Trying to switch from USB to ethernet - Telewest

Bucky · 07-02-2006, 22:57

New member - I have searched through many posts with similar problems to mine and tried the suggested solutions but without success. Forgive me for asking a question which has been covered before but I am beginning to despair !

I have set up a working USB connection (for my Niece not myself) with Telewest Motorola Surfboard SB5101E.

Would now like to use wireless router. Trying Linksys WRT54GS which is happily talking to laptop but not to broadband.

I have studied all the previous suggestions and tried getting back to basics of connecting directly from the modem to a known working network port on laptop, after a power cycle on modem and with USB connector removed but I cannot get an IP address from the modem.

Have checked network settings on laptop (obtain IP address automatically etc) and tried disabling firewall. Whenever I reconnect USB lead from modem to laptop the internet connection works instantly - without the need for a power cycle - as if the modem is refusing to release settings for USB ??

Any further advise would save me going grey even quicker than already !!

Thanks in anticipation.

nffc · 07-02-2006, 23:03

Turn both the modem and the PCs off then reconnect usb / lan lead, then turn on modem, then when Sync and Ready lights on then turn on PC.

It's likely your IP begins with 169 in which case the PC is assigning the IP quicker than the modem can get ready so it falls back onto an APIPA address.

Bucky · 07-02-2006, 23:10

Thanks for the fast reply nffc.

The kit is not at my home so each fixing attempt involved a journey (spent 2 hours there tonight).

If I find a 169. address as you suggest then what would be the action ?

The USB lead from Motorolla modem to USB on the laptop consistently works but an ethernet lead from modem to laptop does not get and IP address allocated (network shows 'a network cable is disconnected').

**Chris** · 07-02-2006, 23:17

If the laptop says the network cable is disconnected, it is possible either the cable, or one of the ethernet ports, or the ethernet card in the laptop, is jiggered. Can you attempt to connect a different computer to that modem by ethernet, or try a different cable, to rule out that possibility?

nffc · 07-02-2006, 23:22

Good point Chris- the importance of trying to gather information by asking!

Try a different LAN cable or a different PC also try and wiggle it see if you get the same result.

Bucky · 07-02-2006, 23:33

I can successfully connect via ethernet cable from the laptop to the Linksys router so I am happy that the cable and port are working.

I cannot help but believe that the problemt is with the Motorola modem - I have heard various reports of having to power it down for a period of time to 'lose the settings associated with the previous USB connection'. A work collegue was apparently told by Telewest to power off the modem for 2 hours. He solved a similar problem this way - I find that advice incredible but I tried it anyway - I asked the long-suffering owner to power off the modem all day then reconnect it (on this occasion the link was via the router which I had already confirmed was wirelessly taking to the laptop) when returning in the evening. I am taking their word that the kit was powered back on in the correct sequence but the reply was that the laptop could still not access internet. I have personally left the modem off for over 15 mins and still had no luck.

brundles · 08-02-2006, 10:08

Can you clarify how the modem was powered down? In general with the Motorola modem I have I've found you need to cut the power at the plug rather than just pressing the off switch on the modem.

Bucky · 08-02-2006, 20:36

I pulled the power lead from the unit (rather than just switch to standby)

PS I sent an email to Blueyonder's Broadband Customer Support, vai a link on their site, and have just received a reply to say "blueyonder are sorry to advise that at present we do not offer support
for home networking. Please contact the hardware / software vendors of the networking
equipment that is causing the issue. Alternatively call our PC helpline on 0906 991 0001 (calls charged at £1
per minute, calls from mobiles and some networks may be higher)"

In my opinion they are the vendors of both the software and hardware in question !
If this is the level of assistance I am damn sure I won't pay £1 min a similar response. Rant, rant .....

brundles · 08-02-2006, 23:14

To be fair to them, if Blueyonder started offering tech support on home networks as standard we'd probably see our subscriptions rocket to cover the cost.

Anyway, that doesn't help you! From what you've said, my guess is the ethernet port on the modem isn't powered up - possibly faulty. You tried the cable between the router and laptop successfully (you had disabled the wireless first hadn't you?

) but get a disconnected message when trying it between the modem and laptop. (BTW - are we right in assuming that the USB lead was completely unplugged from the modem?)

Try calling Blueyonder back again. This time don't even mention the LAN stuff - just tell them that you need the modem to work over ethernet to the laptop as you need the USB port on the laptop for something else (printer for example). That should remove any complications from the call. Once you can get the modem and laptop talking directly it should be a simple matter to power down modem, router and laptop, re-wire and then power up modem, router and laptop.

MovedGoalPosts · 09-02-2006, 00:47

I'd suggest you cut out the middle man - the router - and confirm that the modem will speak via ethernet to a computer.

Power off the modem, router and computer(s), disconnect all USB and ethernet cables from the modem and computer(s), pick one PC that you know worked wired to the router and connect that direct via ethernet to the modem. Power up the modem, let it settle power up the computer. Do you have a working internet service? If so the modem is OK, if not there is an issue with the modem or the ethernet cable you are using.

If you continue to have problems, and want to pursue tech support, as well as here, worry only about the direct ethernet connection with the laptop to modem. Ignore and don't even say that you have a router. That way it's within the basic support remit of Telewest.

Bucky · 09-02-2006, 07:11

Brundles - yes, when I confirmed direct ethernet cable connection from modem to laptop the USB was disconnected (from both) and the wireless was disconnected from Laptop. Perhaps the ethernet port on modem is faulty after all.

Rob C - I might try your suggestion and contact Telewest re. a failure of direct ethernet cable connection (& ignore wireless for now).

Thanks