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Sep 24th, 2005

Linksys cable gateway and comcast refusing to take my mac # so I can get connectivity

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I have an old moterola cable modem. I run a wired lan, but want to update and expand. So I by the Linksys cable gateway. I do all the connections. I punch on IE and comcast comes up with a help page. Says I can download new stuff. When I go to download, it tells me my server connection is non-existant. So I go on aol dial-up and talk to comcast. This is the run around I get:

Richard > I swapped out my motorola cable modem for a Linksys Wirless G Cable Gateway My mak address is 0013105064D9 What to do to get broadband up and running?
Kyle > Thank you for contacting Comcast, my name is Kyle.
Kyle > I am sorry that you are experiencing difficulties configuring your wireless gateway, however, I should be able to advise you with that.
Kyle > One moment while I access your account information please.
Kyle > And just to confirm, I am speaking with Richard ?.
Richard > Correct- I had to use my aol dial-up to get online
Kyle > Thank you.
Kyle > Also, to release account specific information, can I confirm the account number on your Internet account, the subscriber number on your Comcast statement, Richard ?.
Richard > I don't have a comcast statement handy- is there so other confirmation I could offer?
Kyle > In order to provide any account specific information, we would need to verify security through the account number, or the last payment date, and exact amount.
Kyle > Do you have any of that information?.
Richard > I wrote a check for 127.79 at the end of August for both cable and phone
Kyle > I see, a specific date would be needed to release any specific account information.
Kyle > Now, although gateways are not supported with the Comcast service, have you visited your Gateway manufacturer's website for the latest firmware, and configuration information to set up a DHCP connection on their equipment Richard?.
Richard > The directions with the equip was to install and call ISP provider with a mac address so the connection could be reconfigured. On the equip supported by comcast, this particular was listed with a manual
Kyle > Our network automatically logs Mac addresses so that your equipment can connect.
Kyle > However, it will need to be configured for a DHCP connection.
Kyle > As Comcast did not provide the Gateway, this is something that we do not have information for.
Kyle > However, in order to correctly configure the gateway, your manufacturer will have the information necessary on their website, or by speaking with their support directly.
Kyle > And is there anything else I can assist you with today, Richard ?.
Kyle > Then thank you for contacting Comcast, have a good night!.
Richard > When I log on to the home page, it asks me if I am a new or existijng customer. Then I hit a install download bar that just goes to the server does not support the page requeswted.
Kyle > Analyst has closed chat and left the room

The reason I wanted to upgrade is that I have some systems I would like to go wireless with- but comcast doesn't have much patience if they're are not renting you the equip. I also contacted Linksys- they asked me if I tried to rest the modem- I waited 20 minutes for their answer- so I did not do that - I just hooked my old equip back up. The labor involved is minimal- my frustration is that the people I pay for broadband and the people I bought equip from do not seem too competant- their help seemed listless and uninvolved. I guess I am asking for help and spenting too much time venting. Sorry for the later.

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richard.larson2

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Sep 24th, 2005

Re: Linksys cable gateway and comcast refusing to take my mac # so I can get connectivity

I would return the cable router, put the motorola back in and reboot it, get a ethernet router with wireless, plug it's outside port into the network port on the motorola, and try it again.

Basically the Motorola is the end of their responsibility, as long as they hand off a 10/100 interface and one routable IP, a wireless ethernet gateway should be all you need.

w1r3sp33d

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Sep 25th, 2005

Re: Linksys cable gateway and comcast refusing to take my mac # so I can get connectivity

All right- back to the old motorola- I have a connection with my main computer only. When I reinstall my old hardwire Linksys router- i can not longer connect. Also, everytime my computer boots up I get an error message stating I a have "duplicate name on the network." Don't know where to go to correct this problem either.

Lastly, I have taken your advise- installed wireless router- but still have no connectivity with the wired periphials. My only connection is to run the cable directly into my main computer. My other two computers are useless for the internet.

Please advise

richard.larson2

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Sep 25th, 2005

Re: Linksys cable gateway and comcast refusing to take my mac # so I can get connectivity

Let me check to ensure that you have hooked everything up correctly. Your setup should work as follows: Cable line with internet connects to your Motorolla Cable Modem, you have a network cable running from the Motorolla Cable Modem to the WAN port on your router (whether it is wireless or not), and you have a number of computers (more than one) hooked up to the router with network cables. Does this description match your setup?

I understand that you want to get wireless working, but let's ignore wireless for right now until we can make sure that your network is functioning correctly.

What router are you trying to use (please specify the brand and model number)?

The "duplicate name on the network" error message means that you have more than one computer using the same Window's network name. In order to change a computer's network name, right-click on My Computer, click Properties, click the "Computer Name" tab, click "Change...", give the computer a name that will uniquely identify it (Den Compaq, Ben's Laptop, etc), select the Workgroup radio button, specify a workgroup name that you will use for all your machines (I usually use Home as my workgroup, but you can use whatever you want), click OK, accept any dialog box that pops up, and repeat the process for all the other machines on the network.

chrisbliss18

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Sep 25th, 2005

Re: Linksys cable gateway and comcast refusing to take my mac # so I can get connecti

Also if you plug your pc into the motorola and it works, then you plug in the router without rebooting the motorola it will not work. Make sure that you power off the motorola anytime you change what is plugged into it (it will probably only store a single mac address upon booting.)

w1r3sp33d

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Sep 27th, 2005

Re: Linksys cable gateway and comcast refusing to take my mac # so I can get connectivity

Problem is solved. #1 Comcast is less generous with their bandwidth- I never had a router- I had an 8 port switch. Installed Liksys wireless router with hardwire capacity for 4 (which I need and had prior to 10 days ago) Now my cable thinks it has only one computer, but it actually has 4 due to the wonders of routers. Lastly, I got the wireless up also. The best help of all- a knowledgeable employee of Best Buy who knew the latest with my local comcast provider and validated the info received in the first post. I've learned that a 8-port switch is not a router. I just wonder why comcast which charges 45.95 for broadband would not have had a little customer loyalty and informed us that we would no longer get bandwith except for the one line. Seems to me, it would have been a no brainer. Thanks for everyone's help. And here's to the Geek squad- may we all become alittle more geekier.

richard.larson2

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Sep 27th, 2005

Re: Linksys cable gateway and comcast refusing to take my mac # so I can get connecti

It's actually not a bandwidth issue; rather, it's an IP issue. Most cable ISPs offered each cable connection four IPs. This meant that four systems could connect through a gateway and receive their own IP outside the local network. With the popularity boom of broadband, it simply wasn't possible to give every consumer four IPs, so the companies started pulling back to giving out just one IP per dynamic IP connection. In my opinion, this isn't an issue. Everyone that connects through broadband should do so through a router so that they have a hardware firewall protecting their machines.

In all reality, Comcast isn't being stingy, they are just being smarter with how they give out a limited resource.

I'm glad that you got it sorted out.

chrisbliss18

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Oct 4th, 2005

Re: Linksys cable gateway and comcast refusing to take my mac # so I can get connecti

Quote originally posted by chrisbliss18 ...

It's actually not a bandwidth issue; rather, it's an IP issue. Most cable ISPs offered each cable connection four IPs. This meant that four systems could connect through a gateway and receive their own IP outside the local network. With the popularity boom of broadband, it simply wasn't possible to give every consumer four IPs, so the companies started pulling back to giving out just one IP per dynamic IP connection. In my opinion, this isn't an issue. Everyone that connects through broadband should do so through a router so that they have a hardware firewall protecting their machines.

In all reality, Comcast isn't being stingy, they are just being smarter with how they give out a limited resource.

I'm glad that you got it sorted out.

Noted.

Thanks.

richard.larson2

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Sep 27th, 2006

Re: Linksys cable gateway and comcast refusing to take my mac # so I can get connecti

Click to Expand / Collapse Quote originally posted by richard.larson2 ...

Problem is solved. #1 Comcast is less generous with their bandwidth- I never had a router- I had an 8 port switch. Installed Liksys wireless router with hardwire capacity for 4 (which I need and had prior to 10 days ago) Now my cable thinks it has only one computer, ...

Did you CLONE the MAC address? My guess is yes, though you did not specifically state that here.

Link about 'cloning' from Linksys:

http://linksys.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/...i=&p_topview=1

Another question? Did you use a different subnet for your Wireless Router in order to connect to your hardwired router? If so the steps you took would be helpful to know for others.

I know I plan to get a Skype handset and a WiFi Linksys Router and add it to my home network with my Linksys hardwired (Ethernet not WiFi) and use it like a cellphone, but with WiFi. Why, easy, 86ing my Cingular service is saving me over $700 per year. In the 6 months prior to Skype's new program (free outgoing calls until December, before that it was a whooping .02 cents / min outgoing and free incoming as always) I spent less then $60 dollars for phone service...yep Less then $10 per month! Yea! I am never going back to either landlines or cellular!

cbemerine

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Nov 3rd, 2007

Re: Linksys cable gateway and comcast refusing to take my mac # so I can get connecti

Click to Expand / Collapse Quote originally posted by richard.larson2 ...

All right- back to the old motorola- I have a connection with my main computer only. When I reinstall my old hardwire Linksys router- i can not longer connect. Also, everytime my computer boots up I get an error message stating I a have "duplicate name on the network." Don't know where to go to correct this problem either.

Lastly, I have taken your advise- installed wireless router- but still have no connectivity with the wired periphials. My only connection is to run the cable directly into my main computer. My other two computers are useless for the internet.

Please advise

I have been through the exact same thing and spend about 9 hours on the phone back and forth with Time Warner and Linksys - and what you are saying is exactly right - however the LAST time I was on the phone with Linksys I got a "level 2 support" - which is pretty good considering I could understand everything she was saying.

At any rate the Lynksys gateway is NOT compatible with the motorola - they do NOT work together despite what everyone is telling you from Lynksys or from you internet provider - they are both "simple minded" technical objects and do not work together.
You must connect your linksys then call your internet provider and demand they register your MAC address and ping your network. Dont hang up because if it does not work, your motorola will not work either as the address is changed. There can only be 1 MAC address with my internet provider - I dont know about everyone.

I finally called timewarner and told them I was going to purchase an additional service and have a tech come to the house to install the equipment and proceeded to tell her that the charges and customer service was terrible and I was going to write a letter to the FCC and BBB and anyone who would listen - then apologized as it was not her fault personally - and she registered my mac address within 2 minutes and all was well..

MY issue is that the Lynksys times out way too much for my liking.

I hope this helps and my 9 hours of wasted time and acknowledgeable customer service techs does some good for you.

I am trying to find an answer to that now

laura777

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