neophyte wireless questions

Any help would be appreciated ---

I am having trouble setting up my home cable internet connection to transmit a wireless signal. The equipment I have:

Sceintific Atlanta Cable Modem: DPC2100 Series (supplied by comcast)
Belkin Wireless G Router, 2.4 Ghz - 802.11g
A desktop computer
A VAIO SZ340

I had previously tried to set up a wireless connection using the above equipment when I had my older 'new' computer (long story) --- I was able to get the wireless signal to broadcast just fine, was able to still use the internet on both my desktop and on my laptop, etc etc. Then, out of the blue, the "internet" light on my router is blinking --- my router is reporting that the internet is unavailable, and I cannot get access on either my desktop or my notebook. I just tried to re-setup this wireless connection with my new computer, and the same thing happened ---- got it working fine last night and then, when I woke up this morning, the 'internet' light is blinking and I'm unable to connect to the net via my desktop or laptop.

It is, needless to say, a bit frustrating --- I was hoping that someone smart than I (you, namely) would be able to give me some insight/suggestions regarding this matter?

thanks!

Also, on an off-note, I was wondering what the general online gaming experience is regarding wireless signals --- the connection speed my router generated (when it was transmitting) was around 3x slower than the direct cable connection, give or take. I admit that I have no idea how much data is actually transferred during the course of various typical online gaming sessions, and whether the reduction in bandwidth will have a noticable effect --- viz: do people typically game over wireless, or plug in directly to LAN cables?

ok --- thanks again!

 

If the cable light is indicating a problem on the modem you need to contact Comcast.

Wireless is not good for first person games, lag is to great.

 

Hmm --- it's not the cable light that is on, it's the "internet" light on my modem that's blinking. The cable connection light is always on, and always strong. It's never given me problems before.

 

Comcast in the past was tied to the MAC address of the pc that setup the service. You need to clone the MAC addrees of the pc that was used to setup the service. This is done in the router.

Belkin are not know to be reliable. I have yet to find one that worked correctly.
If it doesn't work, reset the routers, wait 2 min before testing your connection.

 

I was thinking about picking up a new router anyway, for a new location in my apartment that makes more sense for where I'll be using my notebook --- Linksys seems to have a pretty good reputation, yes?

How do I find out the MAC address of my PC that was used to setup my service? This solution actually makes sense --- since I know you can't just plug in a PC to any ol' Comcast connection and have it work.

 

Do you have a PC that can connect directly to the modem and surf with NO Problem, Use It.

Rt click on the port and get status, support, Then details. Once you clone it that will be the pc they see for now own. I wrote mine down in a book.

I started with ATT, then Comcast bought them now Time Warner bought Comcast in my area. I switched over to Verizon FIOS (fiber optic) service 5/2mbps. I wanted the 2 meg up link speed. Now I here they may bump the 5/2 to a 10/2 service. Fasters than Comcast for a lower price.

As far as Hardware. I'm Curently using a Netgear VPN FVS338 8 port router with a USR 5450 AP, set on the other end of the house for my wireless. Seperate AP gives a lot more flexabiliy than combo routers, and a lot better performace.

Linksys is having problems since they reduced the ram by 1/2 then went to non Linux firmware. If you by Linksys buy the WRT54GL model. L indicating linux.

I do not like or recomend anything that is pre 11n or MIMO hardware. Currently it's all hipe, Nothing to back it up. Because it it sees a std 11b/g it does not use the 11n.

 

Worked like a charm. Thanks!

 

oh, for those keeping score, I found my MAC address by using the ipconfig /all command line. My router didn't seem to have success cloning my computer's properties by itself, so I had to manually transfer this info over.