Trouble getting modem connected on laptop

Sandydog · 07-03-2006, 21:01

Can someone please help! I've just got broadband through NTL, and I cannot get it to connect automatically on my laptop. I have to keep running the Network Setup Wizard (from set up a home or small office network) every time I turn it on.

I did manage to set the TCP/IP addresses up manually, but today when I went on that went wrong (although I see that others are having problems with the service today).

My mum used to own this laptop, and had NTL broadband, so could it be something to do with that? She also used to have it networked up to her PC!

Is there anything I can do to get it to set up automatically (the NTL cd doesn't work)?

Just another small question. When I look at routers, what do the mbps mean? How many should I look at for a 10mb speed?

Thanks for any help!

Graham M · 08-03-2006, 13:34

Have you restarted the Modem?

Sandydog · 08-03-2006, 14:17

I don't know whether to take your reply seriously or not! Yes, I have done all the basics (rebooting both laptop and modem). When I installed it on my pc, it was detected as hardware, whereas the laptop is only detecting a network connection.

Any more advice?

Graham M · 08-03-2006, 16:02

Were you connecting it VIA USB on the PC then? And yes my question was serious as you didn't mention these details in your first post.

Aragorn · 08-03-2006, 17:01

Are you trying to connect PC and Laptop simultaneously? Won't work! Must powercycle modem between devices (hence Zeph's point).
Is the laptop using Ethernet or USB?
If you are just using Laptop -> Cablemodem via Ethernet, allow it to get an automatic IP from the CM.

Sandydog · 08-03-2006, 20:10

At the moment I'm connecting them individually and independently. I am connecting via Ethernet, but it won't get an IP automatically. I really think that there is stuff in the registry from my mum's old broadband set up. Perhaps my only choice is to restore this laptop back to it's factory settings.

Marge · 08-03-2006, 20:16

Go to Network Connections > LAN Connection > Properties and then click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) > Properties.

Make sure everything there is set to "Obtain IP Address Automatically" as it may have some "old" settings set

Sandydog · 08-03-2006, 20:26

Thanks for that Marge. I've checked it and it's already set to do it automatically. Very baffling!

Aragorn · 08-03-2006, 21:11

Are there any other LAN connections listed? eg. a USB connection or a 'bridging' connection? If so, try uninstalling them.

If you start a DOS prompt ('Start', 'Run..', CMD) what does the following command tell you? :
ipconfig /all

Sandydog · 08-03-2006, 21:32

This is what it tells me:-

ipconfig /all
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Computer
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 5:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Eth
ernet NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0F-B0-06-9A-C7
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . :
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 08 March 2006 20:06:32
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 10 March 2006 20:06:32
Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 2:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 802.11b
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-90-4B-61-70-F5

although on the LAN connections I have a 1394 connection which is showing as connected at 400mbps. Is this the culprit?

Aragorn · 08-03-2006, 22:07

Everything on the LAN looks fine (please edit your post to hide your real IP address!).
Yes, the Firewire connection could be causing the issue, and I would disable that as the next step. (Right click on the connection).
Otherwise, we are looking at a firewall? Got one installed, if so which?

Sandydog · 08-03-2006, 23:02

Thanks for the advice Aragorn. I tried it disabling the 1394, but it wouldn't connect at all. I'm trying now to find any firewall. All I know is that the one connected to the LAN connection is disabled. The NTL netguard software is telling me that I have proxy software but I'm not even sure where that is! I've deleted my spyware software. I'm going to have to see my mum about this. Don't laugh, I'm 36 and she's 61! She knows so much more about the intimate side of the laptop, I'm just into software.

Sandydog · 09-03-2006, 21:04

I think I fixed this by changing the DHCP client to automatic in my computer/computer management. (mum told me!)

Anyway, I just wanted to say thankyou to you all for your help, especially Aragorn.