Inspiron 530 will not acquire address

It is running XP, and it was connected and running previously. Was running the malaware cleanup and rebooted and now it just keeps trying to connect to Internet and status is Acquiring network address. I am using DSL and have unplugged everything, reset router, opened, the tower took out battery and reset memory. The ethernet is built into motherboard so couldnt reset that. More Help Please!!!

 

If you rebooted the router with the computer running, things may have gotten confused. Try this:

Shut down computer, shut down router. Wait 2 minutes.

Turn router back on and wait for it to connect, then turn on computer and allow it to fully boot. Better now?

 

I did turn it off and reset router unplugged from computer but didnt wait that long. I will do it again and wait longer. It is a wireless router but hard wired to that desk top. All other Internet connection is working even hard wiring to laptop. will get back in a few.

 

Still nothing but it says the Ethernet is working properly, and it recognizes it being plugged in and not. Just never connects.

 

OK...just so we have a good picture of everything can you describe your entire setup from your DSL router inwards, the old shin-bone-is-connected-to-the-knee-bone thing? Which computer has the problem, laptop or desktop? Which is wireless and which is hardwired? Does hard wiring the problem computer do anything (assuming it's not already hard wired)? Do you have two routers, one hard wired and one wireless?

Which malware cleanup were you running before the reboot and the problem started?

Are you running an AV? Which one?

What version of XP and Service Pack are you running?

There are some other things to try yet, but I want to make sure I and others understand your setup. Thanks.

 

It is hard wired desktop Inspiron 530, I have DSL modem connected to Linksy wireless, which is then hard wired to the desktop, so router is wireless and/or hardwired. Like I said it worked before I was on the step of running Combo Fix.

There is no AV as I have removed the running programs, the only thing installed is what the malaware removal suggested and they had PC cleaner pro installed on the computer but is not running.

I believe all XP packets are updated but it does show under My Computer right click properties that it originally is SP2.

I have ran a repair with an XP disk, and through command prompt.

 

OK, thanks. You hadn't mentioned ComboFix before and it sometimes causes problems similar to yours. Hopefully a ComboFix expert from the Malware Removal Forum or elsewhere will wander by and assist. I'm guessing that it won't take a lot to fix this, but we need someone with the 'touch'. Be patient. If you still have it, don't erase your Combofix log as that will help a lot. Attach it to a post (don't copy it in line) so the helpers can take a look at it.