Can't get cable modem router to work

[godfire]

I have Comcast cable, and I recently bought a Linksys BEFSR81 8-port router. I'm running Windows XP SP2 on an Intel PC, and I can't get the router to work. I've followed all of the instructions provided repeatedly with no luck. I tried upgrading the firmware as well, but it gave me an error so I couldn't do that either. For the most part I have all of the default settings on the router - obtain IP automatically, etc. I tried doing a search here but didn't find anything that helped me. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can try?

Thanks for any help...

 

[mechBgon]

Start by turning off the modem and router. Now turn on the modem only and wait for it to sync. Once it's synced up, turn on the router and let it try to get an IP address assigned to it by the modem on the WAN side. You've got the modem plugged into the WAN port on the router, correct?

 

[Fencer128]

Hi,

It wouldn't be the case that the modem is locked to your computer's MAC address (some cable modems lock themselves to only operate with the device MAC address first plugged into their LAN port)?

To check if your router supports MAC changes, set it to be the same as that of your computer NIC and see what happens. Alternatively reset the modem to factory defaults (usually a small hidden button) and make sure you plug the router into the LAN port before anything else.

Good luck,

Andy

 

[godfire]

Ok, I fixed it (for anyone that's interested). It turns out that when I tried to upgrade the firmware the first time it failed because the model I had was slightly different from what it said. It wasn't just BEFSR81 like it said on the box, it was actually BEFSR81 v3 (which is only alluded to in one small part of the router interface). Anyway, I found the proper firmware in an obscure part of the website and updated it, and it works fine now.

Also, just as a sidenote the people at Linksys tech support are completely worthless.

 

[iDrive]

Originally posted by: godfire


Also, just as a sidenote the people at Linksys tech support are completely worthless.

Agreed. Good work!