Cannot connect to Internet

[EvilManagedCare]

I just built a new computer and had an existing Internet account through Road Runner broadband which connects via cable modem. The modem is the same and was initialized by the ISP when I set it up with the old system. The HDD was reformatted and clean installed to Windows XP.

When I connect to the new NIC, which is integrated on the nForce 3 250 Gb motherboard I cannot connect. The card is detected by Windows, and the tray icon changes to the connected network one when I plug it in. When I go into the Network though control panel I see a device for the LAN, and another disabled one for a 1394 device. What am I missing? The old setup had detect setting automatically, is currently configured to connect through LAN, not dialup. I thought I would be able to just hook it up and go, but I must be missing something. When I followed the Windows help it was not able to release and renew the IP. Is there anything I can do at home? Calling Road Runner tech support at 5 PM EST is unbearable. Please help.

 

[Bojangles139]

just generic help... turn off computer, turn off cable modem for 10 seconds, turn both back on. make sure everything is connected, everything has power, etc.

i'm guessing recycling the cable modem will do it... at least thats usually my problem with cableone.net's services.

the 1394 is your firewire controller i believe.

release/renew ip... i haven't found a way to do that manualy either yet, but nice thing is XP does it automaticly ever couple minutes i believe or is able to autodect somehow (watched my ip when i would unplug my cable and would automaticly resolve to a 169.x.x.x IP, 169 being a generic IP or the defult IP if you like).

brandon

 

[DetroitSportsFan]

release/renew ip... i haven't found a way to do that manualy either yet, but nice thing is XP does it automaticly ever couple minutes i believe or is able to autodect somehow (watched my ip when i would unplug my cable and would automaticly resolve to a 169.x.x.x IP, 169 being a generic IP or the defult IP if you like).

Its pretty easy to manuall release/renew your IP address. Open up your comand prompt and simply type ipconfig /release and then ipconfig /renew. However, without knowing a bit more about Road Runner, you may time out your renew request and get that 169........ Ip address which won't do you much good. Its possible that Road Runner requires connection software, which you don't have installed.

 

[Sideswipe001]

I think I know the problem.

Lots of cable companies tune in your cable connection to a specific MAC address. Since you got a new network card, it's got a new "unrecognized" MAC address. DHCP will not service you.

You can either pull out your old NIC from your other computer and install and use that, or else call the cable company, tell them you changed your NIC, and they will ask for the MAC address. Give it to them, give it 10-15 mins, and you'll be back online.

 

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally posted by: Sideswipe001
I think I know the problem.

Lots of cable companies tune in your cable connection to a specific MAC address. Since you got a new network card, it's got a new "unrecognized" MAC address. DHCP will not service you.

You can either pull out your old NIC from your other computer and install and use that, or else call the cable company, tell them you changed your NIC, and they will ask for the MAC address. Give it to them, give it 10-15 mins, and you'll be back online.

Thats true too .... for some cable companies.

There's another work - around. But it requires a router to work. Most routers will allow you to use what is called "mac address cloning" where you can specify the old NIC MAC address. Its usually hidden in advanced set-up.

If you don't use a router, disregard this post.

 

[EvilManagedCare]

Thanks for the direction guys. I should have gone with the easy solution first instead of ruminating. Bojangles was right. Simply resetting the modem has allowed me access to my account. So now I can safely say my brand spanking new system built and configured with my own little hands is officially a success.