"RobertVA" <robert_c72athotmail@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%231gOUhI7IHA.5024@xxxxxx
Quote:
> Main issue is a problem getting a relative's new computer to connect
> to the Internet.
>
> The relative has been operating a non-branded Windows 2000 computer
> for several years with an Ethernet cable connecting the computer
> directly to a cable modem. That computer developed registry problems
> that it cannot recover from with the "last known good configuration"
> option. Windows 2000 can't start in safe mode either. The relative
> doesn't have a Windows 2000 installation CD and there's no indication
> there's a recovery partition on the small hard drive. She decided to
> acquire a replacement computer.
>
> The new Vista Home Premium SP1 64 bit computer doesn't appear to be
> recognizing the IP address setting from the ISP. As a result the
> Internet is inaccessible and the computer is reporting limited
> connectivity to an "Unidentified network". By comparison to articles
> on the ISP's web site (obtained and printed out on another computer at
> another location) the cable modem is connected to the computer in the
> recommended way (directly with a standard cat 5 cable) and the various
> TCP/IP settings are as the ISP recommends. As prompted in a telephone
> conversation with one of the ISP's customer service representatives I
> rechecked the TCP/IP settings, disconnected and reconnected the
> Ethernet cable at both ends and cycled the power on the cable modem to
> reset it. the CS representative reset the modem via remote control as
> well and indicated that his terminal indicated that the computer's
> network adapter was visible through the cable modem. All the resets,
> power cycling and cable reconnect ions resulted in the computer
> reporting the disconnection and attempt to renegotiate the connect.
> Unfortunately the computer always resumed the "limited connectivity"
> to the "unknown network"
>
> The relevance to the Windows XP group IS coming!
>
> MY computer is running Windows XP SP2 and I am using a different brand
> cable modem with dual USB and Ethernet interfaces (same ISP). When I
> upgraded to broadband I was using the USB connection between the
> computer and cable modem (loading a driver was required). I later
> acquired a router and the additional cables to connect the components.
> The computer had no problem detecting the different connection.
>
> With the intention of taking my computer to my relative's residence to
> see if her cable modem was working properly I bypassed my router. With
> the same Ethernet cable I normally use between the router and the
> computer connected directly to MY cable modem in my residence my
> windows XP computer appeared to be having the same problem the
> relative's new Vista computer was having! My settings also correspond
> to those listed in the ISP's web article.
>
> Not wanting to spoil my settings for operating through the router I am
> reluctant to make any changes to my computer's settings. I haven't had
> the opportunity to try the router on her system and she would prefer
> not to use the additional piece of equipment with the additional power
> supply and cables.
>
> Do cable modems normally require a driver when connected directly to
> the computer's Ethernet adapter? My router doesn't appear to require
> one. Is there some difference between the communications protocols
> required by the Ethernet side of a cable modem and the computer side
> of a router?
Some cable internet services only provide IP addresses to the MAC
address registered for the account. Generally, you can call the ISP,
explain the problem and provide the new MAC Address and have them update
their DHCP server and be back in business.
An alternative would be to install a router that allows changing the
external MAC address (most do) and change it to the MAC address of the
original NIC in the Windows 2000 PC, if you can somehow determine what
that MAC address is.
Regards,
Dave