DSL Internet / Router problem - stumped!?

Question

I have never had so much trouble setting up a router in my life. Looking forward to suggestions if anyone has anything for me! Here is the setup:

- 3 desktops and laptop on office network
- desktops wired to router, laptop wireless
- the network works fine - i.e. I can access other computers
- wireless signal strength is excellent - no problem there

Here is what I cannot do:
- Cannot view a web site
- Cannot check email

Here is what is true so far:
- DSL modem shows all is ok
- Router shows connection to modem, internet and the 3 PC's
- Windows shows the connection is good at 100 mbps
- Still can't go online!

Here's what I have done / tried and some other info:
- Tried dhcp on/off, dynamic and pppoe, messed around with IP's and everything else to no avail
- Pinged router - all works well. Ping a domain and it says host cannot be found.
- Disabled firewalls

Spent many hours on phone with tech support - everyone keeps passing the buck - what can I try now???

DSL Modem is a SpeedStream 5200
Router is a Belkin F5D7230tt4
All PC's running Windows XP

Never had a problem with the internet before the other day our internet went down at the office... haven't been able to get it back online since.

Extremely frustrated with Bell Sympatico (the ISP) and Belkin tech support as each try to blame the other and tell me to call them.

Some more info, since I ran out above:
- Network Connections in XP shows the connection is "Connected"
- Router software shows "Connection OK" unless PPPoE selected and/or dhcp is disabled, then is shows NO CONNECTION
- Tried changing IE6 settings from "Automatically Detect Settings" and changing things manually - no effect.

What bugs me most is everything I see on the computer and networking hardware shows it should be working, but it doesn't!!! I am completely stumped which, for someone so used to working with computers, is very frustrating and kind of embarassing!!!

Help, please!

Answer 1

Well having had to fix serveral of these over the years you can save yourself a ton of work by eliminating one box at a time.

Take a computer and connect direct to the SpeedStream. Get the internet to working. If you can't the modem is bad.

If you can connect then you can then RESET the Router to factory defaults and set it up from the "Easy Setup" just like when you purchased it. Then connect and my guess is all will work just fine. My best guess is that the PPOe in the speed stream is keeping you from connecting. (They imbed that in the modem) I usually turn off the PPoE in the SpeedStreams and let the modems supply the PPoE information keeps things a little more stable.

Answer 2

I definitely can feel your pain. No too long ago I set up a new router/modem and it nearly drove me over the edge! I can't say that I had the exact same problem but it was pretty close.

Anyways, I don't know if you did this or not but you didn't say it in your post so I will assume you didn't. Try a complete power cycle and unhook all cables to all computers and router. Than hook everything back up. Also, is your router hooked up to your phone line (not to be a smart *ss). Also, has your ISP provider tested your phone line to assure that it is set up properly?

That was my actual problem. I couldn't get on line but everything was checking out as far as the hardware is concerned. I figured out that my ISP (verizon) didn't have the line set correctly and it was messing everything up. So, after a few power cycles (I don't know why but it took about 4) and some funky stuff on Verizons end. I finally got on line, but my line still isn't quite right. My answering machine doesn't work now... but that is better than no internet.

In my experience, tech support most times is basic. At least if it's free. The help they tend to offer is more or less set up or restoring factory defaults and than re-setting up.

If I were you, I would and the problem isn't fixed. I would insist that it is the ISPs problem and have them send a tech. out to your location. Most times it won't cost you at all. In fact it shouldn't, if they find that it is their fault. Even if they find out it isn't their fault you probably could finagle it at no cost to you.

Anyways, I hope this helps... I would like to know what the solution is, so shoot me an email once you get on line.

Good luck

Answer 3

Medic391, i think of he's speaking approximately having subject concerns with the internet connection working along with his immediate kit, no longer with the relationship itself. have you ever by twist of destiny, have one laptop it extremely is under pressure out as much as the router & no longer via immediate. Are you having issues using the internet this way. we are able to possibly want extra counsel (what the kind of the modem, is there additionally a router in touch & if so what's the kind) additionally do you have the ssid, secure practices modem (wpa, and so on) set & channel #, passphrase matching on the laptop for the immediate card, it extremely is desperate for the modem/router ?

Answer 4

Try pinging an outside host, by ip address, rather than domain name. It sounds like it could be a DNS server problem. make sure the DNS machines are up and ping-able.

If you're a sysadmin, you should always keep a list of several outside IP addresses that are always up, and their domain names. (To test if it's a lookup problem.)

Answer 5

if you can surf too http://198.133.219.25 (cisco.com)
but can not surf too www.cisco.com

then it is a dns issue
you need to add the dns entries into your router