You guys ever had a broadband connection that only works w/ a specific MAC address?

[PremiumG]

I was doing a house call today for PC troubleshooting. They have Comcast internet.

for some reason:
1- laptop connects perfectly when directly connected to the cable modem
2- connect cable modem to router, and router cannot find an IP address
3- connect cable modem to a desktop and it cannot find an IP address

I did IPCONFIG/ release and renew, etc. but for the life of me, only the laptop can connect to the internet. Does comcast bind accounts to a specific MAC address sometimes?? I disabled the firewalls and everything, but nothing can connect and get an IP address except the laptop when directly connected.

 

[Fardringle]

Yes, many broadband ISPs use MAC filtering. It's a common practice. In order to get your router to connect to the ISP, look for a section in the router's configuration page labeled "MAC Address Cloning" or something similar, and copy the MAC address from your laptop to the router.

 

[nweaver]

also, you must hard reset the modem between macs (i.e unplug) then you often have to open a web browser and click "add this mac". All web pages go to this mac auth page. At least this is how Cableone did it.

 

[JackMDS]

Link to: How to Fix Cable/DSL Internet authentication (password).

:sun:

 

[ITJunkie]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Link to: How to Fix Cable/DSL Internet authentication (password).

:sun:

Yup...this usually works for me. The only thing I would add maybe is to actually unplug the power from the cable modem (as already mentioned above).

 

[wkinney]

With Comcast, you have reset the modem using the small paperclip size button in back, holding it for 30 seconds. When it restarts, make sure whatever device you want the mac address assigned to it is connected to it, e.g. the router.
You must do this every time you want a to connect a different mac address directly to the modem (and have it work).

 

[Kindjal]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Link to: How to Fix Cable/DSL Internet authentication (password).

:sun:

I'll have to try this later. Since Time Warner changed by cable modem, I've had to unplug/re-plug my router before I can connect to the Internet. Hopefully, this is the fix I was looking for!