What's different connecting directly to a cable modem?

[RobertVA]

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?

 

[Not Me]

Some do, but usually they just act as a DHCP server and assign an IP
automatically to the computer.
Are you using a fixed IP address? Or is Vista set to automitacally get an IP
address?.

 

[RobertVA]

Some do, but usually they just act as a DHCP server and assign an IP
automatically to the computer.
Are you using a fixed IP address? Or is Vista set to automitacally get an IP
address?.

Both computers were, and continue to be set to obtain the IP and DNS
server addresses automatically, as recommended by the ISP's web article.
On IP settings DHCP Enabled, Automatic Metric, Append primary and
connection specific DNS suffixes selected, Register this connection's
addresses in DNS, Enable LMHOSTS lookup, NetBIOS setting default (all as
recommended in the ISP'd article). The ISP made no mention of any
settings to clear or set on XP's Advanced TCP/IP Settings options tab
(Vista doesn't display that tab).

The router on my computer is set to obtain the IP address on the WAN
side automatically, DHCP is enabled on that separate tab of the router's
HTML control interface. As I am only using the wired functions of the
router, I have deactivated the Wireless Access Point.

 

[Not Me]

In LAN adapter properties, have you tried disabling IPv6?
Not all ISPs support it yet.

 

[Barb Bowman]

what router? does it have the latest firmware? do you have the
latest driver for the wired adapter?

see http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/928233/en-us for
the Vista computer.

The router on my computer is set to obtain the IP address on the WAN
side automatically, DHCP is enabled on that separate tab of the router's
HTML control interface. As I am only using the wired functions of the
router, I have deactivated the Wireless Access Point.

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com

 

[Bob Willard]

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?

The ISP may be using the MAC to validate the consumer. In your case,
the ISP recognized the MAC of the router but not the MAC of the PC's NIC.
In your relative's case, the ISP recognized the MAC of the W2K PC's NIC,
but not the MAC of the new PC's NIC. Chat with your ISP's tech.support
folk to see if this is the case; if so, they can fix it at their end for
your relative (and you can put the router back in your house).

 

[Dave R.]

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

 

[KDE]

most cable modems will "lock in" on 1 MAC address and not allow "on the fly"
changes. Usually cycling the power or resetting the modem is required to
switch devices. My cable modem has a built in battery back-up so simply
turning it off doesn't do it. Pull the power cord and make sure all the
lights go out. leave it off for 2-3 minutes. Make sure the new PC is
connected and turned on before turning the modem back on. If that doesn't
work, I would suggest trying your router. Also, on the new pc, make sure
you have network discovery on, and you have the new network set up as a
private network.

 

[Cameron Snyder]

Main issue is a problem getting a relative's new computer to connect to
the Internet.


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?

A difference in configuration between router and non-router is the PPPoE
protocol in my setup. With a router, it supplies the PPPoE protocol. Without
a router the computer must. Just in case:

Create a PPPoE connection to the Internet

The Connect to the Internet wizard will guide you through the steps of
setting up a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) Internet
connection.

Click to open the Connect to the Internet wizard.

On the How do you want to connect? page, select Broadband (PPPoE).

Continue to follow the steps in the wizard.

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
Maybe this can Help.
How to Fix Cable/DSL Internet authentication (password). -
http://www.ezlan.net/broadband.html
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)

 

[Barb Bowman]

info in the OP's header shows that he is a Cox customer. Cox does
NOT use PPPoE.

A difference in configuration between router and non-router is the PPPoE
protocol in my setup. With a router, it supplies the PPPoE protocol. Without
a router the computer must. Just in case:

Create a PPPoE connection to the Internet

The Connect to the Internet wizard will guide you through the steps of
setting up a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) Internet
connection.

Click to open the Connect to the Internet wizard.

On the How do you want to connect? page, select Broadband (PPPoE).

Continue to follow the steps in the wizard.

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com

 

[RobertVA]

what router? does it have the latest firmware? do you have the
latest driver for the wired adapter?

see http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/928233/en-us for
the Vista computer.

MY router is working fine. I was only trying to connect through my cable
modem without the router with the intent of taking my computer to the
relative's home to determine if her cable modem is working properly. As
it didn't work here I didn't think there was much point to further
disconnection of my computer and taking it over there.

It's the relative's brand new computer with an integrated network
adapter that's having trouble recognizing the proper IP address
information. The relative doesn't have a router, and since the cable
modem is supposed to work without one prefers to remain directly
connected to the cable modem (router, 2nd Ethernet cable and the
router's power supply would be unnecessary). I suspect the manufacturer
would have configured the computer to install the network adapter
drivers automatically (probably as part of the drive image before
installing the hard drives in the computers).

Thank you for the effort though.

 

[RobertVA]

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?

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

I'm hoping the ISP's customer service representative (and/or his script)
was prepared to reset any authorization protocols on their end to accept
the relative's new computer with the new computer's MAC address if that
is required for the ISPs authentication. I'm also hoping anything that
could have be achieved by reseting the modem would have responded to the
multiple times he remotely instructed the modem to reset. On each of
these resets I was able to report indicator light patterns that the CS
representative accepted as indication the modem had properly reset.

While I'm not certain, I believe the ISP is using an ID number in the
modem for authentication. My modem carton is labeled with an number
labeled "HFC MAC ID..." with is duplicated on the modem itself (there
are four spare stickers like the one on the modem). The stickers also
bear a "USB CPE MAC ID...". I see no mention of a CPE Ethernet MAC ID.
When I switched from the USB connection to the Ethernet connection
through the router on my computer the connection was promptly
established and has been operating properly (at least through the
router) for several months since. My cable modem was purchased over the
counter at the ISP's service and payment center.

While I did use the modem's installation CD to get the USB interface
running, I didn't find it necessary to use the ISP's setup CD for either
the connection via USB or connection via the router. The ISP
installation CD I have predates the release of Windows Vista and refuses
to run on the relatives Vista system.

My relative has made an appointment for a field technician, so my quest
has been reduced to an educational exercise in the event she or some
other acquaintance has future problems. I doubt she will be able to
understand what the field technician does well enough to relay it to me.
In the near future I will be visiting with some blank DVD-Rs to make a
set of recovery disks and help her with issues like the OS and Office
suite (trial version) user interface changes. I'm not certain how long
it will take to convince her to buy an external hard drive for other
backup purposes. On her Windows 2000 machine she never burned a CD-R.

 

[Barb Bowman]

yes, you CAN take a chance and connect directly to a cable modem,
but the protection a router offers should be evaluated on its own.

The relative doesn't have a router, and since the cable
modem is supposed to work without one prefers to remain directly
connected to the cable modem (router, 2nd Ethernet cable and the
router's power supply would be unnecessary).

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com

 

[Barb Bowman]

who is the ISP?
using Ethernet is much preferred over USB.

While I'm not certain, I believe the ISP is using an ID number in the
modem for authentication. My modem carton is labeled with an number
labeled "HFC MAC ID..." with is duplicated on the modem itself (there
are four spare stickers like the one on the modem). The stickers also
bear a "USB CPE MAC ID...". I see no mention of a CPE Ethernet MAC ID.
When I switched from the USB connection to the Ethernet connection
through the router on my computer the connection was promptly
established and has been operating properly (at least through the
router) for several months since. My cable modem was purchased over the
counter at the ISP's service and payment center.

While I did use the modem's installation CD to get the USB interface
running, I didn't find it necessary to use the ISP's setup CD for either
the connection via USB or connection via the router. The ISP
installation CD I have predates the release of Windows Vista and refuses
to run on the relatives Vista system.

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com

 

[Peter Foldes]

Did you reset the cable modem. ???? Connect to the computer and unplug the power source to the modem in the back for 5-10 seconds and plug it back on. Now open your computer and it will recognize the modem and vica versa

 

[RobertVA]

While I'm not certain, I believe the ISP is using an ID number in the
modem for authentication. My modem carton is labeled with an number
labeled "HFC MAC ID..." with is duplicated on the modem itself (there
are four spare stickers like the one on the modem). The stickers also
bear a "USB CPE MAC ID...". I see no mention of a CPE Ethernet MAC ID.
When I switched from the USB connection to the Ethernet connection
through the router on my computer the connection was promptly
established and has been operating properly (at least through the
router) for several months since. My cable modem was purchased over the
counter at the ISP's service and payment center.

While I did use the modem's installation CD to get the USB interface
running, I didn't find it necessary to use the ISP's setup CD for either
the connection via USB or connection via the router. The ISP
installation CD I have predates the release of Windows Vista and refuses
to run on the relatives Vista system.

[/QUOTE]

who is the ISP?
using Ethernet is much preferred over USB.

The ISP is Cox Cable (Hampton Roads VA, USA).

I'm aware of the potential of a USB internet connection to clog the USB
buss with a large quantity of traffic. I am also aware of the security
advantages of the NAT and SPI functions featured in many routers. As I
upgraded from dial up when I first obtained the broadband service, the
speed of the budget tier broadband was QUITE satisfactory and didn't
seem to overwhelm USB. The firewall included with Windows XP appears to
have pretty much the same features as a router's SPI. I obtained my
router later from someone who had replaced it with a newer router. I'm
not presently concerned about its lack of WPA encryption because I'm
only using the wired functions and have turned off the WAP.

The ISP's field technician had no better luck than I did. The relative
said the field technician's notebook worked fine. I don't know which
version of Windows he was using. The relative appears to have become the
victim of a game of hot potato with the ISP and computer dealer (on
behalf of the computer manufacturer) blaming each other for the problem.

The only idea I have at present is to try my router on her computer (as
a test) and allow the relative to chose between buying a router (I saw a
Netgear one on sale for $40 until Saturday) or doing without internet if
it works. I'm not familiar enough with Vista to be very comfortable
changing settings with a registry editor.

 

[RobertVA]

Did you reset the cable modem. ???? Connect to the computer and unplug the power source to the modem in the back for 5-10 seconds and plug it back on. Now open your computer and it will recognize the modem and vica versa

The relative's modem was reset so many times I lost count. The surge
suppressor for the whole setup was turned off for several days before
the new computer was first powered up. The modem had plenty of time to
negotiate with the ISP's network before the Ethernet cable was connected
to the computer. Subsequently the modem's power cord was unplugged and
reconnected while connected to the computer more than once.

 

[Barb Bowman]

there are a lot of routers that work with Vista and don't need
regedits, etc. I'd start with something from the listing on
http://winqual.microsoft.com/HCL/ProductList.aspx?m=v&cid=712&g=d

The only idea I have at present is to try my router on her computer (as
a test) and allow the relative to chose between buying a router (I saw a
Netgear one on sale for $40 until Saturday) or doing without internet if
it works. I'm not familiar enough with Vista to be very comfortable
changing settings with a registry editor.

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com

 

[RobertVA]

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?

Status report:

ISP's customer service representative couldn't get Ethernet connection
directly to the cable modem working. TCP/IP settings checked. Modem
reset multiple times through remote command and disconnect/reconnect of
modem's power cable.

Chain retailer was able to get a connection at their facility, but don't
have information about weather connection was through the store's LAN or
directly to a cable modem.

The ISP's field technician wasn't able to get the new Vista system to
make a connection with the Ethernet cable connected directly to the
cable modem either. Field technician was able to get his notebook to
connect when connected directly to the cable modem. Replacement cable
modem didn't work connected directly to the new Vista system either.

Relocated my router to the relative's home. Found new modem completely
powered down. After connecting router between computer and modem turned
the equipment on (modem, router, then the computer). New Vista system
recognized the network. SUCCESS!!! Router isn't exactly the latest model
(no WPA on WAP) but wired functions work well. WAP is deactivated.
Plenty of entertainment from the numerous LEDs on the front panel! I was
wondering for a while, since Vista promptly downloaded over 70 MB of
Microsoft's various updates.

Since it wasn't looking like she was going to be going online without
the added equipment (despite the earlier Windows 2000 computer not
requiring the router) the relative settled for the addition of a router.
She is now using the router I had been using and I acquired a nice new
802-11g router for on sale for only $40 (before sales taxes).

I spent a while using the new computer's function to manufacture optical
recovery media (in case the HD failed). It took three DVD-Rs! Glad I
wasn't trying to use CDs! I set up her parameters for Windows Mail and
called it a night. I'll educate her about the security advantages of
using a router at a later date.