Help w/ Wireless and Routers

Here's my story, I'll try not to ramble.

I purchased a zv5000t HP notebook last month with integrated Broadcom 802.11b. Not knowing the difference between wireless B and wireless G at the time, I purchased a Microsoft MN-700 G Router. First of all, are they even compatible?

I couldn't set up the router because my old, crappy desktop doesn't have an ethernet port. I went into the wireless networking section of my local Best Buy and picked up a Netgear 32-bit 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet PCI Adapter.

I plugged that into one of my PCI slots, and couldn't connect to the internet using the ethernet cable provided with my modem (Motorola SB51000 SURFboard). So, I'm pissed about that, but I try and set up my router anyway. It seems to work, because the software utility that came with the router says that I'm connected to my network and the internet. When I open my browser, however, I am not.

So, I then try and connect my modem directly to my notebook using Ethernet and USB. That doesn't work either. I'm using Comcast High-Speed Internet. Can my notebook even connect to the internet?

I tried so many different configurations in the New Connection wizard, and nothing seemed to work.

I am completely lost. If a veteran poster here would give me a step-by-step guide of what I need to purchase, what I need to do, etc., I'd appreciate it more than you could ever know.

I'm more than willing to provide any other information that you might need. Thanks.

 

The problem is likely related to your MAC address. Each ethernet adapter has a hardware address burned into it. That address is known as a MAC address or hardware address. Because the cable TV signal goes to multiple houses along the same line, often times cable companies will "provision" a single MAC address in a given household and only allow that address to connect out. That's how they know it is you. The likely easiest solution to such a problem is to call Comcast and have them "provision" the MAC address of your new router. Hopefully they can sense it across the line but if not, it should be listed in the router setup information somewhere. If you want to get fancy, many routers allow you to override the hardware address by either entering another address manually or "cloning" the address of a PC (connecting it to the router and then "sniffing" that address and using it on the external connection to the ISP).

As for the B/G protocol question, G is backward compatible with B so you should have no problems with the wireless protocols on the router you bought.

The only thing I am not clear on (and therefore why I can't potentially give you more precise step-by-step instructions) is how you are currently connecting. What is plugged into what to make things work so that you can connect through your cable modem right now? That will potentially help us understand what MAC address the network is looking for.

 

Well, I connect to my desktop via USB, but since my notebook has an RJ-45, I've been trying to use ethernet.

Also, what do I do about the router? I can't connect it to my desktop because the network adapter that I bought isn't working.

 

or just run a proxy server.
<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by jchastain

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by freeman

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Anomalied

 

I don't think you know how NAT and proxy work, they are not the same.
W/ proxy you won't have the MAC address problem.
<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by jchastain

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by freeman

 

You are right, it doesn't need to exist. I'm saying that you could as an alternative solution. But your context "I don't understand why you think a proxy server would help unless you are really trying to suggest a NAT device but that is the role that should be played by the router."were pointing toward NAT is the same technology as proxy, which is the same mistake people make.
<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by jchastain