Can connect to router, but not directly through modem?

Question

My old Ethernet card was damaged during a storm (I assume) so I bought a new a new Linksys "Network Everywhere Fast Ethernet Adapter(NC100 v2)" card. My main problem is that if I connect it directly to the Motorola SBV5121 cable modem I can't connect getting the "limited or no connectivity" warning and I am not able to receive any packets. If I connect through my Linksys WRT54G wireless modem I am able to connect (for the most part). I have read somewhere about Microsoft using the incorrect drivers (something like that) and you should use the drivers that came with it, which I have done. I only bring this up as I don't currently have the need for a wireless router and I'm assuming it is the cause of my random dropouts, where I will have a normal connection then all of a sudden (unprovoked) it will say "cable not connected" for a random amount of time and then randomly it will reconnect (also unprovoked). I have also tried static and dynamic ip both connected to the modem and the router

Answer 1

That is because your modem "remembered" the mac adress of your router. There are 2 ways you can fix this problem. One way would be to unplug your modem from power, turn off your computer, plug your ethernet cable to the computer on one end and to the modem on the other, turn the modem on, and turn the computer on. Wait a few minutes and you should have internet. ( do the steps in this order)

The other way would be to make the MAC of your ethernet card identical to the mac of your router. To do this find your router's mac first. It should be on a sticker on the router. Then go to device manager on your computer and go to the properties page of your thernet adapter. In the advanced tab you should see the option to change the mac. Just type the mac of your router there. Turn off the computer, plug your ethernet cable to the computer and to the modem and turn the computer on .( this time you don't have to turn off the modem).

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Answer 2

Simple, but try. The Motorola cable modems will only communicate with 1 device. When swapping between the router and the PC make sure you pull the power on the cable modem and reset it 1st.

Answer 3

Had the some problem. a router is needed to get internet through most desktops but not with a laptop.

Answer 4

Few things you should check;

1. It could be that your ISP has a registered your mac address from your previous card, meaning that only that card can establish connection. There is a workaround for that by cloning your mac address. Both your network card as well as your router should have an option available where you can type in your old mac address.A simple way to display your mac address is this: go to start->run->type in "cmd" in the dos box that appears type in ipconfig/all the mac address shows up as "physical address".

2. It could be a driver problem, try reinstalling or upgrading your card driver software.

3. Most common problem to connection drop outs are firewalls. Check your firewall settings e.g. zonealarm and such.

Good luck!

Answer 5

sorry but i need some more information, when you connect your router, do you get internet connection from the modem? The problem might be the modem itself which might've broke from the storm.