two computers thru router to ISP?

[SkaarjMaster]

I just setup my new XP computer and in order to access the Internet I just unplugged my ethernet from back of old computer and into new one. It connected to Internet fine and I did the Windows update with no problem, but I noticed a few things:

- keep getting Vtruck.exe error with RoadRunner everytime I reboot new computer
- Host names of computers are different
- DNS Servers are the same
- Adapter (Physical) addresses are different
- IP Addresses are different; probably because it was a different computer pinging and Roadrunner assigned a new IP address to new computer.
- Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and DHCP Server are all the same between the two computers presently.

Tonight I plan to hook up the router (Linksys BEFSR41) and the router instructions say to first configure each computer to communicate with the router, then the router with the ISP. As you may already know, I have a few questions:

1. Will this Vtruck.exe error go away once I have everything setup? If not, how should I get rid of it? I tried links through google and nothing seemed to help.

2. What has to be the same between the two computers in order for both to connect to the Internet through the router?

3. To configure each computer to communicate to the router, do I need to have everything on and connected or temporarily disconnect the router from the cable box?

4. To configure the router to communicate with the ISP, I would like to go through the new XP computer. Is this a problem or since I've used the 98SE computer with the ISP for so long should I configure through this one instead?

5. I also want to plug the XP computer into the 1st slot on the router and the 98SE into the 2nd slot. Does this make any difference as well?

Thanks for any help.

 

[AFB]

A1.) Uninstall earthllink's software, you don't need it.

A3.) No, you can do it in what ever order you like.

A4.)No, you shopuld hook the modem to the router.

A5.)No


*waits for JackMDS to give you the link.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

1. nope, it wouldn't even let me install the software on the new computer anyway so that's not the problem. I think it's trying to find the old adapter (physical) address for the Soyo on-board LAN and only sees the Asus on-board LAN address.

3. So, if all I did was unplug the ethernet from the old computer and plugged it into the new one, which Adapter Address should I use for the router? The old one, right? I believe this might be the one my ISP is searching for.

 

[JackMDS]

Old New Does Not Matter.

Should look like this.

Link to: Diagram of Broadband Connection with Cable/DSL Router.

In most Places RR uses MAC address for authentication.

You should Clone the MAC Address of the computer that works directly with the Modem to the Router?s MAC cloning Entry (look in the manual).

Link to: AnandTech - FAQ. Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

Link to: AnandTech - FAQ. Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?

:light:

 

[SkaarjMaster]

Thanks for the links and I'll definitely do this cloning thing!

 

[SkaarjMaster]

Small hitch when I didn't type in the exact Host Name for the Router to recognize........ISP access stopped after about 2 hours. I fixed that though and both computers are getting on the Internet fine now. I'll worry about the Vtruck error on the new computer later, but I know where to look. Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[SkaarjMaster]

After two hours of having both computers on tonight, I lost the Internet on both. I reset (recloned adapter address) my router and it came back. Is this normal? If not, how do I fix it? Thank you.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

Any ideas? It's happening more often now.

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: SkaarjMaster
Any ideas? It's happening more often now.

Did you set the router up for DHCP ?

 

[SkaarjMaster]

Yes, it says local DHCP server enabled.

 

[AFB]

I mean for you ISP connection. It should give you the options of DHCP static or PPPOE. Select DHCP for cable.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

Where is this setting? Is it at the routers IP address through IE6 or is it in the Network settings in the Control Panel? Or maybe even winipcfg? Also, maybe I had a Domain Name before and now I don't have one and that is the problem.

 

[AFB]

Its in you router. Domian name should not be a problem.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

Well, I had 6 setup options to choose from for the router:
1. DHCP or Obtain an IP Address Automatically
2. Static IP Address or Specify an IP Address
3. PPPoE
4. RAS
5. PPTP
6. Heart Beat Signal

I chose #1. The Network Address Server Settings are DHCP and the Client Lease Time is 0 minutes which means one day. It also shows Start IP Address, Number Address and DHCP Address Range. Oh and the Login Type under Status says DHCP. DDNS is disabled and what is RIP

 

[SkaarjMaster]

Here's some more info!

Under Status the Router shows this:

MAC Address: one cloned from my first computer
Login Type: DHCP
Internet IP Address: seems to be the one dynamic one assigned from ISP
Subnet Mask: address just a little lower than static one
Default gateway: seems to be from ISP as well
Primary DNS
Secondary DNS

Under Status the Local Network shows this:

Local MAC Address: not from either computer (this must be the router adapter address)
IP address: static one assigned by router I think
Subnet Mask: static
DHCP Server: enabled

Also, under the Local network it shows the DHCP Active IP Table. This shows the DHCP Server IP address, but also shows the Client Hostname, IP address and MAC address as None. This seems kinda strange.

If it helps, I can give you guys all the real numbers for these things.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

Just got on the other computer to update VirusScan and it locked up after approx. 30 seconds and everytime I went back to continue the DAT file download on either computer it locked up. I just want to know is it the router, cable modem or ISP f*cking me!!!

 

[AFB]

Ok, try it without the router or software.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

I just shut down/turned off/unplugged everything including the cable modem box and will start fresh another time. In the meantime, anyone know what might be going on and how to fix it? Something else I was thinking of is maybe the router doesn't like the cloned MAC address and maybe I should just reboot/reset everything with the regular MAC address of the router and leave it like that. Ideas?

 

[SkaarjMaster]

I was thinking that maybe if the cable modem and router are on all the time, this might help. It seems that if I'm doing something on the Internet on the first computer then I'm fine, but as soon as I get on the Internet on the second computer the problems start.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

I updated firmware for the router and set everything up again and still a no go (see below).

Well, I was getting kicked off again last night. At one point I wasn't able to get on either computer for about 10 minutes. I figure either my router isn't working right (kinda doubt this), I don't have some settings correct for the router or between the two computers, or my ISP is getting through the router somehow. To get the network connection back I've been cloning my MAC address from the Win98SE computer back to the router again; this is getting old very quick.

Let's try and make sure I have all the correct settings first. First I'll give all my router settings, then the Win98SE computer (one with adapter address I've been using the whole time) and then the network WinXP computer settings. Let me know if I have all these correct or need to change things. Thank you.

NEW SETTINGS!!! (3-17-04)

ROUTER NETWORK SETTINGS
BEFSR41 V3 Firmware Version 1.04.17
SETUP
Basic Setup
- Obtain an IP automaticall
- Host name: <same as Win98SE computer as same as before>
- Domain name: <blank>, but maybe I had something here before
- MTU: Enable, 1500
- Local IP Address: 192.168.1.1
- Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
- Local DHCP Server: Enable
- Start IP Address: 192.168.1.100
- Number of Address: 50
- DHCP Address Range: 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.149
- Client Lease Time: 0 minutes (means one day)
- Static DNS 1: 0.0.0.0
- Static DNS 2: 0.0.0.0
- Static DNS 3: 0.0.0.0
- WINS: 0.0.0.0
DDNS Service
- Disabled
MAC Address Clone
- MAC Clone Service: Enable
- MAC Address: <Win98SE computer adapter address>
Advanced Routing
- NAT: Enable
- Dynamic Routing: Transmit RIP version > Disabled
Receive RIP version > Disabled
- Static Routing: Select Entry > 1-
Destination IP address > 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask > 0.0.0.0
Gateway > 0.0.0.0
Hop Count > 0
Interface > LAN
SECURITY
Filter IP Address Range (all set to 192.168.1.0 to 0)
Filter Port Range (all set to Protocol (Both), Start 0, End 0)
Filter MAC Address
- Block WAN Requests: Block Anonymous Requests > Enabled
Filter Multicast > Disabled
Filter Internet NAT Redirection > Disabled
VPN Passthrough > IPSec Passthrough (Enabled),
PPPoE passthrough (Disabled),
PPTP passthrough (Enabled)
APPLICATIONS & GAMING
Port Range Forwarding
- Start/End all zeros
- IP address all 192.168.1.0
All the rest of the settings are defaults
ADMINISTRATION
Management
- Local Router Access Password: <16 asterisks, never set>
- Remote Router Access: Remote Upgrade/Admin. > Disabled
- Admin. Port 8080
- UPnP: Disabled
- Allow users to make config. changes > Enabled
- Allow users to disable internet access > Enabled (no idea where these last two settings came from or the port 8080???)
Log > No
- Logviewer IP Address: 192.168.1.255
STATUS
Router
- Firmware Version: 1.04.17, Nov. 26 2003
- MAC Address: <Win98SE computer adapter address>
- Login Type: DHCP
- Internet IP Address: <ISP assigned address>
- Subnet Mask: 255.255.248.0
- Default Gateway: <ISP assigned>
- Static DNS1: 65.32.1.80
- Static DNS2: 65.32.2.130
- Static DNS3: 0.0.0.0
Local Network
- Local MAC Address: <routers real MAC address>
- IP Address: 192.168.1.1
- Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
- DHCP Server: Enabled
- DHCP Active IP Table: DHCP Server IP Address > 192.168.1.1
Client Hostname: <same as Win98SE computer as same
as before> (but this says None now???)
IP Address: 192.168.1.100 (this also says None now???)
MAC Address: <Win98SE computer adapter address> (None now?)

WIN98SE COMPUTER NETWORK SETTINGS
TCP/IP > VIA PCI 10/100Mb Fast Ethernet Adapter
IP Address > Specify an IP Address
- IP Address > 192.168.1.2
- Subnet Mask > 255.255.255.0
WINS Configuration > Disable WINS Resolution
- Use DHCP for WINS Resolution (box unchecked)
Gateway > 192.168.1.1
DNS Configuration > Enable DNS
- Host: <Win98SE computer name>
- DNS Server Search Order: 65.32.1.80, 65.32.2.130
NetBIOS > nothing checked, can't seem to enable this from here
Advanced > allow binding to ATM (No)
- set this protocol as default (box unchecked)
Bindings > Client for MS Networks, File & Printer Sharing for MS Networks, MS Family Logon

WINXP COMPUTER NETWORK SETTINGS
LOCAL AREA CONNECTION STATUS
General
- Status > connected (duration/speed are OK)
- Properties > Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
-- General > use the following IP addresses
--- IP Address > 192.168.1.3
--- Subnet Mask > 255.255.255.0
--- Default Gateway > 192.168.1.1
> use the following DNS Server Addresses
- Preferred > 65.32.2.130
- Alternate > 65.32.1.80 (I reversed these for the XP computer)
-- Advanced
--- IP settings > DHCP enabled, automatic metric, shows IP address, subnet mask and gateway from above
--- DNS > 65.32.2.130, 65.32.1.80, append primary & connection specific DNS suffixes, append parent suffixes of the primary DNS suffix, register this connection's addresses in DNS
--- WINS
---- enable LMHOSTS lookup
---- NetBIOS settings: Default (use NetBIOS setting from DHCP server; if static enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP)
--- Options > TCP/IP filtering (permit all)
-- Authentication
--- Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network
--- Smartcard or other certificate
--- Authenticate as computer when information available
-- Advanced
--- Internet Connection Firewall > Disabled for now.
SUPPORT
Address Type: Manually Configured
IP Address: 192.168.1.3
Subnet Mask: 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
Physical Address: <WinXP computer adapter address>
DNS servers: 65.32.2.130, 65.32.1.80

That's all the router network settings, Win98SE computer network settings and WinXP computer network settings. I really only want to call my ISP as a last resort. I'm sure I could just tell them I have a router as a firewall on one computer, but I'd rather not just yet. Thanks for any help.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

I read a couple things in another thread here. Could it be that my MTU is disabled on the Linksys BEFSR41 router? I also have ZoneAlarm running on both computers and XP also seems to have some sort of Internet Connection Firewall enabled by default. Do I need to disable all these software firewalls?

Anything else wrong with my settings?

 

[SkaarjMaster]

someone at another forum said for me to set the MTU for the router to 1500 and the subnet mask for the XP computer to 255.255.255.0

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: SkaarjMaster
someone at another forum said for me to set the MTU for the router to 1500 and the subnet mask for the XP computer to 255.255.255.0

1500 is correct, you only need to give a subnet mask if you are doing static addresses.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

I'm thinking since the XP computer is behind the router, then the subnet mask would be kinda static anyway. Would it hurt to change it? Seems like he's trying to get the subnet mask on XP to match the local network subnet masks on the router. I'll definitely do the MTU thing though. Any other changes that need to be made?

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: SkaarjMaster
I'm thinking since the XP computer is behind the router, then the subnet mask would be kinda static anyway. Would it hurt to change it? Seems like he's trying to get the subnet mask on XP to match the local network subnet masks on the router. I'll definitely do the MTU thing though. Any other changes that need to be made?

Make sure your MTU is 1500. I have a feeling you router is bad.