Topic: Home plug problem

[daveeb]

One for Rik maybe 

I got a home plug kit to allow my shiny new internet capable tv to get internet access in our equally shiny new conservatory (the other option was the dedicated Sony usb dongle which is a complete rip off). I decided to test the connection on my laptop first so installed the small monitoring program and plugged everything in. All i can get is "local" internet access. I dont seem to be able to connect to the primary DNS server, although it did manage to connect to the linksys routers site to check for anything obvious  but everything looked normal. I tried turning off the firewall to no avail.

The laptop works fine with the router when connected with a conventional cable. The home plugs are connected directly into wall sockets on the same ring main. It looks like a DNS issue but i can't for the life of me think why it won't work. I thought these things literally needed no setup at all. 

[Rik]

Hi Dave

They may, of course, be faulty. Failing that, as they seem to be communicating and have reached the web, DNS is the most obvious issue. Do you pick up the servers automatically or set them manually?

What make and model of plugs are you using?

[Rik]

I've been asking around at the other place, Dave, and perhaps the following might help:

Normally just plug and go even without pairing, if he/she been playing with passwords/pairing suggest a reset to default and try again. I do get the occasional hassle with loss of internet connection but that usually is resolved by switching the home plug attached to the router on and off. It could of course be the laptop but it shouldn't be any different than a normal ethernet cable connection,could try setting DNS locally on the NIC. It might work ok on the TV

or:

http://www.homeplugs.co.uk/acatalog/faqs.html

[daveeb]

Hi Rik thanks for the links. I have DNS set to auto and i'd rather leave it like that as everything else is working. I did try putting the password in after i discovered they didnt work, but the password wasn't initially asked for and didn't make a jot of difference when i input it. The plugs in question are "max value 85 mbps" and i've already got some new ones coming from amazon. They're rather cheap so i guess i should have forseen some teething problems. If the replacements have the same problem i'll need to do a bit more head scratching.

[Rik]

Another suggestion, Dave:

The important thing to determine is it IS a DNS issue or not. Simple pick your favourite website on an ethernet-connected PC and find out it's IP address (via traceroute or so on), then try and connect to this IP via a homeplug system. That will determine if you're getting outside access or not. If you aren't it could be some glitch with DHCP. Output of "ipconfig/all" is useful!

[daveeb]

Rik well i got a second homeplug kit and i have the same problem. I have also noticed that straight after the home plug has been connected the router stops connecting with the internet at all 
(which may explain why i can't access the internet but not why it's happening !)
i have to reboot the pc and router and disconnect the HP's and then the router works again.

The IP address on the pc is showing as 192.168.1.101 which apparently is the addy for the linksys router, is that how it should be ?

[Rik]

No, your IP address should be part of the subnet, Dave.

Can you do a Start > Run > Cmd, then ipconfig /all, and cut and paste the results back here?

[daveeb]

Hi Rik

Windows IP Configuration

        Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : xxxx
        Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
        Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
        IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : cable.virginmedia.net

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : cable.virginmedia.net
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-19-66-7A-5D-F9
        Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
        IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
        DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
        DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 194.168.4.100
                                            194.168.8.100
        Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 03 November 2010 18:00:38
        Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 04 November 2010 18:00:38

I'm guessing the router is set up wrong but it works other than with these plugs !!

[Rik]

What make are the plugs, Dave?

[daveeb]

Max value 85 mbps. i can't believe that two sets don't work...

Is my router set up wrong then Rik ?

[Rik]

I don't know, tbh, Dave. Let me ask around some more.

[Rik]

PS - Was that ipconfig when the HP's weren't connected? Have you tried setting Windows to use OpenDNS rather than Virgin's DNS.

The fact that the plugs are taking down the connection makes me think they're faulty or simply not set up correctly, but it's not a brand I know.

[Rik]

From a user of what appears to be a very similar unit, Dave:

I installed the Power Packet utility that came with them, and entered the passwords that are printed on each unit

[Simon]

I'm not familiar with these at all, but I just wonder, do they have to be connected in any certain order, and could they be affected by any other appliances sharing the power point, or in the vicinity?

[daveeb]

I don't think the order they are connected makes any difference Simon.

Rik i haven't installed the power packet utility this time, it's for monitoring only it doesn't contain drivers (i did install it with the first set of plugs to no avail)
Yes the ipconfig was when the plugs weren't connected. should i see if it's the same when they are hooked up again ? they'll likely kill my connection again tho' so i'll need to reboot after.