I got a new computer with windows XP on it and cant get cable to connect to internet, help

[TheCoop]

I have two computers, both running Windows XP pro - first one is older and slower (reason I upgraded). First one has a nic card in it and cable is plugged into it going to cable modem and working fine. Just a side note, cable company is Comcast, they used to be @home but changed about 3 months ago. I checked all the setting and even copied the setting over from the one computer to the new one and still wont access internet. I used the same cable from the first one and plugged it into the second one and no internet. I used a second nic card in the new computer just to make sure it wasn't the nic card. I even installed, after formatting drive, XP a second time and still no go. Any suggestions. I was then able to plug the cable back into my original machine and internet works like a charm. No I do not have to set internet address or DNS. I have that set as automatic per the cable company. Is it something on their end that they have to change so I can get the other computer to get the internet access instead of the first one. I have also tried unplugging the modem for about 30 minutes and seeing if that changed anything it didnt. Help.

 

[Schnieds]

Cable internet connections are dependant on your computer's name and workgroup to authenticate with their servers and allow you to use the cable connection. In order for your computer to access the internet you must name your new computer the exact same name as your old computer and also make sure that it is part of the same workgroup. If you haven't already done this make the change.

If you want both of your PC's on the internet at the same time, you are going to have to set up Windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) or purchase an inexpensive Cable/DSL router (I personally recommend Linksys.) The reason is that only one computer on your network can be named whatever name the cable company assigned to your account. You would need to set up ICS or put your connection information in a router so that you can connect to the internet with the name they gave you and still share the connection. You can find information about ICS at: Microsoft KnowledgeBase

Have you tried accessing the internet via any other method than a web browser? i.e. have you tried to play an online game or anything like that? It could be that your Cable provider requires that your browser is configured to use a proxy server... you can check this on the working computer in I.E. by going to Tools -> Internet Options -> Advanced-> and then see if there is anything in the proxy settings... if so you need to put those settings into your new computer's I.E.

Good luck... try out what I have posted above and reply back if you are still having problems.

 

[Schnieds]

Oh yeah... nice sig....

 

[JackMDS]

Not familiar with your ISP.

However, most Internet Cable services Authenticate (password) via the MAC number of the NIC that is in your computer. The first computer works because the NIC MAC is the correct one.

Buy an inexpensive Cable/DSL Router (On sale for less then $40). Clone the MAC of the Interent working computer to it, plug the two computers to the Switch, and you probably will be in heaven.

Want to know more:

AnandTech - FAQ. Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.
anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=48">AnandTech - FAQ. Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?</a>

 

[TheCoop]

Originally posted by: Schnieds
Cable internet connections are dependant on your computer's name and workgroup to authenticate with their servers and allow you to use the cable connection. In order for your computer to access the internet you must name your new computer the exact same name as your old computer and also make sure that it is part of the same workgroup. If you haven't already done this make the change.

If you want both of your PC's on the internet at the same time, you are going to have to set up Windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) or purchase an inexpensive Cable/DSL router (I personally recommend Linksys.) The reason is that only one computer on your network can be named whatever name the cable company assigned to your account. You would need to set up ICS or put your connection information in a router so that you can connect to the internet with the name they gave you and still share the connection. You can find information about ICS at: Microsoft KnowledgeBase

Have you tried accessing the internet via any other method than a web browser? i.e. have you tried to play an online game or anything like that? It could be that your Cable provider requires that your browser is configured to use a proxy server... you can check this on the working computer in I.E. by going to Tools -> Internet Options -> Advanced-> and then see if there is anything in the proxy settings... if so you need to put those settings into your new computer's I.E.

Good luck... try out what I have posted above and reply back if you are still having problems.

MAde sure it is same name and network is called same name and they were. I do not need both to be connected so I do not need ICS. I have tried using IRC CuteFTP as well as internet explorer and netscape and no proxies are turned on.

 

[TheCoop]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Not familiar with your ISP.

However, most Internet Cable services Authenticate (password) via the MAC number of the NIC that is in your computer. The first computer works because the NIC MAC is the correct one.

Buy an inexpensive Cable/DSL Router (On sale for less then $40). Clone the MAC of the Interent working computer to it, plug the two computers to the Switch, and you probably will be in heaven.

Want to know more:

AnandTech - FAQ. Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.
anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=48">AnandTech - FAQ. Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?</a>

damn I wonder if it would be easier to call the cable company and have them tell me what to do concerning the nic address on the new computer since the old crap (hard drives/CDRWs and video card) will go into the new one. I cannot use the old NIC card cause it is an ISA and the new puter does not have any ISA slots.

Eagerly awaiting your response. I hope it is easy enough to call cable company and tell them something.

 

[rw120555]

You ought to be able to call the cable company. Surely people get new PCs or new NICs or whatever and they ought to be able to deal with that.

 

[JackMDS]

Tell what you just mentioned above.

Write down your new NIC MAC number, and tell them that you switched from old ISA card to a new PCI. That is perfectly OK no reason for them to object.

To get the PCi MAC number open a DOS box and type: netstat ?r

The number will appear in the beginning of the Routing table.

However just in case, if you get a Router you can clone the ISA number to the Router, and get done with.