Need some help with a really odd network setup (share laptop network with other PCs)

VonMeister · 10-22-2008, 06:33 PM

I've got a really odd situation. My ISP (a local cable co) is having some issues with routers getting DHCP connection through the cable modem. It's only a problem with routers. I've tried two. Same issue. They replaced the cable modem. Same issue. They've said there are others having this issue as well. If I connect my laptop directly to the cable modem, DHCP works fine (here I am).

Now, here's what I'm trying to do. My laptop which run Vista Home is wired directly to the cable modem. I can also use the built-in wifi to connect it to my router (which is just sitting there not connected to the cable modem). The other PCs in my house are hard-wired to the router. I'd like to "share" the wifi on my laptop with my router and have the computers connected to the router be able to get to the internet THORUGH my laptop.

Does that make sense? Desktop -> wire -> router -> wifi -> laptop wifi -> laptop wired -> wire -> cable modem -> internet.

Now, the router is a Linksys WRT54G V2.0. I can take it out of Router mode and put it in Gateway mode, but I'm really not sure if that's the right tact. I really don't know if what I want to do is possible and if so how best to go about it.

Maybe my Cable Co. will figure this out soon, but they're a small town operation and I'm not holding my breath (it's a known issue and they've been working on it for days). For now they've suggested I just connect my computer directly to the cable modem. Great. I can do that. One at a time.

FWIW, I also have a Netgear WG602 Wireless Access Point at my disposal and a couple of Workgroup Switches if anyone can come up with any other clever solution.

Thanks!

**johnwill** · 10-23-2008, 06:13 AM

Reset the router to factory defaults by holding the reset button down for 15 seconds with power on. The following procedure should get you a connection with any broadband modem that is configured to use DHCP for the router connection, such as cable modems, and many DSL modems. If you require PPPoE configuration for the DSL modem, that will have to be configured to match the ISP requirements.

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.

When the computer is completely booted, let's see this.

Try these simple tests.

Hold the Windows key and press R, then type CMD (COMMAND for W98/WME) to open a command prompt:

In the command prompt window that opens, type type the following commands one at a time, followed by the Enter key:

IPCONFIG /ALL

PING <computer_IP_address>

PING <default_gateway_address>

PING 206.190.60.37

PING yahoo.com

Right click in the command window and choose Select All, then hit Enter.
Paste the results in a message here.

<computer_IP_address> - The IP Address of your computer, obtained from the IPCONFIG command above.

<default_gateway_address> - The IP address of the Default Gateway, obtained from the IPCONFIG command above.

If you are on a machine with no network connection, use a floppy, USB disk, or a CD-RW disk to transfer a text file with the information to allow pasting it here.

VonMeister · 10-23-2008, 10:19 AM

That's all stuff that's been tried many times over. It's absolutely a problem with the cable co and they are aware of it but don't yet have a fix. None of the things you suggested will address the issue. The router has been reset many times. The cable modem has been reset many times. The computer(s) have had their network properties changed several times.

I need to fundamentally change the archetecture of my network into a "hack" that uses a machine directly connected to the cable modem to provide internet connectivity to the rest of the network. It's not a matter of going through proper sequences of resets and startups to get the router and cable modem do do the DHCP thing. That will not work because of some issue with the cable company.

I could even add another network card to my desktop if there's a solution that might work there. Can I get that second port to provide DHCP to the rest of the network if I do that?

**JamesO** · 10-23-2008, 10:38 AM

I would demand the ISP provide a static IP address until they can get "Their" problem resolved.

If they can't provide a static IP, maybe they can extend the lease on the dynamic address and you could populate your router as a static IP. At least this should work until the lease expires and the IP address changes again.

I am also wondering if you need to clone the MAC address of the machine that works correctly into the router to resolve the issue as well?

JamesO

View Poll Results: Can this be done?
Can't be done. You're hosed.	0	0%
No problem. Here's how!	0	0%
Ummm, what?	0	0%
Get a real cable co.	1	100.00%
Voters: 1. You may not vote on this poll

10-22-2008, 06:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
VonMeister Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP Pro (x2), Vista Home Prem (x1, laptop)	Need some help with a really odd network setup (share laptop network with other PCs) I've got a really odd situation. My ISP (a local cable co) is having some issues with routers getting DHCP connection through the cable modem. It's only a problem with routers. I've tried two. Same issue. They replaced the cable modem. Same issue. They've said there are others having this issue as well. If I connect my laptop directly to the cable modem, DHCP works fine (here I am). Now, here's what I'm trying to do. My laptop which run Vista Home is wired directly to the cable modem. I can also use the built-in wifi to connect it to my router (which is just sitting there not connected to the cable modem). The other PCs in my house are hard-wired to the router. I'd like to "share" the wifi on my laptop with my router and have the computers connected to the router be able to get to the internet THORUGH my laptop. Does that make sense? Desktop -> wire -> router -> wifi -> laptop wifi -> laptop wired -> wire -> cable modem -> internet. Now, the router is a Linksys WRT54G V2.0. I can take it out of Router mode and put it in Gateway mode, but I'm really not sure if that's the right tact. I really don't know if what I want to do is possible and if so how best to go about it. Maybe my Cable Co. will figure this out soon, but they're a small town operation and I'm not holding my breath (it's a known issue and they've been working on it for days). For now they've suggested I just connect my computer directly to the cable modem. Great. I can do that. One at a time. FWIW, I also have a Netgear WG602 Wireless Access Point at my disposal and a couple of Workgroup Switches if anyone can come up with any other clever solution. Thanks!

10-23-2008, 06:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,940 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Need some help with a really odd network setup (share laptop network with other P Reset the router to factory defaults by holding the reset button down for 15 seconds with power on. The following procedure should get you a connection with any broadband modem that is configured to use DHCP for the router connection, such as cable modems, and many DSL modems. If you require PPPoE configuration for the DSL modem, that will have to be configured to match the ISP requirements. 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. When the computer is completely booted, let's see this. Try these simple tests. Hold the Windows key and press R, then type CMD (COMMAND for W98/WME) to open a command prompt: In the command prompt window that opens, type type the following commands one at a time, followed by the Enter key: IPCONFIG /ALL PING <computer_IP_address> PING <default_gateway_address> PING 206.190.60.37 PING yahoo.com Right click in the command window and choose Select All, then hit Enter. Paste the results in a message here. <computer_IP_address> - The IP Address of your computer, obtained from the IPCONFIG command above. <default_gateway_address> - The IP address of the Default Gateway, obtained from the IPCONFIG command above. If you are on a machine with no network connection, use a floppy, USB disk, or a CD-RW disk to transfer a text file with the information to allow pasting it here. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-23-2008, 10:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
VonMeister Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP Pro (x2), Vista Home Prem (x1, laptop)	Re: Need some help with a really odd network setup (share laptop network with other P That's all stuff that's been tried many times over. It's absolutely a problem with the cable co and they are aware of it but don't yet have a fix. None of the things you suggested will address the issue. The router has been reset many times. The cable modem has been reset many times. The computer(s) have had their network properties changed several times. I need to fundamentally change the archetecture of my network into a "hack" that uses a machine directly connected to the cable modem to provide internet connectivity to the rest of the network. It's not a matter of going through proper sequences of resets and startups to get the router and cable modem do do the DHCP thing. That will not work because of some issue with the cable company. I could even add another network card to my desktop if there's a solution that might work there. Can I get that second port to provide DHCP to the rest of the network if I do that?

10-23-2008, 10:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	Re: Need some help with a really odd network setup (share laptop network with other P I would demand the ISP provide a static IP address until they can get "Their" problem resolved. If they can't provide a static IP, maybe they can extend the lease on the dynamic address and you could populate your router as a static IP. At least this should work until the lease expires and the IP address changes again. I am also wondering if you need to clone the MAC address of the machine that works correctly into the router to resolve the issue as well? JamesO