Comcast & Netgear - Can't get to internet through router anymore -Got it, thanks!

[journeywoman]

Well, they made the switch last night. I had no activity this morning, so I disconnected from my router and went direct through the modem. No problem that way. Nice fast connection. I haven't downloaded the Comcast software and don't want to. I do want to use my Netgear router again. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[cipher00]

Hmmm. I switched in late December without the godawful software and didn't have this problem.

Did you reboot the router? It is possible that you'll have to clone the Mac address of the PC to the router, too, if that hasn't already been done. (Sorry if these are stupid suggestions, but I'm not that familiar with Netgear stuff.) I stuck the new Comcast userid in my router's 'pc-name' field but am not convinced that it was necessary. (I use an SMC, btw.)

I started a thread on this before Christmas where many savvy folks chimed in; you can find it here. The mail servers will change name from something like 'mail' to 'mail.comcast.net'.

If shutting everything down and powering up doesn't work, perhaps the more knowledgeable folks in this forum can add their 2¢.

 

[journeywoman]

Thanks. I'll take a look at the other thread. Comcast support just said to check with Netgear and to tell them it is a true DHCP system. I know I had to put the MAC number in when I first set it up, so I'll check that again.
I'll post if I figure it out.

 

[toshiba3020]

Happened to me too. I had to help those back home fix it, over the phone. I just had them reload the software on the router and put the settings back it and it worked. Im sure there is an easier solution but I was on the phone long distance and wanted to get it done real quick, so if you cant figure it out there is a quick option.

 

[journeywoman]

I've tried that and it didn't work. I thought if I spoofed the MAC number that would take care of it, but it turns out I'm missing something in the translation.
The MAC number on my modem is letters and numbers. They seem to want what looks like an IP address in the NetGear wizard. It won't take it anyway.
It doesn't have anything to do with their changing our ID's does it?
I'll keep looking around. I can reboot this thing all day and night if I have too until I get it right.

 

[cipher00]

Perhaps there's a firmware upgrade available for the Netgear router? MAC addresses certainly allow letters.

Is there a spot for 'computer name' in the wizard (or better yet, skip the wizard and perhaps try the ip address of the router in your browser?)? If so, you might want to try the new username from Comcast in the computer name. I believe that's how the old @Home service identified the 'PC'.

BTW, is there anything else on the router (print server, etc.) that might be mucking up the connection?

 

[journeywoman]

I can't believe how simple the answer was!!!! I went to NetGear and they had a help FAQ for the ATT / @home people.

Turn everything off.
Unplug your power from your modem and your router.
Walk away and get a drink. (I'm sure this has to be part of the process)
Plug in your modem.
Wait.
Plug in your router.
Wait.
Turn on your computer.

WAH LAA!!

It said to make sure you gave them enough time to power all the way down and lose memory, then enough time in between each power up to completely run through their startup sequences.

So nice to be wired.
Thanks all for helping.

 

[cipher00]

Ah, yes. Always a good feeling. Glad it worked out.