ntl, router and usb

[dtoogs]

hi, my pc (xp) connects to the internet using a SMC EZ usb to cat5 cable adaptor and then to my samsung set top box. i read on virgins web site that by getting rid of the usb adaptor and plugging the cat5 cable directly into my pc will make the net faster and more reliable.
1. i unplug pc and set top box
2. i remove usb adptor and plug in cat5 cable.
3. i power up set top box for 2 mins.
4. i power up pc and click internet explorer.
it goes straight onto the ntl page that asks for a pid and password. i filled in my 10 digit pid and 4 digit password but it either comes up user not found or password incorrect?. ive spoke to virgins costumer services and the 25p a minute indian help line but they all say the pid and password is correct?. as anyone had this before?.
if i refit the usb adaptor and do the power off and back on with the pc/set top box the net works fine again?.

[MovedGoalPosts]

to Cable Forum

I recently had an upgrade from the STB to SACM (modem). One of my main reasons for this was the wretched provisioning system of registering the connected device with the STB server. Some days the connection would be stable, other days, despite it already being registered, the thing would drop out and all I would get was the registration screen, like yo unow have. I don't have any solution for you other than to tell technical services there is a fault that despite your having registered the device their system has broken, and you are reporting a fault that requires resolution.

[xpod]

It`s a pain in the backside anytime you plug an unknown device in and have to go through that provisioning page.Especially when it`s having hissy fits.
I`ve actually lost the letter i had with my pid number so now can only use one of the 5 already registered devices on the stb.
Unless i changed mac addresses on any new network cards i suppose

I could always call up & ask for the pid number for the stb account but wether i`d get it or not`s another matter.
We supposedly still had the stb account as a good will gesture for other incompetence at the time(nothing to do with speeds)We still have access to our old stb account Email too but i`m now begining to realise that lots of us in ex NTL areas still have our BB via the STB`s,even though we`ve upgraded to stand alone cable modems.
There good will gesture was obviously another of those...."just shut him up & let him think we`re doing him a favour" speils.

That 1Mb stb is a handy backup/overspill and it still has it`s uses now & again.