PC simply won't request DHCP (or can't see it)

[ssoni223]

Thinkpad 570,
Fresh install of Windows2000, SP1

I am trying to get this laptop connected to my cable modem.
(The cable modem and cable work fine w/ my desktop.)

I tried 2 different PCMCIA ehternet cards.
They install fine, all the lights are there,
but when I do ipconfig /release /renew, it can't see the DHCP
it just times out... and the proper connection isn't being made...

I also tried to connnect the cable modem as a USB device
Same thing.
It gets some default 196.xxx.xxx.xxx IP address (Not from DHCP)

I also reinstalled the TCP/IP stuff.


Any clues?
I have no idea at this point.

thanks !

 

[MichaelD]

Are you connecting the laptop to a switch/router or directly to the modem?

Can you ping the DHCP server in the modem? It's IP is typically 192.168.0.1

If you're connecting the laptop directly to the modem, 99% sure says it's a MAC address lockdown problem. Most cable companies use MAC address filtering to prevent you from running more than PC off that one line. Their routers remember the MAC addy of the NIC that was used to connect the very first time (in this case, your PC). Any other NIC wont' work.

Two ways to get around this:

1. Buy a router that does NAT (Network Address Translation) any router sold today does it. The cable compnay only sees one MAC addy (the router, and you set it to clone the MAC addy of "PC#1" which would be your PC. Then you can connect as many PCs as you want to the router/switch. You win.

2. Call the cable company and tell them "I got a new computer and it cant' connect." They will know what the problem is and reset your MAC. You win.

 

[zephyrprime]

You don't have to use ipconfig to get an IP with DHCP. You don't need to do anything in fact.

Just set your IP protocol to DHCP and get DNS automatically.

To connect your computer directly to the modem with ehternet, you may need a crossover cable.
To use it with USB, you need to install drivers for it.

 

[ssoni223]

zephyrprime,

I already set tcp/ip to obtain dynamically.
Crossover? I use the same cable that works w/ my desktop...
I did install the USB drivers.

 

[ssoni223]

MichaelD,
Thanks. Lemme look into this MAC addr issue.

 

[Sideswipe001]

Michael is right. You need a router to share that internet connection between more than 1 computer. Almost all cable companies won't hand out IP addresses, except to a few registered MAC addresses. If you want to use it on another device, you have to call them and have the MAC address chagned. But in your case, you really just need a router.

 

[ssoni223]

I can't believe the cable suppport guy didn't mention this...
I'll call and verify tommorow.