Major problems with my PC after trying to set up DSL with a Linksys router, now dialup won't even work!

[KYDave]

For starters this is my dad's PC that I just built for him over the summer. Its got lots of the same components in it as mine does so I'm fairly familiar with it. I've also set up DSL on my PC with the same kind of router and then later a Cable modem with no problems. I know a little about computers, but not as much as I'd like to.

My dad recently signed up for Alltel.net DSL service and got a modem from them. I suggested he buy the BEFSX41 Linksys router to help share his connection to a couple PC's he has. The router came in this past week and I went over to set it all up yesterday.

I connected the DSL modem and the little filters and ran the installation software. Alltel.net provides a PPPoE service so I had to install the connection software. In the installation process the program tries to detect the modem. On the initial instal everything worked great. The program was able to detect my DSL modem and install it properly. The install process required a couple reboots but after it was over the internet connection was great, lightning fast!

Next I decided to install the router. This router has a CD that asks you to run it before attaching your router, so I put it in and ran it. The program attempts to detect some settings from your internet connection, but at this step in the install it kept telling me I didn't have a connection to the internet. I couldn't figure out why it was saying this so I finally gave up and decided to try and install the router manually.

I connected the router up and was able to access the router setup using internet explorer. I set it up as I thought it should be but I still didn't have any internet access. During this time I was able to run the modem software to connect to the PPPoE servers and it always told me I was connected as if it was working properly. HOwever, even though it said I was connected and the settings on the router were looking good I had no internet connection.

I called Linksys helpdesk and they walked me through a multitude of different settings and eventually came to the conclusion that the router was defective and I should return it to Newegg for one that wasn't broke. I was dissapointed in both Linksys and Newegg, but I figured it was the best idea at this point.

I then decided to just set my dad up with the modem and leave his McAfee firewall software up to protect him since he wouldn't have the firewall router. I took the router out of the setup and set the computer just as it was before when the DSL connection was first working . . . but for some reason the internet was NOT working anymore. I could still connect to the PPPoE server as if the connection was working and I got an IP address, but I couldn't ping anything and I had no internet access. I had no idea what was going on. I called the Alltel.net help desk and they had no idea what was going on. That call ended with the guy saying he would forward my problem to the engineering team and they would call me back on Monday.

At this point I was giving up and decided to just set him back up with his crappy dialup until I could get this resolved. I ran the dialup shortcut to connect him and it dialed as normal and then minimized as if it was connected. THen I tried to use the internet and I got NOTHING. I couldn't use eudora for email, or any internet program to access anything. Under the little progress window it said I was sending and recieving packets over this connection, but nothing was actually working.

I just tried to call Linksys back and see if they had any idea what might have happened, but the guy on the phone was no help at all. I tried to reinstall windows over the current install and that didn't help at all. My next step is to format and reinstal, but that is going to require alot of work and I don't have much time as I'm working 13+ hour days now.

If anybody can help me out at all I would be extremly greatfull. I've been so frustrated with this experience I just want to chuck his PC out the window. I have no clue what is going on and I've exhausted my knowledge on computers trying figure it out.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the long writeup,
Dave

 

[JackMDS]

On PPPOE:

PPPOE software is a "Dial in Type"; it initiates and keeps the connection alive while you are surfing.

Unfortunately most DSL ISPs do not give you an ID and password over the phone; they want you to get it online.

In such a case use single computer connected to the DSL Modem. Install their PPPOE software and establish an account. In the process you will be given ID and Password (write them down)

Once you have an account connect your Cable/DSL Router to the DSL Modem, and plug your computers to the Router.

Log onto the Router's configuration Menus. In the PPPOE menu type Username and Password, make sure that the PPPOE option is checked. Set the Router to obtain IP automatically.

As long as you don't switch off the DSL Modem, and the Router you are connected "forever" (the computer can be switched off). If you switch the Modem, and the Router off, when you switch them on again, it will take about 30-50 seconds to the Modem to obtain connection, and the Router will automatically connect to the DSL ISP.

You can uninstall WINPOET, and or whatever software they dished you.
Or if you want you can leave them installed; (The software PPPOE appears as another Dialup connection, in the Browser). Just make sure that the Internet Browser is set to use LAN, otherwise it will keep using the PPPOE.

The Router's PPPOE capacity is independent from the Computer, and it keeps the connection alive.

In case of PPPOE DSL Working through the Router should yield faster (5%-10%), and smoother Internet connection.

=============================================

When every thing is done do not forget to optimize you TCP/IP for DSL connection.

Download DrTCP: <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.dslre
ports.com/front/DRTCP021.exe">http://www.dslreports.com/front/DRTCP021.exe</a>

Run the program, it will show the current settings of TCP/IP parameters. Write them down.

You can change any variable that you want, click Apply, and reboot the computer, if no good; you can always change to your original values.

Start with:

MaxMTU - for DSL =1492

Tcp Receive - 255552

Window Scaling - Yes

Time Stamping - No

Selective Acks - Yes

Path MTU Discovery - Yes.

Black Hole - NO

Max Duplicate - 2

TTL - 64

 

[KYDave]

Thanks for the reply, but I'm not real sure what you're trying to say. Are you suggesting I run that program and play with the settings?

I can't even install that pppoe software anymore since it won't detect the modem, and I can't use dialup anymore.

Would running that program help to solve those two problems or just help me once I have the DSL modem setup?

Dave

 

[JackMDS]

Read the above post SLOWLY, and try to follow the instructions.

Concering DrTCP, it says "When every thing is done do not forget to optimize you TCP/IP for DSL connection".

Disable on one computer all Live TCP/IP filters (Firewall, Virus, SPY ant other blockers).

Connect this computer to the modem (no Router) and make sure that you can get the DSL Connection according to your ISP instructions. Write down the ID and Password. The Router will not work without them.

 

[KYDave]

I have already disabled any TCP/IP filters that I know of and tried to connect with JUST the modem. Following my ISP's instructions I can't set up the modem since the setup program won't even recognize the modem now. It tells me it can't detect the modem. This is without the router. And I already have the ID and password.

What I don't understand is why this setup won't work and why my dialup setup won't work, when both were working perfectly before I tried to set up the router.

Please let me know if I'm not making myself clear, the router is NOT connected to the PC anymore and things are messed up.

Dave

 

[ChunkiMunki]

I would start by checking to see if your network card is set to obtain everything automatically. (TCP/IP properties) Then unistall the modem from Add/Remove hardware. Check if the modem has a reset button on it somewhere and hold it in for 10 seconds or so. Then try with both modems.