Can't get IP from cable modem

[Todd McKenney]

I'm using MAC OS 10.4 with both Ethernet and wireless connection to an (apple) airport (original snow). The cable modem is a Webstar DPX2100. I added a Netgear Websafe Router RP614 to the network so I could connect Microsoft X-box live simultaneously with computer usage on the internet. The setup was as follows:

Cable modem connected to router WAN port via Ethernet.
LAN 1 port on router to Airport WAN port via Ethernet.
LAN 2 port on router to X-Box via Ethernet.
Compaq PC via Ethernet to LAN port on Airport.
Apple Imac to airport via wireless airport card.
Apple power PC to airport via wireless PCI card.

Everything was working until I decided to reroute the X-box ethernet cable through the wall (instead of across the living room floor and across 2 doorways).

When I reconnected everything and powered up with the same connections as before, nothing would work.

IP on the WAN side of Netgear router is 0.0.0.0 despite power cycling it and the modem. (the modem connects to the ISP, and the cable co. technician came out and checked the modem and said it's ok--must be a router problem). The LAN side is 192.168.1.1 and it will assign IPs to connected devices appropriately (192.168.1.2-5), but despite renewing DHCP, etc., it still gets a 0.0.0.0 on the WAN side and no internet connection.

If I connect the IMAC directly via Ethernet to the modem, and power cycle, I can get a valid IP from the modem for the IMAC and can connect.

If I connect the airport WAN to the modem via Ethernet and the IMAC to the LAN on the airport by ethernet, I can connect. The IP address is in the 204.198.1.x range, though, NOT 10.0.1.x which is typical for an airport. If I try to use the airport port for connection to the airport in this configuration (with Ethernet deselected), I get a 169 IP from the modem for the airport and a 169 sub IP for the IMAC.

If I connect the xbox to the modem directly via ethernet, and power cycle, I get a valid IP in the 204.198.1.x range and can connect to the internet.
Sometimes a 45 minute wait before powering up isn't sufficient for whatever resets with the cable modem, because I'll get a 169. on the xbox frequently when alternating between direct ethernet connection to the xbox/modem or IMAC/modem. If I leave the modem powered down overnite, it will reliably assign a valid 204 IP to whichever (xbox or IMAC) I connect.

As far as the ISP: there is no sign on necessary, IP and Subnet are assigned automatically, MAC addressing is not an issue.

Despite resetting the router (soft and hard), and resetting the airport, restarting the devices in all possible sequences, I cannot get the network to work again.

I would appreciate any insight.

[johnwill]

Sounds like the router's dead.

Here's how I get a cable account working with wired connections and a new router. If this doesn't work, you've proved the modem is fine and the computers are fine.

Reset the router to factory defaults by holding the reset button down for 15 seconds with power on.

• Turn off everything, the modem, router, computer.
• Connect the modem to the router's WAN/Internet port.
• Connect the computer to one of the router's LAN/Network ports.
• Turn on the modem, wait for a steady connect light.
• Turn on the router, wait for two minutes.
• Boot the computer.

[Todd McKenney]

Thanks. I'll try your diagnostic test. The router is new out of the box 2 weeks. Any idea why the Airport will connect via ethernet, but not wireless from IMAC?

[johnwill]

Infant mortality is pretty common in electronic gear, so it wouldn't surprise me if the router had died.