"network cable unplugged" (but not really)

Yes, it does seem like I have line problems.  Unfortunately, I haven't had time to call my ISP about it yet.  I plan to call them as soon as I get a chance, but they usually aren't very helpful, and it takes a very long time, which is why I asked about this on here...

I saw here on EE that someone else was able to fix this exact problem by replacing his DSL modem.  I plan to do that as well, which should also help.  But until then, my network connection is almost unusable because it won't stay up for more than 10 minutes.  If I could tweak the error control in software to make it ignore the error or retry the connection for about a minute, that would at least make my connection usable until I can implement a real permanent solution like replacing the modem.

Any idea how I can change that?  Does anyone know of any secret registry values I can set or change, or any other networking settings I could tweak to help with this kind of problem?

I'd think about putting a Linksys 1 port router between your computer and the dsl modem.  (www.linksys.com)  This is a very inexpensive router.

The benefit of using the router would be twofold.  First, it would take on the responsibility of handling PPPoE which I don't like running on a PC.  Its output to your PC would be a simple TCP/IP Ethernet connection.  Second, it would keep your connection alive and reconnect if you lost route or sync.  (I always recomend that you install the latest firmware upgrad on any Linksys to facilitate this.)

If you shop, you can find the 4 port router for under $50 so I assume you can find the one port router for even less.

Harry

HDWILKINS ~ Unfortunately, I can't plug my modem into a router because it is a USB modem and routers always require ethernet modems.  At least all the routers I have seen have this requirement.  Also, I already own a TrueMobile wireless DSL router with matching wireless network card for my PC, so I don't want to purchase an additional router.

I talked to my ISP and they will test the line.  I have also ordered a new DSL modem (an ethernet modem this time, so it will work with my router) so when that arrives in a few days I will try it.  Hopefully either or both of these things will solve the problem.

I will leave this question open until I try out the new modem (hopefully by the end of the week) in case anyone can suggest any network connection configuration options or preferences that I can change to help address these issues.  If nobody suggests anything that specifically addresses my request for information on software configuration changes, then I will award the points to defore for being the first one to say anything.  I will not accept any answers telling me to get new equipment because I am already in the process of installing new equipment, it just hasn't arrived in the mail yet.  Until then, I am still interested in possible software configuration options which could improve my DSL connectivity.

I used to install these modems for Bellsouth.  First, the "phone line busy" message is simply Windows being confused because your a using the Dial-Up Networking architecture.  Usually it means that the first process (attempt) at connection did not end cleanly and you (or Windows) is trying again.

Until your Ethernet modem arrives, you might try installing the PPPoE drivers for you Alcatel SpeedTouch USB.  Just install the drivers.  Windows XP handles PPPoE natively, so you won't have to use any third party software your ISP may provide.  

While I agree you probably have a line issue, the PPPoE setup was usually more stable for me.

Do you have a home run directly from your telephone company interface (NID) to your modem?  If not, make sure all your phones are behind a filter; don't forget answering machines, caller-id, your computers 56k modem, etc.  

I didn't realize you had a USB port on that modem.  I agree, leave well enough alone till you get the new modem and then see if there is a problem before you fix it.

Harry

(That was a joke guys.)

i get this problem alot, tech support dont help. what happens is sometimes your modem looses its mac address. or the cable company has changed something on the network, and it no longer sees your modem. they have to reinitialize it from their end for it to work.  this can happen if the network goes down.  instead of calling tech support, call the billing office and have them to reinitialize your modem.  most of the idiots that come out to your house and install this stuff dont have a clue, they contractors and get paid by job, not how they do it.   i have road runner, and did tech support for them. when moved down here and the guy came and installed it he was like just put this disk in and you will be online. thats all he knew.  well i have winxp. with a usb modem.  disk wouldnt install onto xp. i just ran internet connectin wizard and was online in 1min. the guy was like how you do that

I dealt with tech support - HUGE waste of time.  They replaced some equipment on my line, but it didn't change anything.

>>> itcortez wrote: <<<
Until your Ethernet modem arrives, you might try installing the PPPoE drivers for you Alcatel SpeedTouch USB.  Just install the drivers.  Windows XP handles PPPoE natively, so you won't have to use any third party software your ISP may provide.  
>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<

I am not using any third party software provided by my ISP.  I admit I did install such software when I was trying to set this up initially.  I immediately realized that the 3rd party software would fail when I searched online for the XP version of the driver for my modem where the installation instructions indicated I would no longer need EnterNet300.  So I never used it.  I uninstalled it and then I installed the XP drivers for my modem, as you suggest.  Of course all of my phones are filtered, etc.

Seal ~ That's an interesting point, but I don't think it applies to DSL.  I don't recall that my modem had to be initialized by the billing office, so that must be for CABLE modems but not for DSL modems.  Can anyone else confirm or deny this point with respect to DSL modems?

My new ethernet modem is on its way.  It should be at my house by the end of the week - hopefully by tomorrow.  I'll report back again once I set up the new modem and try it out.  Until then, I am still interested in suggestions for networking configuration options which anyone has found to help stabalize the connection.

OK, I got my new ethernet modem (Efficient Networks Speedstream 5260) and it appears to work, but I am having configuration problems...

I plug in my ethernet modem to the DSL line and to the ethernet port on my computer.  All of the modem lights go green.  My computer is new - I just took it out of the box about a week ago - and it came preconfigured with a "Local Area Connection" in the network connections.  When I plug in the ethernet modem, my Local Area Connection becomes enabled and says it is connected.  So at this point I have some kind of connection established.  When I look at the connection status and properties, it says I have TCP/IP enabled as well as Microsoft networking, file and print sharing, and something else that I forget at the moment, but it looked normal.

The problem is this: I was never asked to log in with my username and password, so I am not actually logged into the DSL network.  I can't actually get anything over TCP/IP (no websites will load / internet explorer thinks it is not connected to the internet).  I can't access my email.

The 5260 modem doesn't have any driver software.  It didn't come with any software.  There are no links on the efficient networks website to drivers for this hardware.  The installation instructions that I was able to find at the efficient networks site say that all you have to do is plug it in - no driver installation necessary.

I tried to find the setup instructions for an ethernet modem through my DSL ISP's website (ameritech.net) but they haven't published instructions there for windows XP, only for 2000, ME, NT4, and earlier.  I tried adapting those instructions to XP, but I can't.  The problem there is that XP supports PPPoE natively while those earlier versions of windows required additional software called EnterNet 300 in order to established the PPPoE connection.  So the installation instructions that are available all say to run the EnterNet300 install software and follow the instructions, but I can't do that because installing EnterNet will cause conflicts under XP (including frequent system crashes if it is even installed).

So how do I turn my Local Area Connection w/ ethernet DSL modem into a PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE) connection and actually log in to my DSL account?

Is this something I should post as a new question on EE?

If nobody helps me with this by the end of the day, I will probably call my DSL tech support tonight, but I hate doing that because those tech support agents are minimally helpful at best, and they usually try everything they can to get out of doing any work, so I suspect that I'll tell them I bought this new ethernet modem and they will say "we don't support that modem, get help somewhere else"  So I hope someone here can help me...

Sorry I would have answered sooner.  I started an answer and then got pulled away.

My first thought is that there should be a manual and probably a CD with that router.  There needs to be a router configuration somewhere.

I spent some time on their Web site and if the site is any indication of the quality of the router, I'd return the router.

I think your first step is to run IPCONFIG and see if the router is giving you a lease on an IP address.  If its 192.168.1.x then see if you can ping the gateway 192.168.1.1.  If its not a 192. or a 10.10.1.x IP address then run IPCONFIG /RENEW_ALL and see if you pick up an address.

When I used PPPoE prior to my current cable connection I remember that there was a Dial Up Network setting that (even though I used DSL) I had to click on to log into the DSL service.  

As I understand it, the router you bought serves up 2 ip addresses so maybe the password goes into the settings in the router if you can get to configuration.

Harry

The router and the modem are both causing me problems.  The router is wireless and my wireless network card hasn't been able to see the router yet.  From what I read in the getting started guide, I think I have to get my internet connection working with just the modem before my router will work, but I could be wrong about that - the info with my router is pretty vague.  But I figured if I could at least get the modem working by itself, then I would have fewer possible problem factors to deal with when installing the router.

I did get an IP address from the modem when I plugged it in.  But I wasn't prompted to log in, so I don't know whether that IP address is really valid as a whole internet IP, or if it is just a local IP for the local network of one computer (since it doesn't seem to be able to find the rest of the internet, I assume it thinks it is on a network of just one computer: itself).

I guess I will just call tech support tonight.

Thanks everyone for all your help.  Any continuing advice is appreciated until I actually get this all sorted out.

I am so confused.  What router??  You said: , I can't plug my modem into a router because it is a USB modem"

Only change one thing at a time.  We need to get the modem working before we deal with a router.  The router should be a no brainer.

Yes, here (NYC) we would establish the user account with a PC plugged directly into the modem before we would (or could) attach a router.

As I said in my previous posting: When I used PPPoE prior to my current cable connection I remember that there was a Dial Up Network setting that (even though I used DSL) I had to click on to log into the DSL service.  

You should have a CD from your ISP that connects you and sets up this computer.  ADSL requires that you log in - usually with dial up networking - to start a session.  Routers do this for you.

Here is the question.  Have you ever logged in and set up an account.  Do you have a password and a username.

If so, then, if you can connect the router to the modem and if you can connect to the router and configure it then you should be able to enter your password and username there and get it to log on to your DSL provider.

The issue is very confusing and it isn't getting any clearer.  Many things have changed throughout my attempts to get my internet connection working on my new PC.  I have tried to report on each change as I made it, but I may have left something out, so I will give a complete report of the current situation and all things I have done and tried from the beginning.  It's a long story, so please bear with me...

First of all, I started with a Compaq Pentium 2 running windows 98.  I call this computer the Ol' Jalopy because it has many problems, mostly stemming from a bad power supply I think (the machine randomly shuts off, the monitor sometimes doesn't power on when it starts up, frequent crashes from a wide variety of software, etc).  I'm not concerned with the Ol' Jalopy's problems anymore because I got a new computer (more on that later) so don't offer me any advice on it.

Using the Ol' Jalopy with my original Alcatel Speedtouch USB ADSL modem worked 99% ok.  Sometimes there were problems, but it would basically stay connected for 13+ hours at a time streaming audio the whole time so that I know the connection was unbroken for a continuous 13+ hours, which is as stable as I could possibly expect from anything.  This is the combination of hardware I used from when I signed up for DSL internet service until last week.  As far as I know, this combination still works as before.

I was forced to use a USB modem because the Ol' Jalopy doesn't have an ethernet port.

I'll point out one caveat here: The USB port on the Ol' Jalopy periodically drops power to its devices.  Perhaps it is loose or worn out, or perhaps it stems from a poor power supply.  Regardless, I added a USB hub between the USB modem and the Ol' Jalopy and that solved the problem of my modem randomly powering off.

But the Ol' Jalopy had numerous problems, so I bought a new computer: a Dell Inspiron 8200 Pentium 4 running Windows XP.  I tried to install my internet software as I did under 98 and it failed miserably.  Under Win98, PPPoE requires 3rd party software (namely EnterNet300) which is completely uncompatible with windows XP because XP handles PPPoE natively.  I found this out on the Ameritech.net website in a members-only area so I can't post a link.  So I uninstalled EnterNet300 and followed the instructions for installing the USB modem under XP.  I must point out that I am NOT completely sure that Enternet300 is completely removed from my system - it may have left something behind which is causing some conflict or another.  However, I doubt it for reasons I will get into below.

So at this point, I'm on my XP machine and my USB modem is installed, and I can connect to the DSL account.  Unfortunately, I can only stay connected for a random interval of about 2 to 10 minutes before XP reports "error: network cable unplugged" and drops my connection.  It always takes exactly 3 tries to reconnect, regardless of how long I wait between connection attempts.  This is the point at which I posted this question on EE.

Then I tried everything suggested in this discussion and nothing I tried changed the situation at all.

I called my ISP's (Ameritech) tech support for assistance.  They verified that my configuration was correct and that it *should* work.  They began testing the line for problems.  They replaced a piece of hardware on my line (I forget what piece at this point) but it did not solve the problem.  I should point out that a line problem seems unlikely since the Ol' Jalopy w/ USB modem can still connect without this problem.  So before I had them do more line tests, which could cost me some serious money if it turns out to be a problem with my hardware, I decided I would replace my modem.

Then I purchased an ethernet modem because I heard from numerous people that they are more stable and generally better than USB modems, and because my new PC came with a wireless DSL router (a Dell TrueMobile 1184) which requires an ethernet modem to connect to the internet.  The ethernet modem I purchased is an Efficient Networks SpeedStream 5260.  I bought it on eBay and it is refurbished.  I should probably have gotten a brand new one somewhere to eliminate it as a possible failure point in this system of many unknowns, but I was impulsively trying to save money... So it's too late.  This brand and model of ethernet modem is the kind sold by my ISP and I have seen numerous praises for it.

So, failing to get the system working using the USB modem, I switched to the ethernet modem.  I plugged the ethernet modem into the integrated network card on my new XP machine.  I followed all of the instructions provided by my ISP.  Now when I try to connect to the internet, it fails completely and I get an error "the remote computer is not responding"

I went over every networking setting and option I could find.  I alternately enabled and disabled the firewall.  I created a new connection profile from scratch.  I powered off and back on the modem.  I restarted the computer.  I removed all inapplicable connection profiles from the network connections.  I completely uninstalled the USB modem software from the XP machine.  I tried all these things in alternate orders.  Nothing worked.  I continued to get the same error.

I'll point out that all modem lights and network port lights were showing normal operation.  They blink when they are supposed to blink (connecting, initializing, establishing the connection, etc) and they stay solid green when they are suppose to stay solid (connected, everything OK).

At this point I had not yet tried to use the router in the combination of hardware in order to keep the unknowns to a minimum.

So I gave up doing it myself and I called my ISP's tech support line.  They walked me through the setup process for the ethernet modem.  It was very minimal and almost exactly what I had done on my own.  It still failed in the same way.  We looked at more configuration options with no success.  We found that my integrated NIC was attempting to connect at "hardware default" speed instead of "autodetect" speed, so I changed that to autodetect.  No change.

The tech support agent told me that "sometimes the 3COM integrated network adapters (like mine) simply don't work with the Ameritech.net service, but usually the new ones (like mine) have been OK."  He offered to help me try it through my router because that would bypass the possibly incompatible NIC.  Unfortunately, at the time, my wireless network card was refusing to recognize the existance of my router.  It seemed to find no wireless signal.  So the Ameritech tech support agent told me I'd have to call Dell to find out what's wrong with the router or wireless network card configuration, or to find out if there are additional hardware configuration changes I could make to my integrated NIC to make it work with the Ameritech service.  So I ended my call with the Ameritech tech support.

Shortly after hanging up, I started playing with the wireless connection between my PC and the router.  I found that it did in fact see the router, but it had denied the connection because it was insecure.  I clicked a checkbox saying "connect even though this is an insecure connection" and then I clicked a button saying "connect" and my PC connected to my router.  I followed the instructions to set up the router, and I enabled WEP encryption on the wireless connection in order to stop it from preventing the insecure connection every time.  All of this went pretty smoothly.  I got to the point where my PC was connecting to the router with 100% stability and functioning, as far as I can tell.  But the router fails to connect to the internet through the ethernet modem.  I am unable to find out what error the modem returns to the router in order to know if it is the same as when the modem is connected directly to the PC.

So even though I had gotten the router basically working, I went ahead and called Dell anyway.  They verified that I had configured the router correctly (except for the router's login information used for it to connect to my ISP which Dell knows nothing about of course).  They told me to call Ameritech back to make sure I had configured the router correctly.  I have not had a chance to call Ameritech again yet.  There IS one point where I could have misconfigured the router with respect to my ISP settings.  More on that below in my summary.

This brings us up to date.  My real goal is to get my XP machine connected to the internet in any way possible given the hardware that I have.  Once I get it connected in any way possible, I will work from there to getting the wireless portion working.

I have the following possible problems to examine:

1) The USB modem is defective.  This seems unlikely because it works fine with the Ol' Jalopy.

2) There is a problem in my phone line.  This also seems unlikely because it works fine with the Ol' Jalopy, and because they just checked it out.  Considering they did repair something when they checked it out last week, it is possible that something is still not working.  But it doesn't make sense to me that there'd be a problem on the line which only affects my new hardware and does not affect the Ol' Jalopy w/ USB modem.

3) The Ethernet modem is defective.  I suppose this is a possibility since I bought it second-hand and it is refurbished.  The person I bought it from had never used it.  He had been given it as a gift by someone who got it as surplus office equipment, and then couldn't use it because he had cable internet service not DSL.

The modem itself doesn't report any errors by way of its LEDs and it generally seems to be recognized as being there and working by all systems.  When this modem is plugged into the NIC on my XP PC, the PC recognizes the modem as being connected.  When the modem is connected to the router, the router recognizes the modem as connected.  When the modem is connected to the phone line, it flashes its lights in the sequence meaning that it is negotiating for the fastest connection possible, and then it seems to be successful and go all-green.

So if the modem has a failure in it, it is either a subtle firmware software error, or it is a very subtle hardware error which causes it to do everything correctly EXCEPT recognize that there is a server at the other end.  Considering the other modem also has problems, it seems likely to me that the root of this problem is somewhere else.  What do you think?

4) The integrated NIC on my PC is incompatible with my ISP's network.  If this were the case by itself, then my router should be able to connect because that bypasses the NIC on my PC.  I have disabled the NIC on my PC to force use of the wireless network card just to make sure, but that had no effect.  The wireless card must be working at 100% because it can talk to the router perfectly.  However, if my router is misconfigured with regard to my ISP settings, then the NIC might still be a problem.

I should have asked Dell if there were any settings on my integrated NIC that would make it work with my ISP, but I had a really hard language barrier with the tech support agent I spoke with at Dell, and the fact that it didn't work through the router as well made me discount the possibility that the NIC was a problem.

5) The router is misconfigured with regard to my ISP settings.  I have been over and over these settings, which are few.  There is only one setting which I could have incorrect.  Ameritech tech support told me that I would have to enter a domain name of "ameritech.net" when I configured my router.  They also told me that I did not need a Host Name.  My router allows me to configure a domain name and a host name.  It DOES NOT allow me to enter a domain name WITHOUT a host name, but it does allow me to enter a host without a domain.  It also lets me leave both items blank.  I have tried leaving them both blank.  I have tried entering "ameritech.net" as the host and nothing for the domain.  I have tried entering "ameritech.net" for both the host and the domain.  None of these changes caused any noticable change to my ability to connect, though it may have changed the error returned by the modem to the router, which I cannot see.  All I can see there is whether the modem is connected or not.  The router does not offer any additional way to troubleshoot the modem that it uses or ISP connectivity problems.

6) Enternet300 is still corrupting my system.  I think that if this were the only problem, it would not affect the router and the router should be able to connect OK.  Since the router works, this puts the suspicion on the modem or the line.

7) The brand new XP machine is generally defective in some way.  I don't see how a defect in the PC itself could cause the router to fail to connect.  Plus it's a brand new machine fresh out of the box from about two weeks ago.  So this seems highly unlikely.

So what do you think?  Where does my problem probably lie?  Do you think I have multiple problems instead of just one?  If I only have one problem, it doesn't seem like it could be any of these except the router's ISP logon configuration.  All of the other potential problems seem to have some other succeeding method which shows that that portion of the system seems to work, or at least that it still fails when that part of the system is bypassed.

I'm going to reply to this, but you need to raise the points.  Just reading the book you've published here is worth points...

You said: I'm not concerned with the Ol' Jalopy's problems anymore" So lets not even consider it.  You are really starting out with a new question.

While I've gone over your last comment line for line, I'm not going to respond to it line for line.  It contains a lot of questions that are just going to take us off into the wrong direction.  What I want you to do, is to be my eyes.  I want to ask you questions and get answers and we will do this very logically.

Basic rule, change one thing at at time.  Do not assume that your Dell is defective - that is not a logical assumption because you have made so many changes.  More logically, you made changes to the Dell or improperly configured it.  (Nothing personal, but Dell is generally reliable and from your message, you've been all over the place so I've got to assume its you and not the Dell.)

First, we know that the old modem works.  That is what we are going to work with.  We're going to set it up on the Dell and see if the problem with the Compaq replicates itself.  

So, lets look at the Dell.  Its an XP machine and as you noted supports PPPoE natively.  You have a concern that your "ISP's Enternet300 is still corrupting " the system.

You have a choice, determine if it is and delete it, or if you don't have the skills or don't want to focus on this, then use the Dell system restore CDROM and restore that computer to the status it was in before you started fussing with it.

You need to have a Dell with an Etherent card in front of you just like it came from the factory.  If you can, also set up the Compaq so that we can compair the settings on it to the Dell.

First, lets get the Dell back to normal.

Can you do this??

Regards,

Harry

As requested, I have raised the points.  This is reasonable considering the problem has grown in complexity.

I agree that Dell is highly reputable and it is unlikely to be defective.

I had already considered your proposed solution to reset the Dell PC to its original factory state using the system restore CD.  I can do this.  I have done it many times with other PCs I have owned in the past.  I was really hoping to avoid it because of the data loss, but I suppose that's not really a big deal at this point...

I have emailed Dell for info on the NIC card.  I will wait for their reply and try any hardware settings they can suggest changing on the NIC, as suggested by Ameritech.  This should address issue 4.

I will also contact Ameritech and have them walk me through the configuration options for my router to make sure I have done that correctly with respect to the ISP logon settings.  This should address issue 5.

If those two things fail, then I will reset the device to factory settings and then try to set this all up from scratch again now that I know exactly how to set up each option and each piece of equipment under XP.  That will remove a number of unknowns.

Once I have done all that, I will come back here for more advice if I need it.

My expert advice is that you are making a mistake.  You may be successful but if the concerns that you raised above are correct, you will not be.

You said:  have emailed Dell for info on the NIC card.  I will wait for their reply and try any hardware settings they can suggest changing on the NIC, as suggested by Ameritech.  This should address issue 4.

I would not change the NIC - simply restore it to its origional configuration.  I have a Dell in front of me and it works just fine.

You said: "I will also contact Ameritech and have them walk me through the configuration options for my router to make sure I have done that correctly with respect to the ISP logon settings.  This should address issue 5.

I would not use the Ameritech - First we want to use the Alcatel Speedtouch USB modem connected to the Dell.  We know that this modem can connect.  You have used it to connect via XP on the Compaq.  Don't add another unknown factor (a different modem) into the picture.  After we get this set up and know that the PC will connect, we can change the modem and ad a router.

Its your computer so do what you wish.  Let me know how it comes out.

Regards,

Harry

I see the points you make about me making a mistake in my procedure here.  I will rethink my plan.  Thank you.

You said: "I would not change the NIC - simply restore it to its origional configuration.  I have a Dell in front of me and it works just fine."

I agree that I would expect it to work.  But what do you have to say about what Ameritech tech support said about this issue: "sometimes the 3COM integrated network adapters (like mine) simply don't work with the Ameritech.net service"  Are you using an integrated 3Com NIC (of the model installed in the Dell Inspiron series) with the Ameritech DSL Network in order to flatly deny this statement from Ameritech tech support?

Keep in mind also that I did not change any of the NIC settings to begin with - only the one setting that Ameritech asked me to change: the connection speed from "hardware default" to "autodetect"  The rest were at the original factory settings from when I opened the box until Ameritech asked me to change that one setting.  The point is that, according to Ameritech, the factory settings on this NIC may be incompatible with their network.  Which is why I want to confirm that possibility before I do a complete factory restore on the system.

--------

You also said: "First we want to use the Alcatel Speedtouch USB modem connected to the Dell.  We know that this modem can connect.  You have used it to connect via XP on the Compaq"

I think you have misunderstood me or I have been unclear.  The compaq runs windows 98, not XP.  I know that this modem can connect under 98 on the Compaq.  On the Dell under XP it has always dropped the connection after 2 to 10 minutes.  Like I've said, this may be my fault.  Like you've suggested, a factory restore would remove the unknown of whether that was my fault or not.

My desire to move on to the ethernet modem and the router comes from keeping my eye on the end goal: wireless internet on my new PC.  If I can get the router and ethernet modem working, then I will likely never use the USB modem ever again.  Why go back to a wire if I can get wireless?  But like you say, it is logical to start with what is known to work...

So thank you for your input.  I will keep it in mind as I continue this process.  I believe you are probably right about starting with a factory restore at this point.  That would certainly eliminate many unknowns and possibly even solve my problem all together.

I am not, this minute using a 3Com but I would expect 3com to work, they are the standard of the industry.  But again, if your setting up the Alcatel Speedtouch USB modem which is USB, why would the 3Com even be a concern..  I am concerned about the network protocals, moreso than the card itself.  I just want it set back to its origional state because you have done so many things I can't keep track.

I understand your goal about moving to ethernet, but you have the luxury of having someghing that did work (to a degree).  Lets get that working again and then make one change at a time.  

But again, its your computer and its your time so please let me know how you do with this.

Whatever you do, I urge you to start the setup without the router and with the factury defaults on everything.  Then make one and only one change at a time.  If that change doesn't work, restore to the default before you make another change and document everything you do so you don't forget.

Harry

I just keep making things worse...

I reinstalled windows XP, as you suggested.  My computer did not in fact come with a factory restore CD, but instead came with a windows XP CD and a Dell drivers and software CD, which is how I typically prefer it anyway.

So I installed XP performing a complete install.  I had to do this through windows because my computer would not boot from the XP CD.  At some point I was prompted to delete the old installation of windows and I told it to go ahead and delete it.

After I had completed all of the configuration steps required by the windows installer and finally made it back to the desktop, I went straight to installation of the USB modem.

First, I tried to let windows autodetect and install the modem.  I plugged in the modem, windows detected it, it searched for a driver, and it didn't find a driver.  So I canceled that and went to my installer disk.  Big mistake.  BIG MISTAKE.  My installer disk for the modem is for win98, and it installed the win98 drivers.  I realized this about halfway through and remembered that I had an XP driver for the modem on a CD (downloaded and burned with my old computer).  So when windows asked me if I wanted to install the unsigned windows 98 drivers, I told it no/cancel.  This occured with two drivers: the Alcatel Speedtouch USB Driver and something else called something like "Alcatel USB Network driver PPPoA" (all I'm really sure of is that it had "alcatel" "network" and "PPPoA" in the driver name)  Regardless, I canceled both unsigned driver installs.

After the win98 USB modem driver installer finished with that part, it believed I had allowed the drivers to be installed, and it told me to go ahead and plug in the modem.  I did just to see what would happen, and I immediately got a blue-screen-of-death and my system restarted.

I immediately unplugged the USB modem as it rebooted.  Once I was back on the desktop, I ran the system restore utility and restored it to the earliest system checkpoint which was marked with the time of my windows install.  So I assumed that this reset the device to just after the reinstall of windows XP.  It was running fine - no more crashes.

Next I installed the USB modem driver for XP (the one I downloaded of the internet using my old PC).  It installed the modem without any problems.  I still got an unsigned driver warning from XP about both drivers (the modem driver itself and the PPPoA driver) but since Alcatel assured me on their website that this driver works with XP I told windows it was ok to install the drivers.

Next I created my network connection profile and connected to the internet.  It connected very quickly and seemed to be working OK.  I stayed online for a few minutes trying to test the internet connection just browsing to random websites.  A few minutes later, the connection was dropped with the "network cable unplugged" error.  The same old problem.  As usual, it took exactly three retries to get connected again.  A few minutes after that, it dropped me again in the same way.

So now I figure, OK, the system restore didn't fully work.  I'll have to reinstall windows XP from scratch again.  No problem, I'll be sure not to make any mistakes this time.  Unfortunately, now my windows XP installer CD says that the d:\setup.exe is not a valid win32 program, so it won't run, so I can't reinstall XP again!

So then I figured something I did must have really screwed it up if it won't run this program from a CD anymore, so I ran the system restore utility again and reset it again to the earliest system checkpoint (fresh after the install).  But it still won't work.

So now what should I do?

nevermind about the inability to reinstall windows XP again.  The CD just had a couple of smudges.  I cleaned it off and I am reinstalled windows XP from scratch again as I type this.

I have completely reset the Dell with a fresh installation of windows XP.  I have not done anything else to it at this point.  Is there anything you want me to do or check on before I install the XP drivers for the USB modem?

No, Please install the drivers for the USB.  I will be here for the rest of the evening.  

Regards,

Harry

I installed the drivers.
I set up the connection profile.

I will test these things when I get home (I've been working on this at work today, so I don't actually have the USB modem here with me to test it as I write this).

I will report back ASAP.  Should be no more than a couple of hours from now.

I will be here either working on a database, or my MCSE or watching TV and I'll check my mail often.

Harry

I installed the drivers.
I set up the connection profile.

I will test these things when I get home (I've been working on this at work today, so I don't actually have the USB modem here with me to test it as I write this).

I will report back ASAP.  Should be no more than a couple of hours from now.

Sorry for the double post there.  I don't know what that's about.  Networking error I guess.

Test results are in: it still fails in the exact same way.

What's next?

I just this minute have to walk across the street to get a taco with my friend, will be back in about 1/2 hour.

Harry

OK, I'm not sure when I'll be able to check my email tonight for notifications of your messages here since I don't have an email client installed on the XP machine, but I will try to check back frequently.  If you could give me several things to look at at once, that would speed things along I think.  Of course I would do them in order to keep the process logical.

FYI, I made some (very few) unrelated changes to the computer since the windows reinstall didn't fix the problem.  I just wanted to be able to watch DVD movies on this computer.

I'll list them in case you see anything that might cause
a problem, but considering the problem already exists, it can't be caused by a conflict by these things.  In order, here is what I have done:

Installed GetRight 4.5d (so that I could download medium to large files with this shaky internet connection)

Downloaded and installed the most up-to-date video driver for my system. (So that my DVD player software can play)

Installed WinDVD DVD player software (so I can watch movies)

-----------------

Some other somewhat unrelated updates:

I wrote to Dell asking about possible conflicts with the 3Com NICs and the Ameritech DSL network.  They had never heard of that problem, but they pointed me to some online technical articles and tutorials that I have not yet read.

I wrote to Alcatel describing this problem but I have not yet heard back from them.

When you say it fails the same way, do you mean that "Every few minutes, I get a "network cable unplugged" error and I am dropped from the network"  This is great.  What it says is the Dell works and the Modem doesn't.

Now, do the following.

Remove the USB modem and reboot.

Network Properties - Make sure that the TCP/IP properties are 'Find an IP Automatically"

Install the Ethernet Modem and lets see where we are.

If it doesn't drop the connection then you can be sure that it was the old modem.

If you don't get a connection, then I want you to goto Start / Run / Command and enter IPCONFIG.  You should probably see 192.168.1.x.  If you see a 167.x.x.x then your not getting DHCP from the modem.

Let me know about this.  We are, this minute concerned with the PC being able to see the modem.  To have the correct IP address and being able to ping the modem.

Harry

Sorry it took me so long to reply, but I had trouble getting on EE for a while... Before continuing I also want to let you know that I'm extremely grateful for all the help you've been giving me with this extremely frustrating problem. :)

First a very interesting development:

I noticed that every time the USB modem dropped the connection, the ADSL light flashed orange (indicating loss of

ADSL) and the diagnostic icon for the modem turned yellow while the ADSL connection was reestablished.  So for more

information, I opened the modem diagnostics (probably something I should  have looked at before) and found that it

was reporting ADSL errors:
loss of signal, loss of link, and errored seconds: 32
loss of link: 11

Every time there is a disconnect, these numbers go up.  Loss of link is always as close as possible to one third the

value of loss of signal.  Loss of link and errored seconds are always equal to loss of signal.

I wanted to compare these values with my old computer, and also wanted to see if the old computer would show these

same diagnostic reports while keeping the connection alive.  However, the version of the diagnostic software (it's

installed with the driver so it's the same version) did not have the ADSL diagnostics segment.  The old driver

version is 1.35 and not compatible with XP.  The first XP-compatible driver version is 1.4, but it is no longer

available on the website.  The new version is 1.6.  The new driver version is compatible with win98, so I upgraded

the driver on the win98 machine and all of a sudden I have the same problem on the win98 machine: the connection is

dropped every few minutes.

I have contacted Alcatel by email asking if they are aware of this problem and what can I do about it.  Until I hear

back from them, I might as well continue with the ethernet modem.

----------------

Now, on to the ethernet modem:

I did as you said and rebooted.  I unplugged the USB modem and plugged in the ethernet modem while the system was

powered off.  After rebooting, I tried to connect.  It said "connecting through WAN miniport PPPOE" for an unusually

long time, then reported "error 678: cannot open port"

I checked the IP address as you suggested.  By "network properties" I wasn't sure where exactly you wanted me to look.  The TCP/IP configuration in the connection profile that I am using says

to use DHCP to get the IP address.  I also checked the TCP/IP config of the "Local Area Connection" in the network connections control panel.  It is also set to acquire an IP automatically.  Is there somewhere else I should also look?

When I run IPCONFIG (even though I am not actually connected at all) I get the following:

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.29.245
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :


What's next?
It's getting late tonight, so anything more will probably have to wait until tomorrow...

Regarding the loss of the ADSL, is there a bios on that modem that can be upgraded??  I use to have that problem with ADSL and I found that when I upgraded the bios on the router (not the same thing but...) the problem went away.  It might also be the way PPPoE us being handled.

Ok, APIPA Automatic Privat IP Address is what you have.  The IP that starts with 169 is the default IP that comes up from a Microsft OS when it can't connect to a DHCP server.  Our quest is to get that adapter to pick up an IP from the modem.

So, try this.

Make sure that if there is an LED light on the adapter that its lit, also there should probably be a light on the modem to show that there is a connection.  If the lights aren't lit, then you have a wiring problem.

If they are lit, then goto Start, Run, Command.

Enter IPCONFIG /RENEW  (OR Renew_all but I think its Renew in W2000) and see if it will release the APIPA IP and pick up an IP from the modem.

Let me know the results.

If we can't pick up an IP, we're going to enter one manually.  Do you remember the IP that you got on the USB port, was it 192.168.1.x??  We can enter an IP in the card and see if we can get it to first, ping itself and then try to ping the modem.

Don't change any settings yet.

Harry

Do you have any of the sharing programs such as Kazaa, BearShare or Limewire.  If so you may have NEW.NET installed.  I have seen similar issues with hundreds of users, no exaggeration here.  Everytime there is an upgrade available people get stuck with this junk.

I see you said you reformatted.  I want to make sure no one has installed this "spyware" on your system.

169 APIPA Automatic Private IP Addressing.  Happens when you lose connection to a DHCP server and allows nodes in the same segment to continue other network functions

I'm at work right now, so I'm away from my DSL line for testing, so I can't report on the ipconfig status.  I will do that ASAP when I get home tonight.

Let me see if I understand this.  The ethernet modem and the NIC each have a different IP address.  Which one is the IP address assigned by my ISP's DHCP server when I log in?  Or is that a 3rd IP address that indicates my computer in general as opposed to specifically the NIC or the modem?

So when I run ipconfig/renew, that causes my NIC to ask the Modem for a new IP address?

-------------------------------------
To answer both of your questions:

>> Do you remember the IP that you got on the USB port, was it 192.168.1.x??

I believe it was, but I forget exactly.  I will double-check it when I get home.

There are no available firmware/bios upgrades for the USB modem.  If there are, the admins of www.alcatel.com and www.alcateldsl.com have failed to make it available.  I have still not heard back from the Alcatel tech support email.

I have not installed any peer-to-peer sharing software such as KaZaA.  When I do install KaZaA after I get the DSL connection working, I will be installing KaZaA Lite, which has been hacked to be missing the spyware, adware, and other annoyances.

If your service works like mine they assign an IP based on the MAC ID of the connected devices, one external for whatever modem you are using and one internal for the ethernet connection on the computer/router.  The USB modem basically is a modem with an external MAC ID and a USB ethernet adapter built in which also has a MAC ID, if you switch to ethernet you are assigned an IP based on the MAC ID of the adapter which is connected to the computer.  I hope you can understand all of this.  I have trouble explaining this to my employees who see this day after day.

You said: The ethernet modem and the NIC each have a different IP address

Yes, the modem will have a connection to the ISP and on the inside, will have an IP, maybe 192.168.1.1 but maybe something else.  It should serve up an IP to the Computer.

The computer should send a request to the modem for an IP and should get an IP different from the modem.  It should also get DNS addresses.  Each device on a LAN needs to have its own IP address.

A modem, is usually set up to get an IP automatically from the service it dials into.  So, because its a different device it will have a different IP.  The computer doesn't have an IP, the device (NIC, Modem, etc) does.  For the sake of conversation only, we might say that the IP assigned to the NIC is the computer's IP.

You said: The ethernet modem and the NIC each have a different IP address

The answer is yes, IPCONFIG /RENEW tells ALL the devices to try and find a new IP from whatever DHCP server they are attached to.  

IPCONFIG will not reset a NIC's IP if the NIC isn't attached to a DHCP server, however if you re-boot a machine, and there is no DHCP server then Windows will give the NIC a 169.x.x.x address.

(If you had two or more computers on a LAN and no DHCP, then they all would have different 168.x.x.x addresses and would be able to talk to each other without DHCP.

Lets not complicate anything with KaZaA until after we get the modem, and then the router working properly.

Harry

 

Somewhere up there I used 168 and I should have used 169.

HW

So the modem is supposed to function as a DHCP server for the NIC?

Yes, the DSL Modem (I don't want to get it confused with the modem that dials the telephone) provides DHCP for the computer's NIC.  

On the old modem, the IP, I think the IP was 192.168.1.1.  The computer will probably have 192.168.1.2 or 100 or 200 but something other than 192.168.1.1 in the 192.168.1.x subnet.

Harry

I did some ipconfigging and here are the results...

First, I plugged in my ethernet modem, and ran ipconfig for fresh data to compare to:

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.199.216
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

-----------------------------------

Then I tried to renew the IP, as follows:

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig /renew

Windows IP Configuration

An error occurred while renewing interface Local Area Connection : unable to con
tact your DHCP server. Request has timed out.

-----------------------------------

Then I disconnected my ethernet modem from the phone line, but left it connected to the computer.  I plugged my USB modem into the phone line and plugged it into the computer as well.  I got online to send this message, and I ran ipconfig again for some comparison data.  The "Local Area Connection 2" below is my USB modem.

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.199.216
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 2:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.159.48
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

PPP adapter Ameritech.net:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 67.39.145.232
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 67.39.145.232

I did some ipconfigging and here are the results...

First, I plugged in my ethernet modem, and ran ipconfig for fresh data to compare to:

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.199.216
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

-----------------------------------

Then I tried to renew the IP, as follows:

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig /renew

Windows IP Configuration

An error occurred while renewing interface Local Area Connection : unable to con
tact your DHCP server. Request has timed out.

-----------------------------------

Then I disconnected my ethernet modem from the phone line, but left it connected to the computer.  I plugged my USB modem into the phone line and plugged it into the computer as well.  I got online to send this message, and I ran ipconfig again for some comparison data.  The "Local Area Connection 2" below is my USB modem.

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.199.216
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 2:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.159.48
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

PPP adapter Ameritech.net:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 67.39.145.232
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 67.39.145.232

I unplugged the USB modem from the phone line (left it plugged into the PC) and plugged the ethernet modem into the phone line (the ethernet modem is still connected to the PC).  I have all green lights on the ethernet modem, and my NIC has one solid green light, and an orange light that blinks every once in a while.  They aren't really labeled, but I'm pretty sure the orange one is the ping light because when it blinks, the atm and enet lights on the modem blink as well.

Here are the IPCONFIG results from this latest attempt:

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 2:

        Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.199.216
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig /renew

Windows IP Configuration

No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection 2 while it has its media
disconnected.
An error occurred while renewing interface Local Area Connection : unable to con
tact your DHCP server. Request has timed out.

I switched modems back again.  I am now connected to the internet using the USB modem.  Everything else is still plugged in, except the phone line connection to the ethernet modem (because I only have one phone line available for a modem, so it has to be either the USB modem or the ethernet modem, but it can't be both).  I did a more thorough ipconfig, using the option /all to get more info.  Here are the results:

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

        Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : d14q9z11
        Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
        Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
        IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter USB Modem:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Alcatel SpeedTouch(tm) USB ADSL RFC1
483
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-90-D0-47-8D-45
        Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.159.48
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Ethernet adapter Integrated 3Com NIC:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 3Com 3C920 Integrated Fast Ethernet
Controller (3C905C-TX Compatible)
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-08-74-3D-AC-23
        Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.199.216
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

PPP adapter Ameritech.net:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
        Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
        IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 65.42.48.54
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 65.42.48.54
        DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 67.36.13.26
                                            66.73.20.40
        NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Sorry about this.  I just noticed that a couple of posts ago, I had a double-post.  It's the two that start with "I did some ipconfigging and here are the results..."  I don't know what happened there.  Accidental reload or something.

I'm here reading your stuff

Looking at the PPP adapter, you should be on the internet.  I can't explain how your getting ppp but I guess thats how XP handles it.  I wrote something about ppp tunneling through the modem to a logical adapter and then I took it out because it sounded to complicated.

However, If that PPP adapater (logical, not a physical device) has an IP, and as you can see it has a gateway address and dns, you should be on the internet.

Goto a Start / Run / Command and enter Ping 65.42.48.54 and see if you can ping the router.  Open up the browser and see if you can get on the net.

If so, we're going to do the router next.

Harry

>>>Looking at the PPP adapter, you should be on the internet.

I think I have confused you and I apologize.  I must have been unclear in my explanations of what I was doing at the different times that I ran IPCONFIG.  In the IPCONFIG results above that include a "PPP adapter" entry, I was online using the USB modem when I performed the IPCONFIG operation.  I did that for comparison purposes against the offline Ethernet modem IPCONFIG results.  As you can see, even when I am online with the USB Modem, it has a 169.x.x.x IP, so that implies that the 3Com NIC should be able to function with a 169.x.x.x IP, shouldn't it?

>>>Ping 65.42.48.54 and see if you can ping the router

There is no router in the system yet.  I assume by 'router' here that you meant 'modem'.  I'm not going to bother pinging the USB modem in this case because I know I can get online in that configuration - that's how I got online to post those last few messages here on EE.

Please understand that when I'm at home I have to switch between the USB modem and the Ethernet modem in order to get online to continue this discussion.  (Because the ethernet modem will not connect to the internet, as we have been discussing.)  Alternatively, I could use my old computer to get online for this discussion, but since my old computer now has the same connection dropping problem with the USB modem as my new computer, I figured I might as well use the new computer.

Anyway, I think the IPCONFIG results that you should be most concerned with, are these:

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 2:

       Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

       Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
       Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.199.216
       Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
       Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig /renew

Windows IP Configuration

No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection 2 while it has its media
disconnected.
An error occurred while renewing interface Local Area Connection : unable to con
tact your DHCP server. Request has timed out.

-----------------------------

Above was the IPCONFIG attempt that I tried with the ethernet adapter using the phone line.  "Local Area Connection 2" is the USB Modem, and it says "media disconnected" because I unplugged the USB modem from the phone line so I could connect the phone line to the ethernet modem.  As you can see, the ethernet modem timed-out the DHCP server requests from the NIC: "Local Area Connection : unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has timed out."

I'm sorry if I'm going too fast for you and flooding you with too much information here.  I'm sure it must be confusing.  But I want to move things along, so I am doing as much as I can think to do in addition to the limited instructions that you have given me.  I have been dealing with this problem for several hours a night for almost 2 weeks and I want to be done dealing with it...

So let's move things along.  You made some vague comments about setting the IP address of the NIC if the Ethernet modem won't assign it one.  Well, the ethernet modem is not assigning an IP to my NIC, so I guess I'll have to assign one myself.  I know how to assign the IP address to the NIC.  So what IP should I give it?  And how does the Ethernet modem know what IP I gave the NIC?  The modem needs to know the IP of the NIC doesn't it?  At that point, how do I find out the IP of the modem?  Is the ethernet modem assigned an IP before I establish a connection to my ISP?

I understand about the USB modem and needing it to get on line.

You need to unplug the USB.  Plug an Etherenet wire between the Modem and the PC and Re-Boot and then run IPCONFIG /ALL from a command prompt.

What the IPCONFIG above says is that you don't have a physical connection between the modem and the NIC.  

The ethernet wire you need to use will have 8 wires in it and an RJ45 connection on each end.  

Harry

I hope my last post didn't come off as ungrateful, angry, or unpleasant in any way.  I'm trying to stay professional and calm about this, but it's very frustrating.  I really appreciate your continued help on this issue.

>>> You need to unplug the USB.  Plug an Etherenet wire between the Modem and the PC and Re-Boot and then run IPCONFIG /ALL from a command prompt.

OK, my first IPCONFIG results above were done like this (connect ethernet modem, reboot), but without the /all.  I will redo it with the /all option for more data.

I guarantee you that it will have a 169.x.x.x IP address and that a /renew attempt will time out.  I have tried it several times now.

So after that fails again, what should I do?  Aside from the /renew option (which has been failing) ipconfig is basically just a diagnostic tool.  It isn't solving my problem...

------------------
>>> What the IPCONFIG above says is that you don't have a physical connection between the modem and the NIC.

Which IPCONFIG?  The one were I tried ipconfig /renew and it came back with a "request timed out" error?

If you are thinking of the IPCONFIGs where it says "Local Area Connection 2: media disconnected" that is referring to my USB modem being connected to the PC without being connected to the phone line.  That has nothing to do with the ethernet modem's connection to the NIC.

-----------------
>>> The ethernet wire you need to use will have 8 wires in it and an RJ45 connection on each end.

OK, I believe I am using the correct ethernet cable.  The cable I am using matches your description.

The physical connection between the ethernet modem and the NIC appears to be OK.  The ethernet modem's enet light comes on when I connect it to my NIC, and my NIC's ping light blinks while it tries to send data to the ethernet modem.  When the ping light blinks, the enet and atm lights on the ethernet modem blink, indicating that it is getting data from the NIC and doing something in response to requests from the NIC.

Just out of curiosity, since I didn't read every post, not that many hours in a day :)  Do all of your telephones have filters on them and did your phone company ever test your line?

Your post did not come accross as anything but professional and I am totally OK with the tone of this conversation.  We're just trying to come up with the answer.

I'm just confused about the PPP IP address.  Does that appear when you have only the ethernet cable plugged in??

The new modem must come with a manual.  What does it say about the IP address that its going to give out.  I don't think we should be seeing a 169.x.x.x address but then again, if the PPP address is there, I don't realy care about the cards address...

Tell me about PPP.

Harry

Is it the cable that came with the modem? Have you checked with your ISP to see if your modem will work on their network?????????  The orange light on your modem is the traffic light, should blink whenever communicating. You will need to setup the ethernet modem with the same information as the usb modem.  Your usb modem should have an IP and a gateway along with the subnet mask.  The instruction on your ethernet modem should tell you how to access the modem (probably via I.E. with an ip addres 192.168.0.1).  The whole problem here probably lies with the your ISP, the IP is probably assigned to the MAC address (physical address) of the USB modem.  You may be able to change the MAC of the ehternet modem in your settings to match.  If you do have a problem with your phone lines changing the modem IS NOT going to fix it. You should start their, then contact your ISP, they should send you another modem if it is the problem.  If you want to setup internet sharing, their is one DSL/Cable routers that have a USB connection made by actiontec, but it may only work with their USB modem.  Before pulling out anymore of your hair have your line tested (your ISP should be able to and have them ship you another modem) try to demand one with ethernet, tell them you are fed up with fighting USB, make a big stink at a minimum they should give you a month or two for free, and you should get the problem fixed.  

rbass1 - Welcome to EE.  I think before you jump into the middle of something, it would be helpful if you read the entire thread.  ris has already said that this is the modem recomended by his ISP.  

For what its worth, right now, I want the PC to see the modem.  If it can see the modem, then we can worry about the modem picking up a DSL signal.  If the MAC address is tracked by the ISP it will be a simple thing to have it released.  But before we even ask the question about the modem seeing the ISP, I need to know if the computer sees the modem.

As for having the ISP ship a new modem, if you would read the thread, you will see that ris is moving from a USB based modem to an Ethernet based modem for several reasons, one of which is his desire to use a Router which requires a change from the USB to the Ethernet.

Kind regards,

Harry

>>> I'm just confused about the PPP IP address.  Does that appear when you have only the ethernet cable plugged in??

No, that only appears when I am using the USB Modem and after I have established a working connection to the internet.

>>> The new modem must come with a manual.  What does it say about the IP address that its going to give out.

I purchased the ethernet modem second hand on ebay and it did not come with a manual.  However, I have found links to the manuals on the efficient networks website (www.efficient.com).  I will download the appropriate manual and check it for this information.  I'll have to get back to you on that.

>>> if the PPP address is there, I don't realy care about the cards address...

The PPP address IS NOT there when using only the ethernet modem.

>>> Is it the cable that came with the modem?

The cable either came with the modem or the router.  I'm not sure which anymore at this point.  In either case, it should be the same standard ethernet cable.

>>> Have you checked with your ISP to see if your modem will work on their network?

Yes, it is the exact same brand and model of ethernet modem that my ISP sells to new customers.

To address the rest of your comments rbass1, please read what I have already posted.  I'm not going to start this from scratch with another new person, especially considering the entire history of this problem is right here in the thread.  For short answers to some of your comments: my line has already been tested, I don't care about internet sharing at this point, and I already have a router.  Your idea about accessing the modem via IE is a good idea.  I access my router through IE and I hadn't considered that the modem would offer the same functionality.  I will have to check the manual for information on whether and how this is possible with my specific hardware.

>>> before we even ask the question about the modem seeing the ISP, I need to know if the computer sees the modem.

Right.  Here's the latest IPCONFIG data.  I rebooted with only the ethernet modem connected to the computer and the phone line.  I ran ipconfig again.  Here are the results.  Please note that I renamed "Local Area Connection" to the more appropriate "Integrated 3Com NIC".

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

        Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : d14q9z11
        Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
        Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
        IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Integrated 3Com NIC:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 3Com 3C920 Integrated Fast Ethernet
Controller (3C905C-TX Compatible)
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-08-74-3D-AC-23
        Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.199.216
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig /renew

Windows IP Configuration

An error occurred while renewing interface Integrated 3Com NIC : unable to conta
ct your DHCP server. Request has timed out.

--------------------------------------------------------

At this point, I unplugged the ethernet cable from the NIC.  Now the ethernet modem is completely disconnected from the PC.  This is purely for testing and comparison data.  If the ethernet modem and NIC are acting as if the modem is not plugged into the NIC, then the following IPCONFIG results should be identical to the previous results.  But as you can see, the results are quite different.  This indicates that the NIC is able to see the modem at least in some way.  There may be some errors or misconfiguration in that connection, but at least we know that the connection exists to begin with.

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

        Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : d14q9z11
        Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
        Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
        IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Integrated 3Com NIC:

        Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 3Com 3C920 Integrated Fast Ethernet
Controller (3C905C-TX Compatible)
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-08-74-3D-AC-23

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig /renew

Windows IP Configuration

No operation can be performed on Integrated 3Com NIC while it has its media disc
onnected.

What it means is that the computer has no ethernet connection.  Can you give me the URL for the manual download - It would be easier for me to refer to it than to ask you questions about the modem.

Ok lets try this.

Unless the manual your downloading says something different, lets try to put a static IP address in your TCP/IP propeties.  

Try two different IP addresses one after the other.

192.168.1.2
10.10.1.2

In both cases, a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0

Put in the IP, reboot and see if you can ping:

192.168.1.1 and 10.10.1.1

Harry

Some informative links:

Efficient Networks Support Center (w/Knowledgebase link).  This is not an actual manual, but it may contain some pertinent information if you want to search for any additional technical info.  For reference, the ethernet modem I have is an "Efficient Networks SpeedStream 5260 Ethernet ADSL Modem"  Part Number: 060-5660-003.
http://support.efficient.com/

Efficient Networks 5200 Series Ethernet Modem Datasheet:
http://www.efficient.com/pdf/ss_pppoedslmodems.pdf

Unfortunately, I can't give you a direct link to the "5260 Installation Guide" because Efficient makes it impossible.  To download it, you have to browse around a bit.  Start here:

http://support.efficient.com/

It's pretty easy to find, but it sounds complicated.  There are several ways to find your way to it also, so don't worry about following my directions that closely...  Click the link to the knowledge base.  This opens a new window.  On the left, there are two categories.  Select the SpeedStream category and it should drop-down a list.  In all cases, find the 5200 series (or 5000 series) link.  Click that, and on the right it shows a "product guides" link.  That takes you to a list of product guides, but the 5260 is not in it.  You have to click the "discontinued product guides" link.  From there, follow the 5000 series and 5200 series links until at last you see the "5260 bridge" listed.  Near there, it should have a link to the 5260 Installation Guide.

I was unable to find any more detailed of a manual than that.  I didn't find any information about the IP assigned by the modem.

------------

Some IPCONFIGging and some PINGing...

I fully connected the ethernet modem and did an ipconfig, allowing it to use the automatic IP.  Then I pinged the IP and it replied immediately.  Here are the results:

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

        Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : d14q9z11
        Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
        Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
        IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Integrated 3Com NIC:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 3Com 3C920 Integrated Fast Ethernet
Controller (3C905C-TX Compatible)
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-08-74-3D-AC-23
        Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.199.216
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ping 169.254.199.216

Pinging 169.254.199.216 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 169.254.199.216: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 169.254.199.216: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 169.254.199.216: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 169.254.199.216: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Ping statistics for 169.254.199.216:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms

--------------------------------------------------

I entered the first manual IP you suggested: 192.168.1.2.  I ipconfigged and pinged the NIC as follows.  I wasn't sure if you really wanted me to ping the IPs that were one less than the IP of the NIC, so I pinged both.  The NIC's IP pings instantly.  The IP you asked me to ping never responded.

Afterward, I still couldn't get online.  The error was "678: the remote computer did not respond" which is the same error message I have been getting with the ethernet modem.  (Not to be confused with the "network cable unplugged" error generated by the USB modem).

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

        Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : d14q9z11
        Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
        Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
        IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Integrated 3Com NIC:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 3Com 3C920 Integrated Fast Ethernet
Controller (3C905C-TX Compatible)
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-08-74-3D-AC-23
        Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
        IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.2
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ping 192.168.1.2

Pinging 192.168.1.2 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 192.168.1.2: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.2: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.2: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.2: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.2:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ping 192.168.1.1

Pinging 192.168.1.1 with 32 bytes of data:

Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.1:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss),

------------------------------------------------

And then the other IP (10.10.1.2) had the same results:

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

        Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : d14q9z11
        Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
        Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
        IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Integrated 3Com NIC:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 3Com 3C920 Integrated Fast Ethernet
Controller (3C905C-TX Compatible)
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-08-74-3D-AC-23
        Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
        IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 10.10.1.2
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ping 10.10.1.2

Pinging 10.10.1.2 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 10.10.1.2: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 10.10.1.2: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 10.10.1.2: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 10.10.1.2: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Ping statistics for 10.10.1.2:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms

C:\Documents and Settings\Ris.D14Q9Z11>ping 10.10.1.1

Pinging 10.10.1.1 with 32 bytes of data:

Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.

Ping statistics for 10.10.1.1:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss),


-----------------------------------------------------------

I tried accessing the mode by HTTP as suggested by rbass1.  I found no documentation indicating that this was possible, and the installation guide for the modem says that it cannot be configured in any way.  But I tried it anyway because I'm desperate.  I tried to open "http://168.192.1.2" when the NIC was programmed for an automatic IP and that was its IP address.  The page could not be loaded / the server could not be contacted.

-----------------------------------------------------------

I think that covers all of the questions I was asked and things that you suggested I try to this point, right?

-----------------------------------------------------------

In my quest to find anything else I can try, I checked out the hardware settings on the NIC.  The installation guide document that I found said that all 5260 modems are factory-configured for 10MBps half duplex.  So I changed the "Media Type" of my NIC from "Hardware Default" (whatever that is) to "10MBps Half Duplex".  No effect.

So I changed it from that to "Autoselect".  No effect.

So I changed it back to "Hardware default"

I have also reset the NIC to gets its IP automatically, so that we're back at a clean state again.

What else can I do?

Nothing for a while.  I need to look at the documentation for the modem.

Where you are is this.

1.  You know that your DSL account is set up OK.

2.  Your USB modem works - but loses sync after a while.

3.  Your Ethernet modem is not serving up an IP to your NIC
and we don't know what IP it would serve up so we can't use a static IP.

I want you to look at the two ends on the Ethernet cable to make sure its NOT a crossover cable.  If you look at it, the wires are color coded and I think that they should both be in the following order.

Brown
Brown Stripe
Green
Blue Stipe
Blue
Green Stripe
Orange
Orange Stipe

(I hope I did that right, I was to lazy to go get a cable and look at it.)  In any case, both ends should be exactly alike.  

Harry

Looking at the back of the connector on both sides,
actual order DOES NOT matter, just so long as the colors are the same on both ends.  If the end connectors are not identical, it's a crossover cable.  You need a straight through cable.

I'm at work at the moment, just checking in for more comments and info... I will check the cable when I get home.  However, if it were a cable problem, wouldn't the modem and NIC fail to recognize each other at all, as if not plugged in?  The NIC and Modem seem to see each other to some extent as it is.  The lights on both devices report that the devices see each other.  The data transfer light on the NIC blinks when sending data to the modem, and the modem blinks in response as if to say "I hear the NIC".

I'll find out if it is soon enough, but just theoretically speaking... If it were a crossover cable, is it possible that the modem and NIC lights would report a physical connection, but then the data sent on that connection would be garbled going both ways, causing it to have port opening failures and the kind of errors that it is having?  Actually, the more I think about this, the more reasonable it seems.  I hope this turns out the be the problem!  I'll check it and report back to you this evening.

Basically yes, but a cross over cable isn't incorrectly wired, its just a cross over cable.  Its a small thing to look at and rule out.

Ok again lets review.

USB modem works but drops line
Ethernet modem/bridge isn't giving us a DSL connection but
the DSL lights light up and the Ethernet light shows a physical connection.

Can you look on the bottom of the modem and see when it was built.  Let me know any date you see.  Something happened in August 2000 and I want to know if this pre that date.  Also, time is money, how much did you pay for it.

(I bought about 5 different used syquest drives on Ebay before I found one that worked so I can't rely on this used modem working.)

Another question, did your ISP recomend that brand, or did they recomend that specific model.

What state are you in, Ohio, Ill, what.  I've been on the Ameritech site and I want to see what services they offer.  Is this the Yahoo DSL?

You mentioned before - I think you were talking about the USB modem - that you "I set up the connection profile."  How do you do this, what is the process.  Have you tried this with the Ethernet modem?

The modem you have is really a bridge - its passing through the signal from the ISP so the ISP is providing the IP address (I think).  rbass1 mentioned the MAC address and there is a possibility that that is the case.  You may have to call your ISP to confirm what general procedures you need to follow if you change your modem and do they register the mac address.

However, because the modem is a bridge, I would think that if it was a mac address that it would be the computer's mac address - and the Dell works with the USB.  We just need to check.

Harry

Make sure that you have switched your ethernet card back to accuire IP automatically.

To confirm the review notes:

>>> USB modem works but drops line

Yes, and for review, this appears to be driver-related.
v1.35 of the driver works without this problem, but it is not compatible with XP.  The only other available driver version is 1.6, which is compatible with both XP and 98, but causes this line dropping error.  I have contacted Alcatel for a different driver or any kind of fix for this problem.  So far, I received an automated "we got your message and will respond ASAP".  It took 2 days to receive that message, so I expect it to take even longer for some real support on the issue.

>>> Ethernet modem/bridge isn't giving us a DSL connection but
the DSL lights light up and the Ethernet light shows a physical connection.

Yes.  I have nothing to add to this assessment.

>>> time is money, how much did you pay for it.

All told, I paid about $60 for it.  If I have to buy a new one, that's OK, but I'd rather not impulsively buy a new one hoping it will solve my problem and have it fail to solve my problem.  That's exactly what I did with the ethernet modem that I have, trying to replace my USB modem with it, and that didn't work.  But I agree that it is looking like perhaps that is the only solution.

>>> Can you look on the bottom of the modem and see when it was built

I will check on that and get back to you.

>>> Another question, did your ISP recomend that brand, or did they recomend that specific model.

I didn't ask them about it recently.  The quick start guide and installation CD that came with my DSL starter kit, including my USB modem, listed 4 DSL modem models, with varying instructions by modem model depending on which version of the starter kit you got.  I originally got the starter kit with the USB modem.  The other modem models listed included the exact model that I have: the SpeedStream 5260.  The installation CD shows the 4 modem models by picture (when asking you to pick the one you have) and the picture of the 5260 looks exactly like mine.

>>> What state are you in, Ohio, Ill, what.  

Ohio

>>> Is this the Yahoo DSL?

I think it is.  The full name would be SBC/Yahoo Ameritech DSL.  I signed up before Yahoo came on board, but the member services pages now say Yahoo all over them, so I'm sure it's the same thing.  Sorry I can't give you a link to those member services pages, but they require my ISP login info to get in, so I can't.

>>> You mentioned before - I think you were talking about the USB modem - that you "I set up the connection profile."  How do you do this, what is the process.  Have you tried this with the Ethernet modem?

The connection profile is irrelevant of the connection hardware in XP.  The process is as follows:
1. Open the Network Connections Control Panel
2. Open the "Make New Connection Wizard"
3. Select options according to ISP instructions.  Each step is as follows:
 - Connect to the Internet
 - setup my connection manually
 - connect using a broadband connection that requires a user name and password
 - Enter ISP Name.  This is just the name of the connection profile.  It can be anything, but I usually enter "Ameritech.net"
 - Next, it offers options for which users can use the internet connection (everyone, vs. just me) and whether to enable the firewall.  I have tried both enabling and disabling the firewall with no noticable effect.  The default is to enable the firewall, so that is what I am using now.
 - Enter login information
 - Finish, optionally check box to create shortcut on desktop, which I always do.

>>> rbass1 mentioned the MAC address and there is a possibility that that is the case.  You may have to call your ISP to confirm what general procedures you need to follow if you change your modem and do they register the mac address.

I called them to help me set up the ethernet modem when I first tried it and it didn't work.  They never mentioned anything about the MAC address or that this was the case.  We covered a lot of things when I was on the phone with them that time, down to NIC hardware settings.  They had me call Dell support before they brought up the MAC address issue, so I really don't think they use it.  Do you think I should call them about this anyway just to make sure?  It seems to me that if the tech support agents knew anything about that, they would have mentioned it to me the last time I called them.

>>> Make sure that you have switched your ethernet card back to accuire IP automatically.

Yes I have.

I probably agree on the MAC address.

Whats on that CD for the 5260.  Is there a setup program or what?

>>> I probably agree on the MAC address.

OK, if I end up calling them again, I will ask about it.  But I won't call just for this question.

>>> Whats on that CD for the 5260.  Is there a setup program or what?

The 5260 itself didn't come with a CD.  The CD I have is the SBC Ameritech self-install CD.  There's a setup program.  It is basically the setup for EnterNet300 PPPoE pseudo-drivers for pre-XP windows, so I can't use it because XP has PPPoE built-in.

The CD has a setup wizard that starts by asking which modem you have.  If you choose the USB Modem, it installs the USB Modem drivers (v1.35) and then continues to the EnterNet300 install.  If you choose the 5260, that doesn't need any drivers, so it goes straight into the EnterNet300 install process.

I actually have 2 CDs from my ISP.  I forget the distinction off-hand, so I'll put that in my list of things to check on when I get home tonight.  I think the first disk was modem drivers and EnterNet300, and the second disk was Netscape 4.72 and some other stuff.  But I will check it out to make sure.

By "pseudo-drivers" I meant that it's an executable program (EnterNet.exe), but it sort of acts in the windows system like driver software that adds the capability to use the PPPoE protocol.  We discussed this component before, so I think you probably know what I mean.

If you haven't run it, I think you should and if I understand how it works, it asks you if you have XP??  It might make the connection with the DSL provider.

Harry

>>> If you haven't run it, I think you should and if I understand how it works, it asks you if you have XP??  

No, it doesn't ask if I have XP.  The CD is over a year old and predates the existance of XP.  I had to find out the hard way that it is incompatible with XP by installing it (before the XP reinstall).  If I run it, it installs Enternet300, which causes conflicts in XP.  So I can't run it.

I have answers to the remaining pending questions:

I checked the ethernet cable and the colors of the wires are the same on both ends, and in the same order.  So it is not a crossover cable.

I tried to find a date on the ethernet modem, but it doesn't have one.  If you were looking for a y2k bug in the hardware, I think that's a stretch...

The ethernet modem does have some stickers bearing additional information which I have not posted.  So here it is:

Revision 1.7
VPI=8, VCI=35
MAC: MAE121D19

I think that's all of the relevant information, but there is another sticker that says:
Industry Canada 3271 10293

And as I think I mentioned before, it bears a sticker saying "refurbished" (i.e. potentially not working).

On the MAC address issue... is the hardware supposed to be hard-wired with a specific MAC address (as is my ethernet modem, since it bears a sticker to this effect), or is it supposed to be assigned by the ISP?

This issue has been inactive for a few days... Was there anything else I was supposed to try?

My current thinking is that the ethernet modem is defective or broken in some way.  I'll probably try buying another one (a brand new one this time) after the next time I get paid.  I'm still interested in any additional ideas you may have though...

Yep, I think you are right.  If you ever have any brainstorms about this, please come back and post them.  Otherwise, you might as well get the points for the very detailed and thorough help you offered me on this problem.  I wouldn't exactly call it solved, but at least I learned a lot!

Thanks again.  I really appreciate everything you've done here.

-Ris

I just had a thought, is there a chance that you can get a laptop or another computer and plut it into that modem - just to make sure its the modem?

Harry

I have another laptop, but it doesn't have an ethernet port on it.  I could plug my wireless PCMCIA NIC into it and try to set it all up with my wireless router and my old laptop for a test.  That's a pretty good idea.  It adds some potential for problems because I've never gotten the router to work so that's something of an unknown, but it would be worth a shot.

I was more interisted in testing the Ethernet modem but that might be something to try.  The more things we know that work, and don't the more logical the answer to the quetion is.  If you have an ethernet card in the latptop, and you had had that laptop on an ethernet network and it had worked and then it didn't see the modem, then we'd KNOW it was the modem.

Harry

woohoo!!!

I got a brand new speedstream efficient networks 5360 ordered online from www.sbcdslstore.com and it works!  I haven't tried the router yet (I'm doing my first online test as I type this...) but I expect it to work.

Thanks again HDWILKENS for the incredible degree of effort you put into helping me with this.  I don't know what I would have done without you!

Woohoo!!!!!!  The router works!  Yay!! :)