Another First-time cable modem user with setup/network questions-split post - Technology Forum - Home Theater, Computer, Televisions, Personal Electronics and more!

heatwave · 08-10-2006, 09:07 AM

This seems to be the thread I'm looking for! I hope I'm not indruding on this thread and if so, just ask me to start a new one. Hoping someone can help me - I recently just signed up for High-speed internet (cable) also and wanted to add a wireless laptop via a router. Well, seems I can't get the Ethernet to work for the connection to my PC. I can get on with a USB cable and everything's fine. Cable company won't help. Is there sepcific settings in the Windows firewall that is blocking this? I know nothing about firewalls and their settings. Ethernet card is good, ethernet cable is new so I know that's not the problem. Using a straight through cable not cross over. I can't figure it out! I don't have the router hooked up until I can resolve why I can't get on.... HELP!

blackhawk · 08-10-2006, 09:07 AM

Nancy,
Welcome to the PC Guide forums!
I split off your post into another thread as each installation environment is different, and it helps to get you the attention your problem deserves to be on its own.

We need more information:
What cable company are you using?
What make/modem did they supply you?
Did you have an installer perform the install?
Did they set it up with the USB or with Ethernet to your PC, did Ethernet ever work?
What are the specs or Make/model of your PC?
What OS are you using?
What make/model of router are you proposing to use?

vega55 · 08-10-2006, 09:07 AM

Having just gone through this myself, I'll affirm the need to respond to every question posed by PrntRhd. Also, I noticed that you stated that the "ethernet card is good". You really need to elaborate on that point, i.e., did you just buy it, was it working in another computer, did you install the drivers for it, does it show up as properly installed in device manager? Stuff like that. BTW, you definitely came to the right place, as these folks really helped me set up our modem connection and the subsequent router and lan setup.

marty

Having just gone through this myself, I'll affirm the need to respond to every question posed by PrntRhd. Also, I noticed that you stated that the "ethernet card is good". You really need to elaborate on that point, i.e., did you just buy it, was it working in another computer, did you install the drivers for it, does it show up as properly installed in device manager? Stuff like that. BTW, you definitely came to the right place, as these folks really helped me set up our modem connection and the subsequent router and lan setup.

heatwave · 08-10-2006, 09:08 AM

Here's my story:

Cable Company is Cox Communications out of Atlanta. They came out installed everything, (Motorola Surfboard) using the Ethernet cable and everything was fine until I tried to install a router to hook up my new laptop. (unpluged that for now!) Contacted them, they came out and said I had a bad Ethernet card, (they lied) I installed a new one and still nothing. I know the Ethernet connection works, because I hooked up my laptop to it and was able to get online. Leads me to believe it's something in my settings on my PC. (??) I have a DELL, believe it's a 2400 (I'm at work right now) Windows 2000XP. The router is a Motorola also and can get you the model number later. I've done a million things like renew IP address, check the PING etc. etc.... to no avail. I'm lost and also not that familiar with all the "insides" of the computer settings, etc. The only firewall is the Windows one.

vega55 · 08-10-2006, 09:08 AM

While I'm a bit new at setting up cable modems and networks to be troubleshooting, I'll give this a shot. Could you explain the above quote a bit, i.e., "everything was fine". What do you mean by that? For example, did you have the cable modem directly plugged into a desktop computer and your internet and mail were working correctly? If so, then exactly what steps did you take when you tried to connect the router, i.e., what did you physically connect, what computers did you connect to the router, and what changes did you make to Windows for each computer connected to the computer.

I'd recommend going through my thread, as it really starts from scratch, i.e., knowing nothing, and PrntRhd and Rick and MJC all made some very useful suggestions. I especially liked Rick's suggestion of following a very specific order when connecting the modem, router, and the first computer when initially setting up the router. I need to get back to work, too.

I used to live just outside of Staunton, worked in Lexington, then Harrisonburg, then Staunton. Where are you?

heatwave · 08-10-2006, 09:08 AM

Yes, the ethernet on the Cable modem was connected to my ethernet plug on the PC. Getting mail, etc. When I connected the Router, I forget which order, but I did exactly as the instructions said. Couldn't get the router to work so I gave up after several days attempting. Went back to hook everything back up the way it was and the Ethernet couldn't connect. Called cable company, they had me do everything known to man over the phone, ip ping, unhook, turn off, rehook...etc. in certain sequences, to no avail so they sent out the tech who said my ethernet card ws bad. He hooked cable modem up to the USB and it worked. He also brought a new cabel modem thinking maybe it was bad. Does me no good for wanting to hook up my laptop plus I hear the USB is not always safe. That's where I am at. Do I make sense?

blackhawk · 08-10-2006, 09:08 AM

If the cable modem is being connected to two different computers by the ethernet cable and it isn't working, then I'd be leaning to the ethernet port on the modem being the one that is bad, not the one on your computer...

heatwave · 08-10-2006, 09:09 AM

MJC - I thought that too, that's why the Cable guy brought a new modem out. Could 2 modems be bad, in that short span? I'm tempted to go buy my own modem and try it!

vega55 · 08-10-2006, 09:09 AM

I'm just leaving work after a long day, but I happened to catch the above comment. Do you have an ethernet card, or is your ethernet port part of your motherboard? Also, the ethernet card (or port on mobo) had been working just fine until you tried the router, so I'd question the tech's conclusion that it's not functioning. I'd be looking at settings you might have changed when trying to connect the router, and I'd start with this: click the Windows key + pause and you'll get system properties. Then click device manager, and look at the little icon for your network adapter. Is there a yellow question mark?

blackhawk · 08-10-2006, 09:09 AM

OK...then I would go grab a new NIC (network car/ethernet card/etc) for the desktop machine...they are fairly inexpensive and it could well be the problem.