Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (
More info?)
Mike,
Before removing profile, I wonder if your router is confusing the MAC address in the docking station Ethernet connection, and the MAC address of the notebook connection, when it assigns IP addresses for it. So from another PC, go into the router's settings and remove the notebook's settings listed there.
Then with the notebook attached to the dock, connect the combo to the router. So that the router can assign an IP address to the combo. Then undock the notebook, connect it to the router, so that the router assigns a separate IP address for the stand-alone notebook.
--
Rich/rerat
(RRR News) <message rule>
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"MikeH" <mike.herring@comcast.net> wrote in message news:39ydnXK9l-zf_YzeRVn-pA@comcast.com...
Thanks so much for your thoughtful and thorough reply.
I'm pretty sure I have the APR intended for this laptop. The manual is the
same as the 8498ta03.pdf link.
I see the unplugged icon and understand it refers to the internal NIC. I
don't have a second icon in the Network Connections window.
I have been operating with the AC adaptor connected (and powered). It is
the correct model for the APR.
I think there is a definite possibility this could have something to do with
how the OS was setup. I found a procedure on the DELL site for re-doing
this portion of the setup. It involves removing the hardware profile for
docking (while undocked) and then restarting it when plugged into the APR.
I haven't tried this yet. The previous owner has been helpful but says he
used the laptop only with a wireless network.
"Christopher Muto" <muto@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:ELaQe.1170$wE1.459@trndny01...
> with windows xp pro there is no prerequisite software or drivers to
> install before connecting to the inspiron advanced port replicator (the on
> that the 8200 slides back into to engage with the docking port and that
> has a lever on the left hand side to lock the system in place). there is
> however a verry similar looking apr that only works with lattitudes (but
> there is a work around for this). it strikes me that you don't really
> know if it ever worked or if it is a inspiron or a lattitude dock... the
> part number on the dock should give us a clue. furthermore, when docked
> you will see one 'network cable is unplugged' icon as the laptop internal
> wired network card is indeed unplugged (the apr network card, if working
> properly would be a second network adapter and if it was unplugged then
> two 'network cable is unplugged' icons would appear in the tray. since
> this is a used computer i wonder how it was installed... when installed
> by dell the entire '\i386' folder found on the windows cd rom is copied to
> the root of the 'c' drive and there is a registry entry under
> hk_local_machine-software-microsoft-windows-windowsnt-currentversion-sourcepath
> that refers to this location so that you never have to insert the windows
> cd again... but even if you do you should be able to find the drive on
> the windows cd if you direct it to look at the \i386 folder. i wish i had
> some other suggestion for you on how to troubleshoot this, makes me wonder
> if the installation of windows was installed while the system was docked
> (which can create this problem). windows is supposed to be installed and
> completed before the first attempt at docking is done (a cold dock, that
> is to say docked while powered off the first time out). one thing that i
> wonder is if you have the ac adapter plugged into the apr or if you are
> running on batteries (which will not power the apr)... but that does not
> explain why you can't find a acceptable driver to load for the nic in the
> apr. who else has a suggestion??
>
> a couple of interesting links that you may like to know about...
> a 1.1mb pdf file with inspiron apr documentation:
>
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/acc/inspapr/8498ta03.pdf
> dell 8200 faq
>
http://www.geocities.com/thebithead/I8200FAQ.htm
> support.dell.com documentation for the 8200
> http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins8200/
>
>
> "MikeH" <mike.herring@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:6LOdncSvIv2fuozeRVn-jg@comcast.com...
>> Windows XP Pro, I checked bios and docking is enabled
>>
>> "Christopher Muto" <muto@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
>> news:lj8Qe.545$cY.381@trndny06...
>>> do you have windows xp installed on this machine?
>>>
>>> "MikeH" <mike.herring@comcast.net> wrote in message
>>> news
eqdncdfyJMokIzeRVn-iA@comcast.com...
>>>> Thanks, I tried this. I un-installed the ethernet controller but when
>>>> I re-boot and it finds new hardware it isn't able to locate a driver
>>>> for it. I've tried both the Operating System CD and the Drivers and
>>>> Utilities CD. I wonder where I'd find the correct driver for the NIC in
>>>> the APR.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Christopher Muto" <muto@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
>>>> news:J17Qe.540$j41.299@trndny05...
>>>>>i suggest that you delete the 'ethernet controller' found under 'other
>>>>>devices' when docked and then restart... it sounds as if the first time
>>>>>it was docked it did not install properly. the driver for the nice in
>>>>>the apr is 'known' to windows xp so no driver should be required (just
>>>>>let windows search for what it 'thinks' is best)...
>>>>>
>>>>> "MikeH" <mike.herring@comcast.net> wrote in message
>>>>> news:AfudnSxfHpLJco3eRVn-qg@comcast.com...
>>>>>>I just purchased a used DELL Inspiron 8200 laptop. I am able to
>>>>>>connect to my LAN without problems when not docked and with the
>>>>>>network cable going directly into the laptop. If I dock the laptop in
>>>>>>the Advanced Port Replicator, with the network cable connected to the
>>>>>>proper port on the APR, the network icon says that the network cable
>>>>>>is disconnected. The lights on my router come on OK.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> In the device manager there is an item called "Ethernet Controller"
>>>>>> under "other devices". This item does not appear in device manager
>>>>>> when not docked. Anyway, it shows that the Ethernet Controller is not
>>>>>> working because no driver is installed. I haven't found a driver in
>>>>>> any of the distribution CDs. The only driver on the DELL web site
>>>>>> that might be applicable is already installed on my laptop and is
>>>>>> used by the 3-COM Network Adaptor card.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Is an "Ethernet Controller" needed when connected via an APR? If so,
>>>>>> where would I find a driver for it?
>>>>>>
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