Niether notebook nor router can pull an IP addy through Westell modem, though PC can

[StreetRacer]

I'm a little baffled. I'm trying to help a buddy. Here's the situation:

He has an older PC (I built and maintain) running 98SE. He has Verizon DSL with a Westell B90-210015-04 supplied by Verizon. Connection speed is supposed to be 1.5M, but currently on a good day, he's getting 128K if that. Verizon tech says when they test the line on their end it shows 1.4 -1.5M. They're supposed to send an on-site guy to check the local wiring. But that's not what's befuddling me, I just want to give as much info as possible. Anyway, it's slow but that old PC pulls an IP and connects to the web.

The problem I'm having is:

He just bought a Dell Inspiron 9300 notebook (with Centrino). At my house (where I am now) I also have Verizon DSL but with a Westell 327W Modem/Wireless router. His notebook (here now) connects flawlessley either wirelessly, or by LAN connection to my router. It achieves 1.5M on wireless, 2.5M by LAN.

So earlier today at his house I tried to connect his notebook to his DSL modem. I unplugged the ethernet cable from the PC and plugged it into the LAN port in the notebook. No good. The notebook tries to establish a network connection but fails every time. It says "limited or no connectivity" and "unable to establish an an IP address" or something like that.

Today, at his house, I also tried installing a Linksys wireless router model BEFW11S4-VN (supplied to me by Verizon before I got the 327W). The setup wizzard was unable to complete. After connecting all the cables (all LED's lit and everything looking good) the router can't reach the internet through the modem. (Remember the notebook can't get through the modem either.) I called Linksys tech support and their guy walked me through a manual setup. Tried many things but the bottom line was the router can't establish an IP address. Linksys' guy says he believes I need a user name & password for Verizon. I say no way, never have before, Verizon don't work that-a-way. He says call them and check. I did. They say no way. Also they said that modem (Westell B90-210015-04) has no setup. No way to change port or block anything. Nothing to prevent connectivity. I didn't discuss the lack of connectivity through the notebook with Verizon because at that point I hadn't tried it yet.

Anyway, my goal is to get my buddy's notebook connected to the web at his home. I need help. Any ideas? Suggestions? Questions?

Thank you.

 

[Cartilage]

Are you sure the Verizon DSL uses DHCP? If there is any doubt whatsoever you should check the ip config on the working computer to make sure that it isn't using a static IP.

Sometimes it just doesn't work when you disconnect one computer from a cable or dsl modem and connect a new one. I've spoken to the guys from my local cable carrier and they told me that they see it as two machines trying to simultaneously pull an IP when I do that. My workaround has just been to unplug the modem for ~2 minutes, bring it back up, and then bring up the computer. Works everytime for me.

 

[StreetRacer]

Originally posted by: Cartilage
Are you sure the Verizon DSL uses DHCP? If there is any doubt whatsoever you should check the ip config on the working computer to make sure that it isn't using a static IP.

Sometimes it just doesn't work when you disconnect one computer from a cable or dsl modem and connect a new one. I've spoken to the guys from my local cable carrier and they told me that they see it as two machines trying to simultaneously pull an IP when I do that. My workaround has just been to unplug the modem for ~2 minutes, bring it back up, and then bring up the computer. Works everytime for me.

Thanks for your reply.

Not sure what DHCP stands for. But I can tell you the network settings on the working pc are set to "Obtain an IP address automatically". Also, all through my attempts at setting up both the notebook and the router, I disconnected the modem's power supply for at least 30 seconds many times.

 

[Goosemaster]

There are soooooooooooooo many variables to this that it is crazy


give me a call when you get a chance and I will guide you through it.....DHCP PPoE...it is all involved, as is MAC address and such


703-969-8384

aim: el goosemaster
gtalk: wheaties@gmail.com

 

[StreetRacer]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
There are soooooooooooooo many variables to this that it is crazy


give me a call when you get a chance and I will guide you through it.....DHCP PPoE...it is all involved, as is MAC address and such


703-969-8384

aim: el goosemaster
gtalk: wheaties@gmail.com

Wow! What a kind and generous offer. I may very well take you up on it later in the week. I see you are in Virginia. I'm in California. Would early morning, say 7 - 7:30am your time work for you?

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: StreetRacer

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
There are soooooooooooooo many variables to this that it is crazy


give me a call when you get a chance and I will guide you through it.....DHCP PPoE...it is all involved, as is MAC address and such


703-969-8384

aim: el goosemaster
gtalk: wheaties@gmail.com

Wow! What a kind and generous offer. I may very well take you up on it later in the week. I see you are in Virginia. I'm in California. Would early morning, say 7 - 7:30am your time work for you?

sure...probably earlier since I leave for work at that hour

 

[StreetRacer]

Goosemaster,

Thanks again for your offer of live phone support. However, I got the following advise on one of the other boards (PC Mech) and the problem is now solved.

Take care,

Street Racer

FROM glc (moderator on PC Mech board):

The 2100 is a modem that stores the PPPoE login and issues only one private IP address. Verizon West also uses MAC bonding - in order to connect the modem to ANY other device other than the NIC it was set up with, it has to be powered off for a few hours.

The slowness on the Win98 machine can probably be fixed with proper TCP/IP stack tweaks - 98 defaults to parameters optimized for dialup. DSLReports.com has these testers and tools. In order to connect a router to the modem for networking and/or wireless operation, you need to either clone the MAC of the 98 machine's NIC into the router, or shut the modem off for a few hours. If it's a Linksys router, you have to change its internal IP into a different subnet - the 2100 uses 192.168.1.1 for its private IP, this conflicts directly with the default 192.168.1.1 IP of the Linksys. I'd suggest 192.168.2.1.

The other option is to log into the 2100 and change its mode of operation to "bridge" - this will require that it be connected to a router set up for PPPoE, or if standalone, a PPPoE client such as Winpoet be installed on the computer. XP's builtin PPPoE client will work, but 9x/ME/2K don't have that.

 

[doan]

Modems store the MAC ID of the NIC. Turn off the modem for a couple minutes, then it will prob be happy to connect to the laptop.