, but still nothing. Thanks for the response, and keep them coming!

Hi,Is the ISP using MAC filtering and allowing only specific MAC addresses to connect?

No, there is no MAC filtering either. Also no ZoneAlarm, or any other software/hardware filter or firewall.

Hi, Please confirm: 1. Is the ISP the default gateway of the Windows Vista machine when it is not placed behind a Router? 2. Can the Windows Vista machine ping the default gateway when the issue occurs? 3. Is the Windows Vista machine using wireless connection? 4. What is the network connection status of the Internet connection on the Windows Vista machine when the issue occurs? Local and Internet? Local Only? Or other status? 5. What is displayed in the Windows Network Diagnostics dialog box? Because of the new networking features in WindowsVista, some older network routers are not fully compatible with WindowsVista and can cause problems. If it is possible, Id like to recommend that you move the Windows Vista machine to other network location and check the result. Additionally, please check the following: 1. Determine whether the issue is related to software compatibility.Refer to the KB article (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936214) to boot the Windows Vista machine into Safe Mode with Networking and check the result. 2. Determine if the winsock2 is corrupted on the Windows Vista machine.How to determine and to recover from Winsock2 corruption in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, and in Windows Vista http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811259

1. Yes, the gateway is to the ISP. 2. Yes, it does rarely ping the gateway, and can get a reply. 3. These Vista machines are desktops, and all are using wired connections. 4. Sometimes, Vista will show "Unknown Network" for the status, other times it will detect there's a connection there. 5. Diagnostics just return the generic useless message "something is wrong with your connection". It's like there's something inside Vista choking off the connection, but when you throw a router at it, smooth sailing. Again, other Vista computers with the same ISP can connect just fine without a router.

Hi, Please confirm if you have tried my suggestions: 1) Boot into Safe Mode with Networking. 2) Determine if the winsock2 is corrupted. If you have tried but no help, we need to enable trace and debug log to analyze the issue. However, since the nature limitation in forum, please understand that we are not the best resource. Id like to recommend that you contact Microsoft Customer Support Service (CSS) for assistance in order to resolve the issue more efficiently. To obtain the phone numbers for specific technology request please take a look at the web site below:http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;PHONENUMBERS

I did not try to boot into Safe mode with networking yet, but since Vista does grab an IP lease from the router through its DHCP, wouldn't that rule out a corruption with the winsock?

Hi, I understand that the Windows Vista laptop can obtain an IP address from the Router. However, I still suggest that you check the winsock2, since the corruption of winsock2 will cause some weird issues. Just some simple steps. J If the winsock2 is fine, youd better contact Microsoft CSS for further assistance. Thank you for your understanding.