UPDATE #2: Problem sharing my cable modem connection for 3 Pcs

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Hello all, I have had this problem for about 6 weeks now. I connect to the internet thanks to a cable modem. In the beginning I was able to share the internet connection perfectly using a switch and all computers could access the net perfectly. However for a while now, only one computer can access the internet, always the same computer. My ISP says they dont know what is wrong since they say all is in order on their side. I can enter the cable modem's internal sattus pages from only that same computer that can connect to the internet. In one of the status pages is a list of all the computers that are connected to the modem. The modem and my ISP, authorize computers and track them by using the Ethernet adapter address. When I go to the status page, all 3 computers adapter addresses are listed as authorized, but still two of them cannot connect and I really have no idea what is wrong. If i run Winipcfg on one win98 machine that cannot connect i can see that i have all DNS servers listed and a IP address asigned but still it wont connect. I should mention that a few days ago TWO computers where able to use the internet simultaneously, but that is now over.

The reason why i am asking for help here is to see if anyone has ever had this sort of problem and how they solved it. IF i cant find anything i guess ill call them up ONCE MORE to tell them that I STILL have the problem and unless its fixed ill end my subscription.

So if anyone has any advice, let me know. Thanks for your time.

PCS: win98 (2), winxp (1); the one that connects is a win98 one.

UPDATE #2: SEE BELOW FOR MY MESSAGE

 

[rw120555]

My guess is you'd solve your problem by using a router rather than a switch. But, read through Basic options for internet connection sharing and maybe you can figure out how to get the switch to work.

 

[JackMDS]

What are you using for NAT (Routing)?

 

[nathank]

First(if you haven't tried this already)...try and connect a PC that's unable to get online directly to the modem. If you're still unable to get online try pinging a popular IP address like yahoo's. If you can ping out you have a Winsock or at least some kind of Windows issue. If you can't ping out, try reinstalling TCP/IP and/or your network card (and possibley Windows).
Also, cable modems can log recent connections to MAC's. Even if there currently is NO connection. The modems I'm familiar with keep a log of a MAC for 6 weeks. This may be why you see them in your internal webpage.
If you connect each one of the computers unable to get online to the modem and they are able to get online hooked up by themselves, it could be an issue with your provider. They may have a provisioning file sent to the modem that won't allow the modem to give out more than one IP. Most likely this is not the case, but it is possible.
I'm not sure what you've tried, but this is a good outline to start with if you're not so familiar with this sort of thing. If you are, I humbley appologize

 

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Thanks for your replies, and excuse me for not replying sooner. First off , JACKMDS, i do not use any kind of software for routing, because i never had to. It worked before without software and now it doesnt work without software

Second: The day after i posted this, My computer was able to connect through the hub to the internet by using the cable connection HOWEVER, the other computer which the previous was able to connect wasnt able to connect to the net. However, today, my computer cant access via cable modem and the OTHER one can It seems that the first computer turned on in the morning is the one to get access all day... Seems ver yWEIRD, but that is how it happens.

I have tried pinging sites fro mcomputers WITHOUT cable access and no pings get through

So im thinking that maybe its what NATHANK said about only having one IP at a time.

IF I buy a router (which only needs one ip I THINK) will this problem be solved without intervention from my ISP?

I thank yo uall very much for your help and replies

 

[JackMDS]

Yes a Cable/DSL router will solve it.

To get a better perspective you can read the following:

AT - FAQ . Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

AT - FAQ. Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?

 

[bobcpg]

Well, i think i know what the problem is. I have cable through att and they give you one MAC address (aka Ethernet adapter address) to use. Now with a router you can clone the MAC address, meaning that you can make the routers MAC address the same one you have set up with the cable company. Then the router acts at the "one computer that has the internet" and shares it with the other 3. What i'm guessing is that the cable company just switched a few days ago to only letting you only use one MAC address. So like Jack said, a router is what you need.

-bob

 

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Thanks for al lyour help, Im gonna start looking for a router. Thanks again

 

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UPDATE #2

ok, hi guys, an excuse me for taking up your time.

After my first posts, my internet connectio nvia cable modem, ceased to work again, NO computers were getting online, without me changing anything. So i emailed tech support with a lenghty explanation of all my problems. Apparently I am supposed to be able to connect as many PCs as i want (250 or so) :Q . And well they agreed on coming to my home in a few days to check everythign to see what is going on, but they say, that if its a problem with my equipment its going to cost me $60 :disgust:

So, i am completely worried that it might end up being something on my side, but i just couldn't believe it because the whole connectio nhas been acting unpredictably for the past 2 months!

So I ask you all if yo ucan give me any hint on how i could test my equipment to check it is fine. I am planning on at least formatting one of the pcs on my network for a full clean install to see if it helps.

They said that it could be: my network cards, cable, hub, hard drive, "lack of free space", or my windows configuration. So i please ask you all, how could I test, and/or reset all my network configuration to check all of my equipment?

Thanks again for your help.