Cable modem and office network Help Please?

Question

I am the closest thing to a computer tech in my office. We have three computers linked with an ethernet hub. We also have a router that our DSL modem is hooked to. The problem started when we decided to go to a cable modem. The cable company sent someone to install it but he could not get it to work and said it was a network problem and he couldn't do anymore for us. The doctor I work for is cheap so we don't have anyone other than me to troubleshoot problems. The cable guy could get his computer to connect to the Internet with the new modem but he said our computers were still recognizing the IP address of the DSL modem instead of the cable modem. Does this make any sense to anyone? Any suggestions?

When I go to cmd and type in ipconfig/release I get this message "The operation failed as no adapter is in the state permissible for this operation".

I ran into problems trying to get to the routers web based utility. A login box came up and I used the user name and password from the router's handbook but it didn't work. So I kind of hit a wall with this.

Answer 1

Something doesn't seem to add up here, lets go through the steps. Your cable modem seems to be communicating with the web correctly, that is a good start. Your router should be plugged in to the cable modem and set to get an IP address automatically. With DSL you may have had a set IP address programmed into your router. Get rid of that address. To be more specific, you have to get in to your routers settings and change it to "obtain an IP address automatically". If you don't know how to get into your router, let us know what model it is and we will see what we can do.

Next plug one computer directly into the router and see if you can get it to work. Make sure that your router is set to give out IP addresses automatically and that your computer is set to get one automatically.

Tell your boss that the money he spends on a professional network technician setting up and maintaining his network is better spent than having a capable office manager spend alot more time on it and will save him from potential disaster in the long run.

good luck,

Answer 2

I think the problem is most likely the setup of the router. Most DSL providers use PPPoE to assign your IP address, while most cable modem providers use DHCP.

From one of the computers, access the router's IP address with a web browser. (usually 192.168.1.1 - open a DOS window, and type ipconfig and press enter. Whatever your "default gateway" is will be the router)

In the web-based config, go to the WAN / Internet settings, and see how the IP address is being assigned. If it is set to PPPoE, you should change it to DHCP - this will most likely fix the problem.

After changing this setting, make sure you save the changes, and then unplug the power on the router, and also on the cablemodem for about 2 minutes to clear any possible IP address reservations that the technician's computer may have tied up.

Once the cable modem is finished booting up, connect the router's WAN port to the cablemodem and then power it back up as well. This should get you going.

Answer 3

The problem maybe with either the router or the ethernet hub.
Connect one of the computers to the cable modem directly. It should work. If it does try with the one computer connected to the router, with the cable modem connect to the router as well. (leave the ethernet hub disconnected for now). If it still doesn't work, try connecting the cable modem directly to the hub and disconnect the router.

I have some other ideas that can help resolve this issue e-mail me if this does not work.

Answer 4

First, before moving on to any other things try this: The cable tech meant by your computers still recognizing the DSL modem, your computers are still using the IP addresses associated with your DSL configuration. Try going to Start-->Run. Type in cmd and hit OK. Next, type "ipconfig /release" without the quotes and then hit enter. Next, type "ipconfig /renew" again without the quotes and hit enter. Close out of the command prompt and try to surf. A cable usually supports more than 1 computer if you are using a switch/hub in some cases, so this might work. Let me know.

Answer 5

Most likely the problem is that your DSL system used PPPoE for authentication before connecting to the Internet. Your router would have been configured with a user name and password for that connection. (Don't confuse that with the user name and password prompt when you first connect to the router's management page.)

Most cable systems don't use PPPoE, they just use a basic DHCP configuration. Log on to your router's management page and look at the external network configuration. I'll bet a nice steak dinner that it's set to PPPoE. Just select the DHCP option, apply the change and power cycle the router.

Answer 6

You have to program your router's WAN settings to match the cable modem, which is usually just leaving everything automatic. Try browsing to your router at 192.169.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 and try to set to auto or dhcp, if that doesn't work try resetting your router to factory defaults. Instructions on how to do all this is covered in the manual included with your router, or if you can't find the manual look on the company web site that made it.

Answer 7

Check that the new cable modem is crossed over to your hub or check the port(if it is a hub & not a switch) that can cross over is used to connect to the new modem - this modem may require a cross over cable or if it is crossed over already it my require a standard ethernet cable - i'm from the UK and things here ie dsl work differently - the cable guy managed to get online because he connect directly to the modem - his job is done. U need check how the modem correctly connects to your HUB