Cable internet connection problem

[btech]

Yesterday we had cable internet installed. We have two computers exactly alike. I am running 2000 on mine and the ethernet connection connects immediately and allows me online. When we switch the ethernet cable to the other pc, it shows the ethernet connection detected but the internet continues not to connect and shows working offline showing connecting to proxy and ends up with cannot find server. Every setting is exact to what my pc shows. We've also tried using usb connections and are getting the same things. We made no changes whatsoever to my pc, just plugged in the ethernet cable and I was online. Unfortunately, this is not the case with the second pc. Can someone please help.?. Thank you!

[norin]

have you attempted to "repair" the connection? sometimes that will do it... maybe the computer hasn't been able to resolve any DNS hosts or resolve an IP from the ISP. try that. if you need instructions on how to do this post back

[btech]

Yes I did try to repair a connection. It said to contact our isp provider. I have also ip released and renewed on it and it is picking up the exact ip address. It does not show a DNS name or a Default Gateway name. Only the Ip address and Subnet mask. I compared the addresses to my pc and they are totally different. I'm not sure how to assign DNS names and such...if this is even needed. Thanks again.

[johnwill]

You have to power cycle the modem when you change the attached device, that's one problem.

[btech]

recycling the power didn't work either. When I ipconfig mine it shows the dns name of ****.net- which is my isp provider. The second pc that's not working right does not have a dns name or anything in it. I entered the dns numbers in last night, obviously that didn't work either. Thanks for all the help.

[Digsby]

You can try turning off the PC with the connectivity issue, then power cycle the modem, give it about 15-20 seconds disconnected. Then Power the PC back up. I've had problems were both components needed a restart.

[MD_Willington]

2 computers
2 different MAC adresses

The cable modem (not really a modem it's a bridge) does not like the different MAC addresses.

You should consider getting an inexpensive router. They are fairly easy to setup and you'll avoid the problem altogether.

MD

[johnwill]

The previous poster is correct, you'll need a router to get multiple computers online at the same time. I thought you were unplugging the one and plugging in the other one.

[norin]

either a router or a hub will do the trick. i use hubs. because i use DSL and havn't found a router able to let me connect.

[johnwill]

Unless you have an account with multiple public IP addresses, a hub will not work. In addition, there are a couple of issues with a hub, even if you have multiple public IP addresses.

No firewall protection.
Unreliable networking between workstations

A broadband router is the easy way to insure security, and easy of local network access.

[norin]

i don't have a network and me and my friends LAN all the time... we even WAN alot. using one or two HUBS. we all use Firewalls. and we all use ANON Proxies. and we have no problems.

[johnwill]

Well, I'm pleased as punch for you. That does not change the fact that many broadband accounts will assign different subnets to multiple connections, and networking will not work. There's a reason that millions of routers are sold every year, they're the best way to solve the problem for 99% of the populace.

[norin]

ok so looking at the issue again. above said poster has issues with Inet connection.

power cycling will not seemingly work
ipconfig also will not work

what i would do is make sure if you have any proxies that they are the correct settings, also if your ISP has assigned a Username/password enable that on the delinquent machine.

if all else fails you may have to wait on the phone (toll-free of course ) for about 15 minutes and let your ISP you have two computers needing to connect.

have you also thought about creating a small home network?

[johnwill]

The basic component of a small home network with shared Internet access would be the previously mentioned broadband router.

[norin]

broadband router will work best thing for sharing connection. put some serious thought wether you want wireless or not. wireless would be good for mobil devices better than workstations or fixed PCs.

[bulok]

Originally Posted by norin

i don't have a network and me and my friends LAN all the time... we even WAN alot. using one or two HUBS. we all use Firewalls. and we all use ANON Proxies. and we have no problems.

LOL I love it. You don't have a network but you and your friends LAN all the time? Really? How do you do that

Anyways, back to the original poster, what type of modem do you have and who's your ISP?

Alot of cable ISPs only provide 1 IP address. Although power cycling the modem also resets its IP address, sometimes the MAC address from the previous NIC is stored in the dhcp server and when it gives out the IP it will look for that. There's a possibility that yours is having that issue and the only way to connect is call everytime you switch PCs. Pain in the *** n'es c'est pas?

As someone already mentioned a small home network or LAN (Local Area Network) using a router would be best solution. DO NOT use a hub. If your ISP is only giving out 1 IP address you would have the same problem still.

The router would obtain it's own IP but also would give out internal IP addresses to your two computers allowing multiple simultaneous connections.

Someone suggested calling your ISP but if you have cable connection chances are they will tell you the demarc point is the cable modem. They will not support home networks unless provided by them :)

Anyways, try looking into getting a router. They aren't that difficult nowadays.

[MD_Willington]

I have a linksys..

This one
BEFSR41
http://www.linksys.com/products/prod...id=29&prid=561

Total setup time ~ 5 minutes or less...My wife doesn't know much about computer hardware, she set it up in ~10 minutes betwen 2 computers...

MD