A wittle networking issue

theboomboom · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 4:49 pm Post subject: A wittle networking issue

Ok, here's the background on my little situation.

A couple days ago there was a big thunder storm and some lightning struck very close to my house. The power went out in my area and it took down all my computers and networking gear. Hard. I have comcast internet so I had been using a Motorola Surfboard SB5100 modem. When the power came back on, it started up again and the Power, Send, Recieve and Online lights came on, but the PC Activity light didnt do anything. And the modem itself felt like it was gonna combust on me. So I tried some different things. The current network setup for me is modem-router-my pc and my dad's pc. Anywho, I tried swapping cords because I figure those could have been fried, but no joy for either PC. I did a direct connection from both PCs to the modem and bypassed the router entirely. Still nothing. I went ahead and picked up a linksys modem and did a direct connection to it from my computer. After running the comcast activiation for the modem, my computer works fine. But, there's my dad's computer aswell. To get the internet to both computers I went back to my original setup only with the new modem. Neither computer worked. So, I swapped out the router for a hub and now my computer works fine, but my dad's still didn't work. I figured it could be his NIC, so since it was integrated into the motherboard I picked up an old PCI NIC and threw that in. I also disabled the integrated NIC. When I tried going to the hub or directly to the modem, it gave me the same messsage: "limited or no connectivity". I've tried repairing the connection, that didnt work. I've tried swapping cords, that didnt work either.

Any idead guys?
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CaptJack · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 11:16 pm Post subject:

Well,

What happened was you had a power surge which probably fried or reuced greatly the lifespan of your cmputer and networking equipment. Power surges cause about 60-80 percent of all electrical equipment problems. So what I would do Is replace the bad stuff than get a special home networking heaty duty surge protector to use with your equipment. hope this helps:)
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Wang Chung · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 12:38 am Post subject: Re: A wittle networking issue

theboomboom wrote:

A couple days ago there was a big thunder storm and some lightning struck very close to my house. The power went out in my area and it took down all my computers and networking gear. Hard. I have comcast internet so I had been using a Motorola Surfboard SB5100 modem. When the power came back on, it started up again and the Power, Send, Recieve and Online lights came on, but the PC Activity light didnt do anything. And the modem itself felt like it was gonna combust on me.

Ridiculous question, but have you ever felt one before? They GET HOT AS HELL!!! I'm just curious because that can be a misleading sign.

Quote:

To get the internet to both computers I went back to my original setup only with the new modem. Neither computer worked. So, I swapped out the router for a hub and now my computer works fine, but my dad's still didn't work. I figured it could be his NIC, so since it was integrated into the motherboard I picked up an old PCI NIC and threw that in. I also disabled the integrated NIC. When I tried going to the hub or directly to the modem, it gave me the same messsage: "limited or no connectivity". I've tried repairing the connection, that didnt work. I've tried swapping cords, that didnt work either.

That's because hubs don't do DHCP routing ... ???

Try putting that PCI johnson in YOUR comp, connecting that card via ethernet to your dads integrated and then connect your current main NIC to the modem directly and then bridge the connections to prove if what I'm saying has possible validity.

I'm pretty sure your old modem was fried and likely the router. Routers are ridiculously sensitive in particular to stupid shit. Looks like to me the router is definitely dead but your old modem can be saved. I'd just get a new router instead of a hub, because a hub can't do routing. I learned this in an awkward way.
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is now -=|CT|=- Frothy Mixture

massive · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 12:56 am Post subject:

Wang's right - you fried the router - maybe.

Try this 1st. Leave your modem powered on.
Plug the router in as it was before, give it a full minute to boot. Make sure the WAN light is good.
Then plug your PC into the router and reboot.
Same for your Dad's. If the router's not fried, it should pick up and IP address from the Modem, as well as providing IP addresses to your PCs (also vith DHCP)

Let us know what happens
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Brutus · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 8:01 am Post subject:

Well, you are in a fine position to do what some affectionately call "easter egging".

After the soft fix Massive suggested (ALWAYS DO EASIEST FIRST) you can try this if it still looks like a hard fix is required.

As long as you have a good set of PC components you can try the possible bad components (ONE AT A TIME) in your good machine OR use the good components (ONE AT A TIME) in your bad machine.

Barring a complete multi-component failure (AND something IS broken) you will pick up a clue on what is broken.
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theboomboom · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 10:12 am Post subject:

Ok, turns out the magic procedure is turning the modem on an off whenever I plug in a different computer.

Soo, now I have to get a new router. It needs to have wireless, so at this point I am debating between getting some dated cheap wireless B router since thats the speed most of my stuff runs at, a wireless N router if they arent still using pre-n technology, or this baby http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16833127158.

Thoughts, suggestions?
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You do not say that the wheel is fatigued, yet the body is as material as the wheel

massive · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 4:00 pm Post subject:

Nice router - has gigabit ethernet ports. If you want the 108Mb over wireless, you'll have to go with the DLINk 108G cards for your station(s), otherwise it'll max at 54Mb. Run the cable and connect at Gb Wink

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Vlad Piranha wrote:

I'm offended that a zombie holocaust isn't on the list. It would be terrifying, sure, but it would be pretty sweet if you think about it.