New ISP Set-up issues

Vater5B

Okay, so I just switched from AT&T to Cox Communications because it was the same price for a way faster internet connection. Previously with AT&T I had been using a 2Wire wireless gateway that really sucked and had tons of issues. Cox gave me a Motorola SBV5222 Modem. When I plug my Macbook into the modem, I get internet. When I plug my wife's PC into the modem, I get nothing.

I figured it wasn't a big deal, because I just bought a new router and she'd connect wirelessly anyhow. I set-up the router (TRENDnet TEW-432BRP, it was like $6 on Newegg after rebates) using the 192.168.1.1 configuration. Everything seemed to be fine. My Airport card picked up the network, password worked, and it shows me connected to the network, but I have no internet.

What am I doing wrong?

[PIC]

Trentus

Some ISPs register the MAC address of the NIC used during installation (which I'm guessing would be the one in your macbook). So, when you connect your wife's laptop or the router, it says "Hey, different MAC address. No internet for you!".

You should be able to call your ISP and ask them if this is infact the case (I could be totally and utterly wrong about this), and if it is, there should be an option to register a different MAC address.

OR

Most routers have a feature where they can clone the MAC address of another machine (or allow you to just set one of your choosing). Have a poke around the config pages and see what you can find. Make sure the router's MAC address is the same as the ethernet MAC address on your macbook.

CF1

Or the modem is not realizing it's plugged into new equipment when you switch between the Mac, PC, router.

Hook it up to the Mac to confirm internet goodness. Hook it up to the PC, reset the modem (unplug and plug), and confirm internet goodness. Then do the router, again resetting the modem. Most modems I've used don't switch nicely without a reset.

Transparent

I have Cox, and I know from experience that your IP is bound to whatever you plug in first, and you have to wait for that to expire to plug something else in. You need to buy a router (prefereble) or pay cox the $5 or whatever a month for a second IP address. Poke around on their website if you want to add a second computer with them rather than get a router, you can add the feature online here.

Vater5B

Transparent wrote: »

I have Cox, and I know from experience that your IP is bound to whatever you plug in first, and you have to wait for that to expire to plug something else in. You need to buy a router (prefereble) or pay cox the $5 or whatever a month for a second IP address. Poke around on their website if you want to add a second computer with them rather than get a router, you can add the feature online here.

As I said in the OP, I do have a router that I am trying to use. How long do I have to wait for my IP to change so I can set up my router with it? Do I have to disconnect the modem from my Mac in the meantime?

Transparent

In my experience power cycling the modem works with every ISP but Cox. If you unplug your modem, plug it back in, and it still won't give your router an IP address it could take up to a day. I'd power cycle, hook your router up, and hope your ip address expires overnight when you go to bed.

Transparent

Vater5B wrote: »

Do I have to disconnect the modem from my Mac in the meantime?

You probably will have to. Your mac will keep renewing its IP address lease as long as it's hooked into the modem.

Vater5B

So, finally figured it out. I had to power cycle the modem, router, and PC in that order to restore the Wi-Fi signal.

Case solved. A mod can lock this now.

Transparent

Glad power cycling worked for you, I remember how annoyed I was when I bought a new router and I had to wait before I could get on the internet. That was years ago, it sounds like they're set up more like everyone else now.