Member Avatar for ikkyu

A friend of mine Has a Time warner cable for the internet. His modem has a usb connection and an ethernet connection. I don't know what kind of router he has, but a technician set his new wireless laptop connection up the other day now his desktop will not connect to the internet(his wireless laptop will though.) He has windows ME on the desktop and it is connected to the modem by usb instead of through the router. Is there a way to restore his internet connection without having to buy an ethernet card so he can connect through the router?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

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A few practical notes that build on what and already pointed out.

Cable modems often hand out one public IP and can remember the MAC of the device last attached. That is why the modem/router/power sequence matters: power everything down, connect the modem to the router WAN port, power the modem up and wait for it to fully sync (usually a minute or two), then power the router, then the PC. If the router’s WAN LED or status page never gets a public IP, try power-cycling the modem again or ask the ISP to clear the modem’s registration so it will lease a new address to the router.

Options and checks that weren’t detailed in the thread:

  • If avoiding new hardware is important, the laptop can temporarily act as a gateway (Internet Connection Sharing or bridging) if its OS supports sharing the wireless link to an Ethernet port. This is a short-term workaround only.
  • A low-cost PCI 10/100 network card is the most reliable fix for an older desktop. Many inexpensive NICs use common chipsets with Windows 9x/ME drivers available from vendors; install the card, connect a CAT5 cable to a router LAN port, set TCP/IP to obtain an address automatically, and use the Windows ME IP tool (Start -> Run -> winipcfg) to confirm a private address (192.168.x.x etc.).
  • USB-to-Ethernet adapters exist, but must be purchased only after confirming the vendor provides drivers for Windows ME.

Quick troubleshooting checklist: confirm router WAN is set to DHCP, power-cycle modem/router in the order above, verify the router shows a WAN IP, ensure the desktop’s NIC is set to DHCP and bound to TCP/IP, and if problems persist contact the ISP to reset the modem’s registration.

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Member Avatar for DimaYasny

he needs the USB driver for windows ME (not likely there is one to be found anywhere)

Member Avatar for bobbyraw

NO........he will have to get a Eth Card so that the computer can connect through the router... or disconnect the router and reconnect the modem directly to the computer........I know this because i work Time Warner Level 3 Help deks.. here is what you have a moden that give out ONE IP address, to any devices that attached to it...in your case the router then the router can give out as much as four IP (for Time warner) NOW if the PC does not have a eth connection it will not be able to connect to the router. therfore you need to get a eth card or return to the prious connection you had with the computer and the modam.

Member Avatar for ikkyu

Thank you for both of your replies. Bobbyraw, we thought that was what we were going to have to do, but were hoping we didn't have to. Now that we have the word he's going to install an ethernet card. Thanks.

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