Sorry I haven't been around in a while, but things have gotten a bit strange, to wit:

I have an Xbox and my computer connected to my DSL connection via a simple Netgear 5-port switch. I never have both devices on at the same time (no need to), but lately something truly aggravating has been happening. I'll play some games on Xbox Live, then sign off and shut off the Xbox. Then, I go to my computer and try to check email, websurf, whatever...but, the computer simply won't connect! I get an error message telling me that I have 'Limited or No connectivity'. It acts like it forgets that it has an ethernet adapter built in...run a troubleshooter, it says no troubles with the device. BUT....if I leave it alone for several hours and try to connect then, it hooks up no trouble at all.

Or...if i turn on the computer first and take care of whatever business and shut down, the Xbox won't connect! But, if I play a game offline, then try to connect, it'll connect then.

All I know is, this shouldn't be happening at all. Not being a tech or engineer, naturally I ain't gotta clue! Does anyone out there have an idea? Would disabling the onboard adapter and installing a separate ethernet card help?

Thanks!

PS: How do I tell a program not to auto-startup in XP Home? I have a file sharing program I don't want to auto start when I turn things on.

The startup thing - you can either hit start/run 'msconfig' and hit the startup tab and disable it there, or there should be an option for that in whatever the file sharing program is.

I don't know crap about networking, sorry I can't help you.

Follow Spiff's advice regarding the autostart thingy.

Somehow your switch now forgets to release the connection of the Xbox. Right click on the connection icon in the tray of windows XP and click Repair. That will stop the device, restart the device, clear the variables, restart everything and assign an IP address to the computer.

You may want to try this with both machines on.

And you definitely want to wait for the post of the network gurus.

Part of the problem is that you're using a switch. As you may already know (or not), but a switch is just a smart traffic cop/signal light. It detects which components are turned on and receive/forward packets to the correct devices.

The second part of the problem is your DSL connection, but this can't be helped. When I have to switch from my router to a direct connect to my PC I have to unplug and plug the DSL modem. It takes a while for the DSL modem to clear and reset its memory of the client computer's networking data (IP addy, connection speed, etc). Turning off the modem then turning it on will clear the memory and have it running correctly right away.



If resetting your DSL modem every time you switch from your computer and XBox is a problem or a hassle, then I suggest you get a router. A router stays connected to the DSL modem as the main client. It then routes packets to/from the PC or XBox as needed. Also, with the router you can keep both on at the same time.

You need a router. Lonewolf is correct.
Another way to get both towork is if you have 2 nic cards in your pc you can use Internet Connection Sharing it will require a crossover cable from the x-box to your pc. The PC becomes the router and has to be on for the x-box to connect. I used both ICS and a router, router is much easier, ICS is Much cheaper.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16833127013

But not _that_ much cheaper.

I take it you've got your DSL modem hooked up to the switch by ethernet too? I've never owned a single port DSL device (always went with the ones with the built-in 4port switch) but you might find that the modem _can_ be a modem/router, and for whatever reason that functionality is switched off.

So: what kind of dsl modem do you have? And have you had a play with the web interface - you're looking to make sure that NAT is switched on.