Safecom router with Blueyonder

[R Freeman]

My daughter uses a Safecom cable router with the Blueyonder setup she shares with 2 flatmates. It worked without any setup or software loading when first installed in October. It stopped after a few weeks. She has tried a new router with no success.
Do we need to assign IP addresses, load any software to the PCs, do anything to the router settings? Is this a known problem with Blueyonder? Why did it work OK for a while then crash?
The girls don't stay plugged in permanently. Is it unrealistic to expect the connection to withstand random switchings on and off by individual users?
Any advice would be gratefully received. As a strictly ADSL man myself, I am lost in the mystery world of cable!

[J.D]

Well I've only ever had Motorola modems from Telewest and have had working experience of Webstar modems (Cowboy PC repair man) and everything has been fine on the webstar. Only ever needing to power off and on if modem ever freezes.

My experience of Motorola modems has showed me that it's reliable as hell. I switch the modems between two PC's but do not use a router. So If my PC is off then I just plug another network cable which I fitted through my Livingroom wall to my bedroom and pull the power out of the modem and back in. Thirty seconds later the other PC is online. I've been doing this on and off for the last 6 months, since I built a gaming machine. Don't want to run 2 pc's to get internet through my bedroom. Thats why I do the network cable swap. So random switchings on and off is not the problem I think. Try powering off and on. Just pull the power cord out the modem and put it back in 2 seconds later and wait till it powers back on and see if that helps.

Another thing is to go to Control panel on windows XP (if your daughter is using that operating system) and go to Network Connections. Right click on the connection which relates to your modem and go to properties. On the general tab look for Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Once you've found it click it once (select it) and click on properties just underneath where you just clicked for Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).

Make sure that the obtain IP address automatically and obtain DNS server
automatically are both selected.

I hope any of this helps.

As an ADSL man R Freeman welcome to the world of easy LAN and an always on connection. Meg for meg cable is faster in download speeds.

Don't be so wary.

Unless you live within 1/2 a mile of your telephone exchange or live in an area with no Cable would I recommend you getting ADSL.
As any distance further than 1/2 a mile and the speed starts reducing/degrading

Originally Posted by J.D

Well I've only ever had Motorola modems from Telewest and have had working experience of Webstar modems (Cowboy PC repair man) and everything has been fine on the webstar. Only ever needing to power off and on if modem ever freezes. <snip>

The OP is having trouble with a router, not his modem.

RF, do you get internet connectivity ok with a PC connected directly to the modem, i.e. no router in use at all?

You should be able to switch the kit off, but personally I'd leave the modem and router on permanently unless I was going away for more than 2 or 3 days.

[J.D]

LMAO Thanks Chris T. I think I read a bit to quickly there and didn't take it in. What a plonker I am (embarressed)

Ach well I was only trying to help.

Thanks again Chris T and good luck R Freeman

[R Freeman]

Chris - yes the set-up works fine with each PC plugged separately into the modem. So the users are taking turns to go on-line. Not ideal.

The old router worked straight away, no set-up needed, then stopped working. The new one works not at all. I think the issue could be that Telewest's system isn't recognizing the router - but I have no hands-on experience with cable.

Wish I could be there to dabble in the Control Panel myself and try a few things. Is there any obvious setting that needs to be changed, or any actions to configure the router with Blueyonder?

There is should be no sense in which the Telewest service simply doesn't recognise the router ... the service can't tell what kind of device you have attached. One ethernet-enabled device is pretty much like any other so far as Telewest is concerned.

It does sound like the original router broke down, and has been replaced by another dodgy router. A big coincidence, but not beyond the realms of possibility (could be a bad batch). Do you know anyone else with Telewest or NTL that could try it out? You could even try it on an ADSL connection, if you know someone who has one, so long as the ADSL modem can output to ethernet. If you try it on someone else's connection that should finally settle the issue.

[Neil]

*Moved to Networking forum*