2Wire router and AT&T cable

[briansdad]

Any experience or insights with either the 2wire HomePortal or setting up a home phoneline network when AT&T is the ISP? The router tells me everything is okay with it and the computer, but the broadband provider won't cooperate. AT&T says don't even think about asking them a question about home networks, it's not their job, and this phone call may be monitored to make sure they won't lift a finger.

I bought the 2Wire based primarily on an endorsement in the Hot Deals section from an Anandtecher. Is he/she out there, or is there anybody else familiar with this gear or process? Once I can get to the internet through the router, I am--famous last words--confident I can get the phoneline part up and running.

Thanks in advance to any of you that are kind enough to offer comments. Anandtechers have that rare combination of technical savvy and willingness to share.

 

[briansdad]

Leaving aside the philosophical question about whether ansering one's own question advances the collective knowledge, the answer (drumroll, please) is--

Norton Internet Security won't let the 2wire router communicate with AT&T. If you disable Norton, then the setup can be completed.

Now, it's on to the phoneline part to see what problems I can create for myself there.

This forum still contributed to my success by making me think about the problem and what I had done enough to be able to write it down, and making a public spectacle of myself by publisizing my errors always seems to contribute to a solution. So, I hope it was worth the bandwidth.