Only one PC in local network allowed Internet access

d4005 · 03-12-2008, 14:22

I have a Virginmedia modem and a Belkin 54g Wireless Router. One PC is connected via ethernet to the wireless router. The other two are laptops and are connected via wireless. If I switch the router and modem off, and all PCs off, then switch the router and modem back on, it's the first of the computers that I switch on that will successfully get an internet connection.

The one that succeeds though, gets an IP address of 81.109.xxx.yyy which in itself is somewhat odd. I would expect the PC to get an IP address of 192.168.2.xxx as that's what the router is setup to use for DHCP. The first PC fails to even ping 192.168.2.1, but it is available to ping 192.168.100.1 which is the modem.

The ones that FAIL to get an internet access, get an IP address of 192.168.2.xxx but get no DNS servers, can't ping 192.168.100.1 and can't ping any IP address out in internet land.

So it's as if the router acts as an access-point for the first PC that talks to it after a reboot, but then acts as a (bad) router for subsequent PCs.

Modem = virginmedia ntl:250 (255)
Router = Belkin 54g 4000uk

southwell · 03-12-2008, 14:25

That sounds like you have hard wired the pc to the modem and not the router? The modem is in the Wan port on the router, yes?

Raistlin · 03-12-2008, 14:25

This sounds more like an issue with the configuration of the router to me than an issue with the modem/service, I'll move it to Networking.

---------- Post added at 14:25 ---------- Previous post was at 14:25 ----------

by the way.

southwell · 03-12-2008, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob M

This sounds more like an issue with the configuration of the router to me than an issue with the modem/service, I'll move it to Networking.

Ah, the only time ive had this is when i was playing with the router years and years ago. I would suggest a hard reset of the router, but when i did this you CANNOT revert it back to factory defaults....mine was Belkin too. I had to buy a new router.

d4005 · 03-12-2008, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by southwell

That sounds like you have hard wired the pc to the modem and not the router? The modem is in the Wan port on the router, yes?

No. All three computers are set for bog-standard dhcp lan access. It doesn't matter which of the three I try, it's always the one I try first that gets the 81.109 IP address and internet access. The 2nd and 3rd computers always get the 192.168.2.x IP addresses.

Quote:

Originally Posted by southwell

Ah, the only time ive had this is when i was playing with the router years and years ago. I would suggest a hard reset of the router, but when i did this you CANNOT revert it back to factory defaults....mine was Belkin too. I had to buy a new router.

I'll give the factory defaults a try, and then after that a hard reset.

Any recommendations on what to get for a new wireless router? Preferably one with a virgin compatible cable modem built in. Is it best to buy direct from virgin?

southwell · 03-12-2008, 14:44

I use this: http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/sto...&category_oid=

Which is essentially the virgin one. I do like Belkin ones though. Just so you know, this problem i had was with a wide router, dual antenna. If you changed any settings on it, like i did, it tells you, you cannot revert after doing it. Like i say this was at least 4-5 years ago so it might not be your particular problem.

Stuart · 03-12-2008, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by d4005

No. All three computers are set for bog-standard dhcp lan access. It doesn't matter which of the three I try, it's always the one I try first that gets the 81.109 IP address and internet access. The 2nd and 3rd computers always get the 192.168.2.x IP addresses.

What you are describing is a classic symptom of the modem being attached to the wrong port on the router. Your router should have five Ethernet connections. One on it's own (and labelled Internet or WAN), and four grouped together.

The one on it's own (labelled Internet or WAN) is the one that that should be attached to the modem. The other 4 are for PC use.

If you need to change the connection, you will need to unplug both the modem and router from the mains, then plug the modem back in. Wait for it's lights to settle, then plug the router in.

Quote:

Any recommendations on what to get for a new wireless router? Preferably one with a virgin compatible cable modem built in. Is it best to buy direct from virgin?

The only place you can get devices to attach directly to the cable network (ie not through a modem or set top box) is Virgin, and they, as far as I know do not do a combined modem/router.

southwell · 03-12-2008, 14:51

Sorry i miss read your explanation. I would say the modem isn't in the WAN port, as Chris has pointed out too. Your router is basically acting like a hub instead.

d4005 · 03-12-2008, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart C

What you are describing is a classic symptom of the modem being attached to the wrong port on the router. Your router should have five Ethernet connections. One on it's own (and labelled Internet or WAN), and four grouped together.

The one on it's own (labelled Internet or WAN) is the one that that should be attached to the modem. The other 4 are for PC use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by southwell

Sorry i miss read your explanation. I would say the modem isn't in the WAN port, as Chris has pointed out too. Your router is basically acting like a hub instead.

Right on the money !! The cable from the modem to the router was indeed plugged into a LAN socket instead of the WAN socket. This is my Mum's internet connection and it's not setup like I left it last time I was here ;-) I imagine one time she had a problem and tried unplugging and replugging the cables back in and put it in the wrong socket. As she most of the time only has either her PC or her laptop on (just one network client) she never noticed. It's only because I'm visiting and wanted to get in on the wireless action that we noticed :-

Cheers guys, I can't believe I just trusted the cables would still be in the right place

I'd like to think I'd have checked before going to PC world and buying an integrated router/cable modem, but who can say. Of course a new one would have worked right away and it'd be put down to being the Belkin at fault.

This forum rocks !!