Ethernet connection woes...

Jurasik · 30-04-2007, 21:16

Hi all.
1st post, so please bear with me. I have recently given my old PC to my sister. It was connected, via a NIC card to a Belkin router F5D7231-4 & into a Motorola SB5100 blueyonder modem. It worked in this configuration without any issues. I did a complete wipe & re-install (XP Home SP2) prior to giving it to her. I also connected using the above configurationto fully update the PC.
She was not going to go online, but she is now. She is hooked into Virgin media cable 4gb with a scientific atlanta modem 2100.
Now the problem is this: When she got connected originally, VM supplied a Motorola SB4100. The engineer did not connect the PC to the modem, just connected it to the cable & powered it up. She plugged in the ethernet cable & got... no signal. nothing, nada. The network icon had an exclaimation mark with limited or no connectivity showing. She called the helpline & got them to come out to replace the modem. She now has the modem above. She is connected to the internet through the USB connection. I want to get the ethernet working, so she can use her laptop downstairs with a wireless router. (She doesn't have a router yet)
When I looked about on the net about this problem, also on here, I found that renewing the Ip address could solve the problem. I did this through the command prompt. When it released the address, it stated that it was 0.0.0.0
When I attempted to renew, there was a long pause until the PC finally gave up, stating limited or no connectivity.
All settings in internet connections (LAN) to assign all settings automatically. I also read on here (after the last session of trying to get it to work) that looking in msconfig -> services to see if DHCP client is running. I have not tested this out.
Sorry for the long post, but does anybody have any ideas?

PS Mods, if this post is in the wrong forum, please move it.

MovedGoalPosts · 30-04-2007, 21:30

to Cable Forum

It's unlikely that the original and replacement modems both have a fault, so I'd start troubleshooting elsewhere.

You are completely disconnecting the USB lead from the modem when you swap to ethernet, and powering the modem off whenever you attempt to swap over.

Make sure you have current drivers for the ethernet card in the PC, and that the ethernet is enabled. Everything should be set to auto detect (IP, etc) The modem should assign this. Sometimes having the network drivers for USB loaded can mess things up - try deleting that. Have you a different ethernet lead you can try as a swap.

Paul K · 30-04-2007, 21:32

When changing from USB to ethernet you need to power down anything and everything connected to the feed (cable modem, PC and router if one is in use).
You then power up the modem, wait for lights to lock/ steady, power up the PC, wait and then open the browser.

Jurasik · 30-04-2007, 23:06

Yeah, I tried the unplug/switch off, re-plug the ethernet & switch on. didn't work. Even tried the reset button & this didn't work. I even tried to uninstall the USB modem drivers. This didn't work.

Jurasik · 01-05-2007, 10:13

Had another thought. After talking this through with a friend, Is it wise to try my belkin router between the PC & the SA 2100 modem? After all, this was a similar connection to the original, after XP was reinstalled. Will this cock up my connection at home, when I re-plug the router back in again?

Jurasik · 01-05-2007, 13:35

Anybody?

Jurasik · 03-05-2007, 20:32

Doesnt' anybody have any more ideas?

Paul K · 03-05-2007, 20:44

Get it working without the router in the way and then clone the MAC address from the PC into the Router?

Jurasik · 06-05-2007, 00:25

Right. An update. I looked to see if DHCP client was running. It was.
Switched everything off. Unplugged the USB & re-connected the Ethernet. Switched on the modem, waited until the cable light was steady, then switched on the PC. No router betweeen the PC & modem. Limited or no connectivity. Did an Ipconfig to see the address, it was 169.xxx.xxx.xxx.
powered everthing back down, switched back to USB & it works.
Plugged my sister's laptop (win2000 pro) into the ethernet port whilst the modem was powered up & switched on the laptop. This also got limited or no connectivity. checked the ipconfig again, 169.xxx.xxx.xxx
Is the modem borked? This is the second unit to exhibit the same problem, now on two machines. Now you could say that the nic card in the PC is broken, but what about the ethernet port in the laptop?
I have tried the ethernet cable that came with the modem & one I gave her that was originally connected between the old PC & my router. Both give the same result.
Does anybody have any ideas what could be the problem?

Jurasik · 09-05-2007, 13:30

Just another thought. Does the SA 2100 require a standard network patch cable or a crossover cable? I haven't checked the cables, but I think they are both standard patch cables.

Jurasik · 10-05-2007, 10:17

anybody?

10-05-2007, 10:27

straight between modem and pc and straight between modem and router

Jurasik · 10-05-2007, 13:25

Thought as much. thanks for replying.

Jurasik · 10-05-2007, 21:31

Another thought. When I browsed the modem 192.168.100.1 (connected via USB) there was no settings to change & there was no mention in any of the 4 pages of DHCP. Is there another address I can enter to allow me to access the settings of the modem, or is this not possible? If not, can tech support enable DHCP (if this is the problem) remotely?

Jurasik · 11-05-2007, 23:58

y'know, it's funny. Over 250 views & so few replies. Doesn't anybody have any ideas as to what the problem actually could be? I am sure the nic card is working in the pc. I am sure that the network cable is fine.
Just no ethernet signal.

Please Help!!